Tennessee GOP Attacks Michelle Obama, Obama Camp Hits Back

The Tennessee GOP hasn't yet had their fill of Obama dirty tricks. A few months ago, they circulated a photo of Barack Obama in traditional Somali garb. Now, they are going after his wife.

Today they have circulated a video of Michelle's now-infamous 'proud' comments, which have been combined with shots of Tennessee voters describing why they are proud of their country:

[WATCH]

The video came bundled with a sarcastic press release, which you can read after the jump.

The Obama camp fired back defending Michelle Obama:

This is a shameful attempt to attack a woman who has repeatedly said she wouldn't be here without the opportunities and blessings of this nation. The Republican Party's pathetic attempts to use the same smear tactics to win elections have failed in Mississippi, failed in Louisiana, and will fail in November because the American people are looking for a positive vision of real change. And if the Tennessee Republican Party has a problem with Senator Obama, maybe next time they'll have the courage to address him directly instead of attacking his family.

Tennessee Press Release:

NASHVILLE, TN - The Tennessee Republican Party welcomes Michelle Obama, wife of Barack Obama, to Nashville today, where she's the guest of honor at a Tennessee Democratic Party fundraiser.

To welcome Mrs. Obama to Nashville and Tennessee, we asked a few Tennesseans to take a few moments to tell her what makes them proud of their country. Viewers will find their statements stand in stark contrast to two incidents in February when Mrs. Obama announced that for "the first time in my adult life" she was proud of America.

And while Mrs. Obama has trouble being proud of the country where she earned degrees from Princeton University and Harvard Law School and then became a multi-millionaire, her husband makes statements that belittle average Americans' response to the difficulties of life, including his recent statement that, in tough times, "it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

The Tennessee Republican Party has always been proud of America. To further honor the occasion of Mrs. Obama's visit, the Tennessee Republican Party has requested the playing of patriotic music by radio stations across the state.

Comments

[realtalk]

If they start attacking Michelle, then is Cindy McCain fair game?! Because Cindy McCain is open to criticism in many areas, letting her husband use her private jet to exploit a tax loophole, not releasing her tax records, and her past drug addiction, and Cindy's own admitting that she had stolen the drugs from a nonprofit medical relief organization, and was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the possible manipulation of the criminal justice system by her John McCain to keep the story from coming to light.

READ ALL ABOUT IT!!! See just who Cindy, and John McCain are. Find out just who the real manipulative McCain is, a man who is a pro at manipulation and is one of the best to players of the manipulation game in Washington. His whole personality, is a lie.

McCain would be wise to use whatever LITTLE power he has, and get republicans to stop attacking ANY democratic wife, because his currently wife is no angel. And his record of having afairs, and dumping his first wife and kids for Cindy Mccian, to get at her money, is not flattering.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/1999/10/18/drugs/

[torrrep]

Has he broken any laws by using her jet? If not shut up. You libs had NO problem with Kerry being supported by his first, er, I mean second wife.

[lokywoky]

Short answer: YES. The McCain-Feingold Law. Look it up.

Kerry's wife, Teresa Heinz-Kerry released her tax returns.

What's the problem, Cindy?

Kerry was NOT flying on Teresa's corporate jet.

It isn't a problem of support - it's the double standard as usual - and it's on the GOP side - as usual.

[mamamay]

In filing taxes if married, one must report 1/2 and the other 1/2 of joint income earned, plus all of income from single sourced not attached to the other spouse. It takes gas and Machine utilization supplies to fly that plane from place to place. The expenses become a part of JMcC's account and the income received is the counter part. The plane and it's account becomes a reportable item. Yes this involves McCindy. When not reporting it is in violation of accurate accounting. Yes, she must give account of her income and expenses that are involved via his campaign/employment....or the income and expenses are to Johnandcindy as alimony is to husband/wife or wife/husband.

[realtalk]

If they start attacking Michelle, then is Cindy McCain fair game?! Because Cindy McCain is open to criticism in many areas, letting her husband use her private jet to exploit a tax loophole, not releasing her tax records, and her past drug addiction, and Cindy's own admitting that she had stolen the drugs from a nonprofit medical relief organization, and was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the possible manipulation of the criminal justice system by her John McCain to keep the story from coming to light.

READ ALL ABOUT IT!!! See just who Cindy, and John McCain are. Find out just who the real manipulative McCain is, a man who is a pro at manipulation and is one of the best to players of the manipulation game in Washington. His whole personality, is a lie.

McCain would be wise to use whatever LITTLE power he has, and get republicans to stop attacking ANY democratic wife, because his currently wife is no angel. And his record of having afairs, and dumping his first wife and kids for Cindy Mccian, to get at her money, is not flattering.

[Seattlelite]

"for the first time in my adult lifetime I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change.”

These were her EXACT words -- now for those who ARE NOT looking for a reason to attack Mrs. Obama for political reasons it's pretty clear what she means -- she's proud to see her country engaged and wanting to change things for the better.

[obamanation31]

I totally agree.

[pupbayer]

Yes, that is what she said...in a speech. Of course, BEFORE that she gave another speech and that is NOT what whe said in THAT speech.

