Michelle Obama

[H2O Man]

There was a wonderful film clip of Michelle Obama on Countdown tonight. She is such an impressive person. She is intelligent, insightful, and passionate about social justice. She has a lot to offer this country.

Michelle Obama will be a fantastic First Lady.

[JoFerret]

1. Hmmm

Whatever

[helderheid]

4. Hmmm

[H2O Man]

2. And here's more:

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/15/michelle-pa/

April 15, 2008, 8:08 pm
Michelle Obama on Elitism
By Jill Abramson

HAVERFORD, Penn. — Michelle Obama, appearing at Haverford College, gave a strong response to criticism that her husband’s remarks at a San Francisco fund-raising event were elitist.

“There’s a lot of people talking about elitism and all of that,” she told a gathering of students and townspeople on Tuesday, alluding to controversial remarks that Senator Barack Obama made at a San Francisco fundraiser. “Yeah, I went to Princeton and Harvard, but the lens through which I see the world is the lens that I grew up with. I am the product of a working-class upbringing. I grew up on the South Side of Chicago in a working-class community.”

Then, referring to her husband’s student loans, she added sarcastically: “Now when is the last time you’ve seen a president of the United States who just paid off his loan debt? But, again, maybe I’m out of touch." .....

[AtomicKitten]

3. She's a lovely, charming woman who will be a spectacular First Lady.

K&R

:hi:

[JoFerret]

8. Is "first lady" an actual role

for any intelligent person?

[AtomicKitten]

12. Are you saying Hillary isn't intelligent what with all her First Lady experience and all?

[JoFerret]

23. She is a great candidate for president.

She is a brilliant woman with the courage and ambition to run for office.

You can say what you want.

[AtomicKitten]

24. "You can say what you want." Gee, thanks, but that's contrary to what Clinonites say

what with their picketing MSNBC calling for censorship and all.

[JoFerret]

25. Stop playing the GOP game of group condemnation

Speak for yourself.

And listen as others speak themselves also.
Don't obfuscate with distractions taken from some other universe.

There is no "they". There are no "Clintonites" there are no "Obamabots".
There are people. Sometimes they band together and find a common cause. Often they do not.
Don't buy the hype. Think for yourself.

[AtomicKitten]

27. Stop trying to censor people.

Thanks.

:hi:

[JoFerret]

29. Who is trying to censor you?

Suggesting you speak your own mind is the very opposite of censorship.


Anyway.


Here's to the democratic president of the US in 2009.

[AtomicKitten]

30. Who's mind do you think I'm speaking?

I don't like Hillary and for good reason, and I am entitled to express that here whether you like it or not. This is a discussion forum, not a cheerleading squad. 'Kay?

[H2O Man]

32. Perhaps it is better

to simply not respond to certain types of posts.

[JoFerret]

33. Very wise advise

.

[AtomicKitten]

35. ^^^ presumes to answer for me, but your advice is sound.

Cheers.

[H2O Man]

44. Everyone who counts

knows. And that is what is important.

[JoFerret]

70. Interesting comment

The people who count and the people who don't.
That's a great way to run a democracy.

(Rather reminds me of that infamous comment from Barbara Bush about her beautiful mind. But that is too horrible to contemplate so I don't go that far.)

Why is it so very difficult to accept that good democrats - just as intelligent, caring and thoughtful as you - can arrive at different conclusions about who would make the best president.? Why is that so hard to think of?

[quakerboy]

53. Heres to the Democratic President of the USoA, Circa 2009. Cheers

[JoFerret]

13. She is sweet and charming and such a sweetie.

And a true lady.

[AtomicKitten]

19. Indeed she is.

:toast:

[JoFerret]

22. Totally

.

[Ichingcarpenter]

5. Actually, I listened to her first before I really heard Obama

Since, I was a Dennis then Edwards supporter first, I wasn't paying attention.
I heard her on CSPAN, and was very impressed with her before I knew who she was.
I thought she was running for Congress or something, She really made me look at Obama after that.

I'm a big fan, she speaks better than most people in Congress.

