Poll finds Americans know Michelle Obama more, like her less than Cindy McCain

During the 2000 presidential campaign, NBC reporter Lisa Myers sat in the living room of the Texas governor's mansion and asked the leading Republican candidate's wife, "Will you be more like Hillary Clinton or like Barbara Bush?"

And Laura Bush replied, "I think I'll be more like Laura Bush."

Her answer was dead-on for the spouse of any presidential candidate.

They each craft their own campaign personality and find their own way through the noise, the bewildering crowds, the media landmines, the catty criticisms, the anguishing debates and unexpected audience questions, the policy innuendoes, the endless hotel rooms and late-night flights, the repetitive interviews and family strains, not least on the children back home.

They each seek to help their spouse's campaign, or at least not hurt it. But the national election ritual, now stretched over nearly two years, is a mind-numbing experience in the truest sense of the word.

Americans still don't know all that much about Cindy McCain or Michelle Obama. That will come out in dribs and drabs in coming weeks as the two parties' strategists' seek even the slightest advantage.

On "The View" Wednesday, viewers learned that Michelle, a strong public speaker though a presidential campaign rookie, is a relentless saleswoman with her eye on every opportunity to push her husband's candidacy.

A magazine cover story this weekend will reveal she has shopped at Target, as our colleague Elizabeth Snead reports over on the Dish Rag.

Michelle will probably relax some over time; most Americans seem to prefer their campaigning spouses on the softer-sell side, witness the resistance engendered by Hillary Clinton in the 1990s and to Bill Clinton's aggressive spousal touting this year, while...

...Laura Bush retains a reservoir of good will despite her husband's overwhelming unpopularity. She drew appreciation even from Michelle on Wednesday.

Unnoticed by many, Laura Bush was a veteran in 2000 and 2004 with campaigning experience in every presidential election since 1980 (except 1996). Cindy McCain had at least abbreviated primary practice in 2000 and Michelle Obama has been on the trail herself a lot this year.

From what they know so far, Americans seem to like Cindy McCain more, despite or perhaps because they know more about Michelle Obama, especially the proud to be an American remark. (Some political strategists might then suggest keeping Cindy under wraps.)

A new Pew Research poll of about 1,000 finds that 78% of respondents knew something about Obama's wife and 26% said it was negative, while only 54% knew something about McCain's wife and a miniscule 7% said it was negative.

Not surprisingly, a majority of Republicans (54%) and Democrats (65%) feel positively about their candidate's spouse. The full story is here along with video reports on each woman.

Of course, polls are only snapshots of one moment (or three days) in time. Conventional wisdom has held that few voters cast ballots for president based on the candidate's spouse, although that may need re-examination after the recent Democratic primary season.

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo credits: The campaigns of Barack Obama and John McCain

Comments

[COL. [retd] A. M.Khajawall MD]

From one concerned citizen of U.S.A,

Dear American Voters, reporters, media. professionals, political parties, and presidential Nominees,

Hon. Senator McCain and Obama, besides each having many attributes and characteristics.
The critical differences between the two of these presidential presumptive nominees in my opinion are as under:

1. Presidential "Temperament and Caliber".
2. Little Washington "insider Versus outsider" experience.
3. "Vision and mission" for our nation future rather than past.
4. American policies, " first U.S.A Centric" than any other country [ ies ] centric.

In my professional opinion Senator Obama leads in all above qualities and attributes.

Senator Obama and his administration along with congress will address all the critical current and future domestic and foreign issues, challenges, and opportunities in coming years.

Let us remember and recite following concepts:

" Family, Friends, Fellows, Faith, Funds, Foundation [s], Fun, with Freedom & Fairness and without Fear, Favor, & Failure" . It applies to every citizen of our Greatgrand Nation.


Please stay involved, stay engaged, and stay informed. Please do not allow any seduction, deception, and or confusion by some partisan media and leaders effect your vote [ Psychological Terrorism ]..

Yours truly,

COL. [retd] A.M.Khajawall
Disabled American Veteran
Forensic psychiatrist, Las Vegas

PS: Please talk about the " Presidential Temperament And Caliber " of our presumptive presidential Nominees. We do talk about the "Judicial Temperament" of our Supreme Court Justices nominees and so far we have failed to talk about the " Presidential Temperament " of our presumptive presidential nominees. The " Presidential Temperament " is the ultimate and in my opinion only requirement of our president as that effects every living soul here and around the world.

Thanks again.

