Obama says that Michelle should not be criticized for her campaign statements?

[2rth2pwr]

“If they think that they’re going to try to make Michelle an issue in this campaign, they should be careful, because that I find unacceptable — the notion that you start attacking my wife or my family,” he said.

“For them to try to distort or to play snippets of her remarks in ways that are unflattering to her I think is just low class and I think they — most of the American people would think that as well,” he said. “I would never think of going after somebody’s spouse in a campaign.”


If he wants her to be left alone, she shouldn't be out campaigning for him.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/Vote2008/story?id=4881883&page=1

[skipos]

1. Same goes for Chelsea, right?

After all she is campaigning for Hillary.

[Alexander]

5. Oh heavens no we can't go after Chelsea.

That elitist Michelle Obama, she hates whitey (I heard it on the Internets, so it must be true), but we mustn't say anything bad about Chelsea, especially if she defends the Iraq War.

:sarcasm:

[PBS Poll-435]

39. I seem to remember Chelsea being attacked for the last 15 or so years.

Where have you been?

[datopbanana]

135. So we can or we can't? We know we did but is it OKAY?

[Alexander]

146. Heavens no. Chelsea's one of "them" and Michelle is not.

Can't you hear the dog whistle?

[iamthebandfanman]

13. exactly. n/t

[Mags]

20. Bill is Hillary's spouse, Not Chelsea, Chelsea is Hillary's Daughter.

You BO supporters have totally left nothing unsaid about Bill, now that poor little BO might be offended by someone saying something about his wife, Spouses are off limits. Sure.

[Heather MC]

60. Umm the commercial of Michelle is completely inaccurate

Michelle's exact words were,
for the first time in my life I am REALLY proud of my country.

They edit the word "really" which completely changes the meaning of what she said. AND THAT's WRONG
When Bill and Hillary say Dumbass shit, they play the the entire correct quote and you can make up your mind
Distorting what someone says in an effort to inflame ignorant people, who don't have the good sense to go and research the truth, is wrong and a insult to the ignorant people who fall for.

[MonkeyFunk]

73. Not quite

she said it both ways. There were two speeches on the same day - in one she said "really", in one she didn't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGjR81pFJI4

Personally, I don't think the "really" fundamentally changes the meaning, but that's a matter of opinion.

[iamthebandfanman]

98. if you campaign

then youre a target.

thats how politics work these days.

you can thank people with political 'experience' for that.

[NotThisTime]

34. What's good for the goose is good for the gander, Chelsea off limits, Michelle off limits

[WinkyDink]

74. It's not of SAT analogy difficulty. MB:BO as BILL: HRC. Chelsea is irrelevant to the TOPIC.

[LoZoccolo]

87. Arbitrary distinction, lol. n/t

[WinkyDink]

158. Really? And "lol" is quite the argument.

[Bake]

95. Since when has Chelsea been off limits in this campaign?

Clue: She hasn't been. You all have been getting plenty of shots in.

Nor should she be. But I can just see the 527 ads featuring Michelle now. And they'll work.

So the question really is, if Chelsea and Bill aren't off limits, why should Michelle be off limits? Because Barack finds that "unacceptable?" Oooooh, what's he gonna do? Go kick their asses?

Bake

[Tellurian]

140. Chelsea has never made derogatory remarks against the Obamas..

Michelle has made scorching remarks against Bill saying "she'd like to "scratch his eyes out"...Talked about Hillary.."If she can't keep her own house in order..blah, blah, blah" She broke the ground she finds unacceptable, when it's returned in kind!

Michelle is fair game..afaic!

[oasis]

69. Chelsea was never a disciple of Rev. Wright. Those who were, need scrutiny. (eom)

[WinkyDink]

71. Try to stay on point. The topic is about what MB IS SAYING; you refer to what is SAID TO Chelsea.

E.g., questions about Monica.

[skipos]

100. Uh, you are a little confused here.

Here was the statement by the op: "If he wants her to be left alone, she shouldn't be out campaigning for him."

