Obama To Tennessee GOP: "Lay Off My Wife"

WASHINGTON — Democrat Barack Obama has a message for Tennessee's Republican Party: "Lay off my wife."

Obama, his party's presidential front-runner, and his wife, Michelle, were asked in an interview aired Monday on ABC's "Good Morning America" about an online video last week by the state's GOP taking her to task for a comment some considered unpatriotic.

"The GOP, should I be the nominee, can say whatever they want to say about me, my track record," Obama said. "If they think that they're going to try to make Michelle an issue in this campaign, they should be careful because that I find unacceptable, the notion that you start attacking my wife or my family."

He called the strategy "low class."

The video, posted on YouTube, centered on remarks Michelle Obama made while campaigning in Wisconsin last February, when she said: "For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country."

The four-minute video replayed the remark six times, interspersing it with commentary by Tennesseans on why they are proud of America. In a news release that included a link to the video, Tennessee's GOP said "the Tennessee Republican Party has always been proud of America." It urged radio stations to play "patriotic music" during Michelle Obama's visit to Nashville last Thursday.

Michelle Obama later clarified the remark, saying she meant she was proud of how Americans were engaging in the political process and that she had always been proud of her country.

"Whoever is in charge of the Tennessee GOP needs to think long and hard about the kind of campaign they want to run, and I think that's true for everybody, Democrat or Republican," Obama said in the ABC interview, adding: "These folks should lay off my wife."

Obama said his wife "loves this country. For them to try to distort or to play snippets of her remarks in ways that are unflattering to her is, I think, just low class. I think that most of the American people would think that as well."

Tennessee's Republican Party was roundly criticized in March, including by likely presidential nominee John McCain, for a news release that used Barack Obama's middle name _ Hussein _ and showed a photo of him wearing what it said was "Muslim attire."

The release ultimately was removed from the party's Web site at the urging of the state's two Republican senators and Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan, who said he "rejects these kinds of campaign tactics."

Comments

[JoyceBains]

YOU GO, OBAMA!!! This man loves his wife so much. I love seeing them together.

[MacTheBlogger]

Michelle Obama is making ongoing political speeches in support of her husband, and is therefore fair game, as are her words. I do hope Obama can grow a bit thicker skin, even someone with his limited political experience should be able to deal with this. She's a part of this campaign, too bad.

Since she's probably our next First Lady, I'm hopeful Michelle can be tough. Goodness knows, I also hope her seemingly never-ending stream of cynical negativity about America will calm down once she's in the White House.

This kind of thing is hilarious, and illustrates one of my favorite absurdities of partisan politics, both sides: "If I slam you, it's criticism; if you slam me, it's an unfair attack." Sheesh.

This would be funny if it weren't so serious.

[BlueStateMan]

wnat to know something, bunky?

It's NOT "serious".

It's a diversion from your bankrupt policy ideas......this from a party who felt that the First Lady should "keep her place" like Laura.....

Have you noticed the obvious HYPOCRISY in the term "fair game" when it is decidedly UNFAIR?

[lincheryl]

I am so tired of the opponents taking ONE WORD or ONE SENTENCE and looping it like a two-year-old. Gas is $4.00 a gallon and people are moving out of their homes. Let's talk about something important that we can fix. Like the war!

[Inaru]

I am laughing to split my sides at you hoping Michelle "gets tough". Mac, she'd wipe the floors with you if she could be as free as you and me to say what she thinks personally. And if you could stop freaking out at her beautiful black face while she says millions of words of praise for this country and her family's achievements in it, you'd know it.

In her adult life, she found nothing to be proud of, when we had stopped creating opportunities for the middle class, had sent our best jobs and our national security overseas, had let our public schools go from the best to the worst in the industrial world, refused to stop being the biggest polluter in the world, launched an illegal war against the wrong country, and left our veterans, as well as unemployed families, to sleep under bridges, sick in body and soul and 100% neglected.

Until now. Not because everyone's hyped about her husband - she's joked that it seems silly to her, he's just a man. She's proud because never before have so many taken so much measured, thoughtful, cooperative action, sacrificing the little dollars we can spare and all the hours we can steal from our harried lives, to change the course we've been on and are still on, faster than ever. She's proud because we stopped giving up. So am I.

