SOMETIMES, A DATE IS JUST A DATE.... Ordinarily, this is the kind of human-interest story that I wouldn't even read.  Apparently, though, it's angered quite a few Republicans, so I guess we might as well take a look at. … Good for them; I'm sure it's nice for the Obamas to get out once in a while.

Was “Date Night” a Good Idea?  —  The President may have described it as keeping a campaign promise, but should he have taken the First Lady out for dinner and a show on Broadway in the Big Apple last night?  Or is this one promise that needed to be broken and just hope that Michelle would still vote for him in 2012 anyway?

First couple's NY date: a campaign promise kept  —  President Barack Obama made good on a campaign promise to his most important supporter Saturday night — his wife, Michelle.  —  The president and first lady jetted to a date in New York late Saturday afternoon, aides and media in tow.

OBAMA KEEPS HIS BIG APPLE PLEDGE  —  WOWS FIRST LADY WITH DINNER & B'WAY SHOW  —  By CHARLES HURT in DC and STEFANIE COHEN in NY  —  Two martinis, a swank restaurant, a Broadway show — President Obama really knows how to treat a First Lady.  —  “I am taking my wife to New York City …

Obamas' Date Night in New York City Draws Criticism  —  Even before the Obamas left Washington, the there-and-back trip drew criticism from Republicans who questioned the president's decision to travel to New York for a night of entertainment during a recession and while automakers struggle to survive.

Who Is to Blame for the Next Attack?  —  AFTER watching the farce surrounding Dick Cheney's coming-out party this month, you have to wonder: Which will reach Washington first, change or the terrorists?  If change doesn't arrive soon, terrorists may well rush in where the capital's fools now tread.

LAYING DOWN A MARKER.... The argument over national security policy faded from the front page this week, but the New York Times' Frank Rich does a nice job reminding readers about a point that shouldn't go overlooked.  The headline reads, “Who Is to Blame for the Next Attack?”