Michelle Obama In Phoenix: "Fear Is A Useless Emotion"

Tuesday, George Bush and Michelle Obama each traversed McCain's home state of Arizona to raise money for the presidential election. Bush headlined fundraisers for John McCain in Phoenix, and Michelle Obama headlined fundraisers for her husband in Phoenix and Tuscon.

Even in McCain country, President Bush and Senator McCain were unable to draw enough supporters to fill the room they rented at the downtown convention center. The original two-part Bush-McCain event was combined and relocated to a more intimate setting in a private home. According to the local news, the McCain campaign worried that protesters picketing the fundraiser would outnumber guests. Earlier in the week, on Wednesday, they likewise reportedly moved a fundraiser in Utah to a smaller venue.

While the staffs of the president and of Arizona's sitting senator scrambled to find smaller gathering spaces, Michelle Obama, stumping in Phoenix, McCain's hometown, filled a large banquet room just around the corner from where the Republicans originally planned their event-- many of the Obama donors driving through the Bush-McCain protests on their way to hear the Democratic candidate's wife speak.

Beyond Phoenix, the Republican event planners fared no better. In Mesa, in suburban Phoenix, local news again reported hundreds of protesters gathered at a business where Bush and McCain made a press stop. One of the rumored features of the protests included a bed where McCain and Bush dolls were made to sleep together. I never saw the bed. My husband said he saw it on the TV news.

In Phoenix, Michelle Obama drew a crowd unusually diverse for a high-dollar downtown political fundraiser; there were people of every race, class, age, gender, and ethnicity. The fact that there were more women than men was no surprise. Michelle Obama is well liked and admired by women. Voters unsure of Barack, often have a fondness for her. When I told a long-time Republican friend that I would be attending a fundraiser headlined by Michelle Obama, she said, "Tell her my vote for Barack in November is really for her."

Michelle opened by talking about the start of Obama's political career. She has told this story many times. In the beginning, she was an unwilling participant. She draws a picture of herself as a typical cynical American. She was unsure that she wanted to make the personal sacrifices demanded of candidate spouses. She says she was, at first, unable to believe in the possibility of political change. Most of all, she didn't want her children to bear the burden of political parentage. She held up an index finger: "I am a mother first and foremost," her point punctuated by loud, enthusiastic applause.

This story has been a constant in a stump speech she has honed for months. She explains that whenever she thought of her vision for a better America, she thought of her husband's dedication, intelligence, and ability. She seems introspective, remembering the moment of her own realization. With a wide smile, she says, "I realized, he is the man I'd been waiting for."

The audience laughs. Then she pivots, gently shaking a finger, reminding the audience, "Never let anyone tell you that your vision for America can't happen."

She didn't believe people would stand outside in the bitter cold to hear a man named Barack Obama announce his candidacy for president. But 16,000 people showed up that bitterly cold day in Springfield, Illinois. Sixteen thousand people stood outside in the freezing cold because they believed in Barack Obama's vision for America.

She reminded the audience, as she often does, that she is not supposed to be here. She was raised on the South Side of Chicago in a working class family. She was not supposed to go to Princeton. She was certainly not supposed to go to Prince and Harvard. It is beyond a statistical oddity, she says, that she could be the First Lady.

She talked about her family -- her parents, her children, the vision for America shared by the Obama campaign, the crowd interrupting throughout, punctuating each point with enthusiastic applause. After a rousing ovation, she took questions from the audience.

The first person Michelle Obama called on said that she had a comment not a question. She wanted Michelle to know that many of the campaign volunteers will also become active participants in the American democracy after Obama is in office. They will continue to campaign for change long after the presidential campaign has ended. Michelle Obama took this opportunity to thank supporters who have volunteered. She talked for a moment about what it means to give back to the country, how important it is that America has a participatory democracy.

Another questioner started off by saying that she had been disappointed in Barack. Michelle smiled at the audience and said, "Uh oh," as nervous laughter rolled through the audience. The woman explained that she is the wife of a prominent member of the community. She asked if we could count on Michelle "to rein Barack back in" whenever necessary.

Michelle said, "You have just explained the complexities of being the wife of a political figure. My husband is not perfect. I say this all the time."

She reminded the audience that when we expect perfection in our leaders, we will always be disappointed. She talked about Obama's role as a father and husband -- taking out the garbage, doing household chores, how important it is that he set a good example for their children. "This campaign has shown America that Barack Obama may not be perfect, but this campaign has also shown America that Barack Obama will always take the high road. Consistently. Over and over and over. He will always take the high road."

She went on to talk about how she also does not like being the news. She does not like seeing herself in a headline. She said that on the candidates' spouses panel last October, it was Elizabeth Edwards who, speaking on the role of the spouse, said, "If I say something that ends up on the front page of Drudge, I haven't done it right." Michelle adds: "I hate clips. I do not like clips." Grim laughter filled the room.

She called on another supporter, whose voice quivered and broke with barely contained emotion as she explained how important it is to her, personally, that our country change course. She explained that she had just returned from Oregon where she campaigned for Obama and attended the 75,000-person rally by the river. She had noticed, she said, that the Secret Service had increased security dramatically for Barack Obama's rallies since the Phoenix rally in January.

