Norm Coleman on Michelle Obama's Oscars appearance: Obamas 'owe Hollywood so much'

Norm Coleman on Michelle Obama's Oscars appearance: Obamas "owe Hollywood so much"

By Aaron Rupar Tue., Feb. 26 2013 at 10:23 AM

Image by Tatiana Craine

Coleman thinks Michelle's Oscars appearance was some sort of quid pro quo for Hollywood's efforts to elect her husband.

Norm Coleman has had some surprisingly nice things to say about President Obama lately, but he's still a Republican, and he couldn't resist the urge to take a shot at the first lady during an appearance yesterday on Wolf Blitzer's CNN show.

SEE ALSO: Michele Bachmann's "tar baby" Obama blast "has nothing to do with race"

Asked what he thought about Michelle Obama's live-via-satellite presentation of the Academy Awards' best picture award, Coleman said: "The fact is that the president and the first lady owed Hollywood so much, Wolf, so much. For her to go on, I'm sure that everyone was very very happy."

But then, in classically passive-aggressive fashion, Coleman quickly added: "I'm not going to criticize the first lady, she's very very popular, and I'll leave it at that." (You can watch the footage here.)

Colemans's subtle criticism echoes remarks made by other prominent conservatives, including the Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin, who had this to say:

Now the first lady feels entitled, with military personnel as props, to intrude on other forms of entertaining, this time for the benefit of the Hollywood glitterati who so lavishly paid for her husband's election.

Likewise, Bill O'Reilly characterized Michelle's appearance as "Hollywood left boosterism" and "propaganda to make [the Obamas look] glamorous."

O'Reilly said Laura Bush -- who was featured in a video package that ran during the 2002 Oscars -- "would never at any time have introduced any award."

Seriously people, does everything have to spun into a political controversy?

Tags:

Michelle Obama, Oscars

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John Smith

Michelle is hot.

MotherJones

I didn't find her appearance offensive. What I did find offensive was the fact that she wore a $2000 gown, while she used military personnel as a backdrop, who more or less get paid minimum wage labor. If Michelle wants to win over the country, and use celebrity to her advantage, then perhaps she should join the Army.

Seed

1 Like

Yes, because when you owe someone they let you do something that is awesome for you.

Joshua Rodasti

you look and act like a klingon

Jocelyn Provencher

Oh for the love of...get over it. It's the 21st century. If Michelle wants to be a very involved First Lady, then let her. At least she's not 70. So if she can actually speak her mind, dance, have fun and support what she loves, more power to her. She's not some shaking teetotaler from the 1920's standing behind her man with her mouth pinched a la Nancy Reaganish.

Jeffrey Zaayer

Remember that time when Norm Coleman was a Democrat

Becky Muyres McBreen

And I thought the biggest controversy would be whether she could pull off bangs or not.

Lisa Andrews

Just because they booted his wannabe wife outta Hollywood

Anne Castro

Shut the fuck up Norm, you supercilious, simpering sycophant!

Justin Erik Hall

These people will be butthurt til 2016.

Holly185

Does everything have to be spun into a political controversy? Well, let's answer that with another question: Is there anything the Obamas can butt out of so that they don't invite the criticism? It;s not as though Norm Coleman is the only person on earth who has suggested this was innapprorpiate or gratuitous. They are not the Kardashians. It'd be fine for them to spend five minutes not on television.

Angela Salzl

John Taylor

Michelle Obama isn't a politician, she's the wife of a politician, who cares?

Mark J Grundhoefer

Its fine tho, our courtys fine, no worries right!! Ha!

Mark J Grundhoefer

Yes

Erinn Reed

So when Laura Bush made her 2002 Oscar appearance were you just as pissy and opinionated? http://www.opposingviews.com/i/entertainment/conervatives-attack-michelle-obama-appearing-oscars-not-laura-bush-video

Angela Larson

Oh, you mean the guy who is married to this woman? http://wonkette.com/343443/senator-norm-colemans-wife-now-available-for-blo-go

Tracy Marcotte Shaffer

Norm who?

Tracy Marcotte Shaffer

Norm who?

Mark J Grundhoefer

Right, and she does not rep our country at all does she?

Chris Goyette

File this under "who the hell cares"

Chris Goyette

File this under "who the hell cares"

Theresa Bruckner

Norm Coleman is still a thing?

Theresa Bruckner

Norm Coleman is still a thing?

Mare Anderson

She's not a politician.

Mare Anderson

She's not a politician.

Melissa Peterson

The Obamas need to stay home and concentrate on their job (but then again our country would be destroyed faster)....at least it would save the taxpayers millions a year for excessive travel/security costs...

Tabitha Hansen

The government looked foolish WELL before Michelle made an appearance at the Oscars.

Annette Cook

Amen Gina! You said what I was thinking!

Tabitha Hansen

If people couldn't force their opinions down our throat daily I swear they'd blow up!!! Who cares what people think of the first lady announcing best picture!! Get real!