Accept it. You people can say this stuff over and over and over but no one is buying it. Save your energy for something else.

[DrDemon]

Well you know how those lying, hypocritical republicans are. They will say/do anything; even if it is a blatant lie. They believe things; whether it is convenient/fitting to their cause.

GOP = True HYPOCRITAL LIARS!

[ishy]

Since you feel that you must employ this disgusting tactic to smear Sen Obama's WIFE through airing an edited quote from a speech given weeks ago, let's play fair. Why don't you have Sen McCain instruct his wife to submit her annual tax returns for public review, and ask Sen Clinton to provide financial details on her husband's library and foundation.

[contrariandy]

Why would it be Un-American to say that she hasn't been really proud of our politics? Wouldn't most Americans agree? Not being proud of our politics is very thoughtful, realistic, pro-American, and patriotic - at least in the real world where our facts are things that are actually true.

[moana]

I'm still not proud of this country while Bush is in office and for all the idiot trolls bashing Michelle Obama and taking her words out of context.

NOT PROUD! Are you feelings hurt? Your patriotism shaken?

Big deal. Get over yourselves.

[pleeezzze]

are you trying to snark your way into our whitehouse ??

[moana]

pleeezzze!

[dwillisno1]

pleeze has jumped the snark!

[Seattlelite]

I'll tell you what --There was a time I wasn't only NOT PROUD of this country -- in 2004 I wished I could have left. I still can't get my head around how 50% of this country could elect that stupid, stupid man again for president. I thought something had been put in our drinking water! I was depressed for weeks after he was re-elected. Finally the depression lifted and I just started taking pleasure in his failures and the fact of knowing I wasn't stupid enough to have voted for once let alone twice!!

[torrrep]

Same for Michelle Obama. Others have PLENTY of reason to be proud. If she doesn't like it then too bad.

[Meah]

You show your ignorance by being unable to understand what she was talking about. If you were African American, you would know EXACTLY what she meant. It is not easy living in this country and being proud of it if you are black. Think about it. You probably will not. Michelle has terrific wit and is a classy lady. People who attack her are bigots. If you don't like that, then too bad.

[bikerdude]

Remember what they did to the last black candidate they had there? Smear, slime, lie, lie, lie...It is deep hate for a race with no concern for the candidate. Sure its not all of them but its a hell of a lot of the republicans and those crazies who listen to them.

[vsign]

Obama and his wife think they should be our first family. Why? Because America has offered them such fantastic opportunities and they want more.

Have they sacrificed anything? Have they served this country and its people?

This whole situation is disgusting.

Pay back is necessary. I will vote for a Democratic Congress and protect the Supreme Court appointees by doing so. Obama and his supporters need to be rejected for their opportunism and false values. Write in Hillary at the top of the ballot.

[dill]

Pay back for what, may I ask. Hillary spread lies and smears about Obama, started whisper campaigns, and did everything unethical to hurt Obama's chances and you Hillary people want "pay back"!!?? I really believe what the press keep saying--Hillary supporters are uneducated (and none too bright).

[riverhouse]

Can't do it, vsign. I don't vote for racists. I believe in marginalizing them, not rewarding them.

[pleeezzze]

river ..How sad for you that you can't define racist .

I'd say from reading your posts ,you definitly fill the bill .
Makes your argument Moot, huh ?

[kathyhussien]

You probably voted for the Bushes a family of nazi sympathizers and traitors.

[cheforacle]

Campaigning for President is not something anyone does unless they are committed to America. People voted for him. That's why he deserves to be in the White House.

[99hockeyman]

George Bush served it hiding out in Alabama, but that is allright with you, troll.

[tdterry1999]

Hell yeah were not scared of being labled racist,we will call out anyone.

[pupbayer]

Why would they be called racist for this? They didn't attack her as an AA or as a woman. They attacked her as unAmerican which is pretty fair.

[who38]

I don't understand this "unAmerican" concept. Please explain.

[disgusted48]

You want to know my definition of unAmerican is? Taking this country into an illegal war, killing innocent American soldiers and Iraqis for no good reason and then making the American tax payer pay for it. Also voting for a preemptive war is unAmerican. I guess we all have our definitions of the term "unAmerican."

[Bluesage]

First, the GOP are pathetic and I agree with them on nothing.

But, I seem to recall that many posting here who are so outraged that anyone would question the statements made by Michelle Obama are the same people who have eviserated both Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton because of their support of Hillary. You all thought asking Chelsea about her father's infidelity was just fine - in fact, many were just brutal in their support for that. You've accused Bill and Hillary of "pimping" out their daughter. Does that sound familiar to all you hypocrites?

Michelle Obama is not immune from criticism. She has on more than one occasion proven to be a rude and tactless woman. She chose to put herself out there and campaign. You and she can't make up different rules for her.

[era996]

No one attacked her. They just pointed the words that she said. Shuster, Mathews and Olberman, on the other hand are attacking the Clintons all the time.

[pleeezzze]

Not to mention these very same complainers ,are the ones who insisted Chelsea was fair game to be asked about her fathers sex life .

