Michelle Obama Retools "I'm Proud" Remark

Wife Of Democratic Hopeful Says Remarks Referred To Political Process

(AP)  The wife of Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama sought Wednesday to clarify her comment that for the first time she's really proud of her country.

On Monday, Michelle Obama told an audience in Milwaukee that "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." Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential contender John McCain, later sought to capitalize on the remark, saying "I have, and always will be, proud of my country."

Asked by WJAR-TV if she would like to clarify her comment, Obama replied that she has been struck by the number of people going to rallies and watching debates, as well as record voter turnouts.

"What I was clearly talking about was that I'm proud in how Americans are engaging in the political process," she said.

"For the first time in my lifetime, I'm seeing people rolling up their sleeves in a way that I haven't seen and really trying to figure this out - and that's the source of pride that I was talking about," she added.

When asked if she had always been proud of her country, she replied "absolutely" and said she and her husband would not be where they are now if not for the opportunities of America.

Obama himself gave a similar explanation during an interview Tuesday with WOAI radio in San Antonio, Texas. Expressing frustration that his wife's remarks had been taken out of context and turned into political fodder, the Illinois senator said, "What she meant was, this is the first time that she's been proud of the politics of America, because she's pretty cynical about the political process, and with good reason, and she's not alone. But she has seen large numbers of people get involved in the process, and she's encouraged."

Michelle Obama was campaigning in Rhode Island two weeks before the state's March 4 primary. She planned a rally later with her brother, Craig Robinson, the coach of the Brown University men's basketball team.

[ressigmann]

It might be written off as a slip of the tongue is Sen Obama did not refuse to wear a lapel pin of the American flag. Also he has been spotted not placing his hand over his heart during the National Anthem. Seems like he and his wife are both of the same mind: Anti-American.

[jdubs63]

I think she needs to eat crow.I feel she meant to say what she said. Eat Crow Michelle.

[bm6005]

I think it was a poor choice of words for such an ''''educated'''' lawyer, but I think she''''s telling the truth.
Posted by Infidel_US

Have you ever spoke to large groups before? I have and it''s extremely easy to get your tongue ahead of your brain, especially with such a minor slip. So people, lighten TFU!!

[evillein1243]

SJC, no one said she was a politician, but it''s not like it was a slip up or "out of context" she basically said the same thing twice in 1 day at 2 different events. And maybe like you say it''s not a big deal, but I think people should know what they are voting for....this whole time I''ve kept an open mind about Obama, figured sooner or later the race card would show up..

[sjc_1]

Mrs. Obama is not a politician. If everyone has to watch so carefully everything that they say every time, then we turn them all into politicians and get no candor. Cut her some slack, this is small stuff.

[evillein1243]

I just watched her remarks again and uhhhhhh no, go ahead and try to spin it now.... she meant that she was finally proud of her country because a black might get elected president. I mean, it is about time, blacks do make up a whole 10% of the population....maybe next time we should elect an illegal alien...

[evillein1243]

I hope everyone knows how to speak ebonics. We will be a 3 official language nation, english, spanish, and ebonics!!! LOL can''t wait for this. I''m just glad 4 years from now I can say "I told you so".

[evillein1243]

I really wish I were purple or green that way I would be different from both Hillary and Barrack, people would cheer when I wiped my butt and I could be president!!!!!! Let''s elect him so when can show everyone how "diversified" we are!!!! Go Obama bin Laden 08!!!!! I mean Barrack Obama. Or maybe instead of being purple or green my last name could be Hitler. Of course with a last name like that probably wouldn''t do good in politics, I mean that was only 60 years ago. Too fresh in people''s minds....

[evillein1243]

Bring Richard Pryor Back.

[evillein1243]

Yeah, she really meant something else! No, I think she meant what everyone thinks she meant to say... which is why this is news. What she meant was that she was finally not being oppressed and shes proud that her and her peeps can finally get ahead in this country. I also heard that Obama refused to place his hand over his heart during the national anthem or something to that effect. Obviously the Obamas are not patriotic and anyone who says different is an idiot. The president should be THE most patriotic person in the country if he is nothing else. There are 300 million people in this country and Obama and Mccain are the best we can come up with? It''s a good thing everyone hates Bush so much because Obama''s constant "We need change" wouldn''t cut it otherwise. I mean this guy can blow his nose and people cheer? UNREAL. BTW I''m also no fan of Clinton. How about NONE OF THE ABOVE. Maybe we can breng Richard Pryor back.

[realpatriot1]

infidel_US,

You''re a conservative I''ve always respected and always will because you are intellectually honest, and to borrow a McCainism, a straight shooter.

She definitely could''ve worded it better and I hope she learned a lesson from this. As her husband would say, words do matter.

[barbjc1]

Well, friends and neighbors, somebody sure likes Obama. The blacks and people under 30 years old, that just have to prove how diversified they are. These are the voters that are going to put Obama in the White House. Our saving grace will be Congress and the Supreme Court.
This is why our forefathers set up our government the way they did.

[bdrlnt4rl]

there was nothing wrong with her comment. it is taken out of context. she is excited and feels a different type of excitement and pride. this election year is full of firsts and she is part of it.

she should be proud of her country. before now, a black man, a woman and a mormon would have never been concidered for pres. something to be proud of, especially going this far in the elections.

it shows the prejudices are lessening, and i am sure feels pride because of it.

she had no choice but to explain her words. havent you ever said something and had to explain it because soom nut wanted to take it out of context. if not, maybe you should run for pres. or better yet, i guess you can throw the first stone.

she had to rephrase because of the idiots out there trying to stir trash.

think about it, it does not take a brain surgeon to figure that out.

[croft777]

Michelle is a compulsive liar like her husