The first lady campaign and Michelle Obama as Rorschach
Dante Chinni
Posted: 06.19.2008 / 8:58 AM EDT
With the competition out of the way, John McCain and Barack Obama are under the media microscope nearly 24/7. Under examination: everything from friendships to college term papers to, of course, spouses.
Every four years, there’s a discussion about the wives of the two candidates and what the would-be first ladies bring to their husbands’ campaigns. The 2008 version of the first-lady-off is already under way. At this point, Michelle Obama has the overall edge against rival Cindy McCain in “favorable” ratings (48 percent to 39 percent) but also in “unfavorable” ones (29 percent to 25 percent), according to a poll released by ABC News yesterday.For sure, Mrs. Obama has already proven to be a lightning rod in the campaign.
•Fox News caused a stir last week (and later issued an apology) when the network referred to Mrs. Obama as her husband’s “baby mama” in a graphic. African-Americans often use this term to describe an unwed mother.
•Senator Obama’s conservative opponents on the Web pushed forward the story of video showing Mrs. Obama “ranting about ‘whitey,’ ” but weeks after the story made the rounds the video never surfaced.
•Mrs. Obama, known for blunt talk, has brought some unflattering attention upon herself for her own words. At February campaign rallies in Wisconsin, she told the audience: “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I’m really proud of my country” because it seemed that people wanted change. Many have called her patriotism into question since then.The Obama campaign is concerned enough about her image that it has brought in a well-known Washington hand, Stephanie Cutter, to help manage Mrs. Obama.
To get a more concrete understanding of the Michelle Obama factor, Patchwork Nation talked to correspondents in communities that represent various constitutencies of the electorate: Philadelphia (“Industrial Metropolis”); Clermont, Fla., (“Emptying Nests”); and Nixa, Mo., (“Evangelical Epicenters”).The Obama campaign may want to take notes.
Amid residents’ varying views, one overarching trend emerged: It doesn’t appear that anything Michelle Obama did or said has hurt her husband’s chances. Most acknowledged they didn’t know much about Mrs. Obama. But those who are not Obama supporters see her as part of the reason not to vote for the Illinois senator.
“She says what she means which is refreshing and revealing. She is not ready for prime time and will be cut to pieces unless she gets help. As a man, one selects certain things himself without the filters used in politics. A minister and a wife reveal a lot about a person, their background and preferences,” writes Nixa Mayor Doug Marrs in an e-mail. “She needs to be pulled from the campaign to protect her from the media.”
Another Nixa resident sums up her feelings about Obama and his wife this way: “As far as I’m concerned, she doesn’t take anything away from his campaign, as she is no more shallow or off base than her husband who is the sweetheart of the media.”But Nixa, which President Bush carried by an overwhelming margin in 2004, is not turf friendly to Obama.In Philadelphia, which is likely to be an Obama stronghold this fall based on past elections, people have markedly different thoughts. “In Philly, rough edges are considered a good thing. She’s no liability in this town,” e-mails Zack Salberg, president and CEO of The Committee of Seventy, a nonprofit organization in the city.
One correspondent in the City of Brotherly Love e-mails that Mrs. Obama’s comments might hurt a bit, but there are bigger challenges.“The ‘patriotism gap’ has been a problem for Democrats in the post-Vietnam era and will probably be once again this November. Hardly insurmountable, but a problem nonetheless.” He adds, “Nothing could be worse than Teresa Heinz Kerry,” referring to Sen. John Kerry’s wife who made headlines in 2004 for occasional inappropriate comments.
Residents in Clermont express uncertainty about Mrs. Obama, at times negatively viewing her. “There has been a lot of talk here over her statement ‘For the first time in my adult life. I feel proud of my country.’ She seemed unable to hide her bigotry,” one correspondent e-mails. “After all Obama was not in church alone was he? What about their children? Did she allow them to listen to that bigotry?”
Another Clermont correspondent writes that overall he likes the fact that Mrs. Obama “doesn’t quite fit the profile or play the role of the studied politician’s wife” but some gestures, like the much discussed “fist-bump” with her husband after he went over the top in delegates, could have a negative effect. “I would say right now around here she is seen in a bit of a negative light, but with time people may warm up to her,” he writes.
