Michelle Obama sends a shout-out to Laura Bush
Michelle Obama revealed this morning that she's got a role model who many might consider an unlikely choice for her: Laura Bush.
In one of the highlights of her much-anticipated appearance on ABC's "The View," the prospective first lady told Barbara Walters and the show's four other regular hosts that she was "touched" by understanding words the current first lady recently directed her way.
Bush, in an interview with ABC News, had been asked to comment on the quote that continues to dog Obama -- her comment four months ago, as her husband grabbed the lead in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination, that "for the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country."
Bush let her off the hook, saying, "I think she probably meant ‘I’m more proud.’ ... You have to be really careful in what you say because everything you say is looked at and in many cases misconstrued.”
We noted previously that Obama owed Bush a big thank you. And, it turns out, that's exactly how Obama reacted -- she said she has sent Bush a note expressing her appreciation.
She also said she's "taking some cues" from how the first lady has handled life in the political spotlight, praising her "calm, rational approach." (The Times' Johanna Neuman, writing for our new "Countdown to Crawford" blog, has more on Obama's comments here. And, because so many were eager to see how Michelle handled herself, so does our Show Tracker blog.)
Obama had sought to clarify her "proud" remark almost immediately but, not surprisingly, she was asked about it again today. She's pretty much got her answer down pat now, saying, "Of course, I'm proud of my country. Nowhere but in America could my story be possible."
What she was trying to express back in February, she added, was how proud she was of the "political process" and the interest the race between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton had sparked.
-- Don Frederick
Photo credit: ABC
Michelle Obama said, "FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MYADULT LIFE TIME, I'M PROUD OF MY COUNTRY". Later during the day in another place where she spoke, she added the word, "REALLY". The meaning makes a lot of difference.
Posted by: Agnes | June 18, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Whatever you might think of her husband, Laura Bush is a class act. It's heartening to see Michelle Obama following in her footsteps (hopefully all the way to the Whitehouse).
Posted by: Marcos El Malo | June 18, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Will Michelle Obama still be proud of her country if her husband loses the election? Or is her pride dependent on things going well for her and Barack?
You decide.
Posted by: Phil Apino | June 18, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Sen. and Mrs. Obama will do this country proud. This bitter old white guy is voting for Obama!
Posted by: ericmiami | June 18, 2008 at 11:48 AM
One can be proud of their country and not be proud of everything it does. How many of us are PROUD that we have tortured detainees? In a less politically charged context, would the words "I'm proud of my country" become the target of a character assassination? Does it actually matter even if it REALLY is the first time? How bitter does one have to be to take these words as spite?
Posted by: Ryan Mercer | June 18, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Barack and Michelle are giving Americans a lot to be proud of.
Posted by: TomG | June 18, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Michelle Obama said what she meant, and she meant what she said. Enough said.
Posted by: Donna H. | June 18, 2008 at 11:56 AM
AGnes, this is NOT TRUE. I watched the speech. It's online. She SAID "For the first time in my adult life, I am REALLY proud of my country." What the big deal anyways? We seem to reject the most worthy leaders over the most stupid,mindless, and pointless "mistakes."
Posted by: N Smith | June 18, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Stoip watching FOX Agnes, you aren't doing yourself any favors. I just viewed the original video and also the one posted, clipped by FOX. They ALTERED THE VIDEO AND REMOVED THE WORD "REALLY." I viewed the original version, and the Fox version right afterward and its clearly been altered and manipulated.
Posted by: Jonathan | June 18, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Michelle Obama is not too bright for a Princeton grad!!
She does not know what to say and she is pretty negative.
Posted by: dee | June 18, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Yes, he has big ears and his wife is smart. There is nothing wrong with the Obamas !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: DenisR | June 18, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Don't know what Don thought he was implying with the "Shout Out" in the title but I hope it's not because Michelle is black. I bet if Cindy McCain had made some gesture of friendship to Laura they wouldn't have put "Shout Out" anything in the title or story. Idiot.
Posted by: Mark | June 18, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Michelle Obama said, "FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MYADULT LIFE TIME, I'M PROUD OF MY COUNTRY". Later during the day in another place where she spoke, she added the word, "REALLY". The meaning makes a lot of difference.
