1/21/2015
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- Dressed in a conservative Michael Kors tweed skirt suit, Michelle Obama was dubbed 'flawless' on Tuesday night
- But what many viewers did not realize is 51-year-old First Lady's designer attire had been worn on-screen before
- First seen on Julianna Margulies in the role of Alicia Florrick, the wife of a disgraced politician on The Good Wife
- During Tuesday night's address, Mrs Obama was surrounded by nearly two dozen individuals who have benefited from President Barack Obama's initiatives as she watched her husband speak before Congress on Capitol Hill
- Among guests were Alan Gross, US aid worker recently released from a Cuban prison after a five-year detention
Dressed in a conservative Michael Kors tweed skirt suit, Michelle Obama was dubbed 'flawless', 'stunning' and a 'picture of perfection' during her president husband's annual State of the Union address on Tuesday night.
But amid the storm of compliments, what many viewers - and perhaps, the First Lady herself - did not realize is that her designer attire had been worn on-screen before - by the wife of a disgraced politician in the hit TV series The Good Wife.
At a price of $797 for the jacket alone (reduced from $1,595 at Neiman Marcus), the skirt suit was first seen on actress Julianna Margulies in the role of Alicia Florrick, the wife of former state attorney Peter Florrick, who was jailed following a notorious political corruption and sex scandal.
Although the majority of viewers did not pick up on Mrs Obama's outfit double, some fans of the CBS show did. Twitter user Elaine Teng wrote: 'Michelle Obama is channeling her inner Alicia Florrick tonight', while another user tweeted: 'Michelle Obama is bringing some fierce Alicia Florrick.'
During Tuesday night's address, Mrs Obama, 51, was surrounded by nearly two dozen individuals who have benefited from President Barack Obama's initiatives as she watched her 53-year-old husband address Congress on a range of political issues on Capitol Hill in Washington.
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Outfit double: Michelle Obama's Michael Kors tweed skirt suit had previously been showcased by Julianna Margulies in her role as the wife of a disgraced politician on The Good Wife
Guests: Mrs Obama was surrounded by nearly two dozen individuals who have benefited from President Barack Obama's initiatives, including (top row, l-r) Victor Fugate of Missouri, Dr Pranav Shetty of Washington, DC, Judy Gross, Alan Gross, Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly, (bottom row) Astrid Muhammad, Anthony Mendez, Rebekah Erler of Minnesota and Dr Jill Biden
Applause: Mrs Obama leads praise of her husband after his sixth State of the Union address on Tuesday
Fans of the CBS spotted the familiar outfit, with Twitter user Elaine Teng wrote: 'Michelle Obama is channeling her inner Alicia Florrick tonight'
Bargain: At a price of $797 for the jacket alone (reduced from $1,595 at Neiman Marcus), Mrs Obama's skirt suit was first seen on actress Julianna Margulies in the role of Alicia Florrick, the wife of Peter Florrick, who was jailed following a political corruption and sex scandal
'Love that dress': One Twitter user, named Michael Dunn, dubbed Mrs Obama the 'Queen of fashion' for her State of the Union outfit choise
'Beautiful' attire: Joshua Thomas tweeted: 'The fashionable @MichelleObama wore a beautiful outfit by @MichaelKors tonight at the #SOTU'
Among her guests were Alan Gross, the American aid worker recently released from a Cuban prison after a five-year detention, and his wife, Judy.
She was also accompanied by Nicole Hernandez Hammer, a Guatemalan immigrant who raises awareness within the Latino community about climate change, and astronaut Scott Kelly, the brother-in-law of former Democratic congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
Giffords, the victim of a 2011 shooting, is married to Kelly's twin brother, Mark. She resigned three years ago in January, a day after being recognized at Obama's 2012 State of the Union.
Anthony Mendez, a freshman in college and beneficiary of FLOTUS' Reach Higher Initiative who spent part of his formative years in a homeless shelter after his family was evicted from their home, and 13-year-old Malik Bryant, the Chicago teen who wrote Santa a letter asking for 'safety' and received a response from the president, also joined Mrs Obama for the annual address.
Mrs Obama's guest list reflected the themes that her husband covered during his speech.
For example, he sought support for normalizing diplomatic relations with Cuba, a move that's been met with criticism by a group of lawmakers that include Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants whose state, Florida, boasts the highest number of Cuban Americans.
