GALLERY
The holidays arrive in Washington as First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden host festivities for children of military families.
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) has said President Obamaholds "anti-American views," is leading the country into decline and ranks as one of the worst presidents ever.
But on Monday, she'll be in a long line with her 20-year-old daughter, Elisa, waiting to get an unusual kind of memento for a conservative firebrand: a picture with the president and first ladyMichelle Obama.
At the White House, it's grip-and-grin time. A series of more than a dozen holiday parties that the Obamas personally attend launched this week with a Hanukkah gathering and a celebration for White House volunteers. Over the next few weeks, administration officials say, more than 12,000 people will come to one of the seasonal events at the White House, continuing a long Washington tradition.
In addition to the Hanukkah and volunteer events, there are separate parties for members of Congress, White House staff, the Secret Service and reporters who cover the administration, as well as seven events for non-Washington insiders such as military families.
Invitations are highly coveted. Obama and the first lady speak at some of the events. But the most excitement surrounds parties, such as Thursday night's Hanukkah celebration, that include a receiving line in which the Obamas have individual photos taken with the invitee and a guest, usually a spouse, parent or child.
"The story of Jewish history over the centuries is not filled with Jews being invited to the head of state's palaces or homes for a celebration," said Nathan Diament, director of public policy for the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, explaining why he attended the Hanukkah event. "When the leader of the world's superpower in hosting an event with a full kosher menu, it's wonderful."
Diament added, "In less lofty terms, it's the ultimate working and networking event."
While Diament serves on the White House's faith council, even Obama critics struggle to pass up the invitations, much as Democrats showed up for the parties during President George W. Bush's terms in office. Asked if they would attend Monday's congressional party at the White House, a number of House Republicans who have blasted nearly every administration decision said, "Of course."
Bachmann said her daughter, who is also a Republican, was so excited to go to the party that the congresswoman is skipping a wedding in order to attend.Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) called the event a chance for his wife of 25 years, Cheryl, "to be Cinderella," and added that she was buying a new dress for the event.
"It's the president," Bachmann said. "I respect the president even if we disagree on some issues.".
Bachmann and Flake said they would keep their pictures with the Obamas at their homes, even though he is not their favorite president. But Flake acknowledged the awkwardness in this hyper-partisan era.
He said conservatives in his state urged him not to play basketball with Obama last year when it was publicized that he was one of the lawmakers who had been invited for a game. Flake played anyway and said the White House party was a similar privilege, no matter who occupied the Oval Office.
At parties with a receiving line, the Obamas must pose for hundreds of pictures, turning the First Couple virtually into statues as the hours go by. (Both brush off any suggestion that the events are a burden.)
"Be patient in the line," the president told those in line at the Hanukkah event. "And I just want to let everybody know that yes, they will be able to photoshop my lip for the picture."
White House officials try to make the events move as quickly as possible, meaning the guests line up for more than an hour but often have less a minute with the Obamas.
It creates a little nervousness from even veteran politicos: What do you say to the Leader of the Free World in 15 seconds?
"I greeted him and mentioned that I'd last seen him while on his campaign plane. He said he remembered but I have no idea whether he was just being nice," said Ari Melber, an attorney who is a correspondent for the Nation magazine and attended last year's party for print reporters. "I was placed next to Mrs. Obama for the picture, and I blurted out, 'You're so much taller in person.' I have no idea why I said that."
At the White House, it's grip-and-grin time. A series of more than a dozen holiday parties that the Obamas personally attend launched this week with a Hanukkah gathering and a celebration for White House volunteers. Over the next few weeks, administration officials say, more than 12,000 people will come to one of the seasonal events at the White House, continuing a long Washington tradition.
In addition to the Hanukkah and volunteer events, there are separate parties for members of Congress, White House staff, the Secret Service and reporters who cover the administration, as well as seven events for non-Washington insiders such as military families.
Invitations are highly coveted. Obama and the first lady speak at some of the events. But the most excitement surrounds parties, such as Thursday night's Hanukkah celebration, that include a receiving line in which the Obamas have individual photos taken with the invitee and a guest, usually a spouse, parent or child.
"The story of Jewish history over the centuries is not filled with Jews being invited to the head of state's palaces or homes for a celebration," said Nathan Diament, director of public policy for the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, explaining why he attended the Hanukkah event. "When the leader of the world's superpower in hosting an event with a full kosher menu, it's wonderful."
Diament added, "In less lofty terms, it's the ultimate working and networking event."
While Diament serves on the White House's faith council, even Obama critics struggle to pass up the invitations, much as Democrats showed up for the parties during President George W. Bush's terms in office. Asked if they would attend Monday's congressional party at the White House, a number of House Republicans who have blasted nearly every administration decision said, "Of course."
Bachmann said her daughter, who is also a Republican, was so excited to go to the party that the congresswoman is skipping a wedding in order to attend.Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) called the event a chance for his wife of 25 years, Cheryl, "to be Cinderella," and added that she was buying a new dress for the event.
"It's the president," Bachmann said. "I respect the president even if we disagree on some issues.".
Bachmann and Flake said they would keep their pictures with the Obamas at their homes, even though he is not their favorite president. But Flake acknowledged the awkwardness in this hyper-partisan era.
He said conservatives in his state urged him not to play basketball with Obama last year when it was publicized that he was one of the lawmakers who had been invited for a game. Flake played anyway and said the White House party was a similar privilege, no matter who occupied the Oval Office.
At parties with a receiving line, the Obamas must pose for hundreds of pictures, turning the First Couple virtually into statues as the hours go by. (Both brush off any suggestion that the events are a burden.)
"Be patient in the line," the president told those in line at the Hanukkah event. "And I just want to let everybody know that yes, they will be able to photoshop my lip for the picture."
White House officials try to make the events move as quickly as possible, meaning the guests line up for more than an hour but often have less a minute with the Obamas.
It creates a little nervousness from even veteran politicos: What do you say to the Leader of the Free World in 15 seconds?
"I greeted him and mentioned that I'd last seen him while on his campaign plane. He said he remembered but I have no idea whether he was just being nice," said Ari Melber, an attorney who is a correspondent for the Nation magazine and attended last year's party for print reporters. "I was placed next to Mrs. Obama for the picture, and I blurted out, 'You're so much taller in person.' I have no idea why I said that."
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