Comments on: The softer side of Michelle Obama

By: Seth

Seth — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:08:59 +0000

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.

By: kim fields

kim fields — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:40:08 +0000

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

By: Mike, Syracuse, NY

Mike, Syracuse, NY — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:02:24 +0000

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.

By: Donna

Donna — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:40:06 +0000

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

By: Linda, Boulder

Linda, Boulder — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:20:58 +0000

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.

By: Stephanie - Seattle

Stephanie - Seattle — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:21:07 +0000

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.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:19:09 +0000

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(?)

By: lampe

lampe — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:08:51 +0000

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.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:36:27 +0000

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!

By: Beverly

Beverly — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:02:27 +0000

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.

By: Bernard Sona, Sheffield UK

Bernard Sona, Sheffield UK — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:40:16 +0000

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.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:51:18 +0000

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.

By: laila

laila — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:50:00 +0000

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.

By: martha Wheaton Robertson

martha Wheaton Robertson — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:47:35 +0000

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.

By: kate

kate — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 04:47:34 +0000

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'.

By: Judy Matheson

Judy Matheson — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 04:01:34 +0000

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

By: Women for Obama

Women for Obama — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:55:32 +0000

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.

By: JC- Los Angeles

JC- Los Angeles — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:43:48 +0000

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.

By: Assata

Assata — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:40:03 +0000

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?

By: Diane

Diane — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:36:33 +0000

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!