I think the criticism has been unfair and done by people who are wary of strong successful women. Michelle should be able to just be herself - no one is one dimensional and no one can be neatly packaged to be one thing or another. Women today are expected to take on several different roles at the same time - mom, wife, career woman, etc. Michelle is a good example of a woman that has managed to balance all the different pieces in her life and come out ahead. She should just be herself. She’s a tremendous example for young women just as she is in real life.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

Michelle should just be herself. She is intelligent, strong, funny and classy. The criticism has been unfair but she is out campaigning for Senator Obama. So, I guess she is fair game, but I am certain she can handle it.

She did an excellent job. I think if Mrs McCain was confident enough she would be out on the campaign trail, however her past would more than hurt her husband’s campaign. Michelle Obama is a class act and does not need softening, she should be herself. the criticism of her is just dumd old politics and those with common sense know this. They try to paint her as some black militant andgy woman. But she isn’t. However, maybe someone should ask McCain why he voted against Arizona recognizing Dr Kin’g birthday in his state? Now that’s real racism. The right wing is rightly wrong about mkichele Obama.

Thus far, Michelle Obama has presented herself as tasteless and rough.

While Mrs. Bush’s comments were certainly kind, as a Democrat–I am embarrassed that Michelle Obama gave Laura Bush the opportunity to defend her.

Likewise, I was dissappointed that Michelle Obama caved to Mrs. Bush’s generosity—I wish instead of apologizing for being misunderstood—she had defended her statement better.

If Michelle Obama is going to stand the pressures of the White House and being the first African American First Lady then she is going to have be much more mindful of her actions and behavoir. that does not mean she needs to be softened.

I think Michelle Obama should just be herself and so should her husband. Let’s see them change the same old, same old stuff that happens during elections. Be yourself.

Lorie Ann, Buellton, Calif.

Do you think she NEEDS softening? - … hmmm - probably.
Should she do it? - … no
Should she just be herself? …yes. No matter what anyone tries to change about Michelle Obama, her true self will always come thru. And normally when someone is trying to contain themselves, it happens at the worst possible time. yikes.
Do you think the criticism has been unfair?… no. Welcome to the real world of American politics, Mrs. ‘I wanna be the First Lady’ Obama.

Michelle is a beautiful, smart, loving wife and mother, she will make a wonderful “First Lady”. American and the World will appreciate her(another Jacqueline Kennedy)

Hi Randi
I love your journalistic talent …I think you would make a great permanent anchor:-)

I think people should leave Michelle Obama alone
Michelle Obama gets out there in spite of her inexperience as a campaigner and does her best to forge ahead to help Barack.She is a strong intelligent woman ..is she going to make a mistake the odd time ..you bet, bc she is human and we all do
She comes across to me as a real woman who can identify with the average woman
Cindy McCain Came out again tonight after Michelle for the mistake she made for the *second* time
If this is the only time she can open her mouth, to attack Michelle
she had better stick to being the mute barbie doll beside her husband
Not very Classy and a real turn off for me!

There seems to be so much hype about Michelle Obama. What about Cindy McCain’s past drug problem. Wasn’t she indicted for stealing drugs?

I watched it tonight, far from impressed. Even looking at the clips on TV right now it seems so fake. It seems so forced by her. To me she’s too uptight and unsure of what too say. She’s trying to repeat lines that were fed to her before the show began.

I haven’t watched the View yet but I have it on the DVR. I don’t know why Mrs McCain is trying so hard to slam her. If I was born with a gold spoon in my mouth and had a lavish life like McCain, I’d be very proud of my country too. Everything was given to McCain and Obama had to work for what she got. In my eyes she is more like me and McCain is just another rich person. I doubt she has no idea what the common man and woman has to go through. McCain needs to go take a seat. At least the Obama’s are mature enough not to bash the spouse. The McCain’s seem petty. Mr. McCain has issues and I believe he is just trying to tell the American people what they want to hear so he can get into office. I hope they both go down in flames.

If Michelle Obama is such and extraordinary woman, well educated and so strong, why does her husband feel he has to defend her all the time. Everyone thinks it’s so cute! I think it is pathetic. If she is so strong, she can defend herself and she better figure out pretty soon how to do that. Women want women in positions of responsibility who can stand up to criticism. Michelle Obama has two daughters. What kind of a role model is she being for them? Wimpy.
It is rather ironic that when Bill Clinton tried to defend his wife, he was criticized heavily by the press for interfering and being a problem for Hillary.