Chelsea is campaigning for Hillary (and saying the occasional dumb things too), so I guess she shouldn't be "left alone."

Personally, I don't expect any family members of candidates to be "left alone." I just want to see if you guys are consistent. I know Hillary has a massive consistency problem (MI doesn't matter, now it does, I love caucuses, now I hate them), so it doesn't surprise me that some of her supporters do as well.

If Michelle can be attacked for things she says, then so can Chelsea. Agree?

[WinkyDink]

162. I think the criticism of Chelsea preceded this latest flap over MB. So whose high horse

is being ridden?

[NashVegas]

93. Going After Her For What She *Says*

Is different from going after her existence - and there has been criticism of things Chelsea has said.

[truth please]

154. Give up please! You can't have a rational conversation

with hypocrites. The very same women that are crying about sexism against Hillary (oooooh, they talk about her pant suits, her looks, her hair) all the while ripping Michelle Obama to shreds about the same thing. These women are totally irrational about Obama. The hatred that is spouted on those two sites are sickening. Even worse is the fact that they are following the lead and sending racist ass Sean Hannity fake information to try and bring Obama down. They will use whatever they can. Will his babies be next?

[slinkerwink]

2. I think Chelsea should be left alone. It's cowardly to attack family members of a candidate.

[2rth2pwr]

25. Bill Clinton seems to be fair game around here.

[NotThisTime]

36. He's a politician, he put himself in that position

[2rth2pwr]

47. By campaigning on her own, Michelle has become political.

[Occam Bandage]

49. By campaigning on her own, Chelsea has become political. You're a hypocrite.

[rodeodance]

79. Michelle is out there campaigning on her own. She is fair game. You are hypocritical

[Occam Bandage]

82. And I never said she wasn't. I just said I appreciate a Dem fighting back against a Pub attack.

"Fair game" is whatever the public thinks it is.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

97. This Clinton thing of slamming dems reeks of right wing/Rove strategy

Michelle, unlike Billary - is conducting a positive campaign - not slamming other DEMS

[Occam Bandage]

42. Bill is a politician, a former President, and an influential DNC member.

Michelle is Obama's wife, and that's it.

[ima_sinnic]

44. OT: what's with the Chairman Hillary-style graphic?

oh, sorry, Chairwoman ---

[BigDDem]

3. Uh oh, here we go, his thin skin is showing

[ellacott]

7. That's not thin skin

The same thing was said regarding any criticism of Chelsea. Bill went on and on about how Hillary was "attacked" by Obama.

[Seeker30]

104. Whats with this comparing Michelle to Chelsea?

One is a spouse one is a daughter, not to mention Chelsea didnt say she hates America.

[ellacott]

118. Spouse/Daughter doesn't matter

So now you're saying that Michelle said she hates America. This is pretty sad. What's even sadder is that in your mind I think you believe it.

We are so screwed.

[boppers]

155. Who said they hated america?

Do you have an actual quote?

[grantcart]

4. keep taking the high roady 2x2 it has worked so well up to now

[cali]

6. try and curb your double standard there.

and try not to distort what Obama said. Glad you have no problem with people going after Chelsea. And it is never right to use snippets or distortions- as YOU just did.

[2rth2pwr]

28. I am certain that you have been consistent, could you show me where you have

said that it is unfair to attack Bill's statements on the trail? Thanks.

[cali]

35. huh. that has nothing to do with the topic at hand.

sad how you bitterenders are behaving. She lost. Get over it.

[MonkeyFunk]

75. Hee hee

"get over it". You guys just LOVE using every freeperism you can think of.

[KingFlorez]

8. You really don't get it

Michelle isn't running for President, so there's no point in attacking her.

[slinkerwink]

12. thank you

[WinkyDink]

159. So I suppose you'd like to say that to all the Bill Clinton-bashers on DU??

Have at it.

