There must be someone in the White House seeking a way to ease the racial tensions that have led to rioting and looting in various parts of the country. But it's not Michelle Obama. She only fanned the flames with her remarks to graduates at Tukegee University in Alabama. It was a "poor me" speech about the emotional toll of being America's first black first lady. She said derogatory comments such as showing "a little bit of uppity-ism" have kept her up at night.

They're being called Washington's new "odd couple." That's the term used by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to describe the relationship that he has developed with President Obama. The outspoken Republican said he had offered the president some praise on trade matters. "I'm even getting handwritten notes from the president," he added.

Two government programs being pushed by the Obama administration are food stamps and the first lady's anti-obesity. A new study from the Agriculture Department indicates the programs are working at cross purposes. The study showed that people receiving food stamps are more likely to be overweight and obese than those who do not receive assistance.