Good evening Erica and Bloggees

Happy hump day!!!!!!

Michelle Obama,

You are my role model. You epitomize grace, class, intelligence, and strength. Keep up the fight.

Campbell….are you going to join the blog tonight????

Hi all…

Hello. Is she really going to go against her husband and say anything bad about him as he’s running for president? Duh.

Why are they still interjecting race!

I didn’t know Caroline Kennedy was going to be on as well. She’s awesome too.

Fantastic how Michelle is trying to focus on the beef!

Good Evening! Long time reader, first time commenter. Love this feature on the show!!!

I feel that the Obama campaign and his wife and family have done all they can to move on. It is now up to the media to move on.

Hooray for Michelle Obama…

Evening all! Michele Obama is going to make a wonderful first lady, isn’t she? She’s classy, intelligent and eloquent and she is right beside Barack! To be getting support from Caroline Kennedy is just fantastic!! Go Obama!!

Obama’s conduct and past doesn’t match his words of change and unity.

Caroline Kennedy is the former president’s daughter, but….why is her opinion/endorsement important? Should we be influenced by her?

hi everyone, looking forward to another great show.
Sorry but i dont think that Obama has much credibility left…..he has waffled back and forth on the wright issue. How can he deal with the BIG problems.

Michael, The “story” won’t change until something more sensational happens. Every pundit and politician in America now has to answer the “What do you think about….” question. It’s going to take a few days as least before this is wiped off the front page.

Maybe I was mistaken but wasn’t the advertisement for the show Michelle Obama talks about Rev. Wright?? What did she say, she didn’t want to discuss it and CNN just let’s it go by, that is one way to get the voters to pay attention, just blow the question off, she did it a good job, just don’t discuss Rev. Wright and it will go away.

Ann

Although I’m disappointed that Anderson didn’t do the Michelle Obama interview, it was a surprise to see Caroline Kennedy there supporting Michelle. So is the media going to move on? That is the question.

I agree with Michelle Obama….let’s move on. We’ve analyzed this issue to death and I think there are better things to talk about with all the candidates.

give me a break.. why is obama and his wife always trying to move on to important things when something bad comes out about him.. why not face them instead of trying to flush them out..

You can’t move on from this.
We the people need to know why this family likes to be surrounded with this kind of radical Idea’s.

Michelle Obama previously said that she is “disapointed in America”, now she is acting “All-American”. First her husband denounces their pastor, and now she is trying to appear patriotic.

It’s just more false advertising from the Obama campaign.

Paris, I see what you mean. Obama hit a road block with Wright, and rather than communicate with him he cut him out. This is a man who talks about being inclusive but he now excludes a family friend and pastor. Is he only friends with people agree with him. If that’s the case why does he think he can talk to foreign leaders and come out with solutions and better understanding of issues.

“Caroline Kennedy is the former president’s daughter, but….why is her opinion/endorsement important? Should we be influenced by her?”

I love Caroline. Many other people (especially older women) are reminded about the Camelot era.

Obviously one person’s endorsement is not going to win the nomination or presidency - but if you want someone to endorse you in the Democratic Party - I think Caroline Kennedy is one of the best figures. She usually keeps very quiet.

What do you mean you are ready to turn the page?
The people are not. We need answers. You husband had 5 different reaction to Wright?
How can we trust him as a leader?

Michelle Obama would be should a great first lady, she really doesnt seem like a cookie cutter senator;s wife….

It does defy belief that they can have been in that church for 20 years and not share at least some of these opinions.

He wins the most states she said; well SEN Clinton has won the MOST votes…yes EVEN here in FLORIDA.

Good Evening I am sick of hearing that because Obama thinks of the Rev. Wright as family that everything is ok. I am the youngest of 6 siblings born in D.C. we were all taught the same moral values. My brother who is the oldest made choices in his life that made him a person that I didn’t want to be around and didn’t want him to have any impact on my children. I made a choice not to have anything to do with him and he has not been a part of my life since. So if you were to ask me the only reason he continued to stay in the church and think of Rev. Wright as a spirtiual advisor is because he believes the same. I like most people BELIEVE if you don’t like someone or don’t believe in what they stand for you STAY AWAY FROM THEM!