[Zachstar]

9. So that means Chelsea is also political fair game?

[suston96]

10. Leave Michelle Obama alone - she is now proud to be an American - cuz her husband is winning...nt

[sfaprog]

15. Glad to hear you've been so proud of the last decade of US government

The rest of us can't wait until the dry heaves stop. :puke:

[cali]

26. leave hillykins and dear wittle chelsea alone! They;'re the

Queen and princess of all hardworking white Amerikins. I've seen enough of your posts to know you deserve that one.

[suston96]

43. If Bill Clinton, George Bush, and John Kerry spouses were fair game during their campaigns...

...why wouldn't Michelle Obama be also - especially for the dumb statements she has made?

She is being called out for what she has said and NOT for who she is.

[Occam Bandage]

51. ...this comment is full of Dumb.

"But if candidates' wives have successfully been used to attack candidates before, then why would Obama counter that attack?"

This is why Obama won the nomination--he's the sharpest politician we've got.

[dana_b]

99. Bingo!

I read that article this morning and it made me smile. He's looking out for his wife and family... who wouldn't?? The Clinton's were protective of Chelsea lately, as they should be. The whole point is that even if someone's comments were misconstrued, that person is a surrogate and not the person running for office. Attack him or her, if you must, but leave the others, especially family, out of it!

[cali]

They were never fair game. And their husband's fought back too.

Of course, he'll fight back. What kind of candidate would he be if he weren't a fighter? And it's the distortions and lies pushed by repukes and hillbots that he's fighting.

[suston96]

58. "Fair game"? In politics? How extremely naive.........

Candidates, surrogates, supporters speaking for or on behalf of their candidates are ALL fair game - as long as the attacks are about their words and not about their persons.

I have been watching the "fair games" of political campaigns and have been both entertained and disappointed doing so.

[Occam Bandage]

61. And so, of course, is fighting back against that. You're saying candidates

shouldn't fight back against "fair game" attacks?

[suston96]

108. Where did I say anything about candidates not "fighting back"?

Of course they can "fight back" but when candidates' families campaign for those candidates, their public utterances are "fair game."

[Occam Bandage]

111. So then you have no problem with Obama's recent counterattacks, then, right?

[suston96]

114. Problem with Obama's "counterattacks" ? No problem as long as he realizes that when his "family"...

....makes public utterances on his behalf those public statements are subject to political scrutiny.

[Occam Bandage]

115. He's the Democratic nominee. I think he understands the basics of politics, yes.

[Auntie Bush]

133. I seem to remember Hillary was fair game when Bill was running....and held the presidency

and every day thereafter.

[Seeker30]

105. Yea, and leave white/America hating poor Michelle alone

Because Obama said so

:rofl:

[Tellurian]

142. I thought that remark was hilarious also..

Obama said..."you better be careful" Or what?

:rofl:

Michelle is responsible for her own words.. She doesn't have a leg to stand on.
She's fair game..and boy, will the Repubs pileon that!

[WinkyDink]

160. So now it's okay to say "wittle Michelle"?

[Blue_Roses]

11. she shouldn't...

especially when what she said was taken totally out of context. But then you know that right? :eyes:

[undeterred]

14. That Hillary image is scaring me.

:scared: :scared: :scared: :scared: :scared:

[Blue_Roses]

16. it's freaky looking...

grant it, her hair looks good, but it looks to Stalinist.

[Avalux]

29. Or Chairman Mao:

[durrrty libby]

Doncha love it?

[Avalux]

103. No. That's awful too.

x(

[undeterred]

46. Before or after he died?

Didn't they keep his body on display for quite a while?

[bowens43]

17. more nonsense from the hold outs. Hillary lost. get over it.

[DerekJ]

18. You bunch of f'n hypocrites...So now it's not off limits and not sexist to attack Michelle.

[2rth2pwr]

24. I don't see any holding back when it comes to attacking Bill.

[CreekDog]

19. my goodness, is your mission here to do nothing but run down Obama?

because that is THE ONLY THING anybody here sees you ever do anymore.

