POLITICS

A Real Wife, In a Real Marriage

An outspoken, smart black woman or a bossy, emasculating wife? Michelle Obama defies stereotypes, but cannot escape them, either.

By Raina Kelley | NEWSWEEK

Feb 25, 2008 Issue

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Discuss

Posted By: 5interiors5 @ 05/26/2008 6:05:26 PM

Comment: So you see women admiring Michelle Obama. Well many of us dont. What we do see is a racist woman who has no soft side but wants to punish all who stand in her way. She does not see that she had more opportunities than the women who her supporters call White Trash. If some of those White Trash had Michelles opportunities II doubt if they would be criticizing the hand that fed them. She and her husband are not fit to live in the White House even if the media sees fit to downplay who she really is.
Posted By: Everyday People @ 02/28/2008 1:22:15 PM

Comment: I recently read this article in the print copy and was shocked that your magazine published this puff peice. Where is your journalistic integrity? In your cover article, you mentioned that Michelle Obama's mother *WAS* a stay at home mother, and pages letter you publish this dribble? Totally inaccurate information. What happened to your editing staff?
Posted By: passionately moderate @ 02/25/2008 6:48:16 PM

Comment: Raina Kelley needs to do her reserch. Michelle Obama's mother was a homemaker; Kelley's statement that all black women do not have that as a choice is narrow and stereotyping. Michelle herself gives credit to her mother for how important it is to the Obamas to have her mother's steady, available caretaking of their children.
Michelle Obama is, I'm sure, learning that whole sentences and paragraphs don't get quoted, only sound bites. It's a shame that this magnificent woman has to be "tamed" that way, but a reality of life with modern media always on the hunt for a controversial soundbite.
Posted By: adgithens @ 02/24/2008 4:38:07 PM

Comment: Regarding your third paragraph: what a bunch of self-righteous c**p. Where, exactly, did you get your information? On what basis have you formed your opinions? I can not believe Newsweek published this article--your assumptions are, frankly, disgusting, off base, totally unintellectual and contradictory. Did I not read on a previous page of the magazine that Michelle Obama's mother was a stay at home mom?
Posted By: politics12 @ 02/24/2008 9:39:25 AM

Comment: "I was raised in a working-class family on the south Side of Chicago. That's how I identify myself, a working-class girl," Michelle Obama standard line in stump speeches.

Michelle Robinson Obama is a vocal and valuable asset to her husband's campaign for the Democratic nomination. Or is she? Aside from her remarks on her lack of pride in being an American, Mrs. Obama has been less than truthful in her depiction of her early years.

Michelle Robinson Obama claims to have grown up in 'a one bedroom tenement on Chicago's south side'. This does not square with the facts of her Father's US$42000 plus a year salary in the late 1960's-80's (More than US$150000 in today's dollars) as a senior engineer with Chicago Water or the gracious first floor 4 bedroom apartment at 7436 Euclid Avenue, Chicago in which she was raised--an area of spacious homes in tree-lined garden streets. Nor with the fact that Mrs. Robinson did not work but spent her time ensuring that her son and daughter had the best that could be offered to comfortably middle class children--the magnet school for gifted children, home-cooked nightly family dinners, music lessons, sports and vacations that were all taken for granted by the young Michelle.

It is sad that for political gain, Michelle Obama is less than accurate about her background and less than proud about her father's achievements in providing so well for his family.
Posted By: mizztotal @ 02/22/2008 4:53:31 PM

Comment: Unfortunately, I would have to agree with the other commenters that this article is not at all well written. After reading it I came away confused as to whether Kelley was insulting Michelle Obama or praising her. I certainly hope it's the latter. I must admit that I too struggled in the beginning with Michelle Obama's brutally honest assessments of her husband. I too wondered if she was coming across as negative and unsupportive, but I've had to check myself on that. As black women, in fact as all women, we no longer have to exist inside a box where we're forced to hold our tongues, hide our intellect, and demure to anything a man says or does. And if you'll notice Barack Obama never misses an opportunity to praise his wife's abilities and candidly admit how much he admires and needs her strength. Their is no doubt in my mind that the Obamas would not be the fortified family that they are without the rock that Michelle Obama apparently is. As a black woman myself, I'm so impressed that Barack Obama is confidant enough in his role both as a man and as the head of his household to be able to acknowledge his wife's virtues, even in some areas where she may be better than him, with genuine admiration and without intimidation. He recognizes how having a strong, educated, well-spoken black woman by his side as a partner is a huge assest to him in both public and private life. I wish more black men felt the same.
Posted By: Tired of Media Spin @ 02/21/2008 2:18:40 AM

