The Obama kids (Malia and Sascha) had a first this week: a full-family interview on Access Hollywood. Though if the girls had any plans for an encore, dad has put his foot down this morning. Obama regrets the interview, saying that he doesn't think the exposure is "healthy" and that the family got carried away because the interview was on Malia's birthday, and added that famous dad-ism, "it won't happen again."
The Obama girls aren't the only campaign kids in and out of the spotlight. Meghan McCain, though quite a bit older than her Democratic counterparts, is no stranger to the stump. She has her high-profile blog, plans to author a children's book, and isn't a stranger to red-carpet events — she's even been in GQ, where it came out that she voted for John Kerry. By contrast, her brothers (Jack and Jimmy) are military men, with Jack in the Naval Academy and pretty publicity-shy, and Jimmy who returned from Iraq in February, and whose service is famously off-the-table on the campaign trail.
What's the right role for a kid on the campaign trail? Was Obama right to let the girls do the interview? Should the candidates let their kids choose their level of involvement as it appears McCain has?
And here's this: did you know Obama is actually "pretty conservative?" Apparently it's true — when it comes to his gum. To check out the Obama kids on Access Hollywood, read more.
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Want more about what kind of life awaits the next White House-bound kid? This piece has all the juicy details — including this which I love from Susan Ford (Bales): she walked into a meeting her dad was having with Henry Kissinger, then secretary of state. "I walked in and said: 'Hi, Mr. Secretary. Dad, I need my allowance and Mom doesn't have any cash.'" The leader of the free world ponied up.
KangaROOS
Casadei
D&G
considering the vast age differences between the two candidates' kids, I don't think they can be compared as to what "should be allowed"
1I agree with what Obama is saying now-that he shouldn't have had the kids do the interview.
I also agree with sy, the age difference really makes it hard to compare the two. I do like the McCain is pretty much letting his adult kids choose their level of involvement, but keeping Bridget out of the spotlight.
2Yea McCain's daughter is old enough to make her own choice.
But I can see how Obama would have gottenm caught up with the birthdy and just let em do it... if he says it won't happen again, it probably won't!
3I feel bad for the Obama children because they are not old enough to have made the decision accurately on their own. Let's say they wanted to be on tv because they thought it was the cool thing to do, they are too young to know the reaction that comes with them opening up to the media. It is not their fault, it is just the product of their age. Now, they have become a media target and I feel bad for them because it is something no child their age should have to deal with. The media, and us ourselves can be very rude and demeaning to public figures (regardless of their age). I think the Obamas should have taken a page from the Clinton book on raising a child in the public light and refrained from introducing them to the public.
4Well that was pretty cute. I actually really liked seeing that side of them, but I can see why he might not want to do it again.
5I agree with you harmony, it is cute. However, I feel bad for the attacks they have opened themselves up to.
6Hunter: I think the Clintons were brilliant keeping Chelsea out of the spotlight (as much as they could). She STILL won't grant interviews...and now it's HER choice, but she'll stump for her mom like nobody's business. I love Chelsea.
7I agree, Chelsea is the example of what raising a child in the public spotlight should be. I never can once think of a time in which the Clinton family "sold out" Chelsea. On the contrary, I can think of times in which they fiercely protected her and I think that is what parents should do with their children until they are old enough to make their own decisions on their role in the media.
8Doesn't seem like a big deal to me. I don't really pay attention to candidate spawn on either side--that aspect of campaigns doesn't interest me much. I'm sure they were cute, though.
9This was amazing, to have such access to their personal lives.
10I saw O on the Today Show this morning, and he said it won't happen again.
what made him change his mind?
11As much as I don't like the Clintons I've always liked Chelsea. I always felt bad for her and how badly she was criticized (people saying she was ugly etc)... that is just wrong, you just don't criticize or make fun of children.
As far as this post goes, this is pretty much why you don't see me posting very often. I'm not a debater, I believe that everyone is entitled to their opinion and are neither right nor wrong for that opinion. It's just not worth arguing about or playing silly games about, bantering back and forth, I just don't get it. It may be a simplistic viewpoint but I'm ok with that.
