Obamas to Host French President for State Dinner
They can bond over their citizenry turning against them
President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will host a state visit—including a state dinner –for French President Francois Hollande in February, the White House said Friday.
The announcement comes after Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff cancelled her trip to the United States —which would have included a state visit to Washington—amid tensions with the Obama administration over the National Security Agency's surveillance on foreign soil.
The Hollande state dinner will take place on Feb. 11, 2014, the White House said.
The parties have become increasingly rare in recent years; the most recent one was held in March 2012 for British Prime Minister David Cameron. In all, the Obamas have hosted six state dinners thus far during their time in the White House, and George W. Bush and Laura Bush hosted that many during their entire eight years in Washington. Bill Clinton hosted 23 state dinners, while Ronald Reagan held 35, according to the State Department.
