Obama: I married Michelle to improve my gene pool

First lady Michelle Obama speaks during a stop at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, in Hampton, Va, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011.

/ AP

First Lady Michelle Obama has played a major and at times humorous role on the final day of her husband's three-day bus tour through North Carolina and Virginia.

Joining the president at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, Virginia, Mrs. Obama announced a new private sector commitment to hire 25,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2013. Improving the lives of the military is one of her causes.

Following the First Lady's introduction, the president went off-script as he commented on his wife. Looking out at a sea of military personnel in battle fatigues, Mr. Obama admitted, "I hate following Michelle. She's so good."

To the laughter of the service people he added, "See for you men out there who are not yet married, let me explain. The whole goal is to marry up--to try to improve your gene pool."

Former President George W. Bush often used the "married up" line when publicly praising his wife Laura or the spouses of other leaders but the Obama "gene pool" comment was a first.

Praising his wife's role to "support and honor our military families," the president added, "she does all this and she looks cute."

There was more banter as the Obamas stopped at a roadside farmer's market in Hampton. Standing near a sign promoting "Pumpkin Patch Open Hayrides," the couple shopped for seasonal offerings. The president told the market owners, "You know Michelle does a good job promoting produce. She tries to get everyone to eat their vegetables." Mrs. Obama hefted a gigantic white pumpkin on to a metal cart. The market owner estimated the big gourd weighed 70 pounds.

"Don't hurt yourself," cautioned the president. As Mrs. Obama loaded another pumpkin, he asked, "how many are you going to buy?" No more, she said, adding, "we'll have enough trouble getting these back."

The president indicated the goods would be stowed in the back of the bus that the media have dubbed "Ground Force One." The pumpkins will be displayed at the door to the White House.

It was a campaign-style photo-op moment on a trip the White House insists is not political.

The president tried to emphasize that point at his veterans's jobs event. "Standing up for our veterans is not a Democratic responsibility or a Republican responsibility -- it is an American responsibility," he said.

Mrs. Obama is increasingly assuming political responsibilities at re-election campaign fundraisers and other events. She often ends her speeches to Democratic backers by asking, "Are you in?" Like many other first ladies, she's definitely "in" as the president's top campaign surrogate.

Tonight, Mrs. Obama will return to a non-political role as she and Jill Biden appear at the World Series opener in St. Louis.

They will participate in a pre-game ceremony honoring the military and their families.

[stn_sage]

This comment doesn't really surprise me!
Evidently, he views his marriage the same way
that he views his job as president...that is,
what's best FOR HIM...NOT anyone else!
This is reflected in the decisions he's made
so far while in office!
I just hope he doesn't take America too far
down before he's done!

[slhodges]

My first husband at the NSA said that to me, and I threw him out

[mooring7]

Huh????? IF he married up.... does that mean she married down????

[taxchurches]

If Obama has to steal jokes from a retarded cowboy his gene pool may really need some help.

[Cru09]

Always so unspecific. Not worth pondering.

[noloyalisti]

Hey, Barack, I feel exactly the same way about my wife.

[doneinone]

Does your wife slum at Target to see how the commoners live and dress? And to conveniently set up a photo op to boost your sagging popularity?

[USA_is_back_]

Well at least Obama knows he has a gene "cesspool" that needs quite a bit of improving. That's about all he seems to know as president.

[WeHappyFew]

Isn't this comment just one of those charming 'dinner party soundbites' one makes to compliment one's wife?

Meanwhile, in other news, Gaddafi's bought the big one.

[xvirg]

A fine President, a first-class American family. He's working hard to make a better country for us. I totally respect our leaders in Washington. They certainly have a good sense of humor while we witness our nation crumbling into ruins. But have faith, children of the USA, only YOU can control your own destiny.

[expatriate2]

You can't be a liberal because liberals don't make ridiculous assumptions like no conservative pays taxes; that no conservative has morals or ethics or thinks for themselves. Liberals would never promote the absurdity that conservatives are racists or hate mongers.
But congratulations, it was all spoken like a true, robotic, brainwashed person following the propaganda of their party.

[realist51]

Really simply pathetic: I looks to me with all the negative remarks here. That these peoples parents obviously didn't improve there "Gene Pool" But what more could you expect from failed republicans and there failed job and American life style killing agenda's. Sounds like a lot of sad racist's calling the president a racist and such hogwash,Really as far as being a socialist, wake up dip ****'s what republicant bills has the president ever vetoed? What jobs have the republicant's created? NONE! simple fact. What have the republicant's done in the last 10 months NOTHING!Oh ya passed a couple meaningless anti abortion bills, stupid ranting mantra on the republican side and then still do nothing. what are you clowns going to do if you take the white house back? More stupid deficit spending and tax cuts? then tell the American people that deficit spending doesn't matter like DICK Cheney and his band of hooligans did for eight years in congress. sheeeeez

[sloppy-mcjohnson]

Sounds like your gene pool could be improved. It's to late for you but hopefully your kids could benefit.
Who could defend the worst president in our history and not have a defective gene pool themselves.
Sad

[realist51]

It is all ready better than the other as i would not attack a president based on his back ground unlike others have here. However i would attack his and his parties policies. and i didn't think i was defending Bush and his republican't party for they truly are the worst in American history.

[sloppy-mcjohnson]

Considering Obama's gene pool he comes from you can see why he needs to try and improve it. On his fathers side they are all a bunch of drunks and alcoholics. His mother running around the world and US finding losers to marry and basically abandoning little Barry to be raised by her parents.
But marrying Michelle isn't going to improve anything since she is no prize either.

[1pheasant1]

What did your father do to improve the gene pool, sloppy? Pumpkin?