Tennessee's Republican Party has put out a four minute video loop of infamous comments made by Barack Obama's wife. In February Michelle Obama said: "For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country" — controversial comments she later clarified.
Yesterday on Good Morning America, Barack Obama responded to the new video.
The GOP, should I be the nominee, can say whatever they want to say about me, my track record. If they think that they're going to try to make Michelle an issue in this campaign, they should be careful because that I find unacceptable, the notion that you start attacking my wife or my family.
Obama said the Republican Tennessee-tactics — which also include a call for patriotic music to be played on local radio while Michelle is in town and referring to Obama using his middle name "Hussein" — are "low class" and unacceptable to most Americans.
Is Obama right to call out the GOP for distracting voters from important issues? Or does Michelle Obama's participation in the campaign make her fair game? If Michelle wants people to credit her for positive remarks, is it only fair to judge all of her comments? When does the negative attention go too far?
Blue Wax
Dwell
Soft Grey
If Mrs. Obama is fair game in a campaign then so is Mrs. McCain, and how relevent is either woman to our political concerns?
1i swear, i find there is nothing more ignorant and backasswards than referring to him as Barack Hussein Obama. GIVE ME A BREAK! I'm not even planning to vote for him, but I will defend that to the end. that is just DUMB.
As for his wife, he lets her speak for him, so I would expect that she gets the same scrutiny he does. As long as they don't get personal or pick on his children, I would think that's fine.
2well Stephley, does Mrs McCain really get out there like Michelle does? that's her choice of course, to either stand back and just look pretty and supportive, or really get into campaigning like Michelle does. I think the wife's opinions are definitely a secondary issue, but if that wife (or husband) really starts getting involved, they ought to expect some discussion about them.
On a side note, I really admire Michelle for getting involved the way she does. I also admire Obama a lot for his enthusiasm and intelligence.
3Well I disagree, if you don't want to make your wife an issue, then let her sit in the background (ala Cindy) and not make speeches in public. If you speak in public, you will be scrutinized, wife or not.
This is what I hear
4If Mrs. McCain's wife stayed completely to the side, I'd agree that she's off-limits. But she gives interviews, occasionally makes comments, speaks to fundraisers and does come out and greet people so she hasn't simply been supportive.
5oh I see. I hadn't noticed Cindy much, besides just standing there looking like a little beauty queenie.
6syako, I could not agree more
7Well I'm not saying Cindy is off limits. I was just saying you don't see the media coverage of Cindy's speeches and appearances like you do Michelle.
I believe the moment anyone steps in the limelight (and is an adult) they are free game to be scrutinized...
8I think if he is going to have her campaign for him, then she is fair game. If Mrs. McCain made a flub like that I would say the same for her, but she is not actively campaigning for McCain. She has been on the side lines. Who knows though. That could change.
9It depends, if the attacks on his wife are based on what she says on his behalf or on behalf of his campaign, then it is fair - if they are attacking her looks, her qualities as a "wife" or "mom" - or anything personal and unrelated then it is tasteless. Attack the issues, not the personal stuff - but that's not how politics works.
But, regardless of what they are attacking Michelle on, on a personal level, I think it is the right thing for Obama to do to tell people to back off his family and to defend his wife.
10I'm completely with Syako. I'm not sympathetic to anyone who get criticized for opinions they put out to the media. If you don't want to be judged, don't put yourself out there to be judged. What's so difficult about that?
11Sounds like the Obama camp is pulling a Crybaby.
I agree with Stephley--I've seen Mrs. McCain give interviews and was on Leno, so she doesn't just sit there like a beauty queenie (I like that, Kris
)
Also, even if Mrs. McCain and Mrs. Obama or Pres. Clinton completely stayed out of the spotlight, they'd still get criticism of some kind. I remember when Teresa Heinz-Kerry was criticized for not being out there as much with John Kerry. So, either way, the spouse is going to get criticized in some way. I don't really think I give a crap about whether or not the spouses are out there, but that's just my opinion.
12I'll tell you what, I'd never want to be a spouse on the campaign trail.
13...and I also get the feeling that if Obama didn't say anything to defend Michelle, then he'd get called out on that as well. You're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't. I also think there are different standards for different candidates. I remember reading an article on Hilary, saying that she was "pimping out" Chelsea for her campaign. Uh, how many candidates' children go out on the campaign trail for their parents? And was the use of the word "pimping" appropriate? Don't think so
14well I'll bet when I democratic nominee is chosen and the game gets going, we'll see a lot more scrutiny of Cindy. and her hubby.
15IMO the spouses should not be off limits. Once in the white house, they work on their own projects. The public should know about them as well.
16ditto to that Sy! I've met some guys here in our capitol city who are cute and elligible, but when they admit their aspirations for politics i tend to lose interest right away. i have enough trouble holding my $hit together here in relative obscurity. Talk about panic attack city. If I were a candidate's wife I would probably have to go into hiding, or hire a full time counselor to travel with us.
17or you could just hire an actor (maybe harmonyfrance) to stand in as spouse for you...
18I'd be in hiding, too, lol. I'm just getting sick of his whining.
19I know this is a really cynical thought, but it just occured to me, Obama is always saying "lets keep it clean" like its his mantra, it makes me wonder how much he's trying to hide....