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June 19th, 2008 at 10:37 am EDT
We are not voting for Michelle or Cindy. By all accounts, both are honorable women for whom family is important and both appear devoted to the success of their spouse’s political career.
We do look to significant relationships of the candidates for clues as to their character. Both marriages appear to be solid. McCain’s first marriage, however, reveals a great deal about McCain. I knew his first wife while she was in Florida, still waiting for him while he was a prisoner of war. Her strength of character was unmistakable as she dealt with a handicapping injury, her husband’s incarceration in Vietnam, and raising their children. The appalling way she was treated and then abandoned by McCain on his return reflects a serious weakness of character. She has too much class to complain or make herself a public issue. That speaks to HER character.
John McCain’s actions do speak louder than all his contrary, skilled and bombastic rhetoric.
June 19th, 2008 at 10:39 am EDT
Mrs. Obama, in my opinion, probably has a strong sense of courage due to her past experiences. Like Hillary, she was a trailblazer in her professional field. Any woman, my mother, your sister, your grandmother, has probably endured much bigotry and premature assumptions of their God given talents.
Regardles of a woman’s race, they will endure prejudices men may not encounter. She is by no means ignorant and seems to have not been raised w/ a silver spoon in her mouth. Nonetheless, she is potentially going to play a role (first lady) of many women who have not achieved a fourth of what she’s achieved and they were born w/ a silver spoon in their mouth.
The media’s hypersensitivity to a black woman reveals more about America’s tempermant and worldview on women of color. Follow Cindy McCain around and I’m willing to bet 3:1 that she says some extremely “off the cuff” comments. Race will continue to be a BIG factor in this campaign and will continue to be a BIGGER factor after the campaign. Use this as an opportunitty to merely go out and befriend a perceived enemy……they may just turn out to be a good friend. That’s the only way America will change….no town hall discussions on race. A mere family gathering of two neighbors who have never spoken goes miles further.
Good luck to Michelle and Cindy!
- AR
June 19th, 2008 at 10:40 am EDT
What is the discussion about fist bumps? Isn’t that what Howie Mandel has been doing on Deal or No Deal for some time now? Something about less germs. I’m a Republican, not an Obama fan, but this fist bump/terrorist claim makes Republicans look like idiots. If I didn’t know better, I would think the claim was put out by the Democrats to make Republicans look bad, a reverse dirty trick. Lets move on (oops isn’t that a leftist web site?).
June 19th, 2008 at 10:43 am EDT
Mrs. Obama is a beautful and affirmative person, her personality which some perceive as “strong and assertive” is an asset to the Obama Family and the Obama Campaign. Voters have the right to not vote for a candidate if they do not agree with what that canditate represents but the decision to not vote for a candidate should not extend to disrepect or ill feelings about the candidate spouse. Mrs Obama has been married to and thus been seen with Mr. Obama for over 16 years, there is therefore no reason for her to “hide” because of some voters perception of her as being hurtful to his campaign for the presidency. The USA is the grandest democracy in the whole world and that concept extends to families as well. Mrs. Obama rightfully deserves to be seen with her husband as much as they both wish, those who do not appreciate her presence should respect her right to present with her husband.
June 19th, 2008 at 10:47 am EDT
Enough of Mrs. Obama - McCain’s wife has a closet full of unethical behavior that would make headlines by this “Enquirer” media for months. I don’t care about the misses; I care about getting America back in step they way we used to be. We used to be able to build anything by ourselves and build it in record time if the Country or Americans needed it. We used to have no trouble purchasing Made in America products, didn’t have to go to war because for years the world knew not to mess with America. It’s quite obvious the media wants the wives to be quite, stand next to or behind these two presidential hopefuls, be silent, smile, clap, and pamper these candidates like a freakin’ puppy with his master. Give me a break already. it’s 2008 and women have a voice, opinion, and a brain. That last one is one I wish this current moronic president had.
June 19th, 2008 at 10:55 am EDT
Conservative media such as FoxNews must resort to nasty insinuations about Michelle Obama — an unapologetically strongminded and educated woman — to create a negative impression (”baby mama,” and the new low benchmark “terrorist fist jab,”) because there is nothing of substance to genuinely attack her on.
