Le Monde Publishes Never-Before-Seen 1996 Interview With Obamas About Their Marriage

The French newspaper Le Monde on Saturday took the Obama team by surprise by publishing an interview with Barack and Michelle Obama from 1996 in which the two spoke at length about their marriage, only four years after they were wed, and two years before their oldest daughter Malia was born.

Many themes will not surprise those who know or follow the Obamas.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[XME]

Sean Hannity: Clearly the French media witheld this until after the election because they are "in the tank" for Obama and it would have cost him the election (his response to ANYTHING new that comes out about Obama: http://mediamatters.org/items/200812190008).

[Rescisco]

Yawn! I mean no disrespect, but what's the big deal? I repeat, yawn!

[PippiLongstocking]

Then why are you here? Because you love it?

[Yalegirl03]

That was a nice article. I love the Obamas and I can't wait until Jan 20!

[bogues]

The article was warm and insightful but of course the Obama haters are already scouring every word to find something that they can turn into a controversy. It is sad that some are so attached to their blind hate, they will never come to terms with the fact that Mr. Obama is just a man who has an open mind and such love for his fellow human beings. He clearly is a deep thinker who believes with his whole heart that we can overcome some of the hate and bias that has engulfed our country for centuries and his hunger for love and family really tugged at my heart.

[haval2]

Lighten up...they're great and we need a change.

[AndThenOneDay]

Very sweet. I like my president to be all connected to the world. In love with a woman who can look right through him. Kids to worry about and give him perspective. Bulls and White Sox to give him agida. It's all good.

[Clavis]

Let's not get too bothered by all the Republicans and conservatives showing up here to spew their fearful hatemongering.

After all, Republicans are the people who brought us Nixon, Bush Jr. and Ronald Reagan -- a man who cut-and-run from Lebanon, who sold arms to Iran illegally to fund South American terrorism, and who turned America from the world's largest creditor to the world's largest debtor, all while handing trillions of our tax dollars to his buddies in the defense industry.

Yet, peversely, people here are attacking Obama for being good at giving a speech? Oh, you mean he's a "Great Communicator"? LOL Republicans are such relentless hypocrites and authoritarian patsies, it's not even funny!

[JScott]

Wow the trolls hath visited here and on the link.

[luvangelHussein330]

pathetic isn't it....

[SPQR1052]

Am I going to translate this entire article with meanings for some of these ..... lacking common sense? Its a beautiful article, if you understand it and preferably know at least basic FRENCH that you should have learned in American High School!

[yearlin]

i think the article is a hoax. why would an american mag let alone a french mag interview obama...obama wasn't even in the IL state senate

[SPQR1052]

Ahhhh, In France they have very STRICT media guidelines- I know I am American in Europe - its not like USA in fact the press and paparazzi aren't PERMITTED to photograph politicians or CELEBRITIES when they are in PRIVATE ENVIRONMENTS, i.e. home, shopping, etc.. Also, they cannot publish ANYTHING that is not substantiated via FACTS - and if it is an OPINION it must be supported.

You see, he who doubts, the Europeans have STRICT enforcement of MEDIA laws at least within the EUROPEAN UNION. If the journalist say something on TV or in print their heads are literally and figuratively on the line if it is NOT CORRECT. And forget about a photo of a politician with his mistress or out with his family - FORGET IT - isn't gonna happen UNLESS its a POLITICAL event.

I of course don't agree with their strict rules regarding the media but it is what it is. SERIOUS journalism.

And on final point, well forget it its evident you are not a hefty reader beyond, "Dick and Jane see Spot run."

[SPQR1052]

Learn to read, comprehend, digest and research. That Public education on the taxpayers dime has really done well for you.

Go luck with your theory.

[sbrown80]

She's talking about college not high school.

She went to Harvard and Princeton. In this world, that's considered private school.

Get your facts straight Republican troll.

[SPQR1052]

You are correct, ignore the idiota. In fact the word "fabricate" also has a different meaning in French and is not negative like in USA. I am American living in Europe and France is my base while here. The FREE translators are not and i repeat NOT entirely trustworthy. They may have the translation correct but words have many meaning in foreign languages depending on placement and annunciations.

EVERYTHING DOES NOT CORRELATE TO AN ENGLISH WORD.

Just FYI to those who've posted comments as if they were "experts" of the French language. Heck, some of them are even masters of the English language their mother tongues!

To reiterate, ignore the tripe from the "salopes." (French and not very nice word."

[gdaddo]

When I need to translate something, I don't go to "free translation. com" I go to vol. 1 of my copy of the Harrap French-English dictionary (unabridged edition). You know, the translator's edition.

école publique : American public school; British state school
école privée : private school
établissements privés : private schools

Michelle Obama is quoted in the Le Monde interview as having said that she went to private schools.
She actually went to an excellent public school, one of the first magnet schools, on the taxpayer's dime. She was smart and her daddy was a democrat precinct boss.

Free translation.com is worth exactly what you pay for it : nothing. That's why we human translators are still in business. ;)

[SPQR1052]

You are not correct. The words mean the same depending which context they are used and in this case it means PUBLIC. I am American, live in France and mother is French so lets talk FRENCH.

[Strywever]

She went to Princeton and Harvard, which are considered private (vs public, or state) universities. I imagine that's what she was referring to.

You might want to broaden your view a bit -- your limitations are showing.

[iswideopen]

The most loving couple I have seen in many, many, years!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!! Absolutely "deep"!!!!!!!!!

[gdaddo]

The Bushes are currently in the White House.

[sonoffestus]

It appears that we have some pretty decent and down to earth folks living in the White House.

[gdaddo]

Decent down to earth people aren't ashamed of having gone to public school. Nor do they lie about it.
Read the actual interview. It's not about their marriage. It's about their backgrounds and plans for the future.

http://www.lemonde.fr/ameriques/article/2009/01/10/en-1996-les-confidences-de-michelle-et-barack-obama_1140178_3222_2.html

[Yola]

5 posts? Where is your proof that she went to private school? Do you think for one minute the republicans would not have screamed out loud about this? I would be quick to believe that the French interviewer got it wrong before accepting that anyone lied.