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Well, at least the President can take comfort that it wasn’t TMZ or Perez Hilton this time– the Daily Mail has the latest story on the President’s hair, and suspicions that its color is no longer natural. Where did his new “jet-black” “locks” come from, the writer muses. In an attempt to make the story somewhat relevant to, well, anything, they also note in several non-sequiturs the importance of the relationship between the United States and China, and that “by 2020 [China] is expected to overtake the U.S. as the world’s largest economy.” The abrupt shift from the stylistic to the economic leaves the impression that the President’s new hair, if it is new hair, is some sort of sign to the Chinese government that America is still alive and kicking.

So what sources, exactly, corroborate the assumption that President Obama has taken to a stylist? Well, for one, the Daily Mail cites “observers.” And that’s it. They also contrast a photo of the President taken in broad daylight a week before the Chinese state dinner with one taken indoors on that occasion. Yes, the President’s hair looks darker, but so does his skin, his outfit, and the entire room.

At the very least, if this is the depths of sinister rumor-mongering to which the celebrity-obsessed media will go against the president, he has little to worry about. It’s when they start criticizing handbag choices that he should really start to worry.

[h/t Wonkette]

From ABC News:

The limo driver ran through a red light around 8 p.m., just blocks from the White House and was stopped by a uniformed Secret Service officer, according to Secret Service spokesman Edwin Donovan. The driver had signaled to turn into a restricted area near the Ellipse. The attention-hungry couple was among those in the limo. They were released and went to dinner a few blocks from the White House after the incident. The limo driver was issued an infraction for running the red light.

This latest incident will, no doubt, help the Salahis to publicize their appearance in the upcoming Bravo reality show “Real Housewives of DC,” but I’m looking forward to them fighting the ticket in court by insisting that the Department of transportation invited them to run that light.

Tonight, the President explained, “We celebrate everything that Mexico and its ancient civilizations have given the world throughout history,” including astronomy, literature, science and, yes, food. He also reassured the delegation that the United States is a staunch ally and that “The United States is enriched by el sabor de México.”

The full toast at the dinner (with Spanish translation) below:

Transcript:

Tommy Christopher: I have two questions, but can I do one follow-up first? Is that okay –

MR. GIBBS: A follow-up to your question or to somebody else?

Tommy Christopher: Chuck’s question about the state dinner. Can you say whether –

MR. GIBBS: Chip’s question, I think.

Tommy Christopher: Was it? Okay, can you say whether it’s going to be –

Chuck Todd: — another good-looking TV guy –

Tommy Christopher: Sorry, I get ‘em mixed up all the time.

MR. GIBBS: Yes, all those TV guys look alike. Go ahead.

Tommy Christopher: All right, can you whether there’s going to be a representative from the Social Secretary’s office at the checkpoints?

MR. GIBBS: Let me check on the procedures. My understanding is there will be.

A White House staffer later confirmed for me that Gibbs was correct.

Of course, East Wing staffers aren’t actually security personnel, despite efforts to blame their absence for the last breach. Having them there will certainly make for a more organized entrance, but they are not responsible for White House security.

The Crashergate story has become a sort of “grassy knoll” obsession for me, something that nags at me disproportionately. I just find it impossible to believe that anyone could sweet-talk themselves past these guys. Often, on my way into the White House, I’ll bounce theories off of the uniformed Secret Service, or just say, “C’mon, did one of you guys really let the Salahis in? Really?”

Invariably, they cautiously tell me they don’t know anything about it. It’s a shame, because the sooner they ‘fess up, the sooner I can return to my search for Keyser Soze.

Meanwhile, in an obvious attempt to collect royalties on all utterances of the phrase “that takes balls,” the Salahis tell Radar Online that the White House owes them an apology:

In a brand new interview about the incident that created a national security scandal and cost presidential Social Secretary Desiree Rogers her job, the Salahis have also exclusively told RadarOnline.com the congressional investigation on Capitol Hill was a “charade” and a waste of tax-payer dollars.

“It would be nice if somebody apologized to us and for (the White House) to call it quits,” Tareq Salahi, along with his wife Michaele, told RadarOnline.com.

“I would certainly not treat anyone this way that comes to my house, even if there was a question about an invitation, or there was some miscommunication… I would still welcome anyone and be gracious.”