[iamthebandfanman]

21. I dont see that shes said anything wrong

but of course everything will be spun to fit whatever the media wants.

her comment about being proud for the 1st time in her adult life... is well... accurate... and also a view shared by me.

shes 44, take away 18.... that leaves 26 years... lets look at whats gone on the last 26 years...

yeah, this is the first time ive been proud too Michelle.

[Thrill]

22. Oh please. You don't attack a man's wife. PERIOD

[WinkyDink]

163. How about daughter? And by the by, isn't Hillary a wife?

So much for generalizations, eh?

[ErinBerin84]

23. whatever

If he didn't defend his wife to some degree, then people would be calling him a sexist scumbag. I wonder how Cindy McCain feels about Rove now working for her husband's campaign, after he handed out booklets about her stealing drugs to church parking lots. I concede that Michelle did not choose her words well, but the GOP is wildly taking them out of context, when she was obviously talking about voter participation in context. Of course the GOP will go after it, but that doesn't mean that they should. I've never see Republican wives taken such an active stance in speaking out on the campaign trail (Cindy's "I've always been proud of my country" doesn't count, sorry), Democratic wives always put themselves out on the line and they should be applauded for it. Similarly, I don't think that the right should have gone after Hillary Clinton the way that they did when Bill was running.

[pdxmom]

27. I think this is a warning shot across McSame's bow. His wife is none

to clean, and Clinton's campaign has said nothing, that I'm aware of, about Michelle. He's warning McSame that if Michelle becomes a target, he needs to watch out for what some Democratic group may have in store for Cindy.

[2rth2pwr]

30. Why has the Obama campaign continually attacked what Bill has said?

[pdxmom]

33. You're not understanding what I'm saying. This isn't about Clinton. She

had nothing to do with the TN ad that misquotes and distorts Michelle's speech and meaning. Clinton did not and has not ever done that.

If the Repukes are going to go after Michelle, then Cindy is going to become fair game.

I also think anything said about Bill is a whole different category, because of his unique position. I agree totally that Chelsea should be off limits, though.

[ErinBerin84]

40. Bill Clinton is a former president

who has made direct attacks on Obama, in a way that is frankly tone deaf and unpresidential. It's not as if the Obama campaign has made commercials containing that things that Bill has said. To compare the GOP using Michelle Obama to the Obama campaign defending itself against Bill Clinton's fucking bizarre outbursts- I would be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt if he didn't sound more and more beligerant as he tried to rationalize them- rings disingenuous to me. I realize that you vehemently disagree, so we will just have to agree to disagree on this one.

[Mags]

64. didn't Michelle say she wanted to claw Bill's eyes out? Never mind, that doesn't count.

[ErinBerin84]

68. sorry

The comparison still rings disingenuous, even more so now. It was clear in that article that she wasn't being serious, while Bill Clinton goes on rants and then completely denies that he ever said such a thing. So yes, to me I guess it is not a similar comparison, and maybe it is because I am biased. Again, we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. And Michelle has very nice things to say about Hillary Clinton in her Good Morning America interview tomorrow, but I'm sure that won't count to you either.

[Mags]

76. some of you BO folk will say and do anything to justify his downfalls.

Get ready for a rude awakening.

[ErinBerin84]

80. yes

You clearly know me so well, I post so many outrageous attacks every day. I never try and see the other side of things. I never admit that my views may be a result of my own biases. I have never criticized Obama for the shortcomings of his candidacy or his campaign, EVER.


YOU. GOT. ME.

[Mags]

84. don't. want. ya.

[sfam]

41. I really don't want to see attacks against McCain's wife either...

I think we can do fine just picking on McCain. Interesting the Repubs feel differently.

[pdxmom]

50. I don't want to see it either. But McSame could have come out with

a statement, asking that those be stopped, or how that kind of ad has no place in this election. He's said nothing. The point is that Obama won't have to bring that into the campaign, but he also doesn't have any responsibility to denounce it if it comes up. I'm sure he wouldn't go there himself.