Posted by: Agnes | June 18, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Agnes: Actually No. HER meaning was the same. The difference is in the relative difficulty of those who wish to deliberately misconstrue her words, as Laura Bush warned about.
“Hope is making a comeback and, let me tell you, for the first time in my adult life, I am REALLY proud of my country. Not just because Barack is doing well, but I think people are hungry for change.” “I have seen people who are hungry to be unified around some basic common issues and it has made me proud.” (http://youtube.com/watch?v=bQIjE6Diez0).
Posted by: Tom in NC | June 18, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Fair enough....McSame, you better fatsen your belt. The little boy gonna wipe you out like a blanco.
OBAMA '08
Posted by: bvivet | June 18, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Agnes,
Whether she said the word "really" makes a difference? Difference as to what exactly? Difference as to who will make the better president for the United States for America for the next 4-8 years: Obama or McCain???
Because if that's not the focus, there is no reason to dwell on this issue months and months after a candidate's wife made one ill-spoken remark.
Posted by: Steve M. | June 18, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Even if she wasn't proud of her country before, it really shouldn't have been an issue. For the first six years of the Bush presidency, with Republicans controlling both houses of Congress, I wasn't proud of my country either.
Posted by: phoenixandrew | June 18, 2008 at 12:31 PM
It was Shawn Hannity who blew that statement out of proportion on his radio and fox news(He calls himself a "true christian), as far as I know he is a HYPOCRITICAL CHRISTIAN...
You know, I really like Laura Bush, and Hillary does not have any class like this lady...Laura Bush is a GENUINE person, has MORAL values, is an EXTRAORDINARY human being. She is very INTELLIGENT and full of PASSION. She has such CLASS, that if this lady was running for PRESIDENT, although I am a DEMOCRAT) I will not HESITATE to vote for this stalwart of a woman. She is class, personna.
God bless the First Lady, Laura Bush. There will be none like her, so clean and unique.
Posted by: rajah kahn | June 18, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Nice Try, Michelle NObama! Trying to associate yourself with the best first lady in history, wife of the Best President In The History Of The United States, as verified by over 50 historians at Liberal Elite Universitiies will not help you, because John McCain will be the next President, and Cindy McCain is no NObama!
http://www.womenforjohnmccain.com/
Posted by: Christina | June 18, 2008 at 01:11 PM
I once heard Laura Bush described as "hot, in a real-estate seminar kind of way."
Posted by: anandine | June 18, 2008 at 01:16 PM
WOOT! for the bitter ole white guys voting against the same ole white guys/business as usual.. I truly hope i see a country that finally expresses its discontent/shame with
Republican big business/war machine politics and sends an intelligent man and women to the white house this fall.
White guy for Obama
Posted by: JOHN | June 18, 2008 at 01:22 PM
Gimme a break. The only reason Obama values Bush as a role model is because Obama wants to take her place. And I think her comment is calculated and politically motivated to appeal to voters on the right. I wonder when the view will host Cindy McCain.
Posted by: Tom Tucker | June 18, 2008 at 01:24 PM
I agree that Laura Bush is a class act. How he managed to keep her in his life is a total mystery to me. She is so far above him it's riciculous, both intellectually and as a human being.
Posted by: Karen | June 18, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Let's see how proud of their country all the racial bigots are after the majority elects a black to the presidency.
GET OVER IT! She's human.
Posted by: jp | June 18, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Michelle Obama spoke the truth. My people fought during the American Revolution, the Civil War, and of course our hallowed WWII. If our unacknowledged genocides of native peoples, African people and our able assistance in the Guatemalan Genocide under Ronald Reagan aren't enough to shame you, you must have a warped sense of pride. I love the people of this country, its land and its ideals. There is no greater patriot than the one who stands up to the bullying of oppressors and their minions and denounces their actions such as Kathy Kelly, Daniel Berrigan, Daniel Ellsberg, etc. I can't speak for Michelle Obama, but I am very proud of her.
Posted by: Jeff S. | June 18, 2008 at 01:37 PM
It appears that the Obama supporters now like Laura Bush because she said what they wanted to hear. Anyone who ignores the Obamas baggage and faults and who praise and worship them are great people in the eyes of their supporters. Laura Bush is a great first lady without pretense. I think president Bush has done a fair job as president. Remember he has not had a lot of help from the deomcratic congress.
Posted by: Anna | June 18, 2008 at 01:46 PM