Comment: I dont like her, she is a B
Posted By: dalis1 @ 02/20/2008 9:34:13 PM

Comment: I am sorry that Raina Kelley does not have someone assigned to write about her, but, really, should she have done so herself? Ms. Kelley seems like a very intelligent woman but she was supposed to be writing a story about Michelle Obama, on Ms. Kelley; where was the editor?
Posted By: Ronny2 @ 02/20/2008 6:42:19 PM

Comment: "give Barack a chance he is not a terrorist"

I agree. He is just a bad politician.

I'll leave that to others to decide which is worse.
Posted By: stlma914 @ 02/20/2008 6:20:36 PM

Comment: PEOPLE WAKE UP, stop being so damn closed minded America! it is about time the black families and children of the United States see people (LIKE THEMSELVES) in the news doing something positive just as we KNEW they could instead of seeing another report about how the blacks in the U.S. are allegedly undereducated and violent, give us a break people just be happy for this historic event and stop the negative B.S., give Barack a chance he is not a terrorist! Go Michelle, Go Barack, Go Hillary and anyone who can please, just bring my damn son home safe from iraq! Go Marines and may God bless our sad closed minded little nation! Get over it people you brought blacks over here years ago it was bound to happen one day! HELL YEAH BLACK AMERICANS ARE ON THE RISE, THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN NOT DO! STOP TREATING US LIKE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS! make a change today, America stop the racial hatred, we want the same things you do... go to work, school whatever freely without prejuiced. thank you.
Posted By: Lfreytag @ 02/20/2008 4:12:59 PM

Comment: Michelle is B. Obama's Achille's heel.
Posted By: Lfreytag @ 02/20/2008 4:12:15 PM

Comment: Michelle is Obama's Achille's heel.
Posted By: uklady @ 02/20/2008 3:49:51 PM

Comment: Enough already with the Obamas, both Mr & Mrs....
Posted By: sjbrock80 @ 02/20/2008 2:37:20 PM

Comment: Honestly, who really cares what the first lady is going to be like? We're supposed to be mesmerized with her because she makes Obama pick up his socks and put away the butter. You go girl!!

This is Martha Stewart fluff...
Posted By: jhawkruze @ 02/20/2008 1:32:29 PM

Comment: As a subscriber to Newsweek, I must say that this article is an embarrassing attempt at journalism. If there is one source I look to for quality election coverage, it is most certainly here. However, this piece left me with little more than I started with 5 minutes ago. In fact, I have most certainly regressed. I don't find it hard to believe that this writer has met the aforementioned criteria of a strong black woman. Perhaps, Ms. Kelley should overcome these stereotypes. First of all, she could save the STUCO election story for her "biracial" boy, just after teaching him how to "pick up his socks and put away the butter first". Then, maybe she could spending less time gloating about her self-righteous accomplishments and parenting ability and focus on writing an article, which doesn't register as a waste of time to the viewing audience. Archive this one in the 'Home and Garden' section.
Posted By: jhawkruze @ 02/20/2008 1:29:58 PM

Comment: As a subscriber to Newsweek, I must say that this article is an embarassing attempt at journalism. If there is one source I look to for quality election coverage, it is most certainly here. However, this piece left me with little more than I started with 5 minutes ago. In fact, I have most certainly regressed. I don't find it hard to believe that this writer has met the aforementioned criteria of a strong black woman. Perhaps, Ms. Kelley should overcome these stereotypes. First of all, she could save the STUCO election story for her "biracial" boy, just after teaching him how to "pick up his socks and put away the butter first". Then, maybe she could spending less time gloating about her self-righteous accomplishments and parenting ability and focus on writing an article, which doesn't register as a waste of time to the viewing audience. Archive this one in the 'Home and Garden' section.
Posted By: dewcooper @ 02/20/2008 9:06:08 AM