We’re not hearing much about Cindy McCain’s drug addiction, drug theft, extramarital affair, and involvement as bookkeeper in the Keating Five scandal. I actually think it’s appropriate to not hear too much about it, because it’s sensational and takes away our appetite for the substance of the election - the specific platforms of both candidates.
I just personally feel that if there were even a whiff of a corruption scandal, or drug abuse, or THEFT surrounding Michelle Obama that it would be more than enough for rightwing commentators to destroy her. I think Obama is running the more honorable campaign.
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June 19th, 2008 at 11:03 am EDT
Washington is a dark place with so little light, let us enjoy the servants who are really there to truly represent the people. Mrs. Obama will make a fine first woman, I choose those words because perhaps there is too much pressure associated with the word “lady”, their scrutiny is way over blown, after all, if the wives made have the amount of mistakes the canidates did we would never know who to choose from. One point, I like the way Mike Hucabee warned the RNC not to demonize Barack Obama,that it, indeed, would backfire, because I believe Mr. Hucabee to be a just and moral man and what I believed he warned of was that Mr. Obama is leading a righteous life and has a spiritual connection to powers and province that are destined for this time, and until those divine forces ordain otherwise, woe unto those who try to bring that honest man and as all great empires who thought to stop a movement by silencing its voice found out only to late that such actions only inspire it even further
Curtis
June 19th, 2008 at 11:04 am EDT
I think that what you have written,”African-Americans often use this term to describe an unwed mother.” is more offensive than Fox News calling Mrs. Obama “baby mama”. Wow.
June 19th, 2008 at 11:07 am EDT
Feeling proud of ones country is not the same as being proud of it. I remember the first time I was conscious of “feeling” proud of my country. It was when all those New Yorkers and neighboring states’ immediately went to the aid of the Twin Towers victims. It was very emotional. Does that mean the rest of the time I haven’t been proud of the many generous and caring acts performed by thousands of people every day? I don’t think so! Get real, people. There have also been moments when I have not felt proud of the country: the inernment of the Japanese during WWII; our history of slavery; our treatment of Native Americans. Does that make me un-American? Taken seriously, both sets of moments can produce positive change only if we acknowlege them and learn from them. Reducing them to political weapons through sound bites thwarts our growth as a people.
June 19th, 2008 at 11:14 am EDT
how come we have heard absolutely nothing about the mccain’s adopting a severly handicapped and poor child in india?
June 19th, 2008 at 11:15 am EDT
I’m not surprised about the attacks or the scrutiny (or worried about it), the right wing media have attacked Chelsea Clinton for years. The folks that watch FOX NEWS count for little (and few). Michelle is a strong, bright, self-confident woman, that alone is enough to draw enemies. I suspect she is pleased to have them for enemies. I have felt from very early on in the primary season that she was the strongest ‘first lady’ material of all the candidates wives. I still do.
I believe that Obama will have an ‘easy’ victory and be an excellent president in a very difficult environment, and that the GOP mudslingers will forever do what they do …. otherwise they have no footing.
June 19th, 2008 at 11:20 am EDT
Robby you are a racist.
June 19th, 2008 at 11:22 am EDT
The comments by Robby are one of the reasons that I am STILL not all that proud of my country. The naysayers who claim that racism is a thing of the past–that some of their best friends are…–that Obama is bringing race into every criticism, are just plain WRONG!!
I am amazed that Obama has made it to this stage of the campaign. I did not think that I would live to see either a Black American or a Woman seriously considered for the highest office in the land. As the campaign has developed, however, the ugly side of the American personality, that is covered with the warts of Racism, Classism, Misogyny, and Ageism has once again shown itself. As a society, we have a long, long way to go. This is truly just one more step–not the end of the journey.
The Conservative, Right Wing will continue to spew half-truths, distortions, and outright lies to bring down Obama. They have proven that nothing is sacred–and McCain would do well to remember South Carolina in 2000. Certainly there are the Obermans and Hannitys out there on both sides that love bombast, innuendo and inflammatory rhetoric. They do a disservice to their causes and candidates.
Hopefully, the candidates will be able to control their campaigns–but there is nothing that can be done to control and monitor the main stream and alternative media.
At one time civility and credibility were important. I wish it was still the good old days in that regard.
