At White House, Youth Will Be Served

Beatle is awarded Gershwin Prize at White House lovefest

(NEWSER) - Paul McCartney was honored last night with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, and his evening at the White House was filled with reverent tributes, raucous performances, and a bit of humor. “After the last eight years, it's good to have a president that knows what a library is,” McCartney said after thanking the Library of Congress for the prize. More»

Obamas tell kid patients of 26 trees; 'presents not under each one'

(NEWSER) - The first family—minus the president, but plus the first dog—talked about their first White House Christmas yesterday, but Michelle Obama wouldn’t spill any secrets on what’s waiting for Barack under the tree. Malia told patients at the Children’s National Medical Center about the 26 trees decorating her new home, but clarified that, “Unfortunately we don't get presents under every tree,” People reports. More»

(NEWSER) - All of Paris is breathlessly awaiting the arrival of Michelle Obama, hoping to catch a glimpse of an American first lady as beloved by the French as Jackie Kennedy, reports AP. Like Jackie, "Mrs. Obama is exactly the kind of American woman the French adore: a woman who never lost her femininity, who's smart and dynamic and fabulous in her own right," said a Paris fashion critic. More»

He was too ambitious; she was cold and ungrateful, says new book

(NEWSER) - It may be hard to believe now, but Barack and Michelle Obama have weathered "frosty" times in their marriage because of politics, according to a new book. During a painful stretch in 2000 "there was little conversation and even less romance," said Renegade author Michael Wolffe, who covered Obama's campaign for Newsweek. "She was angry at his selfishness and careerism; he thought she was cold and ungrateful." More»

First lady pokes fun at fashion-challenged husband

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama pays as much attention to his wife’s wardrobe as the media does, Michelle Obama tells the New York Times in an interview on life in the Obama household. "He’s always asking: ‘Is that new? I haven’t seen that before,’ the first lady said. "It’s like, ‘Why don’t you mind your own business? Solve world hunger. Get out of my closet.’" More»