The room collectively gasped and murmured, some aghast that these fears were being spoken aloud directly to Barack Obama's wife. Some nodded, concern and fear on their faces. Others shifted on their feet, displaying a range of emotions -- concern, discomfort with the topic, indignation.

The woman continued: "What can you tell us..." and then her voice caught and broke as a sob rose up from her chest. She paused for a moment. "I'm afraid of what might happen. What can you tell us, after last week's comments--" another sob-- "after last week's comments, to make us feel more at ease?" She cried unabashedly after finally getting out her words.

The room that had been electrified with positive energy throughout the evening suddenly became still and quiet, all eyes focused on Michelle Obama. Michelle Obama's eyes, though, were focused on that concerned supporter. She paused, allowing the clearly distraught supporter to pull herself together. Maybe it was 30 seconds before Obama spoke, stretched out into imaginary minutes. Finally, she said firmly, "I'm ok. Really. I am ok. And if I'm ok, you should be ok.

"You know, we talked about this as a family."

She held the microphone with one hand, the other curved inward over her heart as she talked. Her tenor and body language was clear. Michelle Obama was talking as a mother. She was introspective and intimate, looking the questioner in the eyes as if they are the only two in the room.

"We talked about this as a family."

The room remained still and quiet. Imagine having that talk with your children. Then, she paused, gathering herself, pulling herself up, seeming to grow even taller, Michelle, the campaigning wife returns. She says,

"I've talked about this before. Barack is probably safer now than he was before. Kids are dying in the street in our community. They get shot walking to class, sitting in school, taking the bus home. They are dying in the street.... Send us good vibes. Pray for us. Think positive thoughts. But most of all, be vigilant. Be vigilant about stopping this kind of talk.
It's not funny. You don't have to like Barack to dislike that kind of talk. Be vigilant about stopping that kind of talk."

Then she reminded the crowd what we are fighting for, and why it is important to forge ahead without fear. "Fear is the reason this country is where it is today. Fear is a useless emotion. Don't ever make decisions based on fear. Make decisions based on hope and possibility. Make decisions based on what should happen, not what shouldn't. Don't ever make decisions based on fear."

Read more By Dawn Teo at her Dailky Kos diary.

Follow Dawn Teo on Twitter: www.twitter.com/dawnteo

Comments

[ipitombi]

Michelle Obama In Phoenix: "Fear Is A Useless Emotion"
--- It also helps to have 24-hour Secret Service Protection

[egal]

Did you bother reading the context?

She didn't say not to fear--admitted that she herself had, at first, feared the familial consequences of being in politics--she said not to make decisions based on fear.

Considering our nation's current state, we should all be wise to that truism by now. Fear is what has stripped us of our rights, put us into a war that was unneccessary and still is harmful, caused soldiers to commit horrendus atrocities with no place in the American soul, and driven so many to pull out of politics because they couldn't make a difference.

Yes, fear serves a very real and necessary purpose in the small scale--but in the large scale, letting political and other important decisions be based on fear alone, with its ability to overwhelm reason and facts, is always a recipe for disaster.

Michelle Obama said it best: "Make decisions based on hope and possibility. Make decisions based on what should happen, not what shouldn't."

[vernonbc]

What a wonderful diary. Thank you Dawn for giving us such an intimate look at Michelle Obama. She is such a wonderful, strong woman and she'll be a terrific first lady.

[pupbayer]

Oh, puhleeze! What a prima donna! Hey, if nothing else she is entertaining and always good for a laugh!

[TheKnownTruth]

Michelle Obama In Phoenix: "Fear Is A Useless Emotion"

This is BS. Fear is one of the most useful emotions. The problem is most people do NOT know how to manage it. It can clear ones mind, kick up the adrenaline, motivate one to act quickly, and create a purpose. On the other side it can also be be debilitating, depressing, and cause one NOT to act. The later is more often the path people choose. Bad leaders (GWB, Clinton, McCain) and bad politicians know and exploit this.

Good leaders use fear as a positive motivator. It can help you to escape being trapped. It can allow you summon up courage when there was none. Leaders and powerful ones know this. From fear comes hope and inspiration. Fear "the bad place" can drive you to HOPE "a good place".

Think ...have a nice day..

[vernonbc]

There are so many better emotions to have. Yes, in certain situations, fear can be useful, but in daily life, allowing bogeymen to instill fear, like the Republicans do, fear will only hold you back. As Michelle says, hope is a much more useful emotion to have.

[GunnyJ]

Barring anything stupid, you may want to start practicing "President Obama" to yourself!

[Sixtwo]

What a classy, humble, elegant, but simple woman! And she is smart too! I have said from day one that those who question Obama's patriotism need to look in the mirror and question their own...
It is obvious to me that Obama believes in and loves America so much that he is willing to sacrifice his very life if necessary, knowing what the impact would be on his family and others who truly believe in and love him!!! Michelle Obama would represent America with distinction as First Lady!

