Obama Defends Wife Over 'Pride' Remark

BROOKFIELD, Wis. — Democratic Sen. Barack Obama sought Tuesday to clarify his wife's statement that she is proud of the U.S. "for the first time in my adult life." He said her newfound pride is about the political system and was not meant to disparage her country.

He commented after Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, made a veiled reference to Michelle Obama's recent remarks.

Cindy McCain told a Wisconsin rally on Tuesday: "I'm proud of my country, I don't know about you, if you heard those words earlier."

Barack Obama, interviewed on WOAI radio in San Antonio, Texas, expressed frustration that his wife's comments became political fodder.

"Statements like this are made and people try to take it out of context and make a great big deal out of it, and that isn't at all what she meant," Obama said.

"What she meant was, this is the first time that she's been proud of the politics of America," he said. "Because she's pretty cynical about the political process, and with good reason, and she's not alone. But she has seen large numbers of people get involved in the process, and she's encouraged."

In Milwaukee on Monday, Michelle Obama said: "Let me tell you, for the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country. Not just because Barack is doing well, but I think people are hungry for change."

Cindy McCain asserted, "I have, and always will be, proud of my country," and repeated the sentiment later in Columbus, Ohio.

Comments

[TommyMcCarthy]

Sen. Obama should tread carefully here........No one will take much offense at a guy defending his wife no matter how STUPID a comment she has made.

However, the usual shuck and jive about her remarks being "taken out of context", (they were not) will only prolong and highlight the controversy and give the Repubs. more ammunition.

[pinkerman2]

Well Tommy McCarthy, With the "shuck and jive"
comment that you used;I know where you are coming from. Was the 'tread carefully' a threat to Senator Obama? It sounded a little like a noose or burning cross as a warning.
I am well into my seventies and I have not been proud of the actions of my country since Nam. How could you or any one else beproud of our policies? Micheles comment was indeed NOT stupid. Stop chest-beating, bible thumping, and flag waving long enough to realize that we need to put the goodness back into the 'good old U.S. A'

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

Come on now..."a threat to Senator Obama"? There are drugs that will handle that paranoia very well. I would suggest that you consult your doc. Minimal side effects.

[sklfcats]

Let's just hope it's enough ammo for Hillary !

[TommyMcCarthy]

Good grief "pinkerman"! Has "shuck and jive" now become a racist code term?
How about "good morning"?
Is it o.k. to say "hello"?

"Shuck and jive" has been an inoffensive axiom that has been used by myself and by my many African American friends do denote falsity my whole life. In point of fact we used it fairly often when I worked for Jesse Jackson in '88!!...and I don't recall any sensitivity to it then.

The false outrage constantly practiced by so many of Sen. Obama's supporters....constantly detecting racism where there is none......will not serve your candidate and OUR nominee well at all!

Go piss up a rope...........................tm

[horacekent]

To the Great People of Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island & Vermont,

Please do us all a favor & finally close the door on the Clintons.

You're the Closers. Lets do this thing!

~HK

[YellerDawg]

or not.

[Roose]

Yes Mrs. McKeating: It's ok for YOU to be proud of YOUR America where you, were able to steal drugs from a not-for-profit organization to feed your habit, and not get penalized because of your powerful connections.

[sklfcats]

Roose, we are not talking about Cindy.

[intuition]

The McCains are desperately looking for something to hang on Michelle for they know they will always have Cindy's drug addiction hanging over them -- they are putting her (Michelle) down in order to build Cindy up -- it's as simple as that.

[AnninCA]

You guys didn't pull in Gore. You didn't pull in Kerry. And you aren't pulling in Hillary.

The Democratic party is dead.

Her comments say it all.

You're ashamed of being Democrats.

No wonder we've lost.

[VOTER]

Perhaps the Dem Party is dead to you but certainly

not for the majority.

Too bad for you!

[AnninCA]

Well, the best candidates of the century have lost.

So I don't think I'm exaggerating.

But whatever.

You think this guy offers the US hope, go right ahead.

I'm now officially on the sidelines.

He'll never get my vote.


But I don't for a minute think he even wants it.

[Jazz42]

no wonder we've lost.
You are not a democrat.
Troll maybe.

[AnninCA]

Oh, I would agree.

I am proudly no longer a Democrat.

I'm now Independent.

This is a new identity, so forgive me if I slip back now and again.

I used to be a Democrat.

But....watching a Democrat use Republican tactics against a Democrat changed my party identification.

So I'm now an Independent, and proud of it.

You see, I won't ever, ever endorse this type of slime.

Ever.

I'm now pleased to step away from the Democratic dog poo.

[chgochefgirl]

You know, just because you write in one-sentence paragraphs doesn't make you profound.

[veracal]

hahahahahaha

I really find that funny. I mean it was funny the first time I read it, but the second time I read it...it was really, really, funny.

LOL

[pinkerman2]

No AnninCA, we are not ashaned to be Democrats, we are ashamed of people like you being Americans. Democrat and proud.

Yes we can!!!!!!!!!!

[milo9]

I get the sense from the intensity of the attacks on Michelle that there might be one or more Republican sockpuppets commenting on this post.

[AnninCA]

Oh baloney.

Her comments represent his attitude which is perfectly outrageous and need to be addressed.

That is precisely what the Democrats are endorsing.

It's American Idol time.

[VOTER]

Cindy, are you certain you want to join your husband,

John McWar, in his dirty campaign politics?

Remember what the Bush Machine did to you eight

years ago?

If you choose to go dirty, why wouldn't others decide to remind the public about your

personal involvement with the Keating Five, your stealing drugs and using drugs?

So, do you REALLY want to join your hubby?

[sarnold49]

Only the Obama cult would say it was racist to mention Obama's drug use but Cindy McCain's addiction is fair game?

[Ramirez]

Yes, and you are clearly racist for bringing it up.

[kevmofoto]

harping on petty and insignificant trivia and relying on "aha - caught you!" politics are the tactics of the desperate who have run out of their own ideas and will do anything to elevate themselves - they certainly aren't doing it for the good of the people. The more McCain and Clinton resort to this pattern of negative campaigning the better Obama looks - and the more people are going to jump off their train and onto his.

[user168]

Dramatically Increased youth turnout on Super Tuesday is an obvious sign that "for the first time" many youths are proud to be a part of their country and community. These intelligent, passionate, and brave young adults are giving their very concern, love, and support to a true leader who will lead them to better serve their country and the world:

"Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be."

[AnninCA]

Yep, and they voted out the Democrats.

So now, we live with it.

[kellygrrrl]

You got to give Cindy McCain credit. She was actually able to snap out of her Oxy haze enough to speak. And when your face is pulled that tight, you know it hurts to make that smiley face.

[davg]

The irony is that the McCain camp could have really capitalized on this if they publically dismissed MO's statement as being taken out of context. That's the sort of "krrp your eye on the ball" politics we are really hungry for in this country. And anyone who practices that gets points.

[hondugirl]

I've been an American citizen since 1991, decided to do so when I was 32 years old, this was a conscientious and mature decision. This country represents a lot of good things to many people, I, being one of them. Having Michelle Obama said that very stupid remark, shocked me. I don't excuse her, because we are not talking about an average Jane here. She is a highly educated woman, so, when she says something, she knows what she means. For a while she is been coming across as a social resented with an attitude of entitlement. She thinks that she can spew crap through her mouth, and get away with it because she is black, and everybody in the USA will just have to shut up and swallow their opinions so not to sound racist. But this doesn't have anything to do with racism. This is about character. Her's is flawed.
Barack= empty rethoric
Michelle= angry rethoric
I don't think this is the change want for the USA.

[EyeWantOneNation]

Did you notice the word "REALLY" in her quote...and that word being left out in all references to her remark.

I am 57...I have been proud to be an American my entire life. But this election year, with the envolvement of our youth again...people coming out in record numbers to vote; feeling after what we have gone through with the Bush administration (and feeling GREAT it's about over) for the first time in MY adult life, I, too, am REALLY proud of my country.

This is probably falling on deaf ears, but I feel better for saying it !!!

[Jazz42]

You comment didn't fall on deaf, as far as I'm concern,
(EyeWantOneNation)

[Jazz42]

I don't know were you lived before you moved to America. In case you don't know it. In America we suppose to have freedom of speech, judging from your and other posters on this blog, freedom of speech doesn't apply to everyone.
(hondugirl)

[AnninCA]

This is -precieloy the attitude that makes me sigh.

Like anyone arrested her?

She spoke. She said her truth.

And you just don't like how offensive that truth really is to most of us.

[chgochefgirl]

You're right, hondugirl, this country does represent a lot of good things - freedom of speech being one of them! I've been a citizin since 1969 and I haven't always been proud of America, but I do love it. As Americans, we have the right to question and criticize our country and our government and we have the right to be angry - the thing about democracy is, you have to take the good with the bad. Just like we have to listen to your poorly veiled racist remarks.

[Waitaminute]

Now put "really" in her statement and think again. Now ask yourself, why the media left the word out. Smarten up, and get with the program.

By the way, if you knew the struggles made,to give rights to you as an immigrant, then you could appreciate what Michelle was saying. Wouldn't you be prouder, if strict laws that didn't allow you to gain citizenship, became less strict and allowed you to become a citizen? Prouder right?

Its good to become proud and prouder of what happens in your country. That means, its getting better there's progress. You have a problem with that. It hasn't been as good for some peole in this country as it has for other. Now thats a fact.

[OpusIsUnderTheBed]

Blah, blah, blah.

She say's she's proud of her husband and the country and the other party goes for the throat.

I wish they all had to speak from a platform at the back of the last car in the train. And there was no electronic press.

[AurigaRa]

is Cindy actually ALIVE?

Boy, what a lovely couple those two are.
Can you imagine them in the WH???
Think about that and then vote for Obama.

[texassouffle]

Yeah,

No shit! When have you ever heard Cindy McCancient say anything?

[judisworld]

This is all SUCH total nonsense. I thought it very clear what Michelle Obama meant and I am astounded that she was so misunderstood! Unfortunately, I'm sure that on their road to the White House, she and Barack will be subjected to much worse. Which is a shame because they are the FIRST genuine politicians, with real caring and integrity, that we have had in decades.

[AnninCA]

She wasn't misunderstood, and her attituce of negativism will, indeed, win the election.

And I, for one former Democrat, get to see another loss.

[kennedy]

Think about that and vote for Hillary. She knows how to get America moving again.

[pineapplegal]

BTW Roncraw - I am a (registered) Republican and am voting for Obama...not angry - fed up! If you equate that to angry then rightfully so. And you are also right about us needing "help"...our whole country needs help in the effect of change.

[roncraw]

pineapple Yes we can WHAT.