[EffieBlack]

151. I agree - this isn't about Sen. Clinton - this is a warning to McCain

Obama's saying, "Don't make me go there. But if you keep messing with my wife, you know I will."

[grasswire]

31. look what they did to Theresa Heinz Kerry?

The attacks were BRUTAL. (To say nothing of what Hillary endured as First Lady.)

[graycem]

32. I'm sure you applauded

Bill's defending of Hillary in his 1992 campaign when he defended his wife from opponent Jerry Brown, or did you say she was fair game too?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX6RUe_3nBU

[Occam Bandage]

37. Nice to see a Dem not giving the Republicans any quarter. This is how to win.

Do not let any attack go unchallenged. Turn everything back on them.

[sfam]

38. Why exactly can't the press ask Chelsea questions again? Why does Hillary try to ruin anyone's...

career who questions this? Hmm, smells like a double standard to me. How is it that you justify the discrepancy? Chelsea is off limits but Michelle is not...OK...

[Forkboy]

45. Let them attack her. It'll backfire just it has for the handful of lame Hillary fans who tried it.

[Seeker30]

141. I'm firmly convinced this is the first election most Obamabots have seen

The naiveness is simply shocking.

[BigDDem]

48. Apparently, some folks don't know the difference between

spouse and daughter.

[NYCGirl]

52. Apparently, some folks don't know the difference between the Tennessee GOP

in the general election and the inter-Democratic action in the primary.

[PBS Poll-435]

53. There are WAY too many Alabama jokes. I don't even know where to start.

So, I won't. For Hope & Unity's sake!

:rofl:

[ellacott]

54. No difference when that daughter is an adult n/t

[PBS Poll-435]

56. She has been attacked relentlessly since she was a preteen.

And so it continues.

[ellacott]

109. How does it continue?

[PBS Poll-435]

116. Ask David Shuster...

[ellacott]

117. That was very inappropriate

But is no where near as bad as some of the other things that have been said.

[leftofcool]

55. Good luck with that, Obama

If you are not ready for the repuke slime machine, kindly drop out now

[hokies4ever]

57. You don't know much about politics, so let me educate you

This is the Obama campaign giving a warning shot that if McCain doesn't denounce the anti-Michelle ads, Obama won't denounce any anti-Cindy ads. We all know that Cindy has some skeletons in the closet most people don't know about. Would be a shame to see them aired in a very public forum on a national stage.

By the way, would you have been okay with Repubs attacking Chelsea? I bet you were one of the people crying foul when she was asked about Bill's impeachment. Hypocrite!

[WinkyDink]

81. Is Chelsea someone's spouse? And frankly, I hope this ISN'T an attempt at a rapprochement,

re: Cindy McCain.
LET any ads against Mrs. Obama stand, if it means Cindy "My tax records are secret" McCain becomes fair game.

Unless it's not quite as simple as "obvious slander" (MO) vs. "truth" (CMcC.).

[hokies4ever]

91. Chelsea campaigned for Hillary

The argument was that Michelle is fair game because she campaigned for Obama. The argument by the OP, not mine. Well, Chelsea campaigned for Hillary too you know. Would you argue that Michelle would still be fair game if she wasn't campaigning for Obama. Why then use video of her when she was campaigning for Obama. You following any of this logic, or do I need to slow down my internet connection to your dial-up thinking speed?

Anyway, off rant now. My original point still stands that Obama's camp was issuing fair warning to McCain about Cindy.

[Seeker30]

144. Obama was not giving a warning, he was fucking whining again

[Benhurst]

59. I'm just so proud no derogatory remarks have been made about

Cindy McCain here on DU.

We can only hope the opposition follows the high standards we have set here.

:sarcasm:

Jeeez! I hope that was reported out of context. I know Andrew Jackson fought several duels over criticism of his wife; but I don't recall his whining to the press. And Mary Todd Lincoln was sure given a pass, to say nothing of Eleanor Roosevelt.

