FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
In an e-mail sent out to supporters this past Tuesday, Michelle Obama announced that the 2012 Democratic National Convention will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina. “Charlotte”, Mrs. Obama writes,
is a city marked by its southern charm, warm hospitality, and an "up by the bootstraps" mentality that has propelled the city forward as one of the fastest-growing in the South. Vibrant, diverse, and full of opportunity, the Queen City is home to innovative, hardworking folks with big hearts and open minds. And of course, great barbecue.
The part about great barbecue comes as quite a surprise to Charlotte locals. Writes the editorial board of the Charlotte Observer,
Huh?!?! We appreciate all the compliments, and they're all spot-on until that last one. We like Spoon's, Mac's and Bubba's just fine, but everybody knows to get the best stuff, you gotta drive north to Lexington.
POLITICO confirms the gaffe:
A local Associated Press reporter quoted a barbecue expert, retired University of North Carolina professor John Shelton Reed, who said that Charlotte for barbecue was "like Minneapolis for gumbo."
The gaffe was enough to make you wonder whether the White House had simply cut and pasted Southern clichés to create the first lady's announcement.
Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, in about as gracious a response as one could be expected to offer up under the circumstances, promised that if BBQ is what FLOTUS wants, BBQ is what FLOTUS will get.
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Comments :
Dec '10
Re: FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
Bring the whole family to enjoy the BBQ, imported from Lexington or Sanford, but don't let your children eat that fatty BBQ. Or the fries. Or the Texas Toast. You can't eat Carolina BBG without hot-sauce vinegar, fries, and Texas Toast. However the kids are welcome to all they can of the coleslaw, made with low fat dressing.
I love me some Carolina BBQ!
Re: FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
I almost wrote about this yesterday because Anthony Foxx is an old college friend of mine. I'm thrilled for him; it meant so much to him to get the convention. Of course, Foxx is a Democrat and tight with Obama, so I wasn't sure this was the forum for a shout out! Still, a gal can be happy for an old friend ... and for an old city. I lived in Charlotte for a few years after college. A town with a lot to offer. My three dearest (and, frankly, only!) friends in this world are from there. And, Foxx, also a Charlotte native, is many, many wonderful things, including gracious. I'm not surprised he handled it with aplomb.
Edited on Feb 3, 2011 at 4:56pmJun '10
Re: FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
I think some junior FLOTUS staffer is getting skewered and roasted about now. Slap on some more sauce around the neck and ankles there.
Dec '10
Re: FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
Talk about amateur hour. This is basic stuff. The statement itself is conscending enough, without the factual errors making it moreso.
But I guess they know that this insult will be ignored by the media.
How much mileage did they get out of "Heckuva job, Brownie!"?
Jul '10
Re: FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
Hmm. While the First Lady deserves ridicule for everything she says about food, I think the bigger gaffe was made by that idiot -filled editorial board.
If they'd kept their mouths shut they wouldn't have had Politico disparaging Charlotte's cue.
Jul '10
Re: FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
Well, at least she didn't say chicken and waffles.
Re: FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
Kenneth: Well, at least she didn't say chicken and waffles. · Feb 3 at 6:14pm
Starting with the chicken and waffles post, I've now composed four posts in a row having to do with food. Must be the diet I'm on. I've got food on the brain.
Sep '10
Re: FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
Diane Ellis, Ed.
Kenneth: Well, at least she didn't say chicken and waffles. · Feb 3 at 6:14pm
Starting with the chicken and waffles post, I've now composed four posts in a row having to do with food. Must be the diet I'm on. I've got food on the brain. · Feb 3 at 6:51pm
Diane, speaking of food: I have a rumbly in my tumbly and when I checked the pantry, I realized that I have a subliminal craving for the SOTU Live Chat transcript. I realize that's a bit of work, especially since you were stuck with the thankless moderator task, but is it possible to get Blue Yeti or The Logo to put that up in Member Feed?