[WorkingClass]

I'm an old white guy, born in 9944. I was steeped in American exceptionalism growing up. I've been working hard, paying my taxes and staying out of trouble all my life. I was honorably discharged from the US Army back in 1968. And I can honestly say, I have never been proud of my country. So Mrs. Obama is a step ahead of me.

As for the Tennessee Republicans. Your gonna need a new party. Come November the Republican party will be DESTROYED. Good riddance.

[remedy]

I think hes telling them if the game they want to play is smear the candidates wife then becarefull what you wish for. Princess Cindy has many skeletons to bare.

[dora rice]

funny, he didn't mind Hillary getting smeared for one whole year. What's the difference. She is somebody's wife and a mother. He likes to dish out, but crys when he is getting some back.

[omaro]

Dora, I don't think you understood his comment: he is the candidate; Hillary is the candidate; both are fair game. That said, I think "remedy" may be on to something about this being a two-way street when it comes to looking at the candidates' spouses. All candidates are in a no-win situation here. Lets' face it, whatever they say, those in opposition will try to make something of it. Remember when one Democratic presidential candidate--was it Dukakis?--did not appear to defend his wife's honor and safety enough when asked about what he would do if his wife was raped and murdered? Politics is a rough game, and I think Obama looks good when he defends his wife, even if she is part of the campaign and is fair game. And, he telegraphs that he will respond and not just "take it." I'm glad I'm not running for president.

[who38]

Hillary is a candidate so she is fair game. If Bill had been smeared, that would have been a different issue. Notice how untouched he was? No one every questioned her judgement about marrying a sex-junkie or complained that he was interfering in her campaign....which he did most of the time. What is your REAL problem, Dora?

[Oldtt]

Politics of unification at work: you smear my wife and I'll double-smear yours. Be afraid McCain, be very afraid.

[presto]

For God Sakes. What does this guy think he's doing? Running for Homecoming King? He hasn't seen anything yet. It isn't clear what he will do when the whole world ignores his warning. Water bombs maybe?

[notyouraveragebear]

Hmmm... isn't Tennessee the State that gave us Near Dead Fred Thompson? That should be enough to tell you what kind of fools they have in the TN GOP.

[who38]

LOL

[RainboWalrus]

The GOP is just taking cheap shots now. Get over it. Your the party of the past.

[stageplay]

This kind of crap is what we have come to expect from the Republican Party over the years, so it really comes as no surprise. The Republican Party used to have some degree of integrity a couple of decades ago. With the presidency of George Bush, the Republican Party has lost what little integrity remained. Now, the Republican Party is a party without dignity. It is truly a shame what the neo-cons and religious right have done to the Republican Party.

[BurtR]

Lee Atwater started this in the campaign of Bush 41. He made Karl Rove look like a Peace Corps volunteer. An apprentice of his is the despicable Mary Matalin. It will be sooo gooood to retire her and Carville from national life. A new day will dawn.

[chyko]

It is sad that some people who are bereft of substance to campaign on would target a candidate's wife for riddicle. Michelle Obama should not and must not be the object of Republican dirt campaign tactice. If the Tenn Republican cannot find a suitable subject to slap on Barack, they should be quiet and stop making an ass out of themselves. We still recall what they did in the last senate race, and while the rest of Americans are moving forward, it seems the the Tenn Republican party is moving on the opposite direction. One wonders how they will feel if a group of people sympathetic to Obama decide to go after McCain's wife and the use of or addiction to (prescription) drugs? If one live in a glass house, one must not throw stone.

[omaro]

Yes, and the fact that she stole drugs from a charity she herself had founded--well documented and admitted to.

[Breni]

The fact that Cindy admitted to her crimes is good, even though NO crimes are good. The fact tht Obama and his 'sweetie' haven't fessed up to their TRUE beliefs in that church they belong to, or how they REALLY feel about small-town gun/bible 'clinging' dumb-folk who aren't voting for him - is another matter. We're waiting for the REAL Obama and his bitter, complaining wife to reveal themselves and admit that they ACTUALLY heard some of Wright's anti-everything sermons. Fat chance of that!

[RoSull]

If Michelle Obama is fair game in this campaign, then so is Cindy McCain. Keep in mind they are not running for public office, their husbands are. Also, they are not trying to set themselves up to run for the presidency in 8-16 years as HIllary did.

[KarlRoves3rdchin]

still wondering when MSM is going to address Cindy McCain's years long drug addiction and robbery (stealing drugs from the org she worked for her fix). Still waiting

[GhostintheMachine]

What does that have to do with Michelle Obama's statement?