The commentator who said it would be best if any prospective first lady were innocuous did not represent my or my family’s views at all. Why should he be considered an expert? He was simply an opinionated male with strong misogynist tendencies.

Does Barack take out the garbage and does she wear panty hose. The women on the view are idiots. What is Michelle’s position on the ‘black value system’ and ‘black liberation theology’ and reparation? Dem spin … shut up Michelle and show that you’re a real woman. right

This is only the beginning.

michelle did a wonderful job at hosting the view today. she was relaxed, poised, funny. i really feel that alot of people in the media are intimidated by her. not that she is scary, but by how she carries herself and not fitting the typical sterotype of how they view blackwomen in this country.

I don’t understand this now, there must be a double standards for Black Woman and White Woman when in a positon of high ecfhelon in politics. Now Mrs. Obama said “this is the First Time I am REALLY PROUD to be an American”

While Mrs Mccain says and I believe this to be her words; “I have always been a PROUD American”

Now the only differences were list in there comments, Mrs Obama comment was “REALLY A PROUD AMERICAN” while Mrs. Mccain comment was “A PROUD AMERICAN”

To me Really Proud out weights Proud any time.

Thanks

Love CNN better then FOX

I very much enjoy Anderson Cooper’s show and most of the journalists appearing on it. I rely on this show for a great deal of information on a daily basis. I am writing tonight because I am absolutely appalled at the amount of time spent on Michelle Obama’s image and Cindy McCain’s absurd remarks about her.

Is there truly nothing else going on in the world today? Why do we have to hear one more word about the wives of the presidential candidates? These issues are ridiculous. I have no doubt that both wives are patriotic Americans and strong, interesting women.

Please address the real issues of the day. Issues like the Mississippi flooding, the truce between Israel and Hamas, the ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, the mortgage problems so many people are facing, and what the presidential candidates have to say about these matters. Be serious journalists and leave the trashy gossip alone.

The comments that Mrs. Obama made were blown out of proportion…of course she’s proud of this country. She should just be herself and not try to be someone else. If there’s one thing she needs to do, she should be more careful of what she says because anything she says can be taken out of context, even though it sounds innocent. I’m sure by now she knows this.

Lilibeth
Edmonds, Washington

She is so far from Jackie Kennedy. She really should just go away and stay out of the public eye. She is never going to be a good first lady. Classy? Not - Any woman over the age of 40 should always have on stockings or pantyhose. Legs are not what they used to be.

A careful examination of Michelle Obama’s controversial proud of my country remark demonstrates that the actual remark was “……I’m really proud of my country.” Really is an adverb; consequently, the sentence suggests that she was already proud of her country, and as a result of Obama’s success in the campaign she is now even prouder. Grammar counts and anyone who has a eduction like Mrs. Obama’s surely knows how to compose and sentence that accurately reflects what she intends to say.

Finally a 1st Lady like Diana that will help bring our country back into good graces wiith the rest of the world. Like dah, woirking moms didn’t want to see Mrs Bush and daughter going on the news shows promoting a kids book like visit the men and women in vet hospitals with horrific disabilities, Diana’s boys did. Dah
The scarf thing like dah cut the stupid stuff like the donkin donuts- who really owns all the shops anyways dah - all campaigns do this stuff like the set up news stuff in Iraq the people are not dumb

Barack converted to Christianity when he was 27 years old. What did he convert from?

One wonders how much longer we are going to suffer through the perceived “battle of the potential first ladies” that continues to stir. There are multiple wars that our country is engaged in, the tragic consequences of our country’s poor infrastructure is exemplified in Iowa and all along the Mississippi, and the latest quick fix “idea” to help free us from foreign oil is on the docket — yet, people want to spin and discuss who is more patriotic, or which candidate’s spouse needs a makeover. I just don’t get it. If only we could stick to the issues of importance to our nation and get more information on where candidates stand and what the differences truly are — boy, what a concept!

She looked great on The View

As a white woman living in the South, I have to say that I really like Michelle Obama. Watching her today on The View really cemented the fact that she is just a woman like everyone of us who works hard, raise our families and deal with our husbands.

As for her comment about being really proud of her country, if most people are honest, they have thought the same thing from time to time. My oldest daughter is in the Navy, and believe me it was a hard decision for me to let her make. I have seen the lesser side of America and have not always been proud of it. Republicans love to throw the word Patriotic around as if theword itself makes everything they do OK. Have those wonderful Patriotic Americans had their heads in the sand for the last 8 years? Or were they too busy counting the extra money from all those tax breaks? How is it that a couple making 60,000 per year pays more taxes that someone making twice as much?
As a white, lower class, less educated woman, I voted for Obama in the SC Primary and will do so again in November.

Here’s the way I view it. Alot of people think that Michelle Obama and Barack Obama are arrogant or cocky or elitists or stiff, but I think it’s simply a misunderstanding. If you think about it, both Barack and Michelle had overcome ridiculous odds to become successful. Not only because of their occupations but because of the fact that Barack was biracial from a lower-class white family and Michelle came from a poor family from Chicago’s south side. In order to be successful and overcome the odds they did, they had to have had some pretty tough skin and be a little head strong and confident. However, alot of times that confidence and strength can be percieved as cocky or arrogant. However, it is not that at all it is just the fact that they have really tough skin.

Michelle Obama should just be herself.

michelle obama should be exactly who she is, an educated woman who comes off as a persn who will be a great addition to the white house. the days of women sitting in the shadow of her man is over, sorry guys. hillary clinton came off as a witch and michelle has a dignity about her. can you tell i am a obama supporter?

So this is a really big day in the obama campaign, because
michelle get’s a new hair doo,,did i read you right? of course
i did , it seem’s all to clear now

I’m surprised she doesn’t have anything more than a B.A in sociology and a Harvard Law degree.

Why should a woman who grew up, Black, on the South Side of Chicago, during the war in Viet Nam, when racism was still burning ghettos and crosses, be ‘proud of her country’?

In context ‘this is the first time I have REALLY been proud of my country’ makes perfect sense! This IS the first time that the Democratic contenders for the nomination were a man of colour, and a woman! Most women of colour can grasp that.

Cindy McCain is a white woman, and a child of privilege. Her snubs to Michelle Obama are both obnoxious, and suggestive of the cluelessness of Marie Antoinette.

As to the notion that First Ladies should be ’seen but not heard’, and the ’softening’ of Michelle Obama… *sigh* I see the Women’s Movement has still not reached the masses… ‘talk about her children, and family life; appear in the Style section, not the News Section…’ not sound as intelligent as she is. How offensive is that?

Proud, intelligent woman of colour, wondering what the USA is afraid of…

I am impressed with how she is handling this situation. It is insulting that a woman’s intelligence and education makes her “hard” or “angry.” Its like Hiliary Clinton all over again.

As a mom, life is challanging and to do that with a high profile campaign. Consideration is needed and should be given, but of course it won’t that is the way of this country.

Finally, when Mrs. McCain was on “The View” it was an antedote on the news, when Mrs. Obama goes on “The View” its to remake her image, talk about a bias. Its interesting how Ms. Goldberg came to Mrs. Obama’s defense and showed the real clip of Mrs. Obama’s statement which demonstrates how miss quoted Mrs. Obama had been, but as usual hype is better than fact, and that was not reported on. Mrs. McCain who not had to live a life that was tough, might not have had moments where she has had to struggle with the mistakes of the US, so therefore she should not try to compare her experience in life to Mrs. Obama. Face facts, Southside of Chicago in the 60s and 70s vs an extremely affluent white family, they don’t compare.

Hi Anderson. I love seeing you on 360. I just wanted to point out something Michelle Obama said on the View. I hope this gets out there in “CABLE NEWS LAND.”

Michelle Obama, on the View this morning, admitted that she and Senator Obama enjoy bacon (“swine” “pig”) very much and often. So, for those of you who still think that the Obamas are Muslims, you do not know anything about Muslims. If you did, you would know the most common knowledge regarding Muslims is that they DO NOT EAT PORK!