June 19th, 2008 at 11:30 am EDT
Whoever wrote this article is obviously a imbecile. It’s only because the author should not make stereotypical statements such as “African-Americans often use this term to describe an unwed mother.” First of all, this is not a “racial” phrase. This is a “generational” phrase. I have heard people of ALL races use the phrases. I have not heard older people use it.
This is the type of thing that does tend to keep American divided. The only thing that I can assume is that the writer was trying to go for the “shock factor” in writing this article. We don’t want to blog about the so-called racial divide in America.
Thank you for showing why the Obama message about the future has so much traction.
June 19th, 2008 at 11:34 am EDT
I will destroy this quote of course, as anyone who attempts to stand on the shoulders of genius does, but: patriotism is loving your country no matter what and loving your government when it deserves it. Since when is it bad to criticise one’s government? I think this is what the founders of this country were hoping for.
Michelle Obama has not said anything different than a lot of male public figures have said before. Unfortunately, if a woman says something from the heart that others do not agree with, especially if she is a progressive, she becomes a liability. I hope the Dixie Chicks and Michelle are going out for drinks and bowling, I think she could use the support.
Robby’s comment is ridiculous but reflective of my own fear that the voters of this country are ignorant enough to be fooled for the third presendential election in a row.
June 19th, 2008 at 11:42 am EDT
The people the right wing are supposed to represent are so much better than their representatives good god fearing people who often feel they have no choice but to trust the party which empathizes with their deepest religious convictions and fears, but if they really have faith, just as Jesus did at the sermon one the mount that faith would allow them to give space to the voice of objection.
Curtis
June 19th, 2008 at 11:45 am EDT
Why is Michelle Obama getting all the negative attention when right now there are Americans who are in jail cells serving time for the same thing the Cindy McCain has gotten away with. Its one thing to abuse drugs … but to steal them from a charity when you are an extremely wealthy women. IT’s JUST NOT RIGHT!!!! but don’t take my word for it … do your own research.
NJ
June 19th, 2008 at 12:02 pm EDT
Theresa, we did hear about McCain adopting a severly handicapped and poor child in India (actually, Bangladesh): in 2000, the Bush campaign smeared him as fathering an illegitimate black child. Where’s the outrage. As far as I’m concerned, the media is right-wing controlled and puts out the stories that it want to hear or will make money. Liberal media elite, yeah right. It’s time for decent Americans to stand up and be counted.
June 19th, 2008 at 12:09 pm EDT
Nobody should criticise the breakup of McCain’s first marriage. No one but the two parties involved know what is and has happened in a marriage. Being a prisoner of war would be extremely stressful in a marriage. One of our family members was in the infantry and landed at Normandy and fougth throughout WWII. It was a difficult period for the marriage when he returned. Have ye who criticises McCains’ first marriage breakup walked in their shoes? Oh, ye who thinks he is so holy.
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June 19th, 2008 at 12:12 pm EDT
Michelle Obama being called a bigot in Florida? That’s only a tiny step from saying she’s racist. As a minority person myself, I find that not only ludicrous but insulting. What a way to cover up one’s own prejudice–accuse the object of your racism of racism!
June 19th, 2008 at 12:23 pm EDT
I thought the difference patriots and terrorists the right to object Does American patriotism really operate an ethical level higher than the very terroists we fight or has the circle finally met?
Curtis
June 19th, 2008 at 12:28 pm EDT
Actually, Judy, I count myself as an independent, concerned with issues rather than crap like this, but I know a fix when I see one. And most Americans are decent first and foremost, rather than biased like yourself.
June 19th, 2008 at 12:31 pm EDT
Why don’t we ever hear about Cindy McCain and her drug addict days? What does it say about her that she became a dirty drug abuser? Is it OK just because she’s “the right color” and so doesn’t have to serve jail time (bush daughter in florida went the same way)?
Black America is prosecuted, locked up, and the key is thrown away for drug use. The stats don’t lie - we selectively prosecute drug use. And it appears that this selective prosecution extends to the court of public opinion.
June 19th, 2008 at 12:37 pm EDT
The first commentor says you are not voting for the candidates wife…right, you are actually voting in the whole family…who could forget Billy Beer.
