Michelle Obama liked Biden for vice president over Hillary Clinton, and other juicy tidbits from East Wing

"Do you really want Bill and Hillary just down the hall from you in the White House?" First Lady Michelle Obama reportedly asked her husband. "Could you live with that?"

According to a new book by Christopher Andersen, Michelle Obama also convinced her husband, despite his misgivings, that his trademark campaign slogan -- "Yes We Can" -- would be effective. "It will work," she told the future president. "Trust me."

An excerpt of the book, titled "Barack and Michelle: Portrait of an American Marriage," is slated to be published Tuesday in the New York Daily News.

Among the highlights:

•  The couple struggled with fertility issues, and Michelle discussed adoption with friends.

• In the early days of their marriage, Barack bristled at his wife's "constant criticism" about his role at home, calling her complaints "unfair" and "shortsighted."

• Daughter Sasha's meningitis scare in September 2001 helped the couple reconnect.

• Despite her husband's long absences on the campaign trail, Michelle never questioned his fidelity. "He's never given me reason to doubt him," she said.

-- Johanna Neuman

Photo credit: Reuters

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Comments

[Clugs]

Shouldn't the VP be the person most qualified, not the person most liked by your wife?

[Maz Hess]

By staying his ground with Michelle Barack has proven that he can stay his ground with everyone and everything.

[stewart]

okay clugs, Biden is quite qualified with decades in the senate and the judiciary, as a member of the foreign relations committee, and the chair, today he is said by CNN to be advising the president to rethink the Afghanistan excursion..'this is a bigger problem requiring a shift'
this sort of candor based in Biden's thorough understanding of the world, makes him a very serious player and thats why he is the VP today, being liked by the first lady is a bonus, being liked by me? what a guy!
I mean it, while others howl at Joes remarks from time to time? I take him as answering straight from the heart, if you dont want to know what he really thinks? Dont ask.
I'm with Joe!