Just a thought that occured to me now...
20maybe a look-a-like.
21I dunno...I think I would enjoy it Kris, but then again, I am attracted to the ambitious, political types...
22cab watch out for the
23She is out there, campaigning for him. She should get scrutinized just like everyone else that is campaigning for the candidates.
24the only reason cindy mccain hasn't said anything is because she wants to hide the fact that she has the tongue of a lizard and each time she speaks, blue lazer-flames shoot from her inhuman eyeballs.
25"I'm just getting sick of his whining."
I don't see this as whining, he stuck up for his wife, even if commercials questioning her patriotism are fair, a husband should stick up for his wife (and vice versa) - think of the GOP as a mother-in-law
26Sy I know it!
I'm just getting sick of the relentless "lets keep it clean"... Yes, we know you want to run a clean campaign. WE KNOW!!!
But its BS really, even if he runs a clean campaign, which he might, the 527s and the DNC are gonna be nasty just like the RNC and their 527s are gonna be nasty... so its kind of a mute point.. And at this point, it does come of as whining more than anything.
Imagine if GWB came out and said "you know what guys, i think the media should be more classy and stop personal attacks"? Now there's a guy with a right to complain!
27Everyone I have met in D.C says they want to be president. It makes me laugh. Mainly because they don't have a chance against Sy, myself and out cabinet.
28that's right cine
29"But its BS really, even if he runs a clean campaign, which he might, the 527s and the DNC are gonna be nasty just like the RNC and their 527s are gonna be nasty... so its kind of a mute point.. And at this point, it does come of as whining more than anything."
Exactly Cab. The DNC will do the dirty work for Obama so he can come out smelling like roses. Of course she shouts "Keep it clean".
30***Our not Out.
31I just wanted to make something clear too, if you speak in public I believe your speeches and the issues you bring up through those talks are fair game... I don't think your fashion sense or any nonsense like that is relevant.
32he can come our smelling like roses?
33They are snazzy dressers though, so its all good.
34politicians and their wives fashion is
to me... 
35to be serious for a moment... what michelle actually said (that for the first time in a long time she was proud of her country) has been misconstrued in such a major way that i think obama is just saying lay off because he doesn't want his wife to have to get into a back and forth argument with the GOP.
what she was actually saying was that she was inspired by the level of interest she saw in obama's supporters (probably in the entire democratic party). she's inspired that everyone is ready for change and willing to work for it. i have to agree with her. up until obama came along i figured this election would be just like the last one, a tepid campaign run by a spineless democrat who wouldn't stand up for himself and a party that didn't stand up for him and say "NO we don't believe that" with the whole swift boat nonsense. the best thing about both barack and michelle is that they are not afraid to speak their minds, and they talk to america like we are actually smart and able to form critical thoughts. it IS refreshing.
hillary is boring and speaks in soundbites, and mccain is just a regurgitated version of bush with a dash of regan and some renegade qualities that he's now downplaying to get votes... barack obama is new and exciting and people love it! i say good for her.
36"politicians and their wives fashion is to me... "
agreed, they all look like some variation of a stepford wife - although Cindy wore a nice yellow suit back in the primary that I loved!
37Yesteryear...you are opening up a can of worms - fact of the matter is the statement was ambiguous and people will see the side they want to believe, and neither side can really counter that, so it is a pointless argument in my opinion.
38Hey Cine/Sy, can I get in your cabinet (Maybe I should rephrase that..)?
39zeze didnt we talk weeks ago about getting you an avatar??
what progress has been made on that front??
40When I hear Obama speak, it is like a bunch of Fluff. Well written, well spoken fluff. But fluff none the less.
41get in our cabinet
yes you can!
42agreed cine
43Well Undave. Cabaker is the Secretary of awesomeness, so that position is already taken. What would you like to do in the Cine/Syako cabinet.
44I completely agree as well, cine.
45cabaker
I forgot, it was my last week of school when I promised to get one
that weekend, then on Monday I started work...this sort of decision needs time and reflection, I am choosing an identity here.
...I'm just glad my parents didn't let me choose my name, othersiwe I'd still be "hey girl."
46I still think this should be it zz
47I think this is fair game for the campaigns and 527s, she is out there and she is learning how to work in soundbites, making missteps along the way. It is offensive what they latch onto, but bad campaign ads are as American as apple pie. ha.
I just find it annoying this becomes part of the news cycle and stupid fights like this equates to free tv time for the candidates so it encourages this behavior. This back and forth catfight moment is easy to report, much like the Trump v anyone sagas... issues are hard and would take some actual work to report on.
48I just want to say that I really like Michelle Obama. She's the well spoken, educated type of first lady that I really admire. Nothing against Laura Bush, she seems like she is a great person, but I like my first ladies with a little fire and ambition. Although I do find myself liking Hilary less and less as a candidate, I still have a good amount of admiration stored up for her from her first lady days.
It is low to attack a candidate's spouse or children personally, but if they are out there giving substantive speeches on behalf of the candidate then what they say is certainly fair game. The spouse does give us an impression of the candidate because even if they are the beauty queen type, they are still fairly visible.
49Hmmm, how about the Secretary of Does Anything Men Need or Expect Done. Then, I'd have a cool accronym.
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