Privacy? Obama Girls at White House

A 'Mainstream' News Source Produced a Secret Video

First Lady-to-be Michelle Obama was hoping for some privacy with daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, to prepare for their big move to the White House in January with President-elect Barack Obama. The girls would get their first look inside the White House, including a visit to their future bedrooms, courtesy of a tour conducted by the Bush twins, Jenna and Barbara. They also would join their Mom on visits to several schools in Washington. D.C.

"The visit was strictly private, with no media coverage or photos," reported the Associated Press.

But on the Internet, there is a creepy video of 58 seconds in length. On display is a huge sports utility vehicle along a dimly-lit street curb. Emerging through the nearby doors, we see some cleancut fellows in suits and ties. Then comes a bouncy little girl with hands in her hooded winter coat; this must be Sasha. She jumps into the van. Next is a taller young lass, striding more with the air of an adolescent; that's Malia. Finally there's Mom, Michelle, who quickly ducks into the van's closest door. The van takes off and the video ends, no narration.

Nobody looks toward the camera, not even the Secret Service. Nobody seems to see it.

Oh well, the paparazzi are at work, right? The Obama parents must know and realize and understand that there's a cheap tabloid press out there. It's part of the sacrifice they decided to make two years ago, when they decided to embark on the United States presidency.

But wait. This video appears on a website for The Baltimore Sun, http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-obamagirls1119,0,1571744.story. There an article circulated by same Associated Press that had reported on a "private" visit, headlined, "Obama daughters get White House tour from Bush twins." The video contains a red AP logo; in fact, when you click on the logo, that's when the video begins.

This wasn't the National Enquirer. This was the mainstream press. Reporters also camped out at the various schools, charting which schools received visits from the Obama entourage, and for how long they stayed.