Comment: Wow, I can't wait to tell my wife that she is not real and that we are not in a real marriage, because were are not the Obamas...
Posted By: getzel @ 02/20/2008 12:06:40 AM

Comment: ALL and all its just a bunch of PINKobamas that scrawl. They will see the world thru rose colored glasses till next fall. If their fool gets in they will soon see the handwriting on the wall. He puts in the DRAFT...and I do not mean to the inaugural ball. They may raise a ruckus but Obumer will not let them stall. And that is the HOPE and CHANGE that will befall. all the UDOPIANS that can not see the handwriting on the wall. The founding fathers never mentioned hope and change nor did King Saul. They wrote a constitution and did things that were not very small; unlike OBUMER and the UDOPIANS who run their mouths and scrawl but never really said or did anything of substance at all.
Posted By: Army4RangeR @ 02/19/2008 11:57:35 PM

Comment: Sick&Tired...too bad you had to actually use a dictionary to understand IGNORANCE!!!!!
Posted By: Army4RangeR @ 02/19/2008 11:56:41 PM

Comment: Michelle Obama, Osama...should have been proud to be born in America. In case she missed
it...we went through a horrible nightmare on 9/11, wasn't she proud of the heroic efforts
of policemen and firemen from all over New York City who perished on that date trying to
save lives? Hasn't she been proud just to see the AMERICAN flag waving on top of that
pile of rubble? Well, I think she ought to sell that $1.6 million home, she's trying to
make do with and pack her damn bags...We true Americans have been proud since
our childhood when we were allowed to say the pledge allegiance, with our hands over
out hearts. I teared up then, and now...after being the boots on the ground, that
flag is about the only good thing left in this ugly world...GOD BLESS THE UNITED SATES
OF AMERICA
Posted By: Sick&Tired @ 02/19/2008 10:39:56 PM

Comment: Do we really understand the meaning of ignorant? Webster states that ignorant is lacking knowledge or intelligence, neither of which Michelle Obama lacks. This woman, in defense of her husband, has the right to say whatever she feels is necessary. Your vote simply doesnt matter, the United States is speaking and people like you are like a hoarse voice in the screaming wind. Face it, change is needed in this country and the Clinton's dont represent change. We've been under their reigns before, get over it. Hillary and Bill's negative comments or attacks on supporters are just helping Obama's campaign. They are on a roll and we love it. It shows how destructive she'll become if placed in office, hell, Bill is gonna take over anyway. Shows what stupidity they are willing show. Michelle's comment is not about not being appreciative of being American?!?!?! It's what she's always been. Get over it!! See you at the inauguration of Barack Obama!!!! And by the way, John McCain's wife should mind her business. Put her against Michelle Obama, we'll see who's ignorant!!!
Posted By: cowen123456 @ 02/19/2008 8:45:59 PM

Comment: Michelle Obama may be college educated but she is people ignorant. To point fault at HIllary for Bill's infedelity is weak and ignorant. Appears that the Obamas think alike. While Michelle Obama mocks and fault Hillary for the biggest pain and publicized humiliation of her life. Barack is betting on the idea that the public and media will fall madly in love with the well orchestrated image to overlook his ignorance on foreign affairs, economic and domestic affairs. Betting on the idea that image alone will win over substance and experience. He may be right but not with my vote.
Posted By: mscarr1 @ 02/19/2008 8:30:35 PM

Comment: I think that Barack and Hillary have both already agreed on the fact that they are both married to highly passionate spouses. All four are attorneys - Barack, Bill, Hillary and Michelle - so they are all accomplished at debating and argument.

I don't think Michelle Obama is any different than most women, married or otherwise - I think she speaks her mind, even when she and her husband do not agree.