[rukiddingme]

This is what I know about Cindy McCain.

1. She allows her husband to call her a cunt.
2. She's a purdy cunt.
3. She took up with a MARRIED MAN when he left his wife for a prettier cunt.

How can any woman look up to that? Praise that? Prefer it?

[zaney8]

Michelle Obama clearly has a load of anger inside her which pops out as she makes comments. Looking at her background she enjoyed advantages some Americans never get (taxpayer funded Ivy-league college) and now lives in a mansion. The IRS says their income in 2007 was $4 million. One would think she would radiate happiness--but No. Right now Obama's campaign is busily protecting her while claiming she has nothing to do with the campaign. What's wrong with that picture?

[Robert Lewis]

Obama's mother's original Social Security Number Application

www.webofdeception.com

[Brad]

Well, hmm, gee.... perhaps it is the job of journalists then to tell the public more about Cindy McCain??

Here are some "leads" for you:

Her hubbie sometimes calls her a "c*nt" in public.

She's a super-wealthy heiress and has used her fortune to shuttle McCain around on her company's jet which may have violated campaign finance rules.

She's had addiction troubles in the past and illegally obtained prescription medicine.

Perhaps you could look into some of these.

[Matt]

So the more the American public gets to know Mrs. Obama, the less they like her? No big surprise there. That woman just oozes bitterness and unhappiness. She can paint herself up all she wants, but at the end of the day she still just looks like an angry proponent of the vicitmization crowd.

[coatesmoe]

It seems that someone thinks that the voter is a fool. Obama is running and not his wife and kids. Michelle looks good, talks good and is an intelligent woman. She has all one needs to promote the USA. But she is not running and every one is looking for some fault. Let the guy get voted and let us concentrate on the problems that this country has.

[Ron]

Which polls is the Los Angeles Times looking at ?
Every time that I look at Barbie McCain, it makes me want to vomit. Why not run the story of how she is a husband stealer... I am sure that people will love that.

[Scott]

Yeah, beer heiresses are so much more appealing than a woman that worked her way to success. So much for picking yourself up by the bootstraps and family values. We want our first lady to be lovingly referred to as c**** by our President. Pet names are cute.

[Gmartine]

What a very un-worthwhile article. I want the time I spent reading it back!

[yo]

what exactly is there to feel positive about michelle obama?

[robinia]

Well, in respect to Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain, I'm going through "bash Hillary" withdrawals! I mean, Hillary, as much as I loathed her" made poltical bashing a lot of fun!

Michelle has that First-lady but co-president ambiance about her. Cindy McCain, well, the question for her is, knowing that John McCain's first wife was gravely and medically ailment, did she comfortable in having an affair with a married husband with a dying wife?

[Will Becker]

The more a president's wife is in the spotlight,the more we should know about her.After all a man's wife does have some influence on his thinking.

[mark miller]

We've all seen the 'angry dissed black woman' scenes, whether at a grocery store, subway queue, or check-out line. Michelle O fits this grating persona to a tee. She simply has no class, no worldy insights, and has accomplished nothing but secure some sham job on the back of affirmative action edumacation credentials. Can you imagine this creature hosting a hip-hop party in the Rose Garden? For the first time, a First Lady fear will help ensure that empty suit B Hussein Obama lose the election. Thank God.

[Jim Bo]

"Michelle Obama, especially the proud to be an American remark"
Actually the remark was that she was NOT proud to be an American all her adult life, except for that moment.

[Truth Defined]

Wow! What an extremely skewed article. The article fails to mention that MORE people find Ms. Obama more favorable than Ms. McCain. Also, MORE Americans are able to relate with Ms. Obama than Ms. McCain.

We appreciate your goal of trying to "stir up" the media/blog storm, but Americans will not be manipulated by this type of asinine article. Besides, WHO CARES? We vote for the President, not his/her spouse. Provide more articles that discuss the ISSUES.

[jon]

I guess this is for people who prefer their political analysis by National Enquirer and other tabloids.
Maybe that's what the LA Times is. Hurrah for the citizens of LaLaLand.

[fred]

Hussein Obama + Michelle Obama =

William Ayers + Bernardine Dorhn

[Tami]

You liberal dolts that post here are complete idiots. So you all think that more people relate to an elitist, hateful, anti-american, anti-white woman?