Welcome to the real, if not so touchie-feelie, world, Barack.

Such a thin skin does not bode well for what promises to be a very rough campaign. And there's nothing like letting the opposition know when their jabs hit their mark.

[Straight Shooter]

62. Way to go, Obama, insinuating that thoseTennesseans are "low class"

Nobody would ever construe that remark as elitist, would they? Never mind if he said what they did is low class, the implication is that they, themselves, are low class.

You know, the man just added fuel to the fire. Tennessee is the Volunteer State. They never back down from a fight. I lived in East Tennessee for 10 years. These are the folks who did not even carry Gore in the 2000 election. These are the folks who painted Harold Ford as a "playboy" (playing with white women, wink-wink-nudge-nudge). They don't mess around when they don't like you.

As for who is and who is not "fair game, "there is a world of difference between Chelsea and Michelle. A "First Lady" holds a much more prominent position than "First Daughter." No one really cares what the bush twins do, but Laura Bush has endured no end of contempt and ridicule from Democrats.

[Occam Bandage]

83. You're attacking Obama for calling the Tennessee REPUBLICAN PARTY "low class?"

:crazy:

[endarkenment]

106. "them" - Tenn. GOP

Heaven forfend our candidate should attack a state's republican political organization lest he appear to be an elitist.

Do you have any clue what you are supporting or which side you are on?

[cottonseed]

131. If you're a Tenn Repub than you can be insulted.

[ErinBerin84]

63. yeah

I'm sure that this wasn't in response to a question that Good morning America specifically had regarding the GOP attack on Michelle. And how completely non-shocking it is that some DUers are trying to construe his defense of his wife as a sign of weakness, and defending the GOP. As well as to completely misconstrue what Obama said in the process of his defense. And to use it as some kind of threat "This is NOTHING compared to the general election!" I think Obama understands this. Does that mean he shouldn't defend his wife? Good god.

[sufrommich]

65. Why play the GOPs game for them ?

They've ridiculed every potential Democratic first lady as being too uppity.Any first lady with a political opinion is mocked as freakish by them.Only Stepford wives need apply.
As a Hillary supporter I find this kind of sexist crap offensive,good for Obama for defending her right to use her brain.Although,from what I've seen of Michelle,I'm amazed he thinks she needs "protecting".

[Benhurst]

72. She's smart -- and tough. I'd rather have her in a foxhole next to

me than him.

[BigDDem]

66. Friendly suggestion:

Some of y'all might need to double up on the Xanax when the GE rolls
around, you ain't seen nothing yet.

[Texas Hill Country]

67. seriously? they are gonna demolish this guy...

[cottonseed]

130. If you work hard enough.. you and Repubs can accomplish anything.

Too bad you didn't work hard enough for Hillary.

[haymakeragain]

70. I am in need of some Preparation H, I got another hillaroid.

Damnit. I should buy stock. Who make the H?

[BigDDem]

78. I think Pfizer would be a better investment

[haymakeragain]

85. Do they make a treatment for the above mentioned ailment?

If so I'm all in, cause it is epidemic.

[durrrty libby]

94. Oholes are obsessed with their own asses

[Marrah_G]

77. Of course they are going to go after her- It's the Repukes, it is what they do.

Good for him for standing up for her though. It's good to see that, even if I don't care for her much.

You all should be prepared for a very nasty fight, through the election and even beyond that if he wins.

This is nothing new. Same dirty tricks and smears from the party that brought us the village idiot named W*.

[Catherina]

89. They sure will but I think they'll tone it down as soon as the first stories about Cindy McCain

stealing Percocet and Vicodin from the clinics she ran and her involvement in the Keating 5/Savings and Loan scandal.

We'll need loads of popcorn if they go that route through surrogates since both will pretend to take the high road. I hope they don't go there.

[Marrah_G]

96. But remember this.....

Stories on Bush, laura, ect have never gained legs in the media. I have little faith they will now.