She may be wrong in stating that Hillary can't control Bill - but she is entitled to say it. Sad but true, America just wants all Presidential spouses to be like Jackie O and Nancy Reagan and Laura Bush - elegantly silent. Bill Clinton included......
Posted By: cowen123456 @ 02/19/2008 5:07:39 PM

Comment: Obama's wife has been frustrated and dissapointed with America but is now feeling proud because her husband is now a viable candidate for president. This tells me its been all about the Obamas and not about americans. To love this country so much that you want to lead is to love it for its flaws and its greatness. To love this country is to recognize the great changes it has made and the those yet to be done. To love this country is to be proud of its accomplishments while working towards further accomplishments. To love this country is not to focus on what it has not done for you without ever crediting the sacrafices made, blood shed, sweat and tears endured to get us to where we are today. America is not perfect in my eyes but I count my blessings on a regular basis that I do live here where hope has never been dead even during the toughest of times. The more I read and hear of the Obamas, the more I feel they are a self-serving pair with little regards to the depth of what Americans are all about.
Posted By: Condesa @ 02/19/2008 3:31:03 PM

Comment: Michelle is privileged to be annointed with the same teflon covering as her husband. I was done with her when she made the repugnant comment - almost completely ignored by the media as is anything negative about the Obamas - that if Hillary Clinton "can't control her own house, how is she going to control the White House." Women of America, wake up! Listen to what Ms Obama is really saying! If your husband/boyfriend/partner has cheated on you, it's YOUR fault because you couldn't "control" him. And if you can't control him, how cld you possibly have a career or professional life that wld work either? Underneath her white pearls and expensive suits, is a haughty, ambitious woman who disdains those who have less than perfect (and comfortable) lives though she'll go to great lengths to keep that from showing and the media is her best friend in keeping the secret.
Posted By: terrie48 @ 02/19/2008 2:46:22 PM

Comment: Michele Obama should be our Next Pesident! Smart, savy, experienced in health care managemnt, and un bowed by public opionn!
Posted By: AUNTIEDAWN415 @ 02/19/2008 2:45:21 PM

Comment: YOU ARE SO CORRECT BUT I HEARD THIS MORNING ON MSNBC THAT WHAT THE SPOUSES SAY REALLY ISN'T IMPORTANT AND IT'S JUST PETTY TO COVER IT ........ HUH HAVEN'T THEY BEEN HIGHLIGHTING BILL CLINTON'S WORDS FOR A MONTH FAIR AND BALANCED ON WAIT A MINUTE THAT'S FOX NOT MSNBC
Posted By: terrie48 @ 02/19/2008 2:43:43 PM

Comment: Oh how I wish Michele were running for President! America would get the BEST of Both frontrunners' idenity! A Female Black President!
- Posted By: djd100 @ 02/24/2008 05:55:26
  
  Comment: Bill Clinton is not just a 'spouse' like Michelle Obama - He was the President of the United States ! Meaning that he is a popular senior statesman within the Democratic Party. His words carries weight in ways that other candidate's spouses do not.
Posted By: knobrocker @ 02/19/2008 1:40:12 PM

Comment: As a white American woman, I am thrilled by the prospect of Michelle Obama being First Lady and representing American womanhood to the rest of the world. She is strong, determined, brilliant, classy and elegant. Her love for her husband is obvious. Her ability to engage as an equal with the likes of Barack Obama speaks volumes, not only about African-American women, but about all American women who get up every day and are strong and give their very best to their husbands, their families, their jobs and their country. Enough of First Ladies who sit silently on their tuffets smiling obsequiously as their husbands destroy the world. Mrs. Bush certainly doesn't represent American womanhood. Michelle Obama does, and she makes me proud!
Posted By: knobrocker @ 02/19/2008 1:39:51 PM

Comment: As a white American woman, I am thrilled by the prospect of Michelle Obama being First Lady and representing American womanhood to the rest of the world. She is strong, determined, brilliant, classy and elegant. Her love for her husband is obvious. Her ability to engage as an equal with the likes of Barack Obama speaks volumes, not only about African-American women, but about all American women who get up every day and are strong and give their very best to their husbands, their families, their jobs and their country. Enough of First Ladies who sit silently on their tuffets smiling obsequiously as their husbands destroy the world. Mrs. Bush certainly doesn't represent American womanhood. Michelle Obama does, and she makes me proud!
Posted By: knobrocker @ 02/19/2008 1:38:20 PM