Trust me, she will not be able to keep her g-ddamned american piehole shut for 5 months on the campaign trail. She will fu*k up again by revealing how she really feels. Just watch the videos of Jerimiah Wright's congregation's response to his hateful remarks about America and white people. She and B. Hussien had their ass's parked in that pew for 20 years.

What part of that don't you get!!!!!!!!!

What a horrible example she is.

[Andrew]

To the first poster: Thanks for the well worded, intelligent post--and yes, presidential temperament is something I'd like to see addressed, too.

To the moderator: So we can say cunt on this blog?

[Andrew]

Let's all keep in mind that we're voting for the candidates, not their wives. All the focus on either of their wives are distractions from the policies that will guide our country in the future.

[S.A.]

Anyone who have not heard the anger in Michelle Obama have not been listening to her. Something is missing in her. She projects too much ( so called, hip in the hood ) type of mannerisms in some of her speech and hand shake style. First ladies don't do this. Some people try to sell the Obamas to the voters, over looking the fact that Barack Obama has not been tested much in any political position and his lack of experience make it possible for him to be a worse president than George Bush.

[Mike M.]

Michelle doesn't hold a candle to the likes of Laura Bush who is one of the best first ladies we've ever had. Michelle comes across as an unthankful, cynical, snobish, untruthful, spoiled brat. Everything Laura is NOT. I only hope Cindy can aspire to the honor and decorum that Laura has brought back to the WH over the last 8 years. Looking back, I think the best thing Laura did was take the mattress from the Lincoln bedroom out back and BURN IT - right after replacing all silverware the Clintons stole.

[crushliberalism]

"Yeah, beer heiresses are so much more appealing than a woman that worked her way to success. "

Actually, beer heiresses are so much more appealing than a barking moonbat who hates her country. Americans can be funny that way.

[Tom]

Things many Americans DONT SEEM TO KNOW FROM THEIR LIBERAL EDUCATION:

1. We have a US Constitution which forbades Government from taking control of Private Industry.

2. We have a Declaration of Independence which forbades the citizens from having to be subserviant to a Marxist, Socialist, or Communist Government and their policies. See when Government runs industry or healthcare as the Liberals (OBAMA and Dem Congress)say they WILL do, that makes YOu DEPENDENT ON GOVERNMENT...that is forbidden in OUR FOUNDING DOCUMENTS PEOPLE.
3. OUR founders , in fact it was John Adams who wrote it is the RESPONSIBILITY of the CITIZENS to remove any GOVERNMENT by any means necessary that threatens OUR LIBERTY, then they gave us the SECOND AMENDMENT that tells the people they can form militias and possess guns...for THIS VERY PURPOSE (The army is called out under the presidential powers portions...the militias are OURS..not the Governments...you know WE THE PEOPLE...its not WE THE GOVERNMENT....Well I think John would die if he heard Obama speak today...Obama speaks of Governbment STEALING PRIVATELY OWNED BUSINESSES, now it may not be YOUR Business, but it certainly sets the precedent when they do it. Obama is against empowerment of the citizens, he opposes 2nd Amendment, not surprising, anyone who wants to STEAL power and impose a TYRANNY should be afraid of that LIBERTY our founders GAVE US to keep them in CHECK.

Now one must ask why dont the Liberal education system teach these FACTS? Why are Americans buying into the Marxist/Socialist policies that OUR FATHERS and GRANDFATHERS FOUGHT AND DIED AGAINST IN WWI and WWII...have we become this ill-informed of our liberties that we dont even recognize when they are poised to be TAKEN from us? This is to our shame. Wake up America, you have become utterly dumb in your ignorance.

[thisniss]

Wow. Way to read a poll wrong and write a totally skewed post there. While it's true that Michelle Obama is better known and has higher negatives than Cindy McCain, the Pew poll also showed her with a considerably higher *favorable* rating as well. It is patently false to read this as "Americans like her less." Clearly Americans have more fixed opinions of Michelle Obama, but on the whole they seem to "like" her *MORE* than Cindy McCain.

You are either unable to read or deliberately distorting for some reason. If you possess any sense of journalistic integrity, you will print a correction, with just as loud a banner, proclaiming "Americans" positive feelings about Michelle Obama.