In the beginning of the campaign, everything anyone knew about Obama came from books he wrote about himself. # of states, $, and delegates will not make undecided voters chose Obama. She should be selling his ideas on the issues. Not more of this “change, change, change” hooplah. Sell me, Michelle.

Good question Paris…. I agree with you

They know Obama’s in trouble, so they bring in Caroline Kennedy to try a convince people to vote for him.
I dont think race has anything to do with it, It is about Judgement, values, and credibilty!
Did rev wright say he wanted to be VP at press club.

I am obviously proud of Mrs. Obama. High Standards delivery and gosh such a smart response that should have been done a long time ago. That is what I am talking about. She is not eating your sensationalization trash. Now you eat it. I wonder when this is over what many of you are going to do with your lives. Wow!!! she is so dignified.

Michelle Obama…what a class act. How could our country go wrong with a great first family. I have never voted for a democrate before.
This is a first for me. I am excited to vote for him.

HI, everyone — sorry I’m late to the party tonight. I was watching the first part of Suzanne’s intvu and all of a sudden realized I wasnt logged on to blog — oops!

I hope that the media will finally tire of asking the same questions about Wright. It’s gotten to the point that I now change the channel as soon as I hear his name….

I want to hear how my next president is going to help me afford my groceries, lower the price of gas, help those who are losing their homes.

Enough with Wright, let’s move on to the real issues.

there is not enough room for Obama, Bill and Hillary on the same ticket

Talk about beating a dead horse…I don’t blame her for not delving into the issue from scratch, what more can really be said that hasn’t already been drawn out by every pundit on television? Time to move on. The Obamas seem (to me, at least) to be a different breed of politics altogether, and it’s a shame that these authentic people are being drug across the coals over tedious nonesense, issues that should be non-issues, issues that are only being dramatized because there isn’t any other ammunition to throw at them. I applaud their efforts.

Obama is definitely going after the female vote now - last night, that’s what Roland Martin was telling him on the show - that’s why Michelle is out there with Caroline Kennedy

Michelle Obama comes across as a very intelligent and strong woman–Barack has to be pretty proud to have her supporting him.

If the news media would have shown the true Obama from the start he probably would not be where he is now. It will be a shame if he gets the nomination, and as a democrat ensures my vote for McCain.Obama is not what he or most news media portray him.
Only Hannity gets it.

Suzanne, if you throw Mrs. Obama one more softball, I am going to bark.

The sacrifice and jumping on the problems all starts with your intentions and your believe system.
You have never been proud of this country and you said we are down right mean.

How can you be our first lady?

I teach college-level critical reading and thinking skills. It doesn’t take long, when you look at the character, message, and platforms of the candidates, to see what this country is hurting for: Barack Obama as a President who reads, thinks, defends the little guy and the constitution, and a first lady to match!

I think it’s time our country becomes color-blind, and time the media picked up on what everyday citizens are already doing.

Good luck, Sen. and Mrs. Obama. We are with you!

I think that’s a great point about kids…sometimes they’re more honest than the adults are comfortable being, but, man!, we could definitely learn a few things.

You keep insisting that this is the small stuff.
But the problem is that it is not small.
This goes to the root of your husband’s campaign.
Unity is not what you or your husband is preaching.
It is not reflected in your action and in your case even your words.

Michelle Obama said she is proud of the USA for the first time in her adult life, now. And still there are even some people that pick her as their role model.

I guess many out there rather to see the glass half full, instead half empty (Notice also this glass contains Vinegar).

This is politics, I don’t feel sympathetic to any candidate. I feel like this is college hazing period, and if they can’t hold up they need to find a different job.

