Barack Obama: Lay Off My Family

On the same day that former GOP presidential contender Mike Huckabee told his party that demonizing Barack Obama is a 'fatal mistake,' Obama told a reporter from CBN news that the GOP needs to lay off his family. Read part of the transcript below and watch the interview here.

Obama told CBN News that he is deeply disappointed that John McCain has not spoken out against political attacks leveled at his wife.

"I think families are off limits. I would never consider making Cindy McCain a campaign issue," he said. "And if I saw people doing that - I would speak out against it. And the fact that I haven't seen that from John McCain I think is a deep disappointment."

The McCain campaign sent CBN News a written response to Obama's comments.

"Senator McCain agrees with Senator Obama that spouses should not be an issue in this campaign, and he has stated that position frequently," Joe Pounder, McCain's spokesman, said. "Unfortunately, when the Democratic National Committee was attacking Mrs. McCain, Senator Obama was not strong enough to stand up and speak out."

"Obama's silence speaks volumes, and it's unfortunate that he would single out others for a standard he himself has failed to live up to," he said.

Comments

[GBartrem]

"I'm sorry, but I don't consider being a teacher or a librarian huge accomplishments,"

WoW! becomming a teacher is not a good thing?

[kay]

I disagee. It's a fine thing.

[BlindedbytheSlight]

That's the right answer, kay.

You're way to smart for the trap. I'll bet you won't bite when they start going after McCain's war record, either.

You're the best of what's left, kay.

[pupbayer]

Obviously, Goodandevil was not fortunate, as many of us were, to have a teacher or teachers who truly touched his/her life.

[TrueIndy08]

hey... I;m a teacher... the most rewarding thing ever!!! Besides being a mom!

[rosal]

I guess she/he didnt truly touched your intelligence. Judging by your posts

[ChiGuy]

Oh please.

[kevenseven]

Don't you need to go get some more cheese for your whine?

Grow a pair and then come back.

[Mercurial]

Perhaps its where I live or something ....but a good deal of my teachers were sorry.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

Where did I write it wasn't "a good thing"?

It's a good thing for those who choose to do it and enjoy it.

I stand by my original statement.

[MichiganJFrog]

Just BEING a teacher isn't all that much of an accomplishment in and of itself.

Being a great teacher is the best thing a person can do, IMHO.

[tony2008]

Being a teacher is a great accomplishment. What is your definition of accomplishment?

[kay]

Is there a donation page set up for Larry Sinclair's legal defense?

Remember when conservatives donated to Scooter Libby's defense?

Suckers.

[whizkid]

Theres enough debris with both these guys and their wives to have a field day.

[Probus]

It is interesting that Cindy McCain attacks Michelle Obama on her comments about being proud of her country for the first time while Laura Bush defends Michelle. Cindy McCain comes across as a multi millionaire heiress who is unable to relate to the average voter, while Michelle seems so down to earth, friendly and approachable.

[PDXJoe]

So, basically John McCain stated attacks on a candidate's family is fair game. What a butt munch.

[aznurse]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned that the FISA "compromise" is coming up for a vote really soon.
I hope Obama can take a break from the campaign a vote against it.
I haven't seen it on huffpost

[Probus]

Wanting to attack Michelle Obama shows McCain and the RNC's desperation. Obama is leading McCain in national polls. He also leading McCain in critical states like FL, OH and PA. The RNC should be careful if they attack Michelle too aggressively they risk alienating female voters who already favor Obama by large margins.

[JimInArizona]

If you want to play hard ball wear a cup, or get out of the game.

[Verified]

Jim, are you suggesting Michelle Obama needs an athletic protector?

[kay]

Cindy is polling poorly.

Do you think it's because no presumptive First Lady has ever attacked her husband's opponent's wife before?

Tacky, tacky, tacky, Trust me on this.

[BlindedbytheSlight]

It's rare that a nominee's wife provides the ammunition like Michelle has.

What, did you think she could campaign and still remain above the fray?

I-ont-think-so!

[CTtransplant]

Supremely tacky! I agree, kay!

[JimInArizona]

Senator Obama wants to be the leader of the free world; it is an awesome responsibility. If he can’t take the jabs of criticism about his wife how will he react to those who view democracy as the anti-thesis of their personal religious beliefs? The next president of the USA faces difficult choices; it is not for the weak, nor for those who can’t take the heat. Senator Obama, demonstrate your strength as a leader, please don’t be a whiner.

[Kalima]

It is beginning to remind me of a bad "Soap Opera."

[ChiGuy]

So Betty "Bucks" Crocker is fair game?

[kevenseven]

Oh, I'd say.

I think a narrative of a spoiled rich junkie who never had to work a day in her life is just what we need to show the "hard working white people".

[notyouraveragebear]

Ooo... so butch.

[bubbainca]

I wanted to respond to the headscarf story but darn it... huffpost didnt even run it.... come on huffpost ... it's OK... you can run it. In the meantime, I'll just comment here.

Nobody in their right mind can think that this story will get legs. After all, right or wrong, there's not much love lost between muslims and much of America. In fact, the Obama campaign should deliberately try to give this story legs so that they can do the right thing i.e not discriminate and this time without fear of a political fallout.

