Will 'First Granny' Marian Robinson Move Into The White House? (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

There's been a lot of speculation that Michelle Obama's 71-year-old mother, Marian Robinson, will be moving to the White House with her family in January. It would certainly be practical: Mrs. Robinson helped care for granddaughters Sasha and Malia while their parents were on the campaign trail, and the first couple's new schedule will be no less punishing. Below is an introduction to the woman America now knows as 'First Granny.'

**See more about the Obama family or see more Obama slideshows**

SLIDESHOW:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • President-elect Obama shares the stage with his mother-in-law Marian Robinson.

WATCH:

Watch "South Side Girl," the documentary that played before Michelle Obama's DNC speech, which Marian narrated:


Watch "Four Days In Denver," a behind-the-scenes look at the DNC in which Marian appears a few times (first at 1:01):

Comments

[spartanmom]

Okay, here it is. Spread it around

"We the undersigned, want to let Marion Robinson know that the American people support her presence in the Obama White House.

We welcome the example of a traditional extended family that it would set for our nation.

We believe that ensuring the well being of the Obama children is in the National interest

And we therefore urge Ms. Robinson to take our support into consideration as she and her family work through this important decision."

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/we-want-a-first-granny

Do something

Be Change

[belasco]

I want to sign the petition supporting Marian Robinson's move into the White House. We need a White House that reflects our American families in reality. My mother lives with me and she has been a tremendous help with my kids. She moved hundreds of miles from her home to mine when my older son became extremely ill. She was newly retired, and I was struggling to work and handle my kids after my husband left.

This isn't a unique story. Grandmas in the millions, probably, take care of their grandkids, right? Mrs. Robinson can't be much help from Chicago. It only makes sense.

[amb511]

I am no first lady, but I have had the luxury of my own mom in my life as a professional mom, and in my children's lives (and they adore her and have learned so much from her). How could this not be an excellent idea? Do those who suggest that we shouldn't pay for this imagine that we haven't paid, as taxpayers, for similar costs before, for lesser gain? How long can we pretend that we care about young people without actually doing what we know is right for the first family? Will we ever acknowledge the difficulties and what could make the dual earner economy really work?

[iusedtocare]

Everyone has their own opinion, but I don't think that taxpayers should have to pay living expenses for extended family members not because it's such a huge amount of money but because I don't feel it's morally right for a president (or vice president, or any other elected or appointed official whose living expenses are taxpayer funded)

Immediate family members only: husband, wife and children. Other than that, let the president (and all the others I mentioned) pay those expenses themselves or let the person continue to provide for themselves.

There are a number of comments about family members living together and "that's the way it's done," etc. but I don't think taxpayers are paying for those family units so it's not a good comparison.

[psychmaj323]

OH Please, other people have had freaking nannies.

[omaro]

I think you are misinformed. It is my understanding that first families have always paid for their own living expenses--food, nannies, etc. There are definitely two different food budgets, so that the First Family doesn't have to pay the costs of state dinners or other official entertaining, but they pay their own private entertainment expenses. This of course does not include the basic fact of the White House, with its staff, utility bills, etc., but the presence of another person hardly affects these costs, once personal expenses are covered by the First Family. Lyndon Johnson's brother lived in the White House, as did others that I can't remember. So, quit your worrying.

[ncmom54]

How great to have a First Grandma! Talk about family values & the important role of family elders! The impending economic times will likely bring more family members under one roof. I love this! it sets a wonderful example!

[MPeter]

Absolutely. Grandma should move in and take care of the girls. It will be good for them; it will be good for this nation that simply sends its senior citizens to Retirement Homes with lots of counseling and therarappy. Staying with family and caring forgrad kids is a fantastic alternative!!!! Thank You President-elect Obama!

[ChewyToy22]

Wow, I thought the trolls had gone into hiding since the election. What do I know?

[Hechizera]

Are you kidding? They've only gotten worse.

I think it would be kinda cool to have a Grandma in the White House. :-)

[IhaveaDREAMwhitegirl]

Tr0lls, gah, the gift you cant flush. Me, I'm just gonna ignore em while sending them my love.

[mjc]

Maybe Obama's half sister and half brother could move in also. I don't mind Mr. Robinson moving in the WH but I do not think the American people should be asked to fund her stay there. There have been other presidents with grandmothers or mothers but they managed to be seen and loved in their own homes.

[SneathLane]

Really? You want the government to charge our President's family for their food? Charge them rent on their rooms when they stay there? You think the GAO should have billed Barbara Bush when she came to stay with George W? Or billed Chelsea Clinton for her laundry and food?

You are clearly a neo-con who thinks "family values" means the amount of personal wealth each family member has.

In America (the real America) we care about the wellbeing of our families, we understand that each member who contributes to the family makes it stronger, and we understand that families include more than just spouses and children. Obama's mother in law living in the White House would make Obama's family stronger, and hence would support the President in his work.

We can certainly afford to feed the President's family in the White House. We always have. And we have fed the friends of Presidents, too. We have even fed total strangers in the White House. What are you thinking?

[iusedtocare]

Chelsea Clinton was an immediate family member (daughter) so that's not a fair comparison.

[Bella37]

Shut up troll!! She has her OWN money DUH

TROLL

[munki]

Watched this few times... very touching...
Best campaign... best strategy... amazing

[Magella]

BARACK OBAMA TOP TEN:

Fugees - 'Ready Or Not'
Marvin Gaye - 'What's Going On'
Mystique GP -"Vanity"
The Rolling Stones - 'Gimme Shelter'
Nina Simone - 'Sinnerman'
Kanye West - 'Touch The Sky'
Frank Sinatra - 'You'd Be So Easy To Love'
Aretha Franklin - 'Think'
U2 - 'City of Blinding Lights'
will.i.am - 'Yes We Can'

[gardenbookie]

Many American families could learn a thing or two from this decision. It's wonderful that these children can enjoy the companionship, leadership and love from their Grandmother.

[Cheryl19]

President Elect Obama's example of family togetherness (despite its imperfections) is inspirational to the nation. How wonderful for the Obama children to have such a caring grandmother! It will be good for the nation to have an intergenerational first family!

[berrycooda]

What a nice idea....the children need her there with the family.

However, she will be leaving her friends behind in Chicago so it won't be easy
for her to move away, even though it will be exciting for her to be in the White House.

Don't forget, she has her church that she has attended for years and her own privacy
the way she did when she lived in her own home.

So, it will be quite a transition for all the family to make a major move like they will be doing.

[kutkreata]

Imagine how exciting this must be for her. Grandma in the White House '09!

[Kesha]

It is also exciting if the brother and his family could move in the white house. In our country the whole family can live together because it saves money. Helping one another will also help the country. Now that there is a recession we should try to practice austerity. I hope they all live together in one house.

[IslandGirl2U]

Craig's busy trying to lead the Oregon State basketbal team to a winning season. I think he loves basketball too much to move to D.C.

[iusedtocare]

What?? How will it save the country money if more Obama relatives "move in," to the White House? I don't follow your logic at all, Kesha.

[Mybunchofgrapes]

Is she lovely and so supporting do we all wish we had such a mom and she turned out to be great grandmother for any grandmother that gives candy dispute the wishes of the parents is the best.

[peag40]

It takes a village to raise a child. Obama has spoken of the responsibility of parents to be a positive force in the lives of their children. What better example to Sasha and Malia that he also cares deeply for their grandmother.

[iusedtocare]

And it takes taxpayer money to support a President - and his family - and his extended family!