Yes, how rude of us to object to an unthinkable security breach at the home of the leader of the free world. It’s right there on a par with “Would you please pass the jelly?”

Here’s part of Sweet’s report:

While the White House press operation is trying to downplay the glamour aspect of the Wednesday State Dinner honoring Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife, Margarita Zavala and limit coverage, guest chef Rick Bayless, the Chicago cooking superstar, is so big the White House cannot muzzle him and force him into the background.

Bayless is going around the White House communications team and twittering from the White House kitchen. This is his latest, filed Tuesday morning: “Thanks 2 the 100s of well wishers! Ready 4 day 2 n rather small White House kitchen. Chef was challenged by some ingred,but last arrive 2day”

The White House is, indeed, unusually buttoned-up about details surrounding tonight’s state dinner, and as usual, is keeping the press’ access to a minimum, but Bayless says that the rest of Sweet’s story is a deep dish of lies. From his Twitter feed last night:

Lynn Sweet @ Sun Times made up this very offensive story.I NEVER Tweet from WH, which I KNOW is not permitted.Apology? http://bit.ly/cn01Oo about 6 hours ago via Twittelator

When asked where he was when he made the tweets cited in Sweet’s article, he replied, “In my hotel!”

Bayless had only sent three tweets since arriving in DC, and when viewed in sequence, it’s easy to see how it could look like he hopped right onto Twitter and stayed there as he reached the White House. Only the time stamps give it away:

Just arrived in DC. Headed to the White House kitchens. I have to say: I’m a little nervous … 2:59 PM May 17th via Twittelator

The White House staff could not be nicer&more professional! Most worried about ingredients, but all will b here 4 big day! Super excited 11:46 PM May 17th via Twittelator

Thanks 2 the 100s of well wishers! Ready 4 day 2 n rather small White House kitchen.Chef was challenged by some ingred,but last arrive 2day Tue 18 May 07:43 via Twittelator

The thing about Twitter time stamps is that, until they’re more than 24 hours old, they are listed in terms of how many minutes/hours ago they were sent, which makes reading the timeline that much more difficult.

Although Lynn didn’t cite any, it is possible she had a source other than Bayless’ Twitter feed. She has a longstanding relationship with many of the White House press staff, including Robert Gibbs. I’ve reached out to Lynn, and to the White House, but haven’t heard back yet.

Update: Lynn published an updated version on her blog, with a clarification:

Clarification: Bayless at Gapers Block said he did not send his tweets from the White House kitchen. Bayless also sent a tweet out about my post. To clarify: Bayless tweeted about the upcoming dinner and about the White House kitchen, but not from the White House kitchen. My apology.

It is a perfect story for a slow day, with tidbits like the menu (Prawns! Red lentil soup! Arugula!) and the fashion (Michelle Obama’s dress was made by designer Naeem Khan — and seriously? Desiree Rogers FTW!). The arrivals video from C-SPAN is sort of awkwardly mesmerizing — its actually sort of fun to watch the impromptu interactions that occur (Melody Barnes looks as happy as if she’s going to the prom, and as lovely, too; by contrast, David Geffen and his boyfriend Jeremy Lingvall looked a little stiff, especially coming after a joke-cracking Brian Williams).

Glynnis MacNicol has a thorough round-up of the festivities culled from the Twitter stream of her fave, CBS’ Mark Knoller); he did not, however, mention the preponderance of boring black at the dinner. Watching the arrivals on C-SPAN I was struck by how much more exciting and glamorous it is to wear color (Valerie Jarrett in bleh black was a disappointment). Standouts were Michelle Fenty, wife of D.C. mayor Adrian Fenty; Bhavna Shyamalan and her stunning hair; Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm; U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice, who wore black but with a fabulous and interesting neckline, plus a colorful wrap and Katie Couric, respelendent in blue-purple. Actually blue was the hue last night, come to think of it — other standouts included Alfre Woodard and Jane Williams, wife of Brian, both smashing in rich color. Below, our pick of the best photos (and outfits!) from the night. Alas, couldn’t find a picture of Hillary Clinton. I bet she wore color.

>>>NEXT PAGE: White House State Dinner Photo Gallery From A-Z! (i.e. “Alfre” to “Zakaria”)