Michelle Obama: Cover Girl, Cover Girl, Cover Girl

John McCain might have a point when he calls Barack Obama a "celebrity candidate." After all, the Illinois Senator is married to one of America's most popular cover girls.

You better be ready for a lot of her in coming days.

Potential first lady Michelle Obama will dominate the pages of three major magazines this month. She'll appear by herself on the cover of Ebony and with her husband, Barack, on the cover of Ladies' Home Journal. And, as the Ticket previously reported, in the pages of Harper's Bazaar, she'll be played by supermodel Tyra Banks.

Yes, it's true. Earlier rumors that Banks dressed up like Michelle Obama and cavorted around a faux White House with a Barack Obama look-alike for the September issue of the magazine have been confirmed. Here's a link to a video documenting the baffling photo shoot.

No word yet on what the Obamas think about all this. But they're going on vacation in the face of the developing "Obama fatigue" and probably don't care.

Meanwhile, here's an excerpt from their interview in Ladies' Home Journal, which hits newsstands August 17. In it, the pair open up about how they deal with problems in their marriage, the role women will play in this election, and whether or not Michelle would play a role in an Obama White House.

On Michelle becoming a part of his administration:

Barack Obama: “Michelle is one of the smartest people I know. She is my chief counsel and advisor. I would never make big decisions without asking her opinion. Certainly about my career and my life.

"My sense is — and I’ll let her speak for herself here — that she’d probably be more interested in having a set of projects that were driven by her interests and her desires, as opposed to me handing her some sort of portfolio and saying, ‘Here, do this.’”

Michelle Obama: “There are a ton of issues that I care deeply about. But the notion of sitting around the table with a set of policy advisors — no offense — makes me yawn [laughter].

"I like creating stuff. I’d love to be working with young people. I’d love to be having more conversations with military spouses. I’ve learned not to let other people push you into something that fundamentally isn’t you.”

On marital problems:

MO: “There were a lot of things time-wise that he couldn’t provide because he was not there. So, how do I stop being ...

... mad at him and start problem solving, and cobble together the resources?

"I also had to admit that I needed space and I needed time. And the more time that I could get to myself, the less stress I felt. So it was a growth process for me individually and for us as a couple. He had to grow, too.”

On being a father:

BO: “As somebody who didn’t grow up with a father in the home, I like having men come up to me saying, ‘You know, I’m really glad you’re a good father.’ I like that maybe some little boy somewhere who doesn’t have a dad in his house sees Michelle and the girls and me out somewhere and is going to carry that image in his head with him somewhere down the road.”

On the presidency:

BO: “If you were not occasionally jolted awake at three in the morning thinking about ... the magnitude of the work that has to be done, then you probably shouldn’t be president. It’s a big job. The thing that keeps me awake at night is not the prospect of losing. It’s the prospect of winning and governing.”

On women’s roles in this election:

BO: “In this election the issues of the economy are ones that women are going to particularly feel and be concerned about. But I also think the fact that Senator [Hillary] Clinton ran such an outstanding campaign and inspired so many women to think about that glass ceiling — not just in politics but in all walks of life — makes the women’s vote particularly important this year.”

On raising a family:

MO: “It’s a unit that raises a child. As far as I’m concerned, in this couple, Barack is the person who has the skill, the inclination, the desire, the ability to be in politics. I have no desire.

"So that’s a good thing, in my view, since someone has to be focusing on the kids — and that’s me. But it could easily be him. There’s no reason why the nurturing has to come from Mom — it just has to be there.”

His grandmother’s thoughts:

BO: “My grandmother was not wild about me going into politics. She liked the idea of me being a judge. She thought that was a more sensible pursuit, and not as nasty.”

What to look for in a leader:

MO: “It touches me when our girls touch him. Whether it’s with a story or a word. You can see it in his face. That’s the leader I want: somebody who is so moved by his own children that he’ll go out there and fight for everyone else’s.”

On finding his identity:

BO: “I had to shape my identity, in some ways, on my own. It wasn’t until I came to Chicago and started immersing myself in the work of rebuilding communities that I saw how my own story of an absent father or my teenage rebellion started to fit in with the stories of African-Americans I was meeting all across the South Side of Chicago.”

On the government:

BO: “The government can’t solve every problem, but an enlightened government can make sure that people can work hard for their dreams and achieve them. Government can knock down barriers so that families are in a stronger position. And that’s what we’re going to be fighting for in this election.”