Among Mrs Obama's guests were Alan Gross (far right), the US aid worker recently released from a Cuban prison after a five-year detention
She was also accompanied by Nicole Hernandez Hammer, a Guatemalan immigrant who raises awareness within the Latino community about climate change, and astronaut Scott Kelly, the brother-in-law of an ex-Democratic congresswoman. Above, Mrs Obama hugs Dr Biden
Similarities: Mrs Obama (pictured, left, sitting in her box alongside her guests) was wearing exactly the same outfit as The Good Wife's Alicia Florrick (pictured, right, in a different outfit alongside her disgraced politician husband, Peter Florrick, who was jailed on the show)
Address: Mrs Obama's guest list reflected the themes that her husband, President Barack Obama, covered during his speech (pictured)
For example, he sought support for normalizing diplomatic relations with Cuba, a move that's been met with criticism by a group of lawmakers that include Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants whose state, Florida, boasts the highest number of Cuban Americans
Sweet gesture: Obama blows a kiss to his wife, Michelle, at the end of his State of the Union address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress
Embargoes on the Communist country haven't worked, Obama contended, and should be rescinded.
The president also bragged about the economic recovery in the United States, highlighting the receding unemployment rate and resurgence of the manufacturing industry as proof positive that his administration's policies have been a success.
And in relation to climate change, he promoted a multinational agreement with China to reduce CO2 emissions by a target rate of 28 percent by 2025.
The tone of Obama's sixth State of the Union was noticeably more upbeat than his past addresses - aiming to act as an inspiration to Americans to live up to their fullest potential while reminding them how far the nation has come since he took office.
Obama hoped to use Kelly's presence at the speech to promote scientific research that will help 'support the next generation of space exploration and President Obama's goal of sending humans to Mars by the 2030s,' the White House told Politico.
Kelly will soon participate in a yearlong mission aboard International Space Station. He and his twin brother, a retired astronaut, are the subject of a research initiative that will compare data from the two men's bodies while in space.
The president (pictured delivering his speech) also bragged about the economic recovery in the United States, highlighting the receding unemployment rate and resurgence of the manufacturing industry as proof positive that his administration's policies have been a success
Standing ovation: And he promoted a multinational agreement with China to reduce CO2 emissions by a target rate of 28 percent by 2025
Positive outlook: The tone of Obama's sixth State of the Union was noticeably more upbeat than his past addresses - aiming to act as an inspiration to Americans to live up to their fullest potential while reminding them how far the nation has come since he took office
Familiar faces: Secretary of State John Kerry (right) talks with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel before President Obama's speech began
Some of the highlights that Obama covered in his address on Tuesday night are as follows:
Tax hikes
Raise the top capital gains rate on couples with incomes above $500,000 to 28 percent, the rate under President Ronald Reagan
Impose a fee on roughly 100 massive financial firms with assets exceeding $50 billion.
Eliminate a tax break on inheritances.
The administration estimates these changes would generate $320 billion over a decade.
Tax breaks
Create a $500 tax credit for families where both spouses work and have an annual income up to $210,000.
Expand the child care credit to up to $3,000 per child under age 5. Offer the Earned Income Tax Credit to childless workers and noncustodial parents.
Consolidate six overlapping education tax breaks into two.
Striking a pose: The State of the Union address got a bit of Hollywood glamour on Tuesday night when the famed Twitter Mirror, a regular at awards show red carpets, made an unexpected appearance at the White House. Above, Mrs Obama with Dr Biden before the address
Cheer: Alan Gross, accompanied by his wife Judy, acknowledges applause on Capitol Hill in Washington during Obama's Congress address
U.S. contractor Alan Gross takes a selfie with his wife, Judy Gross, on board a government plane headed back to the U.S. on December 17 after being released in a prisoner exchange. Alan Gross was held in Cuba for five years as a political prisoner until Barack Obama negotiated his release last month as part of a deal to normalize relations with Cuba. The Grosses sat in FLOTUS' box on Tuesday night at the SOTU
Education
Offer two years of free community or technical college.
Students would need to go to school at least half-time, maintain a 2.5 grade point average and make progress toward a degree.
The White House estimates that would cost $60 billion over a decade.
Paid leave
Call for federal and local laws allowing workers to earn up to a week of paid sick time a year.
Urge Congress to give federal workers an additional six weeks of paid parental leave.
Call for more than $2 billion from Congress for paid family and medical leave programs.
Home ownership
Cut insurance premiums for government-backed mortgages by half a percentage point to .85 percent.