[janvoght]

dear michelle-
bless you and your brave courageous family. the emotion of fear is only useful if you use it appropriately. if fear is a component of the scenario, it is there for a reason, but to make it useful we must all realize that i maybe it is there to make us all value the courage you and your family are willing to embark upon as stewards of this great country of freedom. we must not, make our decisions based upon the raw emotion itself, but it (fear) makes me want barack and your family in that white house all the more! it inspires me to join in the volunteer work, or grass roots efforts that have been what barack's campaign is about. it makes me realize how close to the people of this country you and your family have become. how your message has hit a chord in us all, and to keep our sights on the goal! bless you and your family, and continued prayers are the answer, thank you.
obama '08 & 2012

[twschaller]

There's a terrific article here on Huffington by David Bromwich "Assassination Chatter and the End of Legitimacy" which dovetails perfectly into this post about Mrs. Obama.

Bromwich helps put much of the current politically-driven culture of fear and mendacious innuendo into perspective. And along with MIchelle's comments here, allows the reader to personalize a bit how this kind of talk and thought process may affect us - as individuals and as a society.

[Dawn Teo - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you for pointing out that article. I had not seen it. Definitely a good article. I've just passed it on to some friends.

[Marii]

The only way Barack Obama can lose in November is if we do not have an honest election.

the film "An Undetectable Computer Virus" shows that any machine can be hacked.
"Hacking Democracy" is being shown on HBO. See it.
I asked PBS if they could show it. Also on DVD. And we're still using the machines?

I went thru this vote hacking in Florida 2004, Palm Beach County was Kerry Country. But there were many reports of the vote switching to Bush on the summary page, but nothing could be done before the voting ended. Bush won. Later we learned that all the machines that "failed", did so in Bush's favor.

Those powers who want to remain in power and run the Country to their agenda won't allow us to vote them out of office.
Won't allow us to vote them out of office.! Our Founding Fathers would grieve.
check out www.blackboxvoting.org and Bradblog.com.

Paper ballots is the best way to go. - not fraud proof, but the best method we have so far. That's why Barack won in Oregon.
We have to have more honest elections besides Oregon in order to win in November.

Yes, and Angels are protecting the Obamas!

[XME]

What's so sad is that of all the things she has to say, only those that can be constued as as negative, hateful, "anti-American" are noticed by the MSM. It's also sad that, more than any other candidate this year, this family had to really talk about the DANGER of him running for president and what could happen, before deciding to forge ahead.

On a lighter note, my favorite quote was, "Tell her my vote for Barack in November is really for her." As a woman, I loved that!

[swamijo]

'"Fear is the reason this country is where it is today. Fear is a useless emotion. Don't ever make decisions based on fear. Make decisions based on hope and possibility. Make decisions based on what should happen, not what shouldn't. Don't ever make decisions based on fear."

possibly the best and truest statement of the entire campaign...not only do I admire and support Barack Obama for President but Michelle Obama is just as inspiring and solid an individual as her husband...what a GREAT team!!!

[Relax08]

This statement is perhaps the most cogent thing I have heard said by anyone about where this counry is, why John McCain is the worst possible candidate and why Obama is our best chance of saving this country!

[yourstruly]

Wow! This woman is awesome. Every time I fear for Barack's life, I tell myself that if he and his family are willing to take the risk, who am I to cower? I loved what she said about the children who risk death in the streets all the time. They have no choice; the Obamas have made one. Supporting them is the least we can do.

[mnyegele]

Imagine. This event took place in McCain's home state - Arizona. Kudos to all the good people in Arizona. For the record, the infamous Fox tape of Michelle is a fake. Michlle Obama really said, "For the first time in my life I'm really proud of my country." It's sort of a hyperbole. Like a bride at her wedding saying "For the first time in my life I'm really happy." I'd like to keep the record straight. (If you don't believe me ask the people on Air America, they were the first ones who told the truth about the story."

[speechteach]

I thought the "really" had been removed. Thanks for setting it straight.

[SmokinJobaman]

She said basically the same thing twice -- once with "really" and once without.

Now isn't it interesting that in one breath she calls fear useless right on the heels of invoking images of kids being shot on buses. How's that for a mixed message?

[jacobfloyd]

Strength. Courage.

Somebody has to stand up. This country is on the wrong path because of thugs that lied and cheated their way into power. It's time to take it back, and THAT'S PATRIOTIC!!!

[DMW1]

I'm a 43-yr. old, white, educated female. I became a supporter of Obama early on. When I saw Barack and Michelle promoting AIDs awareness in Africa, I looked him up online to learn about him. I actually told my husband, "This man could run for president."

My husband, a lifetime cynic, was not so willing to take the chance. His view of elections is that he is usually voting for the lesser of two evils and that there is no such thing as an honest politician.

We have a 22-year old daughter and two boys, aged 8 and 10.

I finally asked him a simple question: "Of all of the candidates still running, are there any that you trust and would be comfortable leaving our the boys with for the weekend?"

He's voting for Obama this November.