Maybe ,next someone should begin to ask missy Michele about Obama ,as well.

[nellie]

Attacking the wife. What's next, I dare not think.

What craven wretches the authors of this video are. How can any man believe that he has any honor speaking on this disgraceful piece of cowardice. Attack the wife. Yes, that's big and brave, Republicans. That shows what real men you are.

[CheshireCat2]

She stumped and grabbed the microphone. So, what is your point?

[CheshireCat2]

Well, the point is she said what she said and that messes up your image of the Messianic tandem.
Deal with it.

[klmebane]

she said what she said, true. but what she actually said and what this ad quoted her as saying are not the same thing. and for republicans to say they have always been proud of their country is dangerous. they were proud of slavery, discrimination, separate but equal, no voting rights for anyone but white men, no laws to protect children from abuse... this country has done many things that are not things to be proud of. admitting that doesn't make one un-american, it just makes them honest.

[CheshireCat2]

Looks like I played this one out again without a viable challenge. What's new?

[Citizenofreality]

She said it, she then said that she misspoke and that she has always been proud of her country. This gotcha' campaigning proves that the right can't run on the issues that are important to the American people. BTW, you should be proud of your country too, it allows ego maniacal contrarians like you to voice your opinions in an open forum even though you add absolutely nothing to the conversation. signed, a proud Mayflower descendant and 12th generation American.

[freshnotbitter]

Talk about how you can misinterpret something completely if you allow one side to say whatever they want about something.

I just heard a small clip on TV of Michelle explaining what she actually said and what she actually said was:

"I am proud of my country".


And of course if you think about it that is exactly the words she used. "I am proud of my country". That is what she said plain as day.


The part about "first time in my life" was refering to people getting energized about the political process. She was clearly saying that for the first time in her adult life people were energized about the political process and if we all check our facts we see immediately that Michelle is 100 % correct.

Nobody has raised the kind of small donations in such great numbers as Obama has. I am one of them. I send $25 in those months when I have a litle extra. Nobody in recent history has attracted the sheer number of people into auditoriums to hear Obama talk. Hillary appears in small rooms of small but very energized supporters.

I can't wait for Americans to really see what this imbroglio was really about. More "weapons of mass destruction"? I think so.

[finlandstation]

perhaps you didn't see the actual unedited statement which she was reading from a prepared script. and by the way, she made the same remarks a second time later that day. i can't wait for voters to really see what this "imbroglio" is really about.
additionally, from the posts coming from her defenders, she apparently is totally justified in saying what she's been accused of saying. go ahead and defend them. as much as the obama's will be the subject of the fall campaign, so will be statements from his supporters.

[kathyhussien]

I find it amazing people here are questioning the words she said about not being proud is it that you believe her not to be patriotic. Well, tell how it is the you people voted GW Bush in office twice when his entire family history is that of traitors and Nazi sympathizers. Oh I get it, it's ok if you are a traitor or a nazi but you can't be black. And don't give me the Bull shit it not about race. You see I hear all the talk about lapel pins and that craps I have yet to see McCain, Hillary, Bush, or any number of congressman on TV who has on a flag pin on , but the only person being single out is Obama, why is that? Cindy McCain just divested herself of 1.2 milliion dollars from Darfur, people are being slaughter over there and she's making money off of it, but that ok that doesn't offend your sensibilities.

[CheshireCat2]

Please enlighten me on how that was a misinterpretation?

Start with,"for the first time in my life, I am proud of my country," because everyone from me to Donald Duck knows that's what she said. Try again!

[devadasi]

So what cheshirecat2? She was expressing a heartfelt emotion, perhaps a poor choice of words, but I did not take offense. You're just looking for an excuse not to like the Obamas.

[finlandstation]

perhaps your heart wouldn't let your ears transmit her words to your brain. there is really no way to defend her statement. it was arrogant and elitist. as were obama's statement about small town voters.
i, along with millions of other democrats are offended. this alone should make you want to listen and to think before you tell us to shut up. in fact, the greater the insults, the more that less of us will ever vote for him - keep it up and the 18 million voters who prefer hillary will swell to 20 million by november.

[kathyhussien]

I would want to defend her statement I agree with them. I'm 56 years old and there not a whole this country has done to be proud of. Interned the Jews, put the Native American on reservations,those they didn't kill and stole their land, slavery, gave syphilis to about 150 men and didn't treat them to see what would happen, unequal rights for women and blacks. Unequal pay for women and blacks, The bombing of Hiroshima,Iraq, and that is only a small fraction of what this country has done around this world and here at home, so not there is not a lot to be proud of.

[vsign]

Obama doesn't want to get his hands dirty.
He can't stand on his own two feet.
His supporters have to carry him,
Or he has to cling to a church pulpit.

Obama throws his chin in the air,
And looks down at us.
When he isn't reading a telepromter,
He stumbles and stutters with his words and thoughts.

Who is the real Obama?
What can he really DO?

Who does he think we are?
Sweeties? Consumers? Just ready and able to serve him?

What does he think America is?
57 or 58 states?