In the latest NY Times/CBS News poll, I think one number has been over looked. Michelle Obama has a stunningly low approval rating with white people. Only 24% of white Americans have a favorable view of her.
That's George Bush-like numbers. That's almost in Dick Cheney territory. I don't get it. What did she ever do to anybody?
She seems like an exemplary wife and mother. She is a hard working and accomplished American. What is it about her that is so off-putting to white Americans? I am sincerely puzzled.
I have a terrible answer. It's an answer I can't quite believe is true -- and I don't want to believe is true. But I don't see a reasonable alternative explanation. Racism.
I hope I'm wrong. But I can't see what else it could be. What in the world is wrong with her? Absolutely nothing. Strong, smart, likeable, caring. Maybe she's too strong. I am sure there are people out there who want women who are less vocal. This might be the same crowd who hated Hillary Clinton.
And, of course, there are a variety of factors that go into any phenomenon like this. There are also the people who are offended by her out of context comments on how this is the first time she's proud of her country. That seems to make people really mad. Though they didn't seem that angered when John McCain made very similar comments.
Do we honestly believe that most Americans would question Cindy McCain's patriotism if she said the same exact thing as Michelle Obama? I think no one would have even noticed it. You can't question Cindy McCain's patriotism -- she's white, blond and has blue eyes. Obviously, she's a patriotic American. If you think that doesn't make a difference in people's perception, you're crazy or not being honest with yourself.
By the way, Barack Obama didn't do that much better with white folks, which is also disconcerting. He only had a 30% approval rating. But I get that. He's running for president and there are many things you can legitimately like or dislike about any candidate. And it's perfectly reasonable to believe that approval rating is connected to his stance on the issues. But candidates' wives tend to do better than the candidate. They don't have as much political baggage and it's hard to say you don't like someone's wife for what appears to be no apparent reason. I haven't seen the last numbers on it, but I'd be surprised if Laura Bush isn't doubling her husband in popularity.
Even if you were to grant all of the arguments against Michelle, it still wouldn't explain a popularity rating in line with George W. Bush. How could she be less popular than the most unpopular president in US history? That doesn't make any sense.
I think America needs to look in the mirror and figure out what its problem is. I honestly can't see anything wrong with Michelle Obama. Some might consider me biased, but I'm trying to look at this thing objectively. I understood why Hillary Clinton's ambition rubbed people the wrong way (even if I didn't agree with that sentiment). I understood why some didn't like Teresa Heinz Kerry, because she was eccentric, hard-charging and had an accent. None of these reasons are legitimate, but I get them. With Michelle Obama, there is so little to legitimately, or illegitimately, dislike. That's why I'm left with the main explanation of race.
We need to try to come to terms with the prejudice that I think is lurking beneath the surface. I'm not sure people even recognize that they dislike Michelle Obama. I think it's something more instinctual than rational. That instinct is what we need to explore. Because I don't think this is her problem, I think it's our problem. To paraphrase George Costanza, it's not her, it's us.
IMPORTANT UPDATE -- As a number of you have pointed out in the comments below, the way The New York Times framed this poll was very misleading. They left out the number of people who said they were "Undecided" (17%) or "Haven't Heard Enough" (38%) about Michelle Obama. That makes a world of difference. Even the writer of the story has now acknowledged this error.
But it's also my bad, I should have looked into it further because the 24% approval rating is far too low for it to make any sense, hence, my bewilderment in the post above. It turns out there is no good reason to dislike this lovely woman as much as people genuinely dislike George W. Bush. Finally, this mitigates but does not vitiate my race point. I am relieved to see it's not as bad as I was worried about based on the misleading number, but it is certainly still something to keep an eye out for.
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BEHusseinM777
It would be folly to suggest that anyone who criticizes the Obamas on substantive issues is racist. The Obama candidacy is a Big change for this country and has occurred before that of a white woman. Only during the past couple decades have blacks risen to high visibility positions in government other than through representation, i.e. Colin Powell, Candolezza Rice.
Thus I wonder if some of this criticism or disfavor with Michelle Obama isn't manifestation of anxiety in the general populace trying to find some "acceptable" manner in which to express itself - the "first time" comment , a fist bump or any number of basically mickey mouse nitpicks obscuring the hidden reason for disfavor suggested in Mr. Uygur's article. I worry that there is an undercurrent "backlash" (title of a great Freddie Hubbard album, by the way) simmering that is, for lack of a more studious take, uneasiness with the notion of a clearly superior, thoughtful and well-educated black first family.
One hopes this take comprises merely a minute segment of the electorate and that, collectively, we are able to see past all of the smoke screens that will be trotted out to fan this kind of invidious fire.
This personal attack of her makes perfectly clear, Republicans are a desparate and a dissipating brand!
Surely, Cindy is no "saint"!!
Women are not supposed to have stong personas like Michelle. Personally, I love strong women, I'm marrying one. But I know a LOT of men AND WOMEN that have a HUGE problem with women being as strong and tough as Michelle.
This is why people make asinine statements like Senator Obama is "acting white" as if somehow aspiring to excellence is somehow the province of a single race or ethnic group.
Mrs. Obama is an intelligent, attractive, dedicated wife and mother--a woman who is successful in her own right. I'm surprised that all of these "so called" feminists are not speaking our on her behalf.
i think she is like my wife....and i love my wife...........
This historical election with it's MSM identity politics has actually revealed, caused much to come out from hiding ... I now know many United States where I will never vacation!
The gesticulation which reminds me of a rapper trying to get a point across seems a little too harsh for First Lady. I can't imagine Laura or Cindy saying "Let me tell you something" and the right arm goes up and starts making the point - possibly a lawyer.
The wide-stance walking. Obviously she did not go to Mrs. Manners school around the corner. The parents scraped together what they could and invested in academia instead - most normal parents.
Probably some just can't imagine her curtsying like Carla Bruni. It,s a European thing. Not even Venus does it at Wimbledon anymore - normal American woman, who is going to vote and didn't attend Mrs. Manner's school.
One Hillraiser even went on to say that she did not like Barack - "I just don't like him", and referring to Michele " She seems to have a hard edge to her." This one seems pointless. She just can't believe that her white girl with the neglectful/wandering husband problem and who was being invested in all these years, did not run a good campaign and snag the nominatiion. Normal - sometimes s!#t happens.
What has this woman done to become so disliked? I really want to know. So she said what she said in her speach about being proud of her country. So what! In my 45yrs on this planet, I can count on one hand how many times I have been "proud" of this country. So she said this country is mean. Surprise....... this country can be and has been mean.
The hypocricy is astounding. So republicans put up a video w/people expressing their love for this country. Question. Can you love something and yet have times when you are not necessarily proud of it?
I understand what Mrs. Obama is saying and what she means. The way that she is being betrayed and attacked is pretty much proving her point and justifying her feelings. How could u be proud or have love for a country where the race card is played in a polical race by a bunch of white politicians against the black spouse of the front runner. How can u be proud of a country when over 4K young people h/been killed in a war for revenge instead of WMD. How can u be proud of a country where people are pitted against each other for gain.
If people prefer drug stealing Cindy, what does that say about this country?
Whether you're unhappy with the current economy, the war in Iraq, or the Bush administration, you should be proud to live in a free country where the government doesn't limit your liberties by regulating your life.
As the blog reads, similar quotes made by John McCain were not taken out of context, and hammered home by faux news
With this full blown assault on Michelle Obama's character, I'm surprised that her favorablity ratings have managed to stay above single digits.
I find it appalling that this false news organization has managed to do this with out more fire from the real news media!
I loved Laura Bush, but still I can't wait for our next great first lady, Michelle Obama!!!