Thank you. Katherine from Cotati, CA

I find all the hype about Michelle Obama very amusing and off point.
It is not Michelle the Campaign and the Media should be concentrating on but rather her Husband. Many predicted that if Obama won the nomination he would loose to John McCain. I believe that prediction is already in progress. And if it proves true, which I believe it will, it will be due to the Media who continued to make sure we ate Obama for breakfast, lunch, dinner and night time snacks while they continued to vamp up all the negativity they could find on Clinton. Americans should get ready for the next Republican White House compliments of the Media.

What I see in Michelle Obama is a Power and Prestige Seeker. I certainly don’t see Classy, and the comparison made on this blog to Jacqline Kennedy is too ridiculous to even debate. I do see Michelle as a woman who gives the impression that she will win at any cost and knows how to play hard ball with the best of them. Her concerns will not be about those in need but rather her needs. And to those who are concerned about Bill’s shadow should Hillary be VP, their fears regarding Bill’s interference will be a walk in the park next to Michelle Obama’s..

Those who do not like her today, will find fault with her tomorrow. It makes absolutely no difference what she does. Best advice to you Michelle, BE YOURSELF.

Michelle Obama does not need any softening. She and Barack need to stop responding to all the comments floating around them. The news anchors need to start asking them important questions that will effect our daily lives.

The anchors are being manipulated by the bloggers and political bloggers, it is funny that these “intellgent” reporters are allowing themselves to get caught up in the gossip. The bloggers who want to keep the rumors going put a mark on the wall every time Anderson, Chris, Keith,Joe, Hannity, Combs O’Reilly, Wolfe, Lou repeat a rumor.

I am waiting for the day when one of the above says enough is enough, the american people need answers, not gossip from us.

Michelle and Barack, be yourself.

I don’t think she needs anyone but her husband to control the public opinion. It appears that he has all the educated, the young, the African-Americans, all of the dems in congress, the DNC, the media, those churches that they attended and bho’s friends in Chicago.

I agree with Joe. Totally contrived. But hey, can’t blame her handlers—- they are just trying to avoid another Rev. Wright/Phliger debacle and have her true colors shine through.

Lil Miss. Cindy needs to get her narrow behind somewhere and sit it down and shut the heck up, she is NOT in any position to think that she can say anything against Michelle, she is not even in the same class as Michelle she can only peek her head out to make underhanded remarks and steal recipes from others while claiming them as her own. How dare this theft open her face. She stole that little old man she’s got, stole drugs to feed her addiction and now is making a habit of stealing recipes.

Lil Miss Cindy you may very well be proud of your country it ain’t been nothing but good to you, but guess what Miss Cindy you have not done much that your country should be proud of you! Your morality is highly questionable, but unlike you Mrs. Michelle Obama is showing you the grace that you do not have to extend to her by not focusing on your many negatives.

Could it be that you are feeling inferior knowing that she is in fact more suited for the title First Lady?

You too Miss Cindy are a flip flopper, weren’t you the one that said that no negative would come from your side? Flip Flop is another gracious word for LIAR!!!!

Well, if America is really as ready for ‘change’ as it appears, here comes Michelle Obama. I’m not quite sure what Whoppie’s comments were intended to imply, but despite them, she handled herself extremely well.

She has the ‘girl next door’ kind of air about her and strong is not a 4 letter word. Let her be who she is, we allowed Hillary Clinton to be a strong first lady and no one was offering up ’softening agents’ to remedy that, so~ Be yourself Michelle and just like this country has embraced Barack, they will embrace you!

I don’t think Michelle has anything to prove. She has worked hard for everything she has gotten and has remained honorable the whole way. What I don’t get is if the media can spend so much on Michelle, why are they so quiet on Cindy McCain.
She has a history of drug addiction, stealing drugs from her charitable foundation, and stealing McCain from a crippled woman. Cindy cannot hold a candle to Michelle. I have no idea why the republicans would open that door.

Joe. I can see that you are not very bright, and neither are the other folks like you who are wasting their time attacking this class act of a woman , so unfairly. Michelle, stands alone, and she is not angry, but a polished, sophisticated, charming, and eloquent black woman. She helps to make this campaign for her husband. The Obama’s are like the Cosby’s campaigning. Like the character, Clare, she is no shrinking violet, but a prominent attorney, and catalyst in American society. Her life’s story alone is an inspiration to so many. Princeton, Joe, by way of the South side of Chicago. Where did you and the others go to school?

