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Obamas enjoy a date on Broadway Obamas enjoy a date on Broadway
(about 1 hour later)
US President Barack Obama has fulfilled a pre-election promise by flying first lady Michelle to New York for a date.US President Barack Obama has fulfilled a pre-election promise by flying first lady Michelle to New York for a date.
"I promised her during the campaign that I would take her to a Broadway show after it was all finished," the US president explained in a statement."I promised her during the campaign that I would take her to a Broadway show after it was all finished," the US president explained in a statement.
Republicans characterised the trip as insensitive and wasteful against the backdrop of US car giant General Motors preparing for an expected bankruptcy.Republicans characterised the trip as insensitive and wasteful against the backdrop of US car giant General Motors preparing for an expected bankruptcy.
White House aides and media accompanied the first couple on their private date.White House aides and media accompanied the first couple on their private date.
The president and first lady travelled to New York in a smaller plane than the regular Air Force One 747.The president and first lady travelled to New York in a smaller plane than the regular Air Force One 747.
Mr and Mrs Obama ate dinner at Blue Hill restaurant, described as a trendy place where the food is grown by owner-chef Dan Barber.Mr and Mrs Obama ate dinner at Blue Hill restaurant, described as a trendy place where the food is grown by owner-chef Dan Barber.
After dinner they moved on to see an August Wilson's play, Joe Turner's Come and Gone. After dinner they moved on to the theatre.
The play is set in a Pittsburgh boarding house during a time when thousands of descendants of former slaves seeking work moved in large numbers from the south toward the industrial cities of the north. Crowds up to eight people deep gathered, while taxi drivers stood on the door frames of their vehicles as people gathered to glimpse the first couple as their motorcade passed through blockaded streets.
The Obamas flew back to Washington the same evening. The presidential date ended with a performance of August Wilson's play, Joe Turner's Come and Gone.
The play is set in a Pittsburgh boarding house during a time when thousands of descendants of former slaves seeking work moved in large numbers from the rural south toward the industrial cities of the north.
The Obamas were due to fly back to Washington on Saturday night.