They will make a wonderful First Family!!

[H2O Man]

43. My family watched her

on C-SPAN. She made a strong impression!

[stellanoir]

6. I really liked Teresa Heinz Kerry more than her husband.

I've never seen a more stunning spouse of a candidate in my lifetime.

She has total class for sure.

[Ichingcarpenter]

9. Same here

Teresa Heinz Kerry help me decide to really work for John.

[JoFerret]

11. How were her cookies?

Did she bake good cookies. THAT is the most important question.

Did she learn to listen and keep quiet and walk three paces behind?

[goclark]

63. I agree and Michelle and Teresa seem to be great friends

:hug:

[Arrowhead2k1]

7. She's good! I hope that after she gains experience from being first lady,

she runs for senate and then for president soon after. hehe Michelle Obama 24'!

[H2O Man]

41. My younger son

keeps saying he thinks she will become president some day.

[Tinksrival]

10. I agree 100%

If any one would like to know more here is a Newsweek article:


Barack’s Rock

She's the one who keeps him real, the one who makes sure running for leader of the free world doesn't go to his head. Michelle's story.



http://www.newsweek.com/id/112849

[Arrowhead2k1]

14. And look!

She's not afraid to wear a skirt. :)

[roseBudd]

17. She looks really good in anything she wears, she is so tall & leggy

[TragedyandHope]

15. A True Goddess

Michelle Obama: Be not afraid

[knixphan]

16. Like Barack, she's going to

raise the bar for the position...(for first ladies not named Eleanor)

She'll bring unprecedented 'reality' to the idea of the President's partner.

GoMichelle

[H2O Man]

21. Yep.

She will be good for the Obama administration, and even better for the American public.

[cooolandrew]

18. Exactly, we have a potential first couple that will do the world and America proud.

[H2O Man]

20. Right.

I think that the Obama family will present a strong and progressive image to the world.

[JoFerret]

37. He will have to get elected first

And that possibility is a few months off with a few awkward problems in the way.

But it is true - they will do no worse than many if they get to the WH. But it is a way off yet.
And I hope she is perfecting her cookie recipes. Or whatever the current sexist horrors of "first" "ladyship" may be this time around.

Of course. As a real human being with real opinions of her own (and not a Stepford wife) there is endless potential for her to doing a "misspeak' and we will have to endure that too.

(When will this country grow up?)

[smiley_glad_hands]

26. They both seem like good people. They will make a fine first couple. eom

[H2O Man]

47. Yep.

Real "family values" in the White House. It's been a while.

[Imagevision]

28. Quote: "I thought Michelle would become an astronaut before she would become first lady:"

Obama is fortunate to have such a great partner in life

[H2O Man]

50. Yep.

They make a great couple.

[K Gardner]

31. Indeed, she will !

[H2O Man]

74. She is getting

some nice coverage on the news this morning.

[Hepburn]

34. K&R

Thanks for the great thread on Michelle Obama, H2O! :hi:

[Muttocracy]

36. video is up on Keith's page on MSNBC now; I was glad she mentioned her public education

something like, I hope people will look at me having gone to Princeton and Harvard and see the value in investment in public education.

[H2O Man]

38. I liked that.

I also was impressed with Biden on Countdown.

[JoFerret]

40. And sends her kids to....

Private school.

(Not that I blame her for that. But let's not get carried away here)

[Muttocracy]

48. didn't know that - is it connected to where she works?

I don't know Chicago at all so I don't know if they're different campuses.

[JoFerret]

71. University of Chicago Lab School

...was once an actual lab school for the university.
It is now an independent school that still educates many from the university.
Famous for John Dewey. Great school.

[leftofcool]

39. But she has never in her adult life been proud of her country

not something a first lady would say

[Swamp Rat]

42. k&r

:loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[Raine]

45. I Love the whole Obama family

we can be proud to have them as First Family! :bounce:

[H2O Man]

55. It will be a big step

in repairing the damage that the current residents have done.

[Zhade]

46. She will indeed.

Gobama!

[H2O Man]

73. Her message about

public education is extremely important.