Sincerely,
PseudoD
Sep '10
Re: FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
I'm as happy as the next person to mock the Obamas, but skewering her for picking the wrong NC city for BBQ seems more like the results of a slow news day than something really worth pointing and laughing.
Dec '10
Re: FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
So is pulled pork now on the First Lady's healthy food choices list?
Jul '10
Re: FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
Diane Ellis, Ed.
Kenneth: Well, at least she didn't say chicken and waffles. · Feb 3 at 6:14pm
Starting with the chicken and waffles post, I've now composed four posts in a row having to do with food. Must be the diet I'm on. I've got food on the brain. · Feb 3
What's Emily's excuse for her Salma Hayek posts?
Re: FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
Pseudodionysius
Diane Ellis, Ed.
Kenneth: Well, at least she didn't say chicken and waffles. · Feb 3 at 6:14pm
Starting with the chicken and waffles post, I've now composed four posts in a row having to do with food. Must be the diet I'm on. I've got food on the brain. · Feb 3 at 6:51pm
Diane, speaking of food: I have a rumbly in my tumbly and when I checked the pantry, I realized that I have a subliminal craving for the SOTU Live Chat transcript. I realize that's a bit of work, especially since you were stuck with the thankless moderator task, but is it possible to get Blue Yeti or The Logo to put that up in Member Feed?
Sincerely,
PseudoD · Feb 3 at 7:01pm
I've made Blue Yeti aware of your request :)
Sep '10
Re: FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
Diane Ellis, Ed.
Pseudodionysius
Diane Ellis, Ed.
Kenneth: Well, at least she didn't say chicken and waffles. · Feb 3 at 6:14pm
Starting with the chicken and waffles post, I've now composed four posts in a row having to do with food. Must be the diet I'm on. I've got food on the brain. · Feb 3 at 6:51pm
Diane, speaking of food: I have a rumbly in my tumbly and when I checked the pantry, I realized that I have a subliminal craving for the SOTU Live Chat transcript. I realize that's a bit of work, especially since you were stuck with the thankless moderator task, but is it possible to get Blue Yeti or The Logo to put that up in Member Feed?
Sincerely,
PseudoD · Feb 3 at 7:01pm
I've made Blue Yeti aware of your request :) · Feb 3 at 8:56pm
You are very kind. I promise to clean up the empty tuna tins in the kitchen when I am done.
Re: FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
Hmmm. Well, there are few things as troublesome and itchy as a discussion of barbeque -- its proper preparation, service, and especially sauce. I'm a uniter, not a divider, of course, and am prepared to celebrate the tomato-based sauce of the western states (Tennessee, Mississippi, etc. And even Texas, though Texas has always seemed to me to be an also-ran in this regard....) and the mustard-anchored eccentricity of South Carolina, and especially the sharp vinegar bite of the North Carolina -- eastern, not "Lexington" -- that I can only hope the First Lady digs into.
A recipe is here, and it's great, and from the great John T. Edge and his indispensable book, Southern Belly.
Jul '10
Re: FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
Rob Long: though Texas has always seemed to me to be an also-ran in this regard....)
I'm having a "WANTED" poster printed as We type.
Dec '10
Re: FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
Jimmy Carter
Rob Long: though Texas has always seemed to me to be an also-ran in this regard....)
I'm having a "WANTED" poster printed as We type. · Feb 4 at 12:27pm
Texas isn't different for its sauce so much as for its reliance on beef as a barbecue menu staple. Kentucky has a patch or two where mutton is a preferred barbecue meat.
I'm perfectly happy to wallow in brisket and beef ribs.
Dec '10
Re: FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
Rob Long:
A recipe is here, and it's great, and from the great John T. Edge and his indispensable book, Southern Belly. · Feb 4 at 12:14pm
That may be the source of your confusion. My understanding is that Texas is the West, not the South.
Jul '10
Re: FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
It's "Where The West Begins"
Mutton? How about Mutton Busting?
Nov '10
Re: FLOTUS Announces 2012 Democratic National Convention; Promises Great BBQ
Going to North Carolina for barbecue is like going to London for pasta.
*salutes the Lone Star*