Michelle Obama Remarks Stir Controversy

Newsday:

Here's a quote from Michelle Obama, via the Globe and Politico, that seems to have trouble written all over it:

"For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country," she told a Milwaukee crowd today, "because it feels like hope is making a comeback."

A lot of Republicans, and Democrats, and Independents will be surprised to learn that pre-Obama, there was no reason to be proud of America. Probably she didn't mean that. But what did she mean?

Read the whole story: Newsday

Comments

[Barackanot]

The Obama's have made it very clear publicly that they believe America has oppressed the black masses and they are committed to their African heritage. Obama has even written about his distrust of whites and his desire to adopt the traits of Malcolm X. Michelle Obama said exactly what she meant. She is proud that, finally, the oppression of the black man is about to come to an end and proud that her husband has brought about this change.

[LarBear]

Proud of America??? Delighted with the Ideal of a USA, yes... The current behavior of Political Office Holders, and We the People as the Government of, by, and for the People, for sure I'm NOT proud of that...
Obama ran Ads, that there is only ONE AMERICA... So, who/ what is a "Black American, African American, or Black Person"? Upon Death does a "Black Spirit, or Black Soul", depart??? The Obama's brought Race and skin color into this Campaign, purposely... The Obama's played to race, and skin color, as well as Race Card accusation against the Clinton's... Which "America" is Michelle referring to as Proud of??? Will Obama be the President of the United States of America, or the First Black President???
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sadly, many, especially MSM Talking Heads, are promoting Obama, as the New MLK... MLK's nightmare, that he was trying to end, Yes! The Dream of People with Black (or any) skin color being judged by their Character, NO Way... The Obama's have used the Corporate Main Stream Media to make this a LOT about Skin Color and Race... Apparently the Obama's are quite willing to behave as "Black Racists"... Win at any cost, Ego gratification???
I wonder if Michelle knows Barack considers Michelle to be a polite dinner conversationalist as First Lady??? Clearly, Hillary in 8 years as First Lady, according to the Obama's, received no Experience in Politics, Life, dealing with Foreign Leaders, etc... Sorry Michelle...
In my opinion, the Obama's are very slick Politician who clearly played underdog against the fabled Clinton Political Machine... Obama has inspired a hostile divide in Democrats as Politics as Usual, chooses sides... Preaches Hope, Dream and Change, while practicing deception...
The Traveling Obamarama, Gospel, Snake Oil, Magic Elixir, and Amurrican Revival Show! It's Magic in a Bottle my Friends... WooooooooooWeeeeeeeeee....

[preatorius]

I believe that it was Bill Clinton who brought up race in South Carolina, and wasn't that Hillary who brought Dr. King into the argument?

Better double check your Tivo!

[oafishcad]

Both Ms. Obama and Ms. McCain are right. At any given moment there is much to be proud of in America, and much, quite frankly, to be ashamed of. It isn't just black and white. Pun intended.

[democraticjack]

Mrs. Obama is proud of America only after her husband has won some primaries. Poor dear, how has she managed to endure the shame of being an American for the past 40 years?

[eddieinc97]

This gotcha word game politics is something I am not proud of as an American.

This water boarding and toturing is something I am not proud of as an American.

This vioalation of the constitutional right to privacy makes me not proud to be an American.

This lack of health care for millions is something I am not proud of as an American.

This unnecessary war that we started causing death to our soldiers and Iraqi citizens makes me not proud to be American.

Cindy McCain is a stooge. And sorry fellas she's not that hot. You can love you country but not ALWAYS be proud of it.

I not very proud of the Americans that fall for this stupidity.

[democraticjack]

Like Michelle Obama is not a stooge? She's not that hot either. That knife cuts both ways.

[livesimply]

Michelle is a very accomplished person who has chosen jobs which pay less so she can help people. Whether anyone thinks she's "hot" or not is totally irrelevant.

[chefrasta]

In my adult life I was very proud of Watergate, it made me cry for joy when I read the Church committee reports, sang yankee doodle dandy when my President sold weapons to Iran to fund right wing death squads in Nicaragua,when J Edgar Hoover spied and god knows what else against americans I saluted.Stolen Elections,immoral wars,trashing of the bill of rights damn I am flag wavering America can do no wrong Patriot.How dare someone can not be proud of these glorious achievements.

[kramskoi]

okay, she hates america, its citizens, its instituitions, its traditions, its history and anything else i can't think of...can we move on now?

[preatorius]

Are you serious?
Where have you people been?!

Of course McCain and Hillary Clinton have always been proud of their country. Their ancestors were not enslaved, subjected to segregation in schools, denied jobs, the right to buy homes, lynched and burned, communities burned, wives and daughters raped, families torn apart and babies sold to the highest bidder.

The history for Michelle Obama's family has been very different than that of Clinton and McCain. Clinton and McCain are proud to flaunt their priveledge!

