Food Fight in the White House

Grapevine: Food Fight in the White House

Former communications director against first lady's childhood obesity initiative

And now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine...

Easier Said than Dunn

Former White House communications director Anita Dunn strongly advocated for the health care overhaul that included, of course, scores of new regulations. However, now she is at odds with first lady Michelle Obama's childhood obesity initiative.

The Washington Post reports, Dunn now works on behalf of the food and advertising industry managing a campaign against the administration's efforts to create voluntary nutritional guidelines for foods marketed to children.

Mrs. Obama has urged food manufacturers and retailers to curb marketing unhealthy food to kids.

Mind Your Peas and Q's

Peas are a very healthy food, though not always a favorite, of course. President Obama today urged budget negotiators to make the difficult choices necessary in the midst of the debt ceiling debate and -- quote -- "eat our peas."

So naturally, pea growers are reacting.

The USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council wasn't interpreting the remarks negatively, but said if peas were served more in the White House and in Congress -- quote -- "it will contribute to a balanced diet, if not a balanced budget."

Grapes of Wrath

And finally, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan was berated by a college professor last week for the purchase of two $350 a piece bottles of wine. It happened during dinner with two companions at an upscale D.C. restaurant. Ryan says the professor was possibly drunk, that his companions ordered the wine and that he only had one glass and paid for his meal and one bottle of wine.

Mediaite pointed out -- quote -- "I think we all have the right to eat dinner without being annoyed by some other patron of the same upscale restaurant who thinks we're spending too much on dinner."

Ryan's office pointed us to a conservative blog that noted President Obama served an even pricier bottle of wine during a past state dinner that taxpayers presumably paid for, but that Ryan paid the bill for his expensive wine.