Better Homes & Gardens Criticized for Michelle Obama Cover

Posted by Abe Sauer on July 12, 2011 04:00 PM

For the first time in 48 years, a public figure will grace the cover of the iconic magazine Better Homes & Gardens. On the cover of the August issue? First Lady Michelle Obama.

The profile will include a "Veggie Love" cookbook app in addition to a free online cookbook and a suggested plan for a vegetable garden.

While it's a huge "get" for the magazine, it may result in a few cancelled subscriptions as conservatives on social media are savaging the magazine for the move.

Newsbusters railed agaist the profile, caling it "an ultimate exposure puff piece." In the foam of the Sean Hannity website, a topic thread appeared: "Moochelle Gloats on the Cover of Better Homes and Gardens."

Right wing Wisconsin radio talk show host Vicki McKenna posted the article on her Facebook page with the comment "watch circulation decline." She later added, quote, "i have a subscription. i will be canceling it."

Commenters were not as polite.

"I guess this rag is now truly Bitter Homes and Garbage! She will make sales drop as much as her Q-rating!"

"that picnic table she’s sitting on looks mighty small – hope it was weight tested before she sat down."

"and she said "this is the first time I have really been proud of Better Homes ans Gardens"!!"

"Disgusting"

"Funny since the white house landscaping looks like crap these days and her garden is a joke."

Giving her critics easy ammunition, even as a profile of her and "veggies" was set to hit stands, the magazine cover emerges as the First Lady, a childhood nutrition advocate, shakes off criticism about a burger splurge at DC's new eatery, Shake Shack.

On the magazine's own Facebook page, a commenter posted, "Maybe Mrs. Obama should practice what she preaches to America. I think BH&G could have done a little more research & found someone else to grace their cover that really cares about childhood obesity. Makes me want to re-think my subscription choices!"

While the magazine will ceretainly see a numbers bump for the Obama issue and tie-in, it may have cost itself longer term.

Back on McKenna's page, the talk host responded to those looking to cancel their subscriptions or complain,"did you try this: 1-800-374-4244 or email bhgcustserv@cdsfulfillment.com."

After that, one wrote "I did finally get to a customer service person using the phone number you both just listed. Thanks!" Another: "I wish I had told customer service that I will subscribe again when they feature Condoleezza Rice on the cover." Another: "just cancelled mine and told the gal why....she was very cordial I have to admit…."

A final commenter hinted at an entirely different Obama, vegetable-related "scandal": "Did she have her peas?"

While we doubt these critics are railing against Sarah Palin's Newsweek cover with quite the same vitriol, our Twitter followers are scratching their heads:

More about: Better Homes & Gardens, Media, Publishing, Politics, Michelle Obama, Facebook

Alex says:

Conservatives are nasty, hateful people.
That's all there is to it.

July 12, 2011 05:28 PM #

Mary Hallowell says:

I really believe this is a nasty, hateful view of some conservative people.

July 13, 2011 12:42 PM #

geo says:

This is very silly. If Mrs Obama was advocating eating Mc Donalds seven days a week then I could see they would have a basis for complaint. This just seems like they don't like the political affiliation of the subject of the cover story rather than focusing on the issues in the piece. I am not a fan of Sarah Palin or Newt Gingrich but if they had something pertinent to say about child obesity or eating good food in general, I would at least listen. I suggest these critics take a breath, calm down and rejoice that they live in a country with a plurality of opinions.

July 13, 2011 05:39 AM #

Central park says:

Please tell me this is not how all conservatives think and behave! What a nasty set! The woman is trying to improve the health and life expectancy of children! Can we at least agree to support our kids?

July 13, 2011 09:26 AM #

Barberick says:

Central Park - I don't know about you, but I don't need Michelle Obama to support my kids - I do very well myself. What I would prefer is for her and her husband to keep their hands out of my pocket and out of my life. I don't need their programs and regulations. And if you do, I feel sorry for you. When are you going to learn that it is not the GOVERNMENT who will save us all from ourselves. What makes Michelle Obama - so educated on nutrition? The sad thing is - you and liberals like you are so naive to the ways of the world - you really shouldn't be voting.

July 18, 2011 06:01 PM #

Biff Burns says:

The more that these foul, destructive conservatives expose themselves for who they really are, the better. When they continue to show their ignorance, it will hasten the rate at which the vast majority of decent, thoughtful American reject and push back their mud-slinging and their politics of hate, bigotry and small-mindedness.

July 13, 2011 11:33 AM #

Millie says:

Well, this "nasty destructive conservative" cancelled her subscription of many, many years with this magazine because of this propagandizing manipulation on the part of BHG! I'm being force fed these unimaginably NASTY DESTRUCTIVE haters and destroyers of my country and my Constitution from every direction - I SURE don't need to pay for it or allow it to pollute the sanctity of my home. Let's just see how many will actually BUY (e.i. pay for) this crap.

July 13, 2011 08:51 PM #

Hello

I don't understand what you mean by " propagandizing manipulation" Please explain and provide an example.

Thank you.

July 14, 2011 05:48 AM #

I'll explain it to you geo - Michelle and her husband Obama are advocating more school lunch programs on the tax payers dime - they claim that the government knows better than the citizens what foods to eat and how to feed our children - these "eat right" programs are a way to get their agenda across and they're backers paid back for getting them elected - guess who benefits from the school lunch programs they are advocating to "help" us with our obesity problems, geo - the SEIU - Service Employees International Union - the same folks who PAY Obama and the democrats to get these policies passed. Don't take my word for it - investigate these things for yourself.

All these commenters saying "hateful conservatives, etc." really need to educate themselves as to what is truly going on behind the scenes with our progressive government. You all read the "headlines" and watch the View and don't really know what is going on - sorry, but that's the truth - it may hurt a bit - but hopefully one bright day you'll all see the light.

July 15, 2011 12:35 AM #

And conservatives don't need Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachmann or anyone for that matter telling us what to eat and how to act - we are Americans - we are free to choose what we want to choose - free to make the mistakes we choose to make - you think the Health Care Bill was created for our good? No! Remember this email and watch - Obama and his liberal crew will soon be telling you what to eat, how much to weigh, and what your menu is for the day - why? Because the government will be providing health care - so, if you want medical help - you have to play by their rules - do what they say - you may scoff at this, but all I ask is remember this email when it is actually happening in America. They're already weighing (pardon the pun) the possibility of taking away children who are overweight. Do you really think our country was founded by people who wanted to tell citizens what to eat and how to act?

July 15, 2011 12:41 AM #

militarymom says:

The first public figure on the cover in 48 years??? I guess the work Laura Bush did with education and literacy didn't warrant a cover?? Maybe if healthy nutrition and the effects of poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, drugs, etc. were taught in our education system, our children could learn to make their own choices.

July 15, 2011 10:26 PM #