-- Kate Linthicum

 

Photo credits: Top, Ebony magazine. Inset, George Lange for Ladies’ Home Journal.

Comments

[Demi]

What a wonderful, dignified picture and future first lady. This is a great contrast to Cindy McCain whose husband offered her up to be the Buffalo Chip girls at the Biker Rally. How disgusting can he get? We probably will see more of the "straight talk" McCain with no class.

[TakeFive]

Not surprised at all the glamour shots. The campaign knows she's a liability, and short of sending her to charm school boot camp, they need to buff her image fast. We’ll see if they can sell it to the American public.

Has she done Oprah yet?

[old mo]

MO: “It touches me when our girls touch him. Whether it’s with a story or a word. You can see it in his face. That’s the leader I want: somebody who is so moved by his own children that he’ll go out there and fight for everyone else’s.”
That he will go out there and perform an abortion on everyone else's.

[dave]

cult of personality is profoundly unamerican, and like any idolatry, unworthy of a free human being.
with every idol or celebrity created in america, america is more alienated from its foundations, and the people lose more and more of their freedom, their prosperity and peace, until they find themselves empty-handed and enslaved, in a bloody fool's paradise.

[R.Eason]

WOW!! Michell looks great! I can hardly wait for our First Lady to take charge of her role in the White House.

[freedomofchoice]

Wow, old mo, thanks for letting me know that Obama also has medical skills. He IS amazingly talented. With this broad scope of skills, he definitely outshines the dull-witted, err... candidate? of the GOP.

[BOO-HOO]

MICHELLE OBAMA IS NOW A COVER GIRL...I DON'T THINK SO. WHY NOT SAY THAT HILARY IS A COVER GIRL TOO. BOTH OF THESE WOMAN ARE SOMEWHAT OVERWEIGHT AND NOT THAT GOOD LOOKING.

COME ON FOLKS, GET REAL. IF HER HUSBAND WAS NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT YOU WOULDN'T GIVE MS. OBAMA A SECOND LOOK.

[teaganc]

"That he will go out there and perform an abortion on everyone else's. "

Yes, because Obama is campaigning on a, "I'm an MD and will enact forced abortions personally" platform . It's comments like this that make the Christian Right look like idiots instead of people of faith.

[dave]

the candidate for president who practiced as an ob/gyn doctor for decades, delivering many babies, is RON PAUL. he personally is strictly against abortion, but thinks it's not for the federal government to decide this, but for state legislation. RON PAUL is for small government accountable to the people, and for the consistent application of the constitution to all political decision making.

[Jerry]

What is it with Obama he does not want to give Americans back any of the tax money we pay which would drop prices by at least 10 cents per gallon at the pump.

He does not want to drill in any of the elitist offshore territories in the united states , yeah its fine if we drill in the gulf of mexico so cares about their beaches.

He says if he is elected president he will direct the full effort of the United States and Oil Companies to be completely independent of foreign oil in 10 years, first of all what dream world is the moron living in and second why is it alway 2 years after they get out of a second term that stuff will happen. Maybe that should tell us something about them stuff will only happen if they are not in office.

Michelle Obama is not a cover girl maybe Halle Berry is a cover girl but Obama's wife is definately not that pretty.

[Mike Robinson]

Old Mo you are disgusting. What a bent morality you exhibit. And you probably parade around as a Christian. While the Bible is full of ridiculous interpretations of Jesus's messages, corrupted when it was compiled by the Roman Emperor Constantine in 337BC, it also has some profoundly sensible advice. And judge not others, lest you be judged yourself is one of those tidbits. Oh yes, do unto others as you would have done unto yourself.... Your paradigm is past, Roll over and die or have an epiphany and let some love, acceptance and celebration of diversity into your heart.

And Michelle and Barack will be a breath of fresh air into the White House. America needs a profound change. It starts with Old Mo....

[bob]

The jealousy that conservatives feel towards the lovely Obama family is really getting pathetic.

Please Republicans, remember this old saw about social graces.

"You can keep your mouth shut and risk that someone might think you are an idiot.

Or you can open it and prove that you are."

[Erik]

That's so funny.

[FlaLady]

Another magazine to cancel. If this man doesn't get elected, it certainly won't be because the media wasn't forcing him down our throats. Next he'll be cutting a commercial for Obama Lite--less filling, talks great.

[malach hamovess]

she's young; she's articulate; she has a good up-from-poverty story; she's a "model mom"; she's every aspirational woman's role model.