You can essentially chalk this whole topic up to the Who Cares category. Mrs. Barack Heussein Obama…only Americans would put up with her inexperienced husband and his “Change” chatter and her drivel about her pride in America.
I’m happy she found her pride…albeit recently…thank goodness our service men and women are able to take pride in those who are already proud of their country.
June 19th, 2008 at 12:43 pm EDT
Yes, voters preferred Laura Bush over Theresa Heinz Kerry, and just look what that did for our soldiers and economy. It is sad that the candidate spouses are even discussed unless they were involved in something illegal.
June 19th, 2008 at 12:52 pm EDT
I am not a person who considers herself as a “Democrat” or “Republican”, in my opinion those who do are idiots. I am an African-American female,Non-Baby Boomer, married mother of two children who does not miss an election (local, state or national). I have voted Republican and I have voted Democrat. I believe that makes me an Independent. Personally, I do not feel that wives should play a role in this campaign. I do not know much about Cindy McCain except that she comes from a wealthy family that ownes a large alcohol distribution company. All I know about Mrs. Obama is that she comes from a blue collar background and went to Princeton. Who cares about either. What I do care about is which candidate will move this country forward and restore our image positively to the rest of the world. We need a president who will take care of “home” first. Millions of Americans (black, white, latino, natives) are hurting, we are loosing our homes, food prices and gasoline prices are steadlily increasing. That is what matters to this voter at this time!!!!
June 19th, 2008 at 1:37 pm EDT
Cindy McCain had a relationship with a married man 17 years older than her. She wound up marrying him less than three months after his divorce. She’s the heir to a $100,000,000 fortune from her father’s beer distribution empire. Is this spoiled brat trophy wife what you want as the first lady?
Give me the woman from a working class background who EARNED her way into school and finally got her college loans paid off less than four years ago. That’s someone I can identify with.
June 19th, 2008 at 1:54 pm EDT
Hoo, boy, don’t we find ways to argue?!
Regrettable as it is, candidates’ spouses do play a role in the whole election process when they become lightning rods for ad hominem attacks from the opposing side. Can’t make a better case than your opponent? Swiftboat ‘im. Make unproven (and unprove-able) attacks. Call him names. Call his wife names. The ruder the better. What a sad waste of human energy.
I’m afraid it’s only going to get uglier. If we want the nastiness to end, we’d better start raising a generation of candidates in a sterile laboratory somewhere.
June 19th, 2008 at 1:57 pm EDT
I don’t want ‘Shell” representing Americans since she is racist and doesn’t value the sacrifices made by women who came before her - that allowed her to have her privileges today. She is ungrateful and bitter - and that’s not the image or the attitude that the first lady of the US should have. Her ‘rough edges’ reflect low class values - not inspiring at all.
June 19th, 2008 at 2:01 pm EDT
So, Maggie, you know Mrs. Obama well, do you? Well enough to make all those statements?
June 19th, 2008 at 2:23 pm EDT
When the McCains or any of the Republican operatives attack Michelle Obama, they are treading on thin ice. Mrs. McCain was under the table and flat on her back with the Senator while he was still married to his first wife. Which family was she valuing? She is a trust fund Washington barracuda who wanted a politically powerful husband, and she got him. What does this say about the Senator and his thinking, his family values. Of course the family values mantra is just that, a mantra to be followed by others, definitely not for well placed, well heeled politicians, Republican or Democrat. Awaken and grow up, the duping has already begun.
June 19th, 2008 at 3:30 pm EDT
Just a thought. Is anyone grasping the truth here?
We all know what this election is about. We all know what politiical posturing and posing is about. What we have lost sight of is, there is no truth greater than this. Regardless of pride, its amount or inception, we are a nation in crisis. We have an opportunity to change this. Most of all, we have a choice to make. One thing is true above all else, the truth will out, and we will all know to whom we are listening.
Diversion is diversion, beyond entertainment, it has no use. We have been entertained, but not amused. Let us move beyond the politics of speculation, it is a politic of lies. Lets us see the politics of facts. After all, the truth is what the facts are all about.
June 19th, 2008 at 9:36 pm EDT
It never ceases to amaze me…..Enough about Michele Obama and Ms. McCain.Talk abot the issues. Oh my, all of us have too much time on our hands. Me included for reading through all of this meaningless drivel.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:05 am EDT
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