It is a wonderful thing, that Obama has made so many people feel that they can be part of the process, and that they too can have the American Dream!

[enoughalready13]

Wow, you really have nothing to say other than cut/paste the same paragraph 20 times on this blog! YOU MUST BE AN OBAMA SUPPORTER - YOU DO NOT HAVE AN ORIGINAL THOUGHT!!!!!

Just empty - "BUT MEANINGFUL" - words.

[doctordawg]

Watch it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu9Zei11uEc

She was edited. Scumbags...

[TAC]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu9Zei11uEcc
She was edited. Scumbags..."

I do hear an odd sound where "really" was in other versions. I would not be surprised if there was an attempt to alter what she said, but I'd be very surprised if it got this far without discovery...

[DoninJoisey]

I believe she gave the same speech at least twice- once with "really proud", once with just "proud".
All this flap over presence or absence of an adjective!
The Clinton/Rovian attack dogs are pathetic.

[helonias]

I think the problem is that she is not blond or has big jugs.

[tiye110870]

This is the reason why I as a BLACK WOMAN was for EDWARDS rather than OBAMA!

I KNEW that with OBAMA race would be CENTRAL to the ULTIMATE navigation of his candidacy, and MICHELLE proved it with this ill-advised quote.

This country is NOT ready to ADDRESS in a realistic manner....RACE...sigh

ONCE AGAIN, the Democrats will SNATCH DEFEAT from the JAWS OF VICTORY!

[livesimply]

Take heart. Obama is our next president!

[escapement]

I say we nominate Cindy McCain for the position of Drug Czar.... this is too easy... she really should lay off attacking Michelle Obama because Michelle could open up a serious can of whip ass on her past deeds.

[KQuark]

Cindy McCrazy is a rich bitch who has never seen anything but country club living. What does she know about the real state of this country?

[gonavy]

Cindy McCain has long been an advocate for children everywhere and their health care needs in particular. She founded and ran the American Voluntary medical team (AVMT) from 1988-1995. AVMT provided emergency medical and surgical care to impoverished children throughout the world. Cindy led 55 medical missions to third world and war-torn countries during AVMT's seven years of existence. In recent years, Cindy has dedicated the bulk of her volunteer time to three international organizations: The HALO Trust, Operation Smile and CARE.

YOU, MY FRIEND, SHOULD AT LEAST DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU MAKE A FOOL OF YOURSELF.

[youthrewaspark]

Plus, I think she gave those drugs back to the charity after she stole them.

[TAC]

"YOU, MY FRIEND,"

That you John?

[Shantee]

I totally agree...you just have to look at her to know she's all country club....Michelle Obama is one tough cookie, and she's smart and very attractive, with a terrific sense of humor...at the same time there is something warm and feminine about her, and boy does she have style....a testimony that Barack is not afraid of strong women....he married one.

[intuition]

My first thought was a comparison of the lives of these two women, Cindy, born with a silver spoon in her wee mouth, what could she possibly know about empathy, Michelle, had humble beginnings and made something of herself, on her own -- no contest between the two, Michelle could have made the point differently, but Cindy is showing her lack of empathy in speaking out against Michelle, particularly since she's made some rather large mistakes in her life, which have been forgiven, as they should be, but she should know better than to point a finger at Michelle, else she's learned nothing from the few life challenges she's faced.

[youthrewaspark]

This typically happens when reactionaries are confronted with people who aren't hammy jingoes.

[youthrewaspark]

Sorry intuition. My comment was meant for Mattie above.

[dajay]

Nice try KQuark, now what are the Obama crazed supporters trying to sell us, that Obama and Michelle are poor African-Americans.

Yeah, okay. Unfortunately, that would make a pretty picture for Obama's phony portrayal, but Michele Obama is a working mother who makes millions a year, along with her husband.

She is in the same country club as Cindy McCain.
Wake Up.

[EBennett]

What has Cindy McCain ever done to you? Please tell me what possesses a person to write such vile, hateful comments about someone they have never met.

[livesimply]

Where is vile and hateful? It must be in your head.

[Silpat]

Personally, I am not proud of America's overt racist past amd covert racist present, but with that said, there are many other reasons why I am "really" proud to be an American.

[PrdAmerican]

Our elected officials make it very difficult to be proud of America at times. They wear our souls thin.

Abscam
Iran Contra
Savings and Loan Crisis
Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas sex scandal/hearings
Whitewater/Travel Gate
Impeachment of BC for lying under oath
Bush/Gore Election
Enron
Iraq War
Abu Ghraib
All of Bush's 8 year's in office
Jack Abramhoff
Plame Affair
Waterboarding and Torture
Current Housing Mortgage Crisis

[realwoman]

Highest per capita income in the world
Freest people on Earth
65% (highest on Earth) own their own home
Give more to charities than the rest of the world COMBINED
Take in millions of immigrants a year
Give free education, housing and medical care to those same immigrants
Gave freedom to Europe, half of Asia, feeds Africa
and this moron brings up Jack Abramhoff??? Yea, let's judge America on that. I can't wait until Mcain debates Obama. McCain will wipe the floor with him.