[presto]

Nothing. It's the old "duck and dodge".

[skibum49]

Actually the only part of that story that merits some interest is what part Senator McCain played in keeping her out of jail. It was very apparant that he played a big part in getting the county attorney to go after the guy who outed her drug problems to the DEA. How much of an influence he played with the DEA in keeping her from being charged with two federal felony counts has never been made clear.

[PLUMPLUM]

Why is it strange that The GOP would attack Michelle? It's not strange to me. They are church- going, so-called abortion hating, closet homosexual, white collared criminal frauds who call their wives c....t.

They are a most cowardly and immoral set.

[sayinisayu]

wow

very well put plumplum

[usedtowander]

Why does Obama think that his wife is any less subject to scrutiny than Bill Clinton's wife was when Bill Clinton was running for and in office?

He and his supporters make a good deal of her comments and actions while Bill Clinton was President.

What's good for one is good for the other.

Toughen up, Obama.

[NoOona]

Bill Clinton's wife wanted to be front and center. They both said that you get two for the price of one. And as of late, she basically claimed that she was a co-president. So, she wanted center stage and she got it. That is not the case with Michelle Obama.

[peskyliberal]

Maybe Obama took notes from McCain 2000 Campaign and learned a thing or two?
Maybe Bill Clinton should took up for his wife?

[sky2blue]

Obama and his supporters make a good deal of her comments and actions while Bill Clinton was president since she's now running for president. She claims those 8 years as part of her experience. How does that equate to anything about Michelle Obama?

[KarlRoves3rdchin]

OH PLEASE - if Obama said even one thing about Cindy McCain's drug addiction, or refusal to show her tax returns, or the fact that she was an adulterer (with John) -McCain, the MSM, and the RNC would have a freaking heart attack so shut up!

[CaptainVideo]

Obama can't say anything about it, but we can and should.

[Jeff1958]

Do you have any evidence that Barack Obama said anything inflamatory about Hillary when Bill Clinton was President? I didn't think so.

[usedtowander]

When Bill Clinton was running for and POTUS, while Hillary Clinton was First Lady, Barack Obama was an obscure, low-level, local south Chicago politician.

Who cares what he said then? Who would even know. He's only been subject to scrutiny since he ran for the Senate. And, he started running for POTUS only a year after becoming a Senator. Since then, he's hardly shown up to work for the people of Illinois.

Obama and his supporters have had plenty to say about HRC's time as First Lady of Arkansas and First Lady of the U.S.
And, they have plenty of comments about Mrs. McCain.

His response to the scrutiny his wife is receiving when acting in public on his behalf is childish and stupid because such scrutiny - when in front of television cameras - is precisely what they invite.

Obama's response to this kind of scrutiny shows his lack of political and his lack of toughness. Especially issuing a threat like, "lay off my wife."

[trademan]

Sadly, Mrs. Obama is target for the media as well as the grumpy old men from the GOP, that said, anyone, and I do mean ANYONE with even a good grasp of the English language will understand exactly what she meant when she said, "For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country." It takes a moron to dilute her words and make them seem more than they are not and then having her defend herself. If this is the best the GOP can conjure up right now then I say let them it just shows how pathetic they have become.

[SamanthaJaneSalem]

Michelle Obama didn't say it was the first time she loved America. She said it was the first time she was proud, and she meant the American government. It's like your kids-- you love them no matter what (I hope) but if they're little brats breaking things and being bad all the time, could you really be proud of them?

Republicans who criticize Michelle Obama really support a kind of "Socialized Patriotism." Which is to say, you take an equal amount of patriotism and spread it out among everyone, no matter what your country does to deserve it. It doesn't earn your feeling of pride-- you just give it away, and always the same amount.

This goes against the conservative notion of trying to be the best and not expecting anything to be given to you if you haven't worked hard for it on your own. They want everyone to be proud of America no matter what America does-- and that means we don't try to be as successful a country as possible, because you end up with a slacker mentality of praising America even if we allow it to become a crappy place.

Mark my words, if we keep up this flag pin mentality of socialized patriotism, we'll end up a poor, uneducated, crime-infested country-- where everyone is still so awfully proud to be an American.

[kas70]

That was one of the most intelligent and thoughtful posts I have read in a very long time - well said!