Comment: As a white American woman, I am thrilled by the prospect of Michelle Obama being First Lady and representing American womanhood to the rest of the world. She is strong, determined, brilliant, classy and elegant. Her love for her husband is obvious. Her ability to engage as an equal with the likes of Barack Obama speaks volumes, not only about African-American women, but about all American women who get up every day and are strong and give their very best to their husbands, their families, their jobs and their country. Enough of First Ladies who sit silently on their tuffets smiling obsequiously as their husbands destroy the world. Mrs. Bush certainly doesn't represent American womanhood. Michelle Obama does, and she makes me proud!
Posted By: carriedaway @ 02/19/2008 12:34:28 PM

Comment: I'm very concerned with the recurring stereotype of white women as demure, sweet, little doormats. I am a feisty, "unafraid, confident and blunt" white woman. My mouth has gotten me in a lot of trouble, but my husband loves my outspoken nature and my parents taught me to be tough and stand up for myself. Also, I take real offense to the idea that " if Hillary had done a little public emasculating, Bill might have had less trouble in his second term." Hillary is not to blame for Bill's infidelity and I think it's tacky, crude, and cheap for Michelle Obama (and others) to assert that she is. Michelle Obama said, "if you can't run your own house, you certainly can't run the White House." Way to go, Michelle!
Posted By: KyleCope @ 02/19/2008 11:06:00 AM

Comment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGMgxFE6bms
Follow that link to the funniest Hillary spoof ever!
Posted By: ericrsiny @ 02/19/2008 10:13:53 AM

Comment: Words matter according to Obama so what of his wife's words that in the first time in history she is proud of this country. Is that anything a potential first lady should say? Forget Bill Clinton now...could anyone imagine the noise if Hillary had said something like this in 1992?
- Posted By: AUNTIEDAWN415 @ 02/19/2008 14:44:19
  
  Comment: YOU ARE SO CORRECT BUT I HEARD THIS MORNING ON MSNBC THAT WHAT THE SPOUSES SAY REALLY ISN'T IMPORTANT AND IT'S JUST PETTY TO COVER IT ........ HUH HAVEN'T THEY BEEN HIGHLIGHTING BILL CLINTON'S WORDS FOR A MONTH FAIR AND BALANCED ON WAIT A MINUTE THAT'S FOX NOT MSNBC
Posted By: DrToketee @ 02/19/2008 3:08:58 AM

Comment: Hey, Jarmapu, last week McCain, Obama, and Hillary were in Wshington, D.C., during the FISA extension vote. McCain voted for it, Obama against it, and Hillary didn't even show up! Stop being lazy and read the mountain of legislative accomplishments that Obama has accumulated; Obama has out-sponsored Hillary on bills by a ratio of more than 20 to 1 !
Posted By: moorejo @ 02/18/2008 10:19:36 PM

Comment: As a black man I can see how the assertiveness and honesty of black women can be misconceived as emasculating. As the writer of this article has pointed out, black women in America have had a different cultural upbringing. This should not be misperceived as undermining the manliness or proper role (husbands/fathers) of black men. In fact, black women have been absolutely loyal, commited and great help-meets to their husbands and Michelle Obama has thus far been an example of that tradition.
- Posted By: LADC6 @ 02/19/2008 12:51:34
  
  Comment: Amen...
  - Posted By: politics12 @ 02/24/2008 10:04:34
    
    Comment: Except that she has no hesisitation in dissing her deceased father.
Posted By: getzel @ 02/18/2008 8:30:27 PM

Comment: OBUMER: Will CDC announce the reemergence of UDOPIAN disease. Characterized by bizarre manifestations of HOPE and CHANGE according to each individuals individual fantasy of UDOPIA. UDOPIANS have the same side effects, not unlike alcoholics or drug addicts, they are in denial as to reality that HOPE and CHANGE mean nothing; and yet those with UDOPIA feel it means whatever they fanaticize it means. Each has the same basic politically correct response to those who try and point out they have UDOPIAN simplex: you are a neo-con or you hate or other similar politically correct accusations of the day. Someone points out: OBUMER you have UDOPIAN simplex: I see all the red flags of UDOPIA; same delusional HOPE for CHANGE answer every time. Past peddlers of UDOPIA include Hitler, Castro, and Stalin; those who accept this self inflicted disease can be generations recovering if the disease spreads effectively.
- Posted By: LADC6 @ 02/19/2008 12:50:57
  
