A More Perfect Union: Experts Say Obamas Could Be Relationship Role Models For Nation

It started with the fist bump seen 'round the world. Soon there were stories of rousing family Scrabble battles and date nights, in spite of election mayhem. Then President-elect Barack Obama referred to his wife Michelle as "the love of my life" during his election night victory speech, embracing her tightly and kissing her afterwards, while millions of people worldwide watched.

"They took a moment to face each other, to kiss and hold one another, regardless of the magnitude and spectacle of the night," said Camille Washington, a Bay Area blogger on Soulbounce.com, a music and culture site. "That says a lot."

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[EvangelicalEmpathy]

The Obamas offer a great relationship role model but so does Bush and Laura. I think the Bushes have a very intimate connection that may not be as demonstrative as Obama and Michelle but there is something there to admire. The other day at the presentation of the Peace medal to Bush by Rick Warren, the President called Laura "Baby" and then caught himself and felt the need to explain that's his name for her. You are talking about two different generations.

[Rosey]

This couple has it all-- great love for each other and their children and respective families. We should all be so lucky! They SHOULD be a role model for everyone in the world and sadly this will never happen even in the U.S. where women are often 2nd class citizens.....

[amynorw]

.Here let me finish this sentence for you:..even in the U.S. where women are treated like 2nd class ctizens....like Govenor Palin was treated by the left. There, no need to thank me.

[Rosey]

Theirs is such a beautiful relationship...... I can only dream of one like that for me! Green with envy - but not jealousy. They SHOULD be a role model of a loving family for everyone around the world!

[yhgtup]

This couple clearly has the "hots" for each other. I think it's great!! I've seen quite a few "first couples" during my middle-aged life. None! Not one, has shown genuine affection towards one another like the Obamas. They set a great example for this hard, crusty world we live in.

[UltraClassic]

HuffPo, if you ever want to be taken seriously, you need to drop this kind of nonsense.

And I suppose GW and Laura are some kind of disfuctional freaks, never mind his devotion to his wife prompted him to make a huge change in his life.

Just give it up, who cares about any of this?

[zeitgeist79]

I care about it. It's great to see a first couple who is openly affectionate and clearly madly in love with one another. I think they make excellent role models, and people will be role models no matter what. I suspect that George and Laura have a very nice relationship as well, but I don't have any real evidence of it. It's not like they can't keep their hands off each other like the Obamas (not that that's a requirement of a good relationship, though). What's so wrong with acknowledging that open affection between a married couple might be a good thing? I don't get your objection at all.

It's so sad that so many on this message board see what appears to be a very loving and healthy relationship as anything but positive. We need more love in this world, not less. Stop with all the hater-aid.

[Clavis]

It's not nonsense at all. I'm a single guy who think about what kind of husband and father I would make, or hope to be, and in all sincerity I see Obama as an example of a dedicated, affectionate and insightful husband and father.

There's this moment during the "60 Minutes" interview when Obama says (about Michelle), "She's a sensible person" and looks over at her, when you can see the love and companionship shine out. It's really romantic, even to a cyncial jerk like me.

Think of how much of our politics is nothing but a personality contest, and how that personality contest affects the demeanor and attitudes of our society over those 4 or 8 years that that President serves... Obama's personality DOES affect America's fate, like it or not.

And I like it.

[Verified]

Um....I think that ship has sailed. If you don't take Huffpost seriously, why do you bohter reading it and posting as well?

[666IronMonkey666]

I just wish I was married...

[revruc1]

MEC57 missed the point,"That may be well and good, but Americans need to learn to rely on THEMSELVES for modeling, rather than imitating or mimicking others..."
American and affairs within rely on themselves. This is an example of 'Modeling.' You too had leaders in your life that you are Modeling also. This is a model young and old can be reminded of. Compared to what we have in our so-called free society where every one does that which is right in their own eyes, this is beautiful to see this in a couple.

A Lady's Worth (It started with Mothers)... The worth of a moral lady is advanced of the worth of the opulence of the globe, but the lady and the value of her as a righteous woman has been attenuated by the structured system of human organization of this earth. To attenuate the lady of any nation weakens that nation of its virtue. When the woman of a world standard diminishes "Woe is me," for the Flower of Ecstasy and Bliss has been scorned on an unclothed humanity (Laconic, Dr. Clarence Rucker, PhD FC CCJP ICCS.)


Paradise as Heaven does lie at the top of the Protector"s mind. That is God Himself. This means that you and I should be obliged to lend a hand in the construction of a virtuous life. We should recognize that our children who come into this humanity come in as pure. Let them see good.
www.aheavenatitsbest.com

[mec57]

That may be well and good, but Americans need to learn to rely on THEMSELVES for modeling, rather than imitating or mimicking others...

[Girl28]

What a beautiful, loving couple. I totally disagree with those who say that they are faking it. Why would they bother faking anything? John and Cindy, Bill and Hillary,George and Laura, don't exactly appear to be falling all over each other, because they are just so deeply in love. Being openly in love with your mate is not a requirement for the White House, especially since there has been no precedent in my lifetime. Like it or not haters, this is going to be your new first family! Come on now, give me some dap, a bump, a fist jab! Don't be shy.

[Jaxy]

Just when we were wondering where all of the supporters of the loser, stiff-lipped, unaffectionate GOP ticket went to wither away. There all here, maligning the Obamas, again! How typical and pathetic ...

[SammyGone]

This is so sickening. Kool Aid anyone?

[SammyGone]

Please no PDAs. Role model. That's stupid.

[flash LI]

They are social climbers - or rather, SOCIALIST CLIMBERS!!!

HAHA lol

[queotic]

I really wish people would stop calling it a "fist bump." It's a pound.

[Fongenie]

It's really called a dap.

[sayinisayu]

its a pound, dap was in the sixties with conjoining open hands.

[entropyisfun]

Wrong!, as faux news informed us, the proper term is "terrorist fist jab"

[dora rice]

Get a grip. There are no role models. Only human beings with all their weaknesses.

[luvangelHussein330]

The only one who needs to get a grip it seems is you and your bitterness. No one but you made any refrence to them being perfect angels and everyone should know relationships aren't easy. Would rather there were rumors of him being a dog like Bubba?

[speakyourmind]

Ah, more pearls of wisdom from Dora.....

[blaharumph]

wow.

[BeMellow]

The definition of a role model is someone you want to imitate the behavior of. Humans are imprefect. Some, more so than others, but what gives you the right to tell us who we can and can't look up to?