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

[RusStyles]

I know this is my first time following and felling ginned-up about politics. This race really speaks volumes to the great strides we've made towards gender and racial equality. This is something--fo ALL Americans--to be exceptionally ("really") proud of...

[SamThornton]

Let me play contrarian by saying Michelle Obama meant exactly what she said and that there is a great deal of justice in her remark.

From the viewpoint of the African-American community, have the last 25 years in America been something to be proud of? Based on the evidence of gross inequalities in income and opportunities, and the obvious inequalities in the criminal justice system, no.

From the viewpoint of all working Americans, have the last 25 years been something to be proud of? Based on the evidence of skidding wages, soaring prices, and vanishing opportunities, no.

From the viewpoint of all women in America, have the last 25 years been something to be proud of? The demonization of single mothers and wage scales that pay women 60 cents on the dollar for equal work, would argue no.

The real story here is that Michelle Obama and millions of other Americans have any reason at all to finally be proud of America.

[AC500]

It's ok Barak. I prefer Michelle's authenticity and candor versus the blind patriotism that led to the fall of the U.S. You go girl ... continue to speak your truth. It's so utterly refreshing and real.

[John Warren Gotsch]

Michelle is truly special. I look forward to all that will be forthcoming from the White House, no painful 60 Minutes interviews of HRC 'standing by her man' or WJC giving legalisms about what is and is not sex and the present librarian on the prowl for comic books for mentally challenged Georgie.
That reminds me on a flight back to Europe from Salvador, Brazil there was a man in a business suit that was reading a picture-book, maybe six images on a page.

[lovethesinner]

Pride goeth before a fall.

GObama instead.

[nolalily]

As an Obama supporter, I don't like seeing the vicious attacks that have been launched here against Cindy McCain.

[Ramirez]

It's HuffPo. That's considered debating.

[Felicty]

But when republicans do it, it's called outright lying.

[johnpherson]

Wait, just wait; one of these days McCain is going to get caught speaking freely and that his notoriously foul mouth (especially to the "pure" hears of republick party dupes (christian non-Haves and Have-Mores) will spew something truely awful.
The only problem will be that the assorted mouth pieces of the Haves and Have Mores, the mainstream media will not report the X rated language.
We'll get 'em though, eventually, REALLY get 'em.

[NC4Obama]

McCain says he wants Bush to veto the bill that bans torture. Will the media talk about this...
My guess is no they are a bit to busy proving the point that mass media sucks.

[COEze]

Michelle obviously misspoke ... obvious!
She's plenty proud of the USA and she has expressed it several times in the past, thus making the story of her upbringing so compelling that she became a campaign asset.
My concern is that she didn't come out and immediately correct her misstatement. What was she waiting for? What is she still waiting for (since I have heard her clarify her statement herself).
Listening to her, this is what I perceived her saying: For the first time in my life, I've seen such large numbers of people express interest in the political system, and interst in changing this country for the better. For that I'm really reall proud of my country! Really really proud of the electorate!

[Karenina44]

Michelle is being swiftboated... they editted her remarks. It was on the Thom Hartman radio show this morning.

[sandiegoconservative]

Please provide a clear example of what she has said regarding being proud to be an american, or the USA.

[iPolitics]

Cindy McCain: "There are few places in the world where are drug-addict, husband stealer could get this much good press."

[iPolitics]

Cindy McCain: "More wars. 100 years in Iraq. No jobs."

[KidMeNot]

Maybe we should start a Republican First-Wives Club for Obama.

[Felicty]

That McCain bitch looks as if her brains were carved right out of her skull many years ago.

[Ramirez]

Felicty:

You should click on your profile and read through your collected remarks. You come across as a hateful, disgusting person.

[Felicty]

But at least I'm no republican out of touch with his racial roots.

Who cares what YOU think, sweetie?

[WoodyCPM]

Felicity, do not drag yourself down to the level of the Republicans by using sexist language to describe them. This is what one of McCain's supporters called Hillary not long ago. It's bad form. Ms. McCain does not deserve to be called "bitch" anymore than Hillary Clinton deserves it, and I don't support either McCain or Clinton.

[sandiegoconservative]

Makes perfect sense- she's a bitch for calling the wife of a candidate out on something she said. When at the same time Mrs. Obama has been on the warpath since almost day one.

[veracal]

On a serious note, I don't think Michelle's comments were very savvy. I don't care whether she used the word really every time or just sometimes. It makes no difference. The speech should have been vetted before she gave it.

As a black woman I do think that it is impossible for some white people to understand the way many black people feel about America. We have feelings of love and pride but they are mixed with feelings of disappointment and anger. Those feelings are due to our real life experiences and to African Americans' unique experiences in this country.

It would be good if Mrs. Obama's comments could be the start of a new, honest discussion about race.

Far be it for me to be defending Pat Buchanan, but when I was watching him I saw a man who simply cannot understand how any American can feel the way that Michelle Obama does. I don't think his outrage was fake, I think he is simply incapable of relating to her words like so many white people are.

I think the Obama camp is making a major mistake in not putting Michelle in front of a microphone and a camera, with a sympathetic reporter, and addressing this issue in a proactive manner.

[milo9]

You're wrong, it makes a huge difference whether "really" was meant or not.

Sometimes it seems that black people don't understand that white people "have feelings of love and pride but they are mixed with feelings of disappointment and anger" as well.

But don't expect a honest discussion of race to occur now as we progressives, black and white, try to wrest control of the government from the Nation Killers on the right.

[veracal]

What I'm saying is that this is a rare misstep from the Obama campaing and that the speech is problematic with or without the word really. The words are not helpful to him and someone dropped the ball by not raising the hand and saying it should be edited.

America is obviously not ready for a serious presidential candidate's spouse giving a speech like that, with or without the qualifier (especially the first serious black candidate). That has become more than apparent based on the coverage her comments have received over the past few days.

Of course some white people have the same feelings as black people, but the basis for the feelings is not the same. And please don't tell me how much you hate institutionalize racism because if you're white that is an intellectual argument. If you're black then you've actually experienced it and felt its effects in a way that white person never can.

I'm not expecting any honest discussion about race, I just said it would be good if it could happen.

[WoodyCPM]

veracal, I'm a middle aged white man and I understand exactly what you're saying. I'm not trying to co-opt the black experience in America, but I can understand why many black people feel the way they do about America. Proud of many things about our country, to which they have made incalcuable contributions in terms of our politics and American culture, but also angry and disappointed on the other hand that much of that effort and sacrifice is often taken for granted, denigrated and too often goes without reward. I support Barack Obama because of his stand on the issues and for his ability to inspire great masses of people to come together to pressure the power structure of changes. That he is also African-American is icing on the cake for me. If we succeed in propelling him to the White House, the country will have come light years toward redemption in terms of its racist past and we will have a new birth of respect and admiration among the nations of the world. Then he will need to set about the work, together with the people, to begin to solve our problems of inequality of opportunity, healthcare, jobs, education, the environment, foreign policy.

[veracal]

Last night my 94 year old grandmother was telling me what it was like to be a black kid in Alabama in the early 1900s. She'd never told me about her experiences under Jim Crow before. She said that even though there is a great deal of room for improvement she wantsd her great and great great grandchildren to understand how far the country has come in terms of race.

[MinneapolisBob]

Let's see: in Mrs. Obama's life time she has seen segregation. "Whites Only" and "Negro's Only" signs in various public facilities and amenities. Dogs and fire hoses used to disrupt civil rights demonstrations. The beatings and lynchings of Blacks in the south. School busing and the right to an education for Black kids protested against, not by just White citizens, but the very government who should be providing that right. She has seen the assassination of Black and White activists and civil rights leaders who wanted to right that which was, and still is, wrong in OUR country. She has seen what DWB (Driving While Black)and police brutality means. She has seen how unjust/unequal our court system is. She has seen if you live in an area of our country when a hurricane destroys that area how the government allows you to die in the streets and could not care less.

Should she be proud of all of the above?

Now she is witnessing the coming together of Blacks, Whites and all colors in between. All classes and income levels, genders and virtually all demographics. That, is what she is proud about when she made her statement.

[WoodyCPM]

Yes, exactly.

[IRIE]

Well stated!

[sandiegoconservative]

I'd like to see how many firehoses were pointed in her direction while getting a good education at an ivy league school. Please, your attempts to explain an obvious goof is a pretty sad attempt.

[kennedy]

In her adult lifetime. She was a adult starting in the 80's. When do you think most of that happened? How old do you think she is?

And you want to know how fast Michelle Obama will turn on America if her husband is not elected President? Like that!

[nellie]

Apparently, AP is running an edited quote. I've written them to tell them their quote is inaccurate. I think as many people as possible should email or call the Associated Press to demand a correction, and also let them know that misquotes are unacceptable.

The best email I've been able to find is: [e-mail]

[Marrob]

Am from Wisconsin and while she was in Milwaukee she left out the word "Really" in she speech. No big deal as far as this Hillary supporter is concerned, but you know what the republicans are going to do with this gaffe. You can see it on YouTube. In the search box type-Michelle Obama "Proud" vs "Really Proud" Spin Alert- and you will see what am talking about.

[Ramirez]

Thanks Marrob. Here is the "Proud" vs "Really Proud" video.

Same day, same suit, almost the same phrase.

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

[milo9]

It seems to me that politicians are routinely allowed to amend, for the record, any gaffes they might have made.

This bull ****! Period!

[Plowboy]

Typical shitpolitics! Those small minds who want to run our country and can find no better issue to argue about than an obvious statement of fact: under the recent administrations there has been all too much for any American who loves his country, its traditions and values to be ashamed of. There is little in Bushism that is not to be ashamned of. And since McCain made himself a toady for that shameful administration he has become something less than honorable. Torture he now approves of. That makes an honorable American ashamed. Illegal warmaking he approves of. That makes an honorable American ashamed. Yes, Cindy, America is ashamed of Bush and his Neocon masters. It is too bad that little John has sold his soul to them for a pot of rotten red pottage. Sad indeed for John because the Republiucan nomination is all he will get for that soul selling. He will never be president. Thank God for that! And blessed are the peacemakers. A dream of a hundred year war is not the vision of any honorable seeker of national leadership!

[MaDem]

What do Obama supporters have to say about Brooks' column in The NY Times? An excerpt: "Barack Obama vowed to abide by the public finance campaign-spending rules in the general election if his opponent did. But now he’s waffling on his promise. Why does he need to check with his campaign staff members when deciding whether to keep his word? Obama says he is practicing a new kind of politics, but why has his PAC sloshed $698,000 to the campaigns of the superdelegates, according to the Center for Responsive Politics? Is giving Robert Byrd’s campaign $10,000 the kind of change we can believe in? If he values independent thinking, why is his the most predictable liberal vote in the Senate? A People for the American Way computer program would cast the same votes for cheaper. And should we be worried about Obama’s mountainous self-confidence? These doubts lead O.C.S. sufferers down the path to the question that is the Unholy of the Unholies for Obama-maniacs: How exactly would all this unity he talks about come to pass?How is a 47-year-old novice going to unify highly polarized 70-something committee chairs? What will happen if the nation’s 261,000 lobbyists don’t see the light, even after the laying on of hands? Does The Changemaker have the guts to take on the special interests in his own party — the trial lawyers, the teachers’ unions, the AARP? The Gang of 14 created bipartisan unity on judges, but Obama sat it out. Kennedy and McCain created a bipartisan deal on immigration. Obama opted out of the parts that displeased the unions. Sixty-eight senators supported a bipartisan deal on FISA. Obama voted no. And if he were president now, how would the High Deacon of Unity heal the breach that split the House last week?"

[veracal]

David Brooks? You have got to be kidding. But anyway, here's my take: Brooks is not an Obama supporter

[Zhonni]

And to say he vowed is being disingenuous. He did say he would look into it.

He is actually being financed by the people as it is. If he was being financed by the lobbyist, then McCain would have a point and besides I don't think he would have as much support if he was being funded by the loddyist.

Reforms are meant to take dirty money out of the campaign. The people's money is not dirty money.

[milo9]

It seems that republican operatives are posing as women this season. Is anybody else feeling this?

[WoodyCPM]

Brooks is an idiot. He's been wrong about everything he's ever written about. Pul-leaze! Just because it appears in the NYTimes doesn't make it correct or liberal. There are a lot of right-wingers writing for the NYTimes these days. Bill Kristol's garbage appears there too.

[Brooklynindy]

If the Republicans are heaping it on now versus post-nomination, it's because they want to influence the Dem race and get him OUT. NOW. This is so obvious. Otherwise they'd wait until after he's nominated so as to have an easy target.

People like David Brooks are at the beck and call of the corporate world. He was gushing about Obama a couple of months ago...This is how it works: Exxon (or you fill in the corporate blank) has a PR firm. One of the PR firm's employees is tight with David Brooks - pals. He calls up Brooks, schmoozes him, and asks for a favor. Voila - The anti-Obama piece appears.