AN AVERAGE AMERICAN SHOPPER - AT 9:35 A.M. ET:  Talk about the imperial presidency.  First Lady Michelle Obama has been raising eyebrows recently with some moves toward acquiring more power.  Apparently, she wants her children to be dresssed for the part when she gets there:

PARIS - Michelle Obama and her girls enjoyed a special Sunday shopping trip in Paris this month thanks to friends in high places who bent France's Sunday store-closing rules.

President Nicolas Sarkozy said Tuesday that calls were made to open a swanky children's boutique, usually closed by law on Sundays, where the First Lady and her two daughters perused racks of $200 summer dresses and $100 sweaters.

"Is it normal that on a Sunday when Madame Obama wants to go to the Paris shops with her daughters, that I have to make phone calls to have them open?" said Sarkozy, who is pushing to change the law.

"Who is going to explain to them why France is the only country where shops are closed on Sundays?"

It was actually the U.S. Embassy that arranged for opening of the shop, Bonpoint, a store spokeswoman said.

COMMENT:  Not good thinking.  We're in a deep recession.  It's bad enough that the first lady went on a separate plane to Paris, not Air Force One, costing taxpayers a mint.  The additional image of her shopping at an ultra-upscale store while Americans are hurting is doubly troubling. 

Someone should have a chat with Michelle.  She's riding high in the polls right now, but that could change.  She might call Nancy Reagan and ask Nancy about the public reaction when Mrs. Reagan tried to get more china for the White House.  Michelle is getting a little too high-toned.  As her husband's poll numbers decline, watch for hers to slip as well if she continues with these big-spender outings.

July 1, 2009