  Comment: you seem to have caught witlesslitous - the ability to waste posting space on something that was probably funny three beers ago. Symptoms are narcissism, depression and headache brought on by lame republican choices, uncontrollable desire to make thoughtless comparisons to facists without seeing the irony, and victimization complex, noted by the excessive use of the term "political correctness". Continuous viewing of Fox News will worsen symptoms.
Posted By: Juanis @ 02/18/2008 4:44:27 PM

Comment: What's wrong with being a "feisty dame?" Why would anybody want a wife who wasn't one?
Yet another reason to vote for Obama -- Michelle would be the coolest first lady ever.
- Posted By: Everyday People @ 02/29/2008 10:53:26
  
  Comment: Juanis wrote: "What's wrong with being a "feisty dame?" Why would anybody want a wife who wasn't one?
  Yet another reason to vote for Obama -- Michelle would be the coolest first lady ever."
  
  Hillary is feisty and is running for President....not First Lady. Oh, that's right, when Hillary is feisty, she gets called a ***, not "ambitious" like Michelle Obama.
  
  Hillary Clinton for president.
- Posted By: coolrepublica @ 02/19/2008 18:29:09
  
  Comment: It OK to be feisty if your name is Michelle OBbam . If your name is Hillary you are a ***. Wow how far we have come?
Posted By: miltongalfas @ 02/18/2008 4:39:01 PM

Comment: She is just another spoiled rich person trying to tell us that she is just like us. I make $250k in five years by working round the clock and she makes it a year. Stop Bsing us and be who you are... another fat cat who wants the power.
Posted By: mythoughs @ 02/18/2008 12:31:18 PM

Comment: This whole article is why we don't need him in the White House. Too much more comparing. I don't care about the differences between all of us women - its all there in black and white.
Posted By: mountain_laurel1183 @ 02/18/2008 12:23:24 PM

Comment: I do not envy politicians' wives, who, like ministers' wives, can never win. Kudos to anyone who is in the spotlight just long enough to receive criticism and less support than their spouse.
Posted By: susann @ 02/18/2008 9:58:47 AM

Comment: I agree -- as a mom of a young boy I too will strive to make sure that he sees women as unique people. I will also try to get him to pick up his socks and put away the butter. With respect to my girls, my wish for them is that they turn out to be as interesting, smart, self-confident and dynamic as Michelle Obama.
Posted By: Saraha @ 02/18/2008 3:51:53 AM

Comment: Indeed fake or real marriage has very little to do with the competency of a president and comander in chief. The new perspective that Obama brings to the Political platform is what I find refreshing. "There ought to be no white America or black America, there ought to be the United States of America". His ideas and assertions bring to bear his open-mindedness and willingness to transform America's image internally and from a global stand point;- even willing to engage our adversary that is an audacious and couragious venture. Some of these perspectives clearly distinguishes him from the rest. Further more the Clintons in my oppinion did what they can do when Bill was president. Now it is time for the "old" to yeild to the "new'. The same old way of doing business as usual isn't going to cut it! Enough already of the Bush/ Clinton Dynasties!
Posted By: coolrepublica @ 02/18/2008 2:38:10 AM

Comment: So Clinton cheated on his wife and Newsweek declare their marriage fake. Who knew it was that simple to be in a fake marriage. I guess million of women are married to fake husband and don't know it. I guess when JFK died and Jackie O was crying someone should have told her to stop since her marriage was not real to begin with because JFK was a womanizer. Please Newsweek saves us the dramatic. Stick to the facts. Unless you have news of Bill and Hillary's secret divorce, their marriage is as real as it's ever going to be.
- Posted By: jpurekal @ 02/18/2008 08:17:32
  
  Comment: My comment has nothing to do with fake or real marriage. But it has to do with a President of United States. If Bill clinton had spent more serious time with Iraq problem than chasing women and declared that there was no WMD in Iraq and resolved the situation with Sadam, we would not be in the mess we are in now
  - Posted By: miltongalfas @ 02/18/2008 16:48:07
    