Sorry Michelle, the people your husband has spent his life associating with. and being mentored by , are not little problems. The fact that both of you have surrounded yourselves with radical thinking people that have radical racial and political views, should concern every voter. If someone spent 20 years in the company of a Bin Laden, I believe that we would scream foul. The Rev. Wright is not Bin Laden, but his remarks are full of the same kind of hatred, and Obama not only has been a close friend, but considered him like an “uncle” That should concern any person with the ability to think logically.

I think Michelle Obama will be an outstanding
first lady. I am impressed with her style and
intelligence. She is a real class act.

Michelle obama has an obvious attitude problem. We the people will decide when it’s time to move on from the Rev.Wright issue. Maybe it would help if she addressed the Reverend’s comments directly. After all, it was most likely she who introduced Barack to Rev.Wright. This is serious business, this guy has made some outrageous allegations about the United Sates goverement.

Having Caroline there is obviously strategic…I think it s manipulative –and not subtle–by O’Bama’s campaign to have her sitting with Michelle tonight. Of course, nothing against Caroline.

Suzanne – you should have just said – OK – you’re not going to answer my questions – so go ahead with you’re talking points

Not impressed by her sidestepping the questions. She wants us to get to know him better and what he’s about yet can’t explain how they sat in that church for so many years and weren’t influenced by the Reverend.

This is a great show tonight it seems CNN is trying to move past the Wright controversy and begin to focus on the candidates, good work!

Good interview with Michele Obama tonight; she seems like such a great lady.

I’m curious about the live wrap-up just before the break. Mses. Brown and Malveaux seemed to discuss the next week as if Senator Obama is losing. Unless the news media continues to define him with the rev Wright story, he is on track to win this thing.

Anyway, this story was badly needed, and thank you for bringing Ms. Obama and Ms. Kennedy on.

I put off an important errand to watch the Michelle Obama piece. I was disappointed to find that I wasted my time. Michelle did not answer any questions or provide any substantive comment. Instead, her performance was just another campaign speech. I fail to understand how I managed to learn more about Rev. Wright and his church in a brief visit to the Trinity United Church of Christ web site than Michelle and Barack were able to discern about him in a 20 year relationship! I was hoping for some answers.

To all of you who are being critical of how the Obama’s have dealt with Rev. Wright…this wasn’t an easy thing for them. Frankly, I am so done with it…if I saw the Obama’s behaving in any way like Wright has sounded then it would be different, but for goodness sakes look at the way they’ve lived their lives. That’s what I care about. Let’s MOVE ON to world events and our own needs here in America. Some of you need to check the pulse of the rest of the world…they are pulling for Obama as the only one of the candidates with the chance of bringing together world leaders!

Sen. Clinton believes that Rev. Wright’s comments were offensive. At least she agrees with Sen. Obama on one thing.

So, when all else fails, lets send in the wifey to clean up the mess. When political figures cheat on their wives, send in the wife. When the media / public is getting the wrong idea about politicians, send in the wife. Wives come in handy dont they?

We can learn alot from how OBAMA is handling these little bumps in the road. I guess we just ‘fess up to the matter and MOVE ON. Let’s all move on and pretend it didn’t happen : )

I think Barrack is incredibly fortunate to have such an intelligent wife. Michelle is a very “grounding” type person.

I don’t think the Republicans will swift boat Obama with the Wright connection. The Rezko connection will be so much more damaging.
Always a touch late…exactly

Ed Rollins is right. All the candidates have to show the toughness they will need. And they will need alot of it.

That interview was like going to a tea party….It couldn’t have been any more monotone or boring….I thought the questions could have been a little more of a challenge to her instead of like a couple of women having lunch……very disappointing interview. Why has everyone been so afraid of doing or saying anything negative about the Obamas? This is the leader of the free world we are talking about….we deserve to know all of his sides, not just the showman.

Thanks CNN for giving Michelle Obama an opportunity to share her committment to serve the people of this nation

Dee Dee Myers and Ed Rollins gave direct answers to direct questions posed by Campbell Brown. No pandering to either side. I appreciate it when the political analysts do that.