The only hope I have is that maybe, just maybe, people wil be smart enough to see it for what it is this time.

[Catherina]

101. True dat. It's going to be interesting

I think I just want to go to sleep and wake up in November. :hi:

[Marrah_G]

102. Hmmmm...good idea.

We need "bear gene" therapy!

[Catherina]

113. Lol!

That's exactly it! Bear gene therapy :rofl:

[Freddie Stubbs]

86. They should not attack his wife, but the public statements which she makes will be fair game

[NashVegas]

88. He's Funny

Like a screen door on a submarine.

[SeaLyons]

90. K&R

[keep_it_real]

92. We should ask Chelsea why she didn't tell her mother she was lying about Bosnia?

Chelsea was there she knew there was no sniper fire and they were greeted by a child. Why did Chelsea not tell her mother what she was say about Bosnia? Why did Chelsea keep quiet?

It is not what Chelsea said, but what she didn't say.

Fair game?

[Ronnie]

107. I keep reading here that Michelle Obama is a strong woman.

Maybe she should speak for herself.

[cottonseed]

128. She has and she will.

Obama can make the statement. Unless you're a Republican, I don't see why you wouldn't at least be a little supportive of it.

[anonymous171]

110. OMG DON'T ATTACK CHELSEA! CHELSEA IS A WITTLE GIRL!

[WinkyDink]

166. OMG! DON'T ATTACK MICHELE! SHE IS A WITTLE WIFE!

See how that works?

[shadowknows69]

112. I don't think there's any reason to go after anyone's family

This is supposed to be a contest of two wills and two ideologies. The voters are sick of the soap opera. It's not conducive to progress.

[Thrill]

119. So its outrageous to call a woman sweetie, but its ok to attack a woman over a comment

that was distorted.

You Hillary supporters are beyond Hypocrites.

[Perry Logan]

120. Forget Obama's negatives. Now we have to factor in MICHELLE'S negatives.

[gal]

121. Why Hillary protected Chelsea?

I say if the press did it for Clinton then Obama has the right to ask for the same thing.

[TheDonkey]

122. Care to answer why it is ok for Bill Clinton to have sex with WH interns?

[Seeker30]

145. Care to tell us why you're posting RW bullshit?

[jillan]

123. This is exactly the type of thing that worries me about Obama.

If he thinks the gopers are going to leave 'proud' Michelle alone, he just doesn't get it.

[cottonseed]

126. I doubt he believes that. He's smarter than that.

If he wasn't he wouldn't have been able to cream Hillary like he did.

[madmom]

124. Um, I'm remembering Teresa Heinz Kerry.

[cottonseed]

125. He's the Democratic Nominee - he can say anything he wants.

and you shouldn't question him on it unless you're a Republican.

[2rth2pwr]

147. That's a scary mindset you have there.

[Name removed]

127. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[kid a]

129. spoken like a true freeper

[anonymous171]

132. Attack on Hillary=Attack on all women. Attack on Michelle Obama= legitimate criticism

[Raine]

134. Michelle, Chelsea & Cindy McCain should ALL be left alone

NONE of them are politicians, they aren't running for office.

[Vinca]

136. How would you like it if they picked on Bill? He's out campaigning

for Hillary and heaven knows they've got the goods on him. Cindy's out campaigning for McBush. In my mind, that puts her criminal, drug abusing past in the public forum for all to see. Republicans can't rely on Democrats making nice this year. Someone, somewhere, will hop all over Cindy if they keep it up with Michelle.

[jillan]

137. That is laughable!! They are always, always all over Bill.

[Vinca]

138. Oh, really? The Republicans have been hands off so far.

In fact, McBush at one point instructed his campaign to be nice to Hillary and go after Obama. Hmmm . . . sounds like he'd rather run against Hillary. If he gets his wish do you suppose they'll forget about Monica, Paula, Kathleen, Gennifer and the rest of them?