    Comment: When Bill CLinton stopped the airline hijackings over the Pacific he didn't base the entire American way of life on it. I suppose if he failed at keeping the US safe then he could have struutted 'Bring it on!' like Bush. And if Obama had a job when the cote was cast then he might have seen that 99.99% of all Americans were for the war. They believed the supposedly accurate intelligience reports that Obama thinks he can control and make more accurate.
    - Posted By: bbyhuey @ 02/19/2008 19:50:45
      
      Comment: I just happen to be a 20 year career pilot for the very airline "milton..." mentioned. I am still very thankful Clinton was in office and doing a top rate job protecting those of us who have to face the hate that Mr. Bush has caused around the world on a weekly basis. What does this have to do with Michelle? I'll tell you. Her propensity to speak about being proud of America "for once" and all the other ill-thought out words are heard by the world. Quite frankly, I am tired of having to look over my shoulder on every foriegn layover I have because everyone is convinced we all think like the Texan. With her speaking in her "educated" tones, as ill-percieved as they are, it would be just more of the same.
    - Posted By: bbyhuey @ 02/19/2008 19:34:00
      
      Comment: As a Pilot who flies you people (our "loving" puplic) on the very airline and route system that was twarted by President Clintons REAL intelligence I am very thankful that he was my president. I fear Bush would have been too late and then used it as an excuse to blow someone up like the child he is..But as to Michelle's outspoken and not so often intelligent remarks, Bush has made it impossible for airline employees to enjoy their layovers without continually being concerend about our security. I feel her "speak before you think" mentality will only keep that trend going.. GO Hillary... I trust you with my and my crews satety.
    - Posted By: Jrmapu @ 02/19/2008 01:40:10
      
      Comment: Be careful the Obama renegades don't like you talking about Obama in a negative light. You and I know the whole United States and Great Britain wanted to fight terrorism, but Hillary is the one that voted for the war. Everyone seem to forget about that intelligence reports. Running a country is not going to require a present vote. It requires leadership. Vote Hillary Rodham Clinton for President.
Posted By: Jrmapu @ 02/17/2008 11:26:35 PM

Comment: Poor people. You are all in for a rude awakening after the elections. The real scandal will hit the perverbial fan. No one is squeaky clean. I'm certain they have thier skeletons like every other human being. Mother Teresa already died.
Posted By: G.T. Larson @ 02/17/2008 7:13:11 PM

Comment: I applaud Michelle Obama's directness and her relation with her husband, BUT that hardly qualifies as a good enough reason to vote for her husband as our president.
Posted By: aprjoy @ 02/17/2008 6:56:30 PM

Comment: @tm2018: Ditto. And how dare the name of my alma mater be trotted out throughout this piece, as if it validates this fluff. It really saddens me that it's often black people who hold other black people to stereotypes while seemingly being against them. (And, FYI, this observation comes from a black woman.)
Posted By: kimba @ 02/17/2008 6:04:45 PM

Comment: I worked for Barbara Bush (when she was First Lady) and Condoleezza Rice (when she was NSA) and Mrs. Obama reminds me of both. Can't wait to see her in the White House!
- Posted By: ericrsiny @ 02/19/2008 10:15:03
  
  Comment: Michelle Obama reminds you of Condi Rice?? That would be a reason NOT to vote for Barack.
Posted By: tm2018 @ 02/17/2008 4:54:25 PM

Comment: What I would like to know is who are "these people" who have referred to Michelle Obama as "bossy and emasculating"? So far, in all of the articles I have read about Barack and Michelle Obama, no one quoted has referred to her as such, making it seem as it is only the author of this piece who believes her to be so. Next time either identify "those people" in order to address those concerns or don't bother to write the piece at all.
Posted By: zelduh @ 02/17/2008 3:02:23 PM

Comment: Early in the campaign, I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Ms. Obama at a small group meeting of professional women. (I even have a picture of Michelle with her arm around my shoulder, which I treasure.) Not only was I surprised at how tall and fit she was, but Michelle was beautiful, poised, articulate, feminine and, yes; confident. I don't believe she is emasculating at all. It simply does not fit the personality of the woman I met and chatted with.
Posted By: zelduh @ 02/17/2008 3:01:21 PM