And, she makes herself available for interviews, conducts them very well, and gets a lot of good press

Since the primaries Obama has made sizable inroads among those women who voted for Hillary. If his wife can do it for him, then good for her. The other guy's wife is such a pillpopping stiff that she'll never handle a real interview properly.

[test]

LOOKS SO UGLY,,,NOT FIT FOR ANYTHING

[Jon]

Yes, TakeFive, she is a real liability. No one who is addicted to drugs, stole from a charity for the poor despite being filthy rich, or had an affair with a man after his wife got disabled would be suitable in our White House.

Oh, wait, I thought we were talking about McCain's wife.

[old mo]

Mike Robinson....Who appointed you God.
And judge not others, lest you be judged yourself is one of those tidbits.

[anonymous]

MIchelle is lovely and articulate. They both answer these simple questions with refreshing honesty. Of course the media loves them.

[NinaK]

LOOKS SO UGLY,,,NOT FIT FOR ANYTHING

Posted by: test
------------------
Obviously in your world, jealousy and envy reign. How sad. I bet Michelle is a lot prettier and definitely a lot classier than you, Ms Jealousy and Ms Envy. I bet down deep you wish YOU looked half as great and half as beautiful and half as classy!! You post speaks loudy about YOU, your soul. your heart and your person and it does not look pretty!

[Tim McGarry]

The choice I have to make is between the presidential candidates, not their spouses. John McCain strikes me as an honorable man, but my vote will be for Barack Obama, because his views are closer to mine with respect to the direction the country needs to take. There is nothing about either candidate's wife that has any significant effect on how I view the candidate himself and the type of President he is likely to be. My impression of Michelle Obama is certainly positive but I have to say that fellow Democrats who find it necessary to disparage Cindy McCain are making a mistake and are not helping the cause of Sen. Obama and his wife at all.

[NinaK]

Michelle is not overweight, she appears to be average for her heighth. I am so happy to see Michelle wearing dresses and being totally feminine! She is one classy lady!

Poor Hilliary, all she wears is those pantsuits. Guess she feels they "hide" her huge bottom half. She would actually reduce some of that by wearing an A-line ankle-lentgh skirt. The skirt being narrower around her waist and tummy and flaring out to the bottom. Those pantsuits do not hide her bottom heaviness. I have often heard that if a young man wants to know what his future wife might look like when older, all they need to do is meet his brides mom. If she is overweight, most likely the daughter will be also. Don't think it is always true, tho.

At any rate, Michelle is like a breath of fresh air with her femininity. She wears her clothes well and always looks fresh. McChille is also a very, very smart woman, she will be an outstanding First Lady!

As for Cindi, her hairstyles are from the 60s and 70s. Those Beehives!! Remember those?? The clothes she wears are also styled from those decades. What bothers me about Cindi is that she seems to have NO self confidence, she acts like she is subservient to her husband, ALWAYS walking behind him, following him , NEVER walking WITH him. And McCain treats like she IS subservient to him. When do they ever hold hands? When do they ever show affection toward each other? Poor Cindi, she stands behind him and off to the side looking like a robot seeminly afraid to make the wrong move. Personally, I do not think there is that much love between the two. For him to offer up to compete in the Buffalo Chip Beauty Contest was downright demeaning and I am sure Cindi was greatly humiliated. She smiled, for once, to hide her tears, I am sure. Can you imagine being humiliated in front of the entire world?? Very sad. On top of that the women in this contest wear ultra bikinis and simulate sex acts! McCain has NO class and NO respect for Cindi!! He obviously has NO respect for her and women in general! Women, do you really want this outdated "wrinkled white-haired dude" as your president?? This old buzzard who is also the worst of worst of male chauvinist pigs??

[An]

Michelle Obama is not an attractive woman. The ugliness she carries inside shows through to her outside. You cannot make her over by changing her hair and clothes and telling her what to say. She is what she is, a woman angry at america and letting it be known. She is not articulate with her fist bump hand shake and not wearing panty hose anywhere. I dont see Michelle as a good first lady for america and I hope she never makes it to the white house.

[what??]

I find it odd the redneck conservatives are spewing childish insults toward a woman whose look will outlast there lack of Melanin skintone as she ages.Michelle is like a housewife,you jealous ignorant superiority complex suffering conservative bums with ancient strategies the world is tired of will never age or have the skintone and beauty Michelle has.Its always the conservatives running there fat mouths.No one cares about you miserable lames,your not popular,your hated across the world.SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND SIT THE H*LL DOWN.No one gives a damn about you all anymore but your own kind.Stop talking as if anyone is seeing any logic in your illogical approaches and insults.PLEASE SHUT YOUR FAT LIPS FOR ONCE,THE WORLD HATES YOUR KIND,YOUR LONELY AND MISERABLE.