Sure, there are lots of angry women in this country, and some are even Black, but she does not fit into that category. She is a happy, upbeat, positive intellectual, something you don’t know much about, Joe. She can hob nob with kings and princes, and presidents; she can roll on the floor with small children in fun time or educational activities; and she can identify with the working class, underdog, and upper crust equally. What a woman. Wonder Woman!

Now you and the others sound like angry men and women to me. A lynch mob, even. I wonder why? Could it be that you don’t like the idea that this wonderful, savvy, and gracious Black woman will be next first lady of this great country of ours. A country where the political process has come full circle, and for which she as an adult is now really proud? (Me too!) Yeah, that’s it. You are angry about that, aren’t you Joe? So you thought by saying she’s angry that would hide your own hangups. Gee! Go figure.

The softer side of Michelle. What a sickening waste of time. Michelle we love you just the way you are, and as a woman, we are really proud of you!

Regarding Michelle Obama’s “controversial” statement about being “really” proud of her country, I challenge everyone to tell about what personal moment in their lifetime has made them “really” proud of their country. I’m a 37 year old African American female, and for me, this election is also my first tme of being really proud of this country. This election has brought about racial unity unlike anything I have ever seen in my lifetime. Again, what else is everyone else so proud about?

The Obama campaign is making a massive mistake by having Michelle Obama front and center. As an aggressive, opinionated person, she marginalizes her husband, makes him look weak and inadvertantly shows the American public who makes the decisions in her household. She was her husband’s boss at the law firm and it looks like things haven’t changed much now. Her thoughts contain a tone and often slight her fellow man. By saying things like “they aren’t used to a strong woman” is making a massive assumption. I for one have a family filled with accomplished, educated, executive women. As a male, I make no distinction between gender or color. If you’re good, you’re good, period. This is the message that Michelle fails to articulate. Many people will never accept her or find her believable so they shouldn’t even bother. Both Obama and McCain need to select VPs early and be seen in public with their running mates which will give them credibility. The wives should then exit immediately. The American people are ready for a black President, however, with Michelle front and center, it’s as if the Obama campaign is asking if we’re ready for two.

Cindy McCain maybe proud of how America has treated African-Americans during slavery, I’m sure her family has probably benefited from slavery as well.

The Jim Crow south, the Tuskgee Experiments, the exploits and lynching by the KKK, the murder of Martin Luther King Jr., the bombings in Alabama that killed several children, I could go on and on. These are not things that any American should be proud of, therefore, I completely understand where Michelle Obama is coming from when she says “for the first time in her adult life she is proud of her country”.

Prior to 1968, there was very little for African-Americans to be proud of. America owes a great deal to African-Americans for the atrocities committed against them during slavery and afterwards. America is constantly recognizing the violence commited by the Germans against the Jewish people, but will not acknowledge it’s own holocaust of African-American’s during slavery.

I can’t understand why CNN keeps reporting the same soundbites about Michelle Obama re her comment about being especially proud to be an American in a negative way. I don’t hear any balance about the other candidate’s wife Cindi, by repeating her past abuse of prescription drugs and forgery to acquire drugs through the organization she was worked for (google search shows the stories). It sounds like an attempt to disparage Obama while looking the other way in McCain’s case

Every thing I wanted to say has been said. Well, maybe not everything! I’m sure that if the media was waiting for each and and everything I said every day I would be on the defense and probably screwing up every thing I said. Please all you reporters, stop making such a big todo about every thing the poor lady says and does. Maybe some day you will be under the spot lite as you have put her, and I hope you all get what you got commin’.

The anti muslim sentiment in this country is still pervasive even 7 years after the fact…especially among white middle class males ..I know ..I’m dating one. Unfortunately the main stream media had not done enough to draw important distinctions between the radical fringe of this religion and the everyday moderate peace loving majority living in this country.
Yes one bad apple does tend to spoil the bushel….,but an educated public should distinguish between rhetoric and reality!!!!

I’m a struggling hard working independent working mom who appreciates the same in a First Lady…not just a pretty thin ornament who can bankroll her husbands ambitions…

If Mc Cain had chosen a wife with the intelligence and fortitude of Michelle I would respect him more..eventhough I might end up voting for him based on experience and dedication.