[Kber]

49. Was she on Colbert last night

I've got it tivoed, but haven't watched yet.

[TexanDem]

51. She's on tonight - Chris Matthews was on last night - I'm 99% sure

[H2O Man]

52. Tonight

11:30 pm est

[Coexist]

54. She is so smart and I love when she dresses like Jackie-O

[Raine]

60. Yes she's beautiful and classy just

like Jackie was.

[eleny]

56. I caught the tail end of the program

I'm not sure if it aired then. But what I did see later today was a clip of her speaking to an audience telling them that she was raised on the south side of Chicago and she's living proof of what can happen when we invest in education. I was very impressed with that thought. And from the audience response I think they were impressed, too.

[H2O Man]

72. That was really good.

I like the part about her being a product of public education. I think that is an extremely important message.

[madrchsod]

57. i`d rather listen to her than him

i really have a hard time listening to him because he`s not the best when it comes to public speaking. she is so easy to listen to and the strength in her voice and conviction is as good as his...i bet he loses a lot of arguments with her..

[David Zephyr]

58. I hope I can see it tonight. I have it on my dvr.

Thanks for the headsup. I like her a lot.

[H2O Man]

69. What did you think?

I thought she did very well. Very well, indeed.

[Cha]

59. I know..it's very exciting to

think about even in the abstract:)

[H2O Man]

68. Yes, indeed.

One of the things that comes across with her is that although her and Barack's hard work has moved them into a different economic class, they are still in the same social class as those of us at the grass roots level who are sending the $20 donations. She could be your good friend's little sister, or some other person you have watched grow into a beautiful, powerful adult. And you know -- you just know -- that she is defined by a sense of honesty and decency that means she will never betray those of us who are sending those donations, registering voters, and campaigning for her husband.

[Cha]

76. Thanks for that..that's an

endearing way to look at it.

[aaronbees]

61. Great to see her on Colbert

Warm, witty, down-to-earth and funny. I love her.

[H2O Man]

67. Right.

One thing that stands out for me is that she comes across as authentic. My sons and their friends have the judgement of character that makes the younger generation always question the older generation. And they are not, for example, going to listen to Laura Bush talk, without making cruel jokes. But they really like Michelle. She appeals to the best side of young folks, and I think that will be an important part of the next 8 years. Barack talks about assisting students with the costs of college, but makes clear that they will be expected to make an investment in their communities; I think that Michelle will help to bring a focus to areas like these.

[berni_mccoy]

62. Beautiful, smart, witty and wise. She's the real deal.

[H2O Man]

66. Exactly. n/t

[JanusAscending]

64. Did you see her on The Colbert Report tonight?

She handled him well, although I think he is smitten with her. He said she would be of the same caliber as Jackie, as first lady. I've heard her campaign speeches quite a few times now, and she's as good a speaker, if not better than Barack. Have you found this to be so?:hi:

[H2O Man]

65. I did see her

on the Colbert Report .... it was the first time I've watched that show, though it will not be the last.

I think they compliment each other well. They have very different speaking styles. One of the things that I like about Michelle is that she is someone who reminds many of us of someone we have known, who by way of self-discipline and hard work has succeeded in life. We feel like one of our own is moving towards the White House, rather than more of the exclusive ruling class families. The Obamas are a positive change after the Bush family.

[byronius]

75. She seems like a serious adult. Grounded. Real.

The Colbert Report was a great display of elegant true grit. I really like this person.

I also like the fact that both of them will plainly state dangerous truths, and then shrug off misinterpretation. This seems to me to be the high art of politics, and I think it resonates with the deepest parts of the American character.

So many conservatives I know support him now, without reservation. It's because neither he nor Michelle are gaming anything. Serious. Adult. What's been missing.

I cannot wait for this.

[maxpower]

77. Agree

I respect your opinions from your numerous posts. They are always well thought out, researched, and written. I have learned quite a bit from your writings, and I have degree in history. Thank you.

[Scurrilous]

78. K & R

:thumbsup:

[bobthedrummer]

79. kick