[Patricia]

Hey Mark Miller and Mike M., you guys are so full of it and your slips are showing, better pull them up because we understand what you are spewing.
Mark, just because Michelle Obama is an African American woman does not make her a "dissed" black woman. Actually, I don't think you have truly seen a "dissed black woman, or you would have known that Michelle's actions and demeanor were not of that category. Believe that!! Miller, how about, Michelle is an intelligent, educated passionate woman. Again, your slip is showing. You would never have stated that Laura Bush might give a hip-hop party in the Rose Garden. Michelle Obama has worked very hard to get where she is today and no one has left her a legacy or an inheritance to ride the coattail of, so how can she be a brat? At the same time, most of us can identify more with Michelle Obama than we can with the privileged Cindy McCain{husband stealer} or the true brat Laura Bush. Michelle Obama is poised, informed, articulate and politically ready to support her husband, the next President of The United States.
Mike M., you too are letting your slip show again, because Laura Bush, brat born into money, snobbish and has never gotten her privileged hands dirty, have the audacity to call Michelle Obama snobbish and bratty, when this self-made woman has worked her way to achieving the American dream. On the other hand, we have Cindy McCain, the unconvicted thief that had prescriptions written illegally to feed her drug addiction and stole money from a third world country, that she was supposed to be raising funds for, to acquire more drugs. After being discovered, she admitted herself into rehab. Now, I ask you both, "pull up your slips", is this the "gracious lady", you think should be First Lady of the United States? Michelle, this is where the "Impossible" Happens. Go Barack and Michelle!!

[Mark In Ohio]

I can't say exactly why, but Cindy gives me a MAJOR case of the creeps every time I see her. I usually turn my head away when she comes on the TV so I won't have to look at her. When she came on MSNBC last night my 14-year-old niece immediately said, "She looks dead!"

Cindy may have a wonderful charity and be a great wife (or not), but wow, what an offputting person she is! She seems like Paris Hilton to me. Just another rich, drug-addicted blonde. And a creepy one at that! Yuck.

[Vince P]

All you need to know about Michelle vs Cindy is revealed in these comments.

The Obama supporters are insulting, offensive, aggressive, rude.

But then that's how Marxists are.

[Mell]

Vince, you posted typos again. Here, I've fixed your comment for you:

All you need to know about Michelle vs Cindy is revealed in these comments.

The McCain supporters are insulting, offensive, aggressive, rude.

But then that's how racists are.

[granna]

Mel, read the vulgar language in the posts about Cindy McCain and perhaps you can explain your definition of "offensive and rude". I can't understand why the moderators haven't deleted those posts. And what on earth does race have to do with it? Are the Obamas so perfect that anyone who disagrees with them must be racist? I think you have "issues".

[daniel Strong]

These comments show that public figures will never please everyone. As Ms. Obama herself acknowledged on "The View," this is part of the price one pays for entering the political arena.

I am, however, quite surprised by the vitriol directed at a yet another successful, forthright woman who was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth; a woman who did indeed work for everything she got and is now bearing the fruit of that labor. Isn't that the so-called "American" way?

I like and wholeheartedly support the Obamas, but that does not mean that I cannot recognize the good qualities of the McCains. (i.e., I think John McCain is a good man, with a lot of integrity, even if I don't agree with his "Bush-lite" politics). In other words, cheap shots and name-calling do nothing to advance the debate over who has the better grasp--and potential ability--to lead the country! Whether it's Obama or McCain, EITHER ONE has got to be far and away better than what we now have in the White House, Laura Bush (who is the only asset) notwithstanding.

[Stargazer]

You write: "A new Pew Research poll of about 1,000 finds that 78% of respondents knew something about Obama's wife and 26% said it was negative, while only 54% knew something about McCain's wife and a miniscule 7% said it was negative."

Please do the math right! This leaves 52% with a positive impression for Michelle Obama and only 47% for John McCain's wife. How's that a popularity lead for Cindy McCain???

[khrish]

My goodness, there is so much hatred spewed in this blog it would make an onion cry. Maybe someone who posted above should get a Taxpayer funded education and special help with vocabulary. Man, so much energy wasted in hating people.

[gloria wilson]

It is not responsibility to pay for government cars because congress allocates that money for spending. I am tired of Clinton, Bushes and Obamas. I am not buying a fleet of cars for those people. In the mean time, they were to go in that office with their own expertise and not mine. I don't owe those people money, they owe men and none bothered to pay. They have to go somewhere else and gigalo besides my son and me. Because of those people who are Irish and German, we are still at war from people who instigate in other peoples' families for weath which never concerned them in the first place. 1st, 4th and the 14th amendment. In the future, search warrants should be required to enter peoples' home, not some air craft they send out, hoovering over peoples homes blackmailing for cash!