I do get upset when people make attacks or even cryptic attacks or make fun of others for their opinion, it solves nothing. so just reading the posts sometimes gets me all riled up but I've come to learn whose posts to read and whose not too so I can try to keep my blood pressure at a more even keel lol
I sincerely appreciate those who can share their opinion in a very neutral manner and even if you want to say something negative towards another person, I really respect when people resist doing that.
12and yes I know I'm boring and no fun lol
but now I'm off to the gym... have a good day!
13Doesn't McCain have an adopted daughter? Is she involved with the campaign at all?
14I thought Bridgette (that's her name, yes?) is their adopted daughter.
15Yes, Bridget is his adopted daughter. She's not involved with the campaign, as she is only 16 and the McCains don't want her involved. She was also torn apart in 2000, when the media was saying she wasn't adopted, but that she was McCain's "love child." Disgusting. His older children (with his first wife) are also not involved.
16The McCains do not let Bridget do campaigning because of her age. They let their kids decide the role in which they want to play (thus Meghan blogging).
17I think Megan is so pretty!
18I do, too, cabaker! I feel the same way about Cindy (and young John McCain), too.
Well, maybe not "pretty" about young JSM, but ruggedly handsome.
19I feel like JSM won't really catch on. It doesn't have the same ring to it as HRC for some reason...
20megan is really really ridiculously good looking!
21I was just thinking how pretty she is as well
22"Candidate spawn", JudeC?
That's a phrase! 
23Oh, and maybe not JSM, but what about JMac?
24Yeah, you're right, Citizen, JMac is a little better.
25
Citizen
26It should be J.Mac like J.Lo
27I know I'm old when I have no idea what half the words in this article mean.
28Wait, which one is JMac? I know that doesn't stand for James McAvoy. Unfortunately.
I agree with y'all on Chelsea--they did a great job with raising her in the spotlight and she's friggin awesome.
29I thought it was kind of funny how the little girls started their "kid babble" and kind of took control of the interview. Sometimes it is just precious to hear what comes out of someone so young. It was interesting to see the family together like that because it seemed so...normal.
Ultimately, I don't think there is anything you can do to shield your kids if their parent becomes President. I think that the Clintons did a great job with Chelsea, but they couldn't protect her from everything. Same with the Bush's.
Has anyone attacked the kids from this, or is it a pre-emptive move?
30Malia isn't camera shy and she says what's on her mind, Sasha was bored as hell. But very cute. I'm not in love with Barack or Michelle but I think it was a cute interview and it definitely can't hurt his campaign.
31J.MAC = John McCain?
32... I'm assuming
33I saw the interview and it was harmless enough. I think though that if I were a father and in his shoes I would feel the same way. I would not want my children exposed to over 300 million opinions of who they are from people who don't know them.
34Meghan looks just like Cindy - other subject it really doesn't matter to me, it's just talk.
35Haha, brain fart, I thought JMac was referring to one of McCain's sons. Nevermind, nothing more to see here
36I guess I need to see Meghan w/o those huge glasses. The O interview was cute though.
37
38For some reason, Megan reminds me of a blonder Lindsay Lohan, if Lindsay Lohan wasn't all prematurely aged and overly Mystic Tanned.
39No comment.
40What a weird picture. She's trying to portray so many different things in it.
Laid back, girly, fun, smart.
I don't know why...but that picture cracks me up.
41That's the GQ pic, right sy?
42yeah. it's the one linked. I love the beer in hand.
43It's just hysterical.
44Hmm, I know a nice padded head board when I see one.
45
46Clean it up! :sweep:
47bah!
48wow, what a stylish republican! love the oliver peoples shades and her hair.
49I remember losing my respect for SNL when they started making fun of Chelsea Clinton. I couldn't believe a show with a cast of adult writers and actors would make fun of a child. And poor Chelsea, to be in the world's media spotlight in the most awkward years of your life.
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