[quintus]

Joe Pounder's response: what we've come to expect from the Republicans. Pathetic, slimey stuff.

[whizkid]

How naive to expect his family isn't fair game.
As if he's new to national politics.

Oh, thats right. He is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeQsZOQqO6I

[ChiGuy]

Still bitter I see.

[genia]

ugh...it never gets old with you guys....do­n't take much i guess.

[shockmagog]

It's over. Either get with the program, support McCane, or step aside.

[kevenseven]

What do you call a Democrat who refuses to support the nominee?

A traitor to the party.

[Mercurial]

I'm not watching that just because you put the link up. Do you think just because you put it there everyone is going to rush to go see it? They're not gonna. Nice try. Don't wanna look....no­t in the mood. And I don't even know what it is..why do people put those links up like just because they like em they Assume everyone else will be liek....I WANNA WATCH TOO! good gravy

[Susanfrom29]

It's well past time when a politician stood up and said enough to character attacks on his wife. Clinton and Kerry should both have done it.

Our political life will remain tainted until its leaders simply refuse to go there and forbid that territory to their surrogates.

[nellie]

When did the DNC ever attack Cindy????

I think we just witnessed another senior moment.

[kay]

The DNC said Cindy McCain should report her donation of a jet to John McCain as an "in kind" contribution, because not doing so is illegal.

He's going to have to do it, too. Even Republicans don't understand why he's stonewalling.

Report it as a contribution, already.

[JustSaying]

They never attacked her. The comment they are referring to was about his campaign not paying for wifey's private jet. Not exactly in the "baby mama" category.

[bygollymissmolly]

I have a suggestion folks. Let's stop responding to sf94127. It is a right wing t'roll who is here simply to hear the sound of it's own voice. If we ignore it, it will get bored and go away. All it is doing is looking for attention.

[rosal]

I agree completely. Trolls should be ignored. They are here not to have an intelligent conversation, but to create conflict, and do "their ordered duty"

[Nochnoi]

After reading so many posts.... I am surprised that many have a problem with O defending his family.... especially his wife, who is an extremely intelligent, strong woman....

Is it because you repubs are afraid of a woman who can take care of herself, as you seem to prefer the kind of woman who lets her husband call her the most disgusting name in public, and allows herself to humiliated and held back and down by such a man.......­... should we all be barefoot and pregnant?

[FilthyPerson]

O's only intention is to defend his wife?
Ummmmm. Maybe.
But not likely.
More likely his intention is to intimidate everyone from criticizing him in any way.
He's being handled carefully because of his disastrous teleprompter-free performances.
The NYT is even noting the change.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/19/america/19campaign.php?page=1

[genia]

WHAT? ........lo­l..try reading the NYT piece...ta­ke it slow, you can do it.

[ChiGuy]

The article also notes that J-Mac's people have failed to up their protection of him.
The campaigns always tighten-up once they go one-on-one.

Non-issue.

[shockmagog]

It's about winning the general election and the artificial hurdles he must surmount to win it. Maybe you can think back at the times B*sh appeared before camera with his sleeves rolled up looking like he ever worked a day in his life. I know it's a poor analogy, trying to compare a great presidential candidate to a moron, but you get the idea.

[Nochnoi]

I do not think O minds being criticized in any way..... no one has ever said that he is "hands off" at all.... that is media spin, especially from the far right propaganda masters...­.

[kay]

Deliberately mischaracterizing the article.

Most of yuour posts are dishonest or intentionally misleading.

He met with religious leaders without press present because half of them are conservatives, and wouldn't have come if they had been seen as lending a liberal an endorsement.

The article says nothing about Obama himself speaking with the press.

[nellie]

It's typical stone throwing. Some Republicans are living in the wrong century.

[shockmagog]

...and part of it might be because they may be used to the Democrat of the past, one who just tries to let the base criticisms roll off their backs, hoping intelligence and reason will win out in the end. That tactic just doesn't work with Republicans. Ever. It's been proven time and again. So the only recourse is to hit back and hit back hard--so hard that "they've fallen and can't get up."

[vernonbc]

"hoping intelligence and reason will win out in the end."

Don't fear. It will. It is already. Look at the latest polls where McCain is sinking and Obama is rising and they'll continue to rise in Obama's favor because people are sick and tired of McCain style politics. Obama will stay true to his principles and let McCain get more desperate and slimy by the day which will just turn the voters off more. Landslide victory in November for the good guys and....bon­us!, he'll maintain his dignity throughout the process.

[Kalima]

I agree N, I said so in my first post here tonight. These people who have a problem
with this, I can only wonder about there own relationships and feel quite sorry for
their wives, if they have one. A man sticks up for his wife, what is the big deal?
Where I come from, this is normal and expected, I'm confused by the ones who
think this is whining or a weakness. Then again, I'm confused by many of the
heartless comments I have read in my one year here.

[Nochnoi]

I responded but it is a waiting in the nether of the modds

[MichiganJFrog]

It's sad that it becomes more and more clear Republicans are as obsolete as the Smith Corona typewriter that McCain types his letters to Mommy Dearest on.

Okay, not as sad as it is hilarious, but I digress.