[An]

One other thing, Michell Obama is not pretty. She looks completely ordinary. Don't tire us out with her. Too much of anything can become boring.

[hcallaway]

You can put lipstick on a pig and it is still a pig. I can understand Ebony Magazine and why Mrs. Obama is on the cover. She is a black superstar to them. Tyra Banks is hot. Put lipstick on her and you still have a good looking supermodel with makeup. She can be on any cover. Why is Tyra a supermodel. She is not ethnic looking. She looks like a Barbie Doll. Michell is not the standard most men (black or white) want in a hot babe. Get Real. I am not PC but I am at least telling the truth. Michell is not a Rosie O'Donald. I give her a solid 7.5 out of a 10. Cindy McCain is a 8 but with her money she is a 9,

[Shana McCarthy]

If the covers of magazines start putting Obama's anti-American wife on their covers, that's when I stop buying or reading them. It really is a disgrace to American our beloved country to act like she's some loyal American which she ain't. She's not worthy of any cover. Her thesis in college was revolutionary, I read it. She's not a loyal American. She's do better in Cuba or Venezuela.

[Carl]

This is one of the lowest election years we have faced when it comes to the issue of choice. We have two people running for president, I mean chosen by their parties to run for president, that have one thing in common. They believe that the greatest achievement in life is to be president and convince you, the people, it is ok to steal money from you in the guise of "protection from Terrorism", "Free healthcare" "Protection from the big bad oil companies" etc. Both of the parties are in it for the Good of the Democratic corporation and the Republican corporation. We have been slowly sheared for decades. I don't see the trend reversing any time soon. We don't need the Majority of the Government Solutions being forced upon us by the point of a gun. We are being taxed to death. We spend money over and above our means and we can't afford the Wars, big government programs, the War on Terror, The War on Drugs etc. Please wake up and start demanding politicians that truly have you in mind. Write in vote this election. Write in your favorite teacher, your dog, your mom. This entire election is based on pitting one group of people against each other. We are a nation of High school cliques and the future is predictable. Higher deficits, weakening dollar. It is a race to the bottom and banana republic politics. Change it up this year. Show some moral conviction and stop voting in people that are out to fleece you until you finally wake up and say NO MORE.

[Lynn]

Oh please . . .who can read this interview with a straight face? Obama doesn't want a convention, he want an innauguration. Just picture it; Obama ascending the mile-high Mount and delivering his Sermon. He then plans to bless the loaves and fishes to distribute to the crowd. There will be photo ops and sound bites galore with thousands of Obamabots chanting "yes we can". The only thing standing in the way of this "perfect" world is a little thing called "democracy".

[kat in your hat PUMA]

Obama overload. Michelle and Barack are on far too many magazine covers on a constant basis--America is getting Obama fatigue. We are getting tired of having the Obama's constantly shoved down our throats by all media outlets. It's just been WAY too much. We know the media is in the tank for them, but now we are desenstized to the Obama's and their overblown celebrity status.

[Jim]

If the covers of magazines start putting Obama's anti-American wife on their covers...
Posted by: Shana McCarthy

------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey Shana, are you by any chance related to Sen. Joe McCarthy of HUAC fame?

[old mo]

I am so damn sick of our glorious unbiased news coverage trying to tell me who is god. I am getting to the point to where I just don't care what the Obama's are doing anymore. They were something new, different and even a little exciting at first. But the news media has just about got me to the point to where I am ready to vote for anyone so long as they are NOT black. So sue me......

[old mo]

Throughout his career, in both the Illinois Senate & the US Senate, Obama has stood up for a women's right to choose, consistently earning 100% ratings from pro-choice groups.

“Look, I’ve got two daughters, nine years old and six years old,” Obama said. “I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”
A baby is punishment.
I wonder who forced Michelle to keep her two punishments ?

[Mike Robinson]

Sorry Old Mo. I did judge you by your comments, which I took to be mean-spirited and an unnecessary. Perhaps I was mistaken by you intentions although it seems hard to misinterpret ""That’s the leader I want: somebody who is so moved by his own children that he’ll go out there and fight for everyone else’s.” That he will go out there and perform an abortion on everyone else's." What exactly did you mean?