Comment: Early in the campaign, I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Ms. Obama at a small group meeting of professional women. (I even have a picture of Michelle with her arm around my shoulder, which I treasure.) Not only was I surprised at how tall and fit she was, but Michelle was beautiful, poised, articulate, feminine and, yes; confident. I don't believe she is emasculating at all. It simply does not fit the personality of the woman I met and chatted with.
Posted By: carnabylane @ 02/17/2008 8:35:03 AM

Comment: The Obamas are in a real marriage not that charade the Clintons try to pass off. We need real people, with real skills, real values and virtues as leaders not the politically ambitious willing to do whatever it takes to reach their goal. Hillary's 35 years of experience putting up with a lying, cheating spouse is not a good qualification for a presidential candidate. This country needs uniters who will help heal this country and that is not the Clintons.
- Posted By: politics12 @ 02/24/2008 09:40:24
  
  Comment: Enter Your Com"I was raised in a working-class family on the south Side of Chicago. That's how I identify myself, a working-class girl," Michelle Obama standard line in stump speeches.
  
  Michelle Robinson Obama is a vocal and valuable asset to her husband's campaign for the Democratic nomination. Or is she? Aside from her remarks on her lack of pride in being an American, Mrs. Obama has been less than truthful in her depiction of her early years.
  
  Michelle Robinson Obama claims to have grown up in 'a one bedroom tenement on Chicago's south side'. This does not square with the facts of her Father's US$42000 plus a year salary in the late 1960's-80's (More than US$150000 in today's dollars) as a senior engineer with Chicago Water or the gracious first floor 4 bedroom apartment at 7436 Euclid Avenue, Chicago in which she was raised--an area of spacious homes in tree-lined garden streets. Nor with the fact that Mrs. Robinson did not work but spent her time ensuring that her son and daughter had the best that could be offered to comfortably middle class children--the magnet school for gifted children, home-cooked nightly family dinners, music lessons, sports and vacations that were all taken for granted by the young Michelle.
  
  It is sad that for political gain, Michelle Obama is less than accurate about her background and less than proud about her father's achievements in providing so well for his family.
  ment
- Posted By: Politico Journo @ 02/18/2008 10:26:36
  
  Comment: Posted By: carnabylane @ 02/17/2008 8:35:03 AM
  Comment: The Obamas are in a real marriage not that charade the Clintons try to pass off. We need real people, with real skills, real values and virtues as leaders not the politically ambitious willing to do whatever it takes to reach their goal. Hillary's 35 years of experience putting up with a lying, cheating spouse is not a good qualification for a presidential candidate. This country needs uniters who will help heal this country and that is not the Clintons.
  
  DITTO. As for real and fake marriages, I've had one of each. My dearest one died. the man I married turned out to be more interested in teen aged girls and total control but we looked great on paper. Two college grads, a Georgia Tech grad in a blossoming career, a quiet man who seemed like a good husband... except behind doors. Divorce was a celebration for me. Its so hard for many Americans to "get" Sen. Obama. After the last two decades, they don't know good from drek. Wake up America, the same old, same ole is not going to do it. I am white, over 77 and have lived through presidents from FDR to Bush Jr. Obama is the real deal, folks. JMB
Posted By: getzel @ 02/17/2008 12:26:03 AM

Comment: I goes to the church of latter day Farra-cons, cause I hates whitey and hates Jews and I hopes them honkeys votes for me so's I can give 40 acres and a mule and then I'm gon draft all them honkeys in the army and sends them off to war. Ha Ha I am so talented and they are so dumb! imagine Bama the untried untrue hopeless Nicaraguan, Castro, Che Gavara loving...and honkeys vote for me
- Posted By: Politico Journo @ 02/18/2008 10:34:46
  
  Comment: Thanks for your recommendation. I will vote for Sen. Obama. By the way, the word "***' is so old hat. Where did you dig that up from? hahahahahahaha A veteran, a professional woman, a mother, and a Texan for Obama. Poor little soul, I will pray for you. JMB
Posted By: AdirondackAl @ 02/16/2008 2:36:54 PM

Comment: I know nothing of Ms. Obama but I seem to remember puff pieces of this style as the msm tried to sell Theresa Kerry to the great unwashed.

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