If your husband didn’t have the ability to recognize Wright’s radical ideas in 20 years,
how is he going to deal with Ahmadinejad?
Obama is always late in his reply because he only does it if he needs to do it politically.
He even said it; the part that outraged him was about him and not this country.
Wow the lack of passion for American and our flag is amazing in this family.

@Diana: I am just curious, do you really believe that Obama thinks the Wright that appeared at the National Press Club is any different than the Wright who gave the “GD sermon?” If not how can you believe that Obama, after twenty years in his church, did not know that Wright harbored this racism and hatred, and why didn’t he come out against Wright earlier?

Michelle seems to be a very good person.

Thanks cnn for moving past the Wright problem we’ve had enough. I want to know who is going to provide healthcare, jobs, bring troops back from Irag. It’s time to stop this pundaring.

Clinton and O’Bama agree on most of the issues, thats one reason for the focus on the personal stuff. Hopefully the general election will be more issues oriented, as the differences in the parties are like huge divides.

I don’t understand the presence of Caroline Kennedy, can’t Michelle Obama face the camera - the people of America by herself? Does she need a White Person to walk her talk? If she can’t handle a simple TV interview by herself how could she handle the role of a 1st lady? Honestly speaking, Caroline’s presence makes it truly obvious that she can’t stand alone - she doesn’t seem to be the ROCK Obama speaks off …….

I don’t understand why Michelle Obama and the rest of country keep referring to Barack as a black man. Is it because his skin is black? I thought his mother was white? You know maybe more blue collar white women would vote for him if him and his supporters would stop referring to his race or to him being a black man. I guess I don’t understand why this never comes up. Technically he would not be our first “black” president.

Why has this story taken over the entire first half of my favorite news show? I want to hear about the abused boys in the compound and any headway made on that story.

Obama isn’t handling this well because he lacks experience. The downside risk is only to him, he doesn’t get elected. As President the downside risk of no experience could be a disaster. People have compared him to JFK. Well JFK approved the Bay of Pigs fiasco shortly after taking office. Experience matters.

The Obama’s kept Rev. Wright for 20 years. But we shouldn’t keep the discussion today because it’s “negative”.

Are we suppose to discuss ONLY what favors Sen. Obama?

Lets sweep Rev. Wright under the rug to make the Obama’s HAPPY!

Here in Atlanta there was a story in the AJC newspaper about the mother of a fellow Princeton roommate of Michelle Obama who tried to get her daughter moved to another dorm when she heard Michelle was black. Today their family is supporting Barack Obama. We’ve come a long way.

Obama bringing world leaders together.. he can’t even fix his problems with his pastor.. what more with world leaders.. some with more hatred for us.. how can he handle such “BIG” issues when he can’t even deal with this pastor issue and wants to keep moving on..

how can she make a great first lady when she admits to being proud of this country because her husband is running for president.. she might not have videos like that pastor hating on this country but with that comment.. that pastor has made more influence on this so called GREAT FIRST FAMILY than they admit..

Everyone keeps saying to get back to the issues…but how divided are Obama and Clinton on the issues? If we all voted on the issues democrats would be more than happy with either candidate, I feel like the only thing that will sway people’s vote now is learning more about the candidates character and seeing how they handle themselves against attacks, we need to find out who will be strong enough to defeat McCain.

I don’t think Michelle Obama “needed” Caroline Kennedy to sit in on the interview–but considering how much of a firestorm the Wright issue is, she may have just wanted someone who is well-respected to show their support. Michelle Obama is a smart woman who can handle whatever is thrown her way.

Michelle Obama was everything I want in a first lady.

She is open and forthright, she is articulate, and she obviously loves and believes in her husband.

She will be a refreshing first lady! Hopefully. . .she will be our next one!

Sooo cool to see Caroline Kennedy with Michelle Obama……sooo very
special as Caroline does not do interviews for just anybody. It appears that this generation which are the majority of the bloggees do not realize how much influence her appearance has to give support to Obama.