The White House says the reduction would save new home buyers and those who refinance $900 a year compared to current rates.
This 2013 photo shows retired astronaut Mark Kelly, left, former Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, astronaut Scott Kelly and Amiko Kauderer, right, at an event in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Kelly twins, both astronauts, are the subject of scientific research related to space exploration. Scott Kelly was a guest of Michelle Obama during her husband's speech, as well
Also sitting in FLOTUS' box on Tuesday night were Nicole Hernandez Hammer, a Guatemalan immigrant who raises awareness within the Latino community about climate change, and Ana Zamora, a senior at Northwood University in Texas. Zamora will serve as Obama's token Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program success story
Retirement savings
Boost retirement savings by automatically enrolling people without access to a workplace retirement plan in an Individual Retirement Account.
Expand access to employer plans for certain part-time workers.
Middle East
Urge Congress to pass a new authorization for use of military force against the Islamic State group and militant extremists in the Mideast.
Until now, Obama has been relying on 9/11-era war powers.
Cuba
Seek support for normalizing diplomatic relations with Cuba.
Obama wants Congress to lift the economic embargo on Cuba, though the White House doesn't expect Congress to take that step quickly.
Anthony Mendez, a freshman in college, is the beneficiary of FLOTUS' Reach Higher Initiative. Mendez, center right, spent part of his formative years in a homeless shelter after his family was evicted from their home. He is the first person in his family to graduate from high school
Iran
Vow to veto new sanctions on Iran while world powers pursue nuclear talks.
Trade
Ask Congress for so-called 'fast track' trade promotion authority to allow an up-or-down vote on trade pacts.
Obama wants to secure two major trade agreements — one with the EU, and one with Asia-Pacific nations.
Cybersecurity
Call for legislation enabling information-sharing between the private sector and U.S. agencies like the Homeland Security Department.
Companies would qualify for targeted liability protection if they comply with certain privacy restrictions.
No going back
Threaten to veto congressional attempts to roll back Obama's executive actions on climate change and immigration and existing laws on health care and financial reform.
MICHELLE OBAMA AND THE DESIGNER THAT HAS CAPTURED HER HEART
Michelle Obama may be one of the biggest champions of up-and-coming American designers.
But it appears popular designer Michael Kors may have stolen the First Lady's fashion heart - as confirmed by her choice of attire at the SOTU.
Michael Kors has become one of Mrs Obama's favorite go-to choices; she has been seen in his designs on a regular basis since late 2012, including the glamorous black sequin dress she chose for the reception of her husband, President Barack Obama's, inauguration in January 2013.
Fashion's First Lady: Designer brand Michael Kors has become one of Michelle Obama's favorite go-to choices; including for the glittering reception of President Barack Obama's inauguration in January 2013 (right) and her husband's election night on November 7 2012 (left)
Mrs Obama has frequently worn Kors's designs since her entry into the White house four years ago, and she even posed for her official portrait wearing a sleeveless shift by the designer. She typically keeps things refreshingly down-to-earth and utterly unexpected in his designs.
One day she’ll look anything but stuffy for a state dinner in a stunning Michael Kors gown; the next she’s chicly sporting one of his bright pink suits.
Michael Kors, best known for designing classic American sportswear for women, launched the Michael Kors womenswear line at Bloomingdales, Bergdorf Goodman, Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue in 1981.
Building on his success, the designer was named the first ever women's ready-to-wear designer and creative director for the French fashion house Celine in 1997.
Dressed to impress: Mrs Obama wore Michael Kors to the second presidential debate on October 16 2012 (left) and a black-tie event at the White house on December 2 the same year (right)
Lady in red: Michelle Obama has frequently worn Kors's designs, including a stunning red number at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's dinner on September 18, 2010 (pictured)
During his tenure at Celine, Kors turned the fashion house around with a critically acclaimed ready-to-wear line and standout accessories.
Kors left Celine in October 2003 to concentrate on his own brand, launching his menswear line in 2002.
Just like the First Lady, the designer uses fashion to behind issues he cares about.
In 2010, Kors received the Oliver R. Grace Award for Distinguished Service in Advancing Cancer Research, an annual honor bestowed by the Cancer Research Institute, a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing immune system-based treatments for cancer.
Glamorous: The First Lady dons Michael Kors gowns while viewing holiday decorations at the White House on November 28, 2012 (right) and while attending a National Medal of Arts and National Humanities Medal ceremony on March 2, 2011 (left)
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