[preatorius]

You forgot:

Of course McCain and Hillary Clinton have always been proud of their country. Their ancestors were not enslaved, subjected to segregation in schools, denied jobs, the right to buy homes, lynched and burned, communities burned, wives and daughters raped, families torn apart and babies sold to the highest bidder.

The history for Michelle Obama's family has been very different than that of Clinton and McCain. Clinton and McCain are proud to flaunt their priveledge!

It is a wonderful thing, that Obama has made so many people feel that they can be part of the process, and that they too can have the American Dream!

[savertime]

The media never reported the "really" used by Ms. Obama. In fact, MSNBC ran the video of her speech, and very, very sloppily cut off the "really." It was a blatant hack job.

Off course, they were trying all day to suck up to the Clintons; payback. Mika, Andrea, Chris, Brian, David had to say positive things about Hillary and her campaign all day.
then that to suffer through Wolfson all day.

Hope she wins after all that blackmail.

[Chanrazig]

"Much ado about nothing!"...and everyone screaming at the top of their lungs knows it. That any air time at all was spent on this mini-flap is proof positive that the reporting media is entertainment-oriented and could care less about real news and policy. I am, by the way, a Clinton supporter, but fair is fair.

[kroses98]

Cindy McCain can be "very proud" of her country, but I'm not! What's to be proud of? I'm embarrassed as hell with what's been going on for the past 8 years, and more! This country has been going to "hell in a hand-basket!" Her pride proves her stupidity!

[gonavy]

YOUR EMBARRASSMENT SHOWS YOUR STUPIDITY.

[realwoman]

So leave then. You and every other self-hating spoliled brat. Go see the "real world" You'll be on the first flight home.

[rollingdivision]

She is Princeton and Harvard educated. Michelle Obama said exactly what she meant and she meant to attack the USA as a place a black woman could not be proud of for the last 26 years. Obama supporter parsing, slicing, dicing and all depends on what the meaning of is, is to commence immediately.

[youthrewaspark]

Why is what she said racial?

[rollingdivision]

Assuming she was speaking personally and she was not saying that no person could not be proud of the USA for the last 26 years.

[helonias]

And Cindy McCain does John. So she is at least as intelligent.

Right.

[gonavy]

I am inclined to believe that she knew exactly what she was saying, and that she was talking to those in the audience that consider themselves to be oppressed. We can finally be proud, because finally a black man has made it this far. As much as we would like race to not be a part of this election, they will keep bring it up.

This story has been going on all day long. Has she come out to clarify her statement? Not that I have seen. She meant what she said, and we know what she meant.

[MariaHopeful]

OK. I get it. Last week the sleazy Clintons had a very bad week, entirely of their own making I might had. So this week is make up time. Time for the Obamas to suffer. Those upstarts! Let us manufacture some negative headlines for them. How dare that Obama talk about hope and inspiration. We'll get them yet.

[sarainitaly]

you are blaming the Clintons for this?

[zumper]

this had nothing to do with the clintons ////people stop trying to spin this in her favor /////the original speech she did not have 'really' in there , i heard the first speech in milwaukee.....really wasnt in the line it was added in her second speech......what it meant is immaterial but when you try to amend the sentence it looks bad

[DoninJoisey]

I heard Wolfson spout the crap about "not proud of America"

[GeorgeKaplan]

Actually, I don't think you get it at all.

[gonavy]

Are you suggesting that Bill Clinton was feeding her lines?

She meant what she said, and we know what she meant.

[Marshetti]

My, my, MariaHopeful, as usual, it seems there are two sets of rules for this campaign. Can you imagine if Bill Clinton had made such a remark? It would have been repeated, disected, parsed and condemned by every sillly talking head on TV ad nauseam. It seems to me that Michele Obama has a pretty good life in this country she "never in her adult life felt proud of". Wow, that's kind of like Oprah saying "I know what it's like to be black in America." If she said it, she should be held accountable, just like the Clintons are held accountable for every single word and action.

[AurigaRa]

Let's see, she has been voting about 20 years, well into the neocon take over of what America thinks it stands for....sounds about right to me. I haven't been proud in about 35 years. So sue me.

[GeorgeKaplan]

Being proud of America does not HAVE to refer to politics. There is a lot to be proud of in America and there is a lot to change. If you wait to love your country only after it's reached perfection you may NEVER love your country. You can go back to the very day they singed the Declaration of Independence and you will see a LOT of things that were and still are wrong with America. Having said that I think Mrs. Obama is just trying to promote her husband for President nothing nefarious to read into it. And I am for Hillary.

[youthrewaspark]

I agree. Politically, it was a bad move on her part. But honestly, who could be "really proud" of the way our nation has been conducting itself, both domestically and internationally over the past twenty years?