[Yay]

I was delighted to read this article. It's so nice to see honorable people in the spotlight. The Obamas seem to be intelligent, compassionate, and good natured. What more could I ask for in a president and a first-spouse? :-)

[WendyPrince]

(Feb 26, 2008): "Obama's Women Reveal His Secret" (Asia Times)
Very insightful article from Asia Times about the influence of Obama's anti-American mother and Michelle.
The press seems to want to neutralize his mother as a benign non-racist lady from Kansas but the reality is much more radical, anti-American and disturbing.

Michelle can't seem to be quiet bout Obama's gaffes!

What do you think?

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/JB26Aa01.html

[WendyPrince]

The polls say that Michelle is overwhelmingly disliked by women. She is arrogant, loud, angry, and appears to be racist!

[Regina]

Some of you are so hateful that its almost hilarious. I think that what infuriates (haters) you the most is that they ( the Obamas) have the nerve to be succesful, BLACK, and intelligent.

What has been accomplsihed through them in one year is more than what some of you hateful individuals ( critics and character assasins) will ever accomplshed in your entire life time. Don't hate because black is beautiful ( along with ALL the other colors in the rainbow).

Its not Michelle's fault that she has been chosen to bust the myth which dictates that in order for a black woman( in America) to be considered pretty she must look as non-ethnic as possible.

Grow up you inmature, unintelligent, and envious dream crushers!

Michelle is and always will be phenominally woman who happens to be three shades darker than what is comfortable for you. ha ha ha! Go Michelle! I celebrate the Obama family because they have already won the race and will always posess the power to make all of you haters look foolish.

[Danda Cooper]

Michelle Obama is so ugly the hair weeves don't help her or the lipstick she is just ugly. Her mouth look like she have chewing tobbaco or snuff in her lower lip UGH

[JackieAdmirer]

Michelle Obama cover girl???
She is so ugly that she can be used for calibration purposes to define the word UGLY = 0 on 10 (take Jackie O to define BEAUTY = 10 on 10)

[JJa]

It's horrible that such an ugly woman can be our first lady, is there any way we can change this without having to wait 4 more years? I long Jackie O.

[zanne]

So much for J Crew huh Michelle? You pranced around proudly with that name brand during the run for the WH. Oh the reality of politics. Eat cake folks.

[Beholder's Eye]

What is there to say? All of the touch ups and graphic enhancement programs can do only that much... Maybe she is a good person and funny and smart, maybe she is a good mother and wife, but beauty she definitely IS NOT. The word "ugly" is a mean one, but this is pretty close what comes to mind when I see Michelle Obama in the media.

[Beholder's Eye]

What to say? All of the touch ups and graphic enhancement programs can do only that much... Maybe she is a good person and funny and smart, maybe she is a good mother and wife, but beauty she definitely IS NOT. The word "ugly" is a mean one, but this is pretty close what comes to mind when I see Michelle Obama in the media.

[VogueApalledReader]

Michelle Obama is an horrible choice for such mag.
I do not have a major problem with a political figure being on the cover,
The problem is rather about an UGLY woman being on the cover of a FASHION and BEAUTY magazine.

[CYDNEY HUFFINGTON]

TO ALL FIRST LADY MICHELLE HATERS........DON'T BE JEALOUS, DON'T BE ENVIOUS, DON'T HATE HER BECAUSE SHE'S HIGHLY EDUCATED , DON'T HATE HER BECAUSE SHE'S ON EVERY MAGAZINE COVER, DON'T HATE HER BECAUSE SHE HAS A GREAT FIGURE, AMERICANS TRUST ME SHE DOES NOT GIVE A FU.. (feel in the other 2 letters)ABOUT WHAT ANY OF YOU SAY ABOUT HER ......ENJOY YOU STAY FOR THE NEXT 8 YEARS FIRST LADY !!!CYDNEY CHASE HUFFINGTON

[Melanie]

Hey Cydney -

Michelle Obama is an ugly,anti-American. I noticed you did not say she is attractive. What is there to be jealous of?

I am educated, attractive, and I love America!

[chun]

Michelle and Barack Obama are the BEST president and first lady we have ever had! Yeah power to the people especially black people. We and i have to say there were more white people that loves them as well. Dont hate congratulate! They LOVE THEM oversees maybe people will actually see AMERICA for what it truly is. They were tired of seeing the same thing for 400 years. Now the TIME has arrived and understand that we along with OBAMAS will do our thang!!!! Go Michelle and Barack!