[jillan]

139. Monica, Paula, Kathleen, Gennifer??--are you sure you don't belong on FR?

fyi - McCain has said that he would rather run against Obama.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/03/mccain-obama-ha.html

[tekisui]

143. Which side are you on, anyway? The Democrats or the Pukes?

It's getting hard to tell.

[McCamy Taylor]

148. There is a difference between attacking an ex-president Bill and a wife, Michelle.

Attacking Michelle is analogous to the GOP attacking Chelsea and IMO would be in extremely bad taste. On the other hand, if the GOP wanted to attack Bill Clinton, that would be normal campaign strategy since the Dems will be running partly on a "The last Dem administration was better than the Bush administration" platform, whether the nominee is Obama or Clinton.

So, I am expecting attacks against Bill either way and I wouldn't sweat it. He is a big boy. He can take care of himself.

It makes Obama look like a protective husband when he stands up for Michelle, same as it makes Clinton look like a protective mom when she stands up for Chelsea. So, keep it up, Obama!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

149. Obama and the DNC unloaded on Bill Clinton why he should expect his wife to be exempt...........

when he's engaged in slash and burn politics is beyond me.


I don't agree with him on this one. His wife went stumping for him and joined him on the campaign and represented herself as part of his campaign so TO AN EXTENT she is fair game. However I think if there is an unequal amount of attacks on her then I would start to agree it comes off low class and serves no purpose except mudslinging since obama is the candidate. However her comments she made are fair considering she made them while campaigning for her husband.

[Hippo_Tron]

150. It's called smart politics

Obama knows that they aren't going to stop attacking Michelle. But demonstrating that you want to protect your wife is something that Americans can certainly identify with. It show's that the candidate is human. But hey I mean Dukakis did so well that we clearly don't need candidates who show emotion.

[goletian]

152. basically... 2rth2pwr: i defend the gops position to attack obamas wife.

[lynne]

153. Michelle, Chelsea, Bill & Cindy are ALL fair game and they know it -

- they've all been in the political arena long enough to know that anyone - family member or not - who consistently campaigns and speaks on behalf of a candidate is a potential target of criticism. Not to mention that Michelle, Bill and Cindy are in the running for the title of "First Spouse" and will be representing the US in foreign countries, etc. even though they are not directly elected. IMO, that position is important enough that the spouses should be looked at by the voters.

Chelsea may be Bill and Hillary's child but she is now a consenting adult of legal age. That makes her fair game. Underage children who are along for the ride are the only ones who should be immune, IMO.

[WinkyDink]

165. Really? I don't recall any attacks on the grown Gore offspring. How about of Caroline Kennedy?

[lynne]

168. Your point???

The Gore kids didn't campaign as intently as Chelsea but should still consider themselves lucky that they didn't receive any attacks. What's with your reference to Caroline Kennedy? She was maybe 4 or 5 when her father campaigned and has been pretty much a private person as an adult other than the occasional public appearance. She certainly no intent campaigner. It appears you are trying to compare apples and oranges.

[scheming daemons]

156. So.... you endorse McCain, 2rth?

[Secret_Society]

157. We can't have it both ways

Either surrogates and family members are fair game or they're not
Either ministers are fair game or they're not
Either misspeaks are fair game or they're not

This goes for all candidates, both parties. This is something I took to heart after the Lewinsky scandal. I defended Clinton since his transgressions were of a personal nature. Since then I have tried to remember my position when I defend Democrats and attempt to apply that equally.

[boppers]

161. That's not what he said.

He was speaking out against people taking the statements of others, distorting them, and then using those distortions to attack a candidate.

Do you agree that such behavior is "low class"?

[whistler162]

164. I have a sense that Senator Obama was telling...

Senator McCain to keep his people in check or else the Senator's wife was fair game!

[Ed76638]

167. The way I see it

If anyone has some serious problem with Michelle and acuse her of hating America, then they're a goddamn, worthless Rethug. Thats all there is to it.