I would love to be her. She is a smart, intelligent women, she has a great husband that any women would be so proud to be with. She has a great career and beautiful children. She is articulate and she is going to have the opportunity to be a real help to children, and to all sorts of people in this country. I am really happy for her, and I wish her true joy.

Oh, I see. A strong, white woman like Hillary Clinton is unacceptable but a strong black woman like Michelle Obama is just Fabulous. True equality of the races in this country will never be reached if one person patronizes another person because of his/her race. Patting people on the head is NOT equality of the races. It is the Some of my Best Friends are Black form of racism. You t.v. news guys’ new method of gossiping about the candidates for President includes dragging the runners through the mud. NOW you decide to get classy?? Get real.

How on earth can you compare Cindy McCain and Michelle Obama? It is like night and day. Cindy was / is a druge addict, thief thiese are things never to be seen in the story of any person that has to do with the public. She should flushed off the public eye ASAP, so God should bless America.

My advice to Michelle, not that she needs it is to be herself. No change of image is needed. Those who can’t see you as the articulate caring individual you are will never see anthing past your skin color. As evidenced by the Hannity’s and Limbaugh’s of the world.
Why doesn’t Cindy McCain need to justify being a pill popping home wrecker. Given a choice I will stand with a hard working women of any color rather than an rich, elitist ,sliver spoon, hieress any day.

black people usually make popular feel that not clear and not as much clean as white. but i think nobody would like this feeling bulid on her/him . but more importantly, that is not thier fault. when we take heart to knows somebody, we are not base on others or thier appreances. so Michell, you did well. just be yourself!

Why, is it okay for Michelle to be a strong woman, but it was not okay for Sen. Clinton ? I am so sick of this double standard. Since when did political cans and their spouses become like rock stars ? You have to have some class to hold these positions, and I am not sure how fists pounds are going to go over with Kings and Queens, Heads of States or other important people who visir the WHITE HOUSE on a regular basis.

This story was so depressing.

We need a “nice” woman in the White House, certainly not someone with anything on her mind. No, that would be too scary. She should be nice and quiet and pretty. We will all feel alot better about Michelle when she has nothing to say. then she can appear on daytime shows and talk about her family, something that a possible first lady should talk about.

We’ve come a long way baby(?)

It sure took Mrs. Obama a long to finally say she is proud of her country? I guess she waited until she was forced to. The Obamas say whatever they have to at the time. If they really love American and are so proud of it, then why is it that they want to change everything from the traditions on? Granted, we have HUGE problems, but these people are talking out of both sides of their mouths. They seem to be the bitter ones. Instead of truly wanting to make America better, they simply want to prove that they can get to the White House. The problem will come on his first day in office when all the talking is done. He’s really done little more than run for office since he’s been in the senate. It seems the only reason he wanted to be a senator was to use it for a stepping stone. Voting “Present” on issues is a great way to make everyone happy. If you want big government that will have a say in all you do and high taxes, vote the Big O.

I think it’s sad they have to try and change her now, so she’s more palatable or whatever for the general public. I think they should let her be who she is.

I’m still not supporting Obama, but it has nothing to do with his wife.

Would they ask this of a man? I think not…

I agree with those that say let Michelle be herself. The real Michelle is the one who sat in Rev. Wright’s church for 20 years while he preached black liberation theology. If you ever googled that, you’d see that it’s filled with angry anti-American and racist rhetoric. That’s the real Michelle.

I think Michelle is a beautiful woman, mother and wife. I also think Cindy is beautiful. Either would make a great first lady…

To Uma, Liverpool, UK

“Proud, intelligent woman of colour, wondering what the USA is afraid of…”

I’m scared of race separation in a multiculural society. I’m also afraid of anyone who goes to a church that preaches racism for 20 years. That’s all. During the 60’s there were a lot of whites working for civil rights and now she is going to be the First Lady. Why is she still so angry? Is it hard for her to make the intellectual leap that a lot of white people made her situation possible?

Why isn’t she allowed to speak her mind? Why can’t she just be herself? Could it be that she has been brainwashed by a vile and sick church and the teachings will continue to rear their ugly heads during the campaign?

Would you expect blacks to vote for a “proud and intelligent white man” who makes racist remarks and attends a racist church? You can’t blame those who are alarmed by her racist rants. She clearly hates white people and that problem is her own.