Even though Michelle Obama’s thesis is blocked on the Princeton website until after the election. It is available by Google: “Michelle Obama’s thesis”. Please read it in it’s entirity. Her views are in step with Rev. Wright. She should be asked pertinent questions regarding this thesis. With views like this how does she and Barack denounce Rev. Wright. This is the reason they could sit in Trinity[’s pew and listen to Rev. Wright for 20+ years and not get up and leave.

Thank you in advance for pursuing this. Reporters need to ask the hard questions and I admire you for doing so.
Pam

John McCain is certainly no maverick and it is so clear that the Democrats need to unite before it’s too late.

If you needed a surgeon, would you rather have one fresh out of med school full of new ideas or one who has done hundreds of operations? All Obama can do is say what he will do. He can’t point at anything and say what he has done.

TESS, you’re right.

I think J. Kennedy was taken to the interview as a Back-Up!

I don’t get the point of Mrs. Obama saying they are ready “to move forward”.
Does she really mean forward, or does she mean: away from Rev. Wright dirt?

I used to have an admirable view of Caroline Kennedy, yet everytime I see her refer to Obama as in her dad’s likeness I think she cheapens her fathers legacy. How well does she really know this man? Let’s hope better than most of us. The campaign must really think most of us are fools to fall for what CNN and this interview portrayed tonite. Fox news is much more honest in their coverage. I watch them much more these days.

I like Adriana Huffington’s comment.

Don’t forget Michelle Obama sat at the same church for 20+ years. Come on America this is the issue who is Obama?

Hi Clyde,
The fact is that the democrats are so divided that do not be surprised that because one candidate or the other, wins the nomination, we will see McCain-Bush-Cheney all over again because of a lack of organization amongst the democrats.
I onyly hope I am wrong.
Hope you have a great day.
Phil

I’ve always thought Obama would have made a great civil rights leader. Just imagine how this successful this race would be if Obama had been more vocal on civil rights issues while continiuing to move up in the political world?

We all would have learned more about him, he would have been helping the “underprivileged” or minorities, and we would have GLADLY voted for him.

Wonderful interview Michelle,

You control the conversation. All the media wants to do is to continue the Rev. Wright conversation with additional snipets–while we are still out here suffering and want relief.

Rev. Wright was unwillingly dragged into the mess–remember the man was in retirement until the media starting making him an issue.

I heard enough about Rev. Wright–I’m ready for bread and butter issues that can help me support my family. Rev. Wright and the media are doing just fine financially.

McCain is in the running because the Republicans have the luxury to set back and watch the Democratic fight and have their strategists push for Hillary.

Rev. Wright is an attempt to knock Obama out in the primaries. They want to run against Bill and Hillary and replay the 1990’s. They can’t beat Obama.

That’s disgusting! Seeing that 73 year old creep vacationing without his shirt on!

Nite everyone!

McCain isn’t getting scrutinized as much as he should be–I agree with Huffington–I think the media is hesitant to dig deeper on him because of his history and service to the country–but this is a presidential race and he should be examined as closely as the other candidates.

Night all, Congratulations Candy Crowley for the New Hampshire Primary Award. You deserve it, for all you hard work. Good night.

Mike from Syracuse NY> I love that analogy, I’ll definitely remember it. This country is most certainly in the ER.

I love beat 360! Congrats John in Pennsylvania!!!!!!!
Good night Campbell, bloggers, and Erica…………

Good night all! See you tomorrow. Same time same place

Michelle Obama handled the interview much in the manner in “don’t question so I must not answer.”!
What kind of message is she sending ? I expected direct and honest answers and instead ,I heard her say” do not ask anymore on the subject matter that concerned Wright.
Is this how the Obamas will face all public questions of complications?
Well ,why don’t we brush this aside and move on to other questions please.
Not quite the composure and honest direct approach I expect from a presidential candidates wife.
Dissapointing interview indeed .

@Pam: I have read Michelle’s Princeton thesis as well and it is a real eye opener. Just another thing the media has been hiding from the voters. You can see Wright’s influence all over it.

CNN why not do an analysis on Michelle’s thesis.
The facts are undeniable.