Michelle Obama describes stress of watching debates

AP Photo/Disney-ABC Domestic Television, Donna Svennevik

The presidential debates are surely stressful for President Obama and Mitt Romney, but First Lady Michelle Obama says the events give her some anxiety as well.

"I compared it to the Olympic parents watching their kids on that balance beam," Mrs. Obama said in an interview on ABC's "Live with Kelly and Michael" that aired today.

The first lady told the talk show hosts that at the last debate she found herself squirming in her seat, but she said, "they really caution you to be quiet, and I try to follow the rules so I don't get in trouble."

Mr. Obama's first debate performance was panned, but his wife of course had only praise for the job he's done as president. Mrs. Obama said his record holds up "when you think of where this country started, 800,000 jobs being lost in this economy every month." She added, "I'm proud of how he carries himself with consistency, and poise and decency and honesty."

Mrs. Obama, who is more popular than her husband, has served as an effective spokeswoman for her husband on the campaign trail. In the interview, which was taped on Wednesday but aired today, she urged viewers to vote early "because you never know what's going to happen on Election Day."

Mrs. Obama also divulged some trivia about the first family's personal life, noting that they held a "play date" for their dog Bo recently for his fourth birthday. First daughters Malia and Sasha, she said, were "concerned Bo wasn't getting enough doggy interaction, so after a week of campaigning we had five dogs on the South Lawn with doggy treats and moms and kids and snacks and treats."

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The first lady said she gets concerned her husband will get hurt playing basketball -- recalling the incident in 2010 when he split his lip -- and said her favorite dessert is pie and her first job was babysitting.

Asked what reality show she likes, Mrs. Obama said, "I do love a little 'Real Housewives' every now and then." Asked whether she prefers Mr. Obama wearing boxers or briefs, she jokingly replied, "None of the above."

[fiddlestickawshucks]

POOR LITTLE MOOCHELLE.! BOO-HOO

Maybe now she understands how millions of Americans feel after watching themselves being beaten down by her husband for the last four years.!!

[Txretiredtchr]

Thank heavens for these comments. I almost burst a bloodvessel reading the violent comments about Ann Romney on The View yesterday. First of all, I think she was treated rudely,and interrogated. Then the comments afterward were so vicious about her being rich. Everyone on the couch was rich! And seriously, Whoopi and her counterpart Joy sounded evil. Obama said the USA doesn't care about Louisiana, yet he never gave them a penny...he just instigated more division. Mitt Romney and Ann gave 1/3 of their income last year to the poor! I have been awakened by the anonymity of the internet and the unanimous hatred of Black America to successful White America; perhaps even just plain White America. I have a perpetual headache.I am glad to be able to see their true heart through anonymous posts. I am a changed woman and view our country through different eyes. I had no idea. A comment that stuck with me was from a woman who said Ann Romney would not be welcome in her at-risk neighborhood with her droopy face and stuttering; just send the money. That makes me sick.

[US-Patriot]

Of course she is anxious, Obummer doesn't have his teleprompter.

[SOFOM1]

If you have no core, you're bound to be nervous. Can the adults take over now please...

[empirebuilder]

Hard hitting interview... where was the question about her husband's military service and if Sushi and Malaria will be serving the country when they reach age? Wonder if they ever poised the question that if it is so stressful being FLOTUS and in handling debate, wouldn't Chicago be a nice retreat next spring?

How about her husband's religious beliefs and if his Islam upbringings have had any impact on his view of Christianity? How does she feel about his handling of the Benghazi fiasco?

Aanother softball pass interview for Obama and the DNC!!!!!!

[Mitch_Connor]

Aren't both of these candidates chickenhawks? Neither of them risked their lives in military service to this country.

[empirebuilder]

Hard hitting interview... where was the question about her husband's military service and if Sushi and Malaria will be serving the country when they reach age? Wonder if they ever poised the question that if it is so stressful being FLOTUS and in handling debate, wouldn't Chicago be a nice retreat next spring?

How about her husband's religious beliefs and if his Islam upbringings have had any impact on his view of Christianity? How does she feel about his handling of the Benghazi fiasco?

Aanother softball pass interview for Obama and the DNC!!!!!!

[Mitch_Connor]

Aren't both of these candidates chickenhawks? Neither of them risked their lives in military service to this country.

[Mitch_Connor]

Nervous about what? This idiots get together to screen the questions and sign a pact ensuring there is no meaningful confrontation before the "debate." These aren't debates, they're press conferences.

[Steve_James]

But she doesn't talk about how it's okay for "her" to break debate rules by clapping for her husband?????