Marian Robinson: The "Linchpin" Of The Obama Campaign

***Updated 8/25, 6 PM***

Marian Robinson spoke with USA Today to say that she's nervous for her daughter, Michelle Obama, who will speak tonight at the Democratic National Convention.

Robinson predicts her daughter won't be nervous, despite the big crowd and the high stakes.

"She's very confident," she says in a rare interview, "and I think that comes from being sure of who you are."

Michelle's mother and her brother, Craig Robinson, haven't offered Michelle any advice when it comes to what to say, either. "You don't give my sister advice," Craig Robinson says. "Since she was 5 years old -- 5 or 6 -- she always did what she wanted."

Click here to read that story in its entirety

She is the linchpin of Barack Obama's presidential campaign, and yet she does not raise money, plot strategy, lead conference calls, or carry a BlackBerry, which, in her day, was an unassuming fruit that grew on bushes.

Marian Robinson does, though, carry an exalted title in this race: mother-in-law. And from that perch, she makes the whole thing run.

The Boston Globe features a video on Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Robinson.

Comments

[Phil4and8]

09:15 AM on 04/01/2008

Wheww! After reading the comments I feel much better. When I first read this article yesterday, my thoughts of, "wow! what a nice human interest story!" were quickly replaced by my (apparently unnecessary) paranoia. "Oh, no!" I thought, "Now they're going after his family; exposing his children and wonderful mother-in-law (she truly is) to potential danger from some of the many crazies out there. No one should have to have their families made vulnerable like that!" And then I just stopped, and prayed about it, and let it go. Then when I looked again today, I was very grateful that 1) the story was off the front page, and 2) (the majority of) those who commented just saw the universal humanity of it all. Although some of the cyber-posts would sometimes suggest otherwise, apparently there is hope for progress and healing and humanity winning out after all. That's good. Oh, by the way, somebody should put out an all-points bulletin for this bus that keeps running over grandmothers! :^)

[Centaur]

08:56 PM on 03/31/2008

Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson! You will make a great First Grand Lady!

[TotobiAyokoh23]

08:26 PM on 03/31/2008

Thank you very much, grandma. You are source of inspiration to most of us.

[SoulSistah]

07:44 PM on 03/31/2008

This article is a shining example of what family is all about.

[Grannysue]

06:30 PM on 03/31/2008

She sounds like a great lady, I'm a grandma of nine and up until Feb. 13, 2008 when my husband died, whenever we had the grandkids at our house my husband would tell the kids, when there in your home they follow your rules, when there in our home it's our rules. Which meant of course movies, candy, being silly or doing whatever. That's the most wonderful part about being a grandma, you may have been strict with your own kids but now it's all about enjoying the grandchildren. You don't have to worry about the rules you make your own. So I say you go Grannie and from the sounds of it your daughter and son in law are blessed to have you. Besides, if you've had enough, you can send them home!

[dr4Will]

03:02 PM on 03/31/2008

so thats where obama's wife learned not to like America---someone had to teach that biased feeling!!!

[OverIt]

04:13 PM on 03/31/2008

Dearest dr4will,

Thank you so much for your comment. After briefly skimming through the article about Mrs. Robinson, I saw your post.

I was so perplexed by your comment that I decided to read the entire profile in order to find that damning statement that you must have been referring to. Alas, you are either the victim of hallucinations or very brilliant in driving people like me to relish every single word of this wonderful profile of great lady.

All the best,
OverIt

[Pammy1151]

06:23 PM on 03/31/2008

Overit, don't pay any attention to dr4will he/she isn't very bright. All he/she knows how to be nasty.

[EJ99]

05:22 PM on 03/31/2008

I read the linked article and can not for the life of me figure out what you're talking about. Now Michelle Obama's grandmother is open season for Obama-haters? This has gotten insane and is incredibly disheartening.

[sockman]

02:21 PM on 03/31/2008

Oh boy....what a nice lady who cares for her grandkids. Lets hope Barack Obama does not shove her under the bus like he did his own typical white grandmother when it becomes politically expedient to do so.

[UCLAdy04]

03:02 PM on 03/31/2008

Wow...your life must really suck that you have to inject malice in the most unnecessary places.

[sockman]

05:39 PM on 03/31/2008

Well...it doesn't suck as much as it used to. But knowing that you got your knickers all in a bunch over my comment about Obama gives me hope.

[JUSTME]

02:07 PM on 03/31/2008

How lovely it will be to have a loving, intelligent, functional family occupying the White House next time around after the morons and malefactors of the past 16 years. We have had either congenital idiots or congenital liars since 1992 (not necessarily in that order). I include Laura in that category for firing the White House chef to replace him with someone who uses Krispy Kreme donuts for desserts at state dinners. Will we ever live that embarrassment down?

[learningcurve]

03:00 PM on 03/31/2008

And Jimmy Carter supposedly didn't have any class. Has there ever been a less dignified gang in power than this Bush administration?

[bauersox]

11:08 AM on 03/31/2008

Nice behind-the-scenes story about a terrific granny, who seems to have the greatest gift of all: common sense. Marian Robinson for president!

[kishaaann]

10:52 AM on 03/31/2008

Mrs. Obama's mom is great. She reminds me of my grandmother. My mother would tell us to go to bed at 8pm while we were at my nanna's house but she would sneak and we would stay up with her until 10. I miss her so much. The Obama girls are so lucky.. God bless her.

[angelbravo]

12:48 PM on 03/31/2008

This lady did a great job raising such a highly educated son and daughter like she did. Go Brown Bears and victory to the Obama's this fall.

[mrman]

10:08 AM on 03/31/2008

I understand fully Michele's calm knowing her mother is with her daughters. After a divorce I worked two jobs and I know I would have never made it without my mother caring for my daughter. There is nothing like Grandma. Period. You know if there was anyone other than a parent that would take a bullet or eat a rat for your child:-)...it's Granma. They have patience and understanding that sometimes only comes with having done it before. Kodos to Mrs Robinson.

[tipiglen]

10:05 AM on 03/31/2008

God bless her, and all such wonderful grandmothers.

xx
ed

[sebocd]

09:11 AM on 03/31/2008

Marian Robertson, wise, plain speaking, can laugh at herself with dignity, and loving. Well, a typical black woman, I'd say.

[UCLAdy04]

03:04 PM on 03/31/2008

Absolutely...just like my grandmother. She makes some amazing fried chicken too lol. There is something very special about grandmothers...and this story about Marian Robinson was very sweet. Although some people here cannot take a break from their vitriolic commenting, it is nice to take a mental break and realize that these people running are just like us and have family that cares about them.

[VOTER]

08:33 AM on 03/31/2008

This is a very nice article. Good Read!

[Kalima]

08:27 AM on 03/31/2008

I don't know about "linchpin" but any gender who ever had a mother-in-law, she must be respected.
Her job could just be ironing out the wrinkles of the strain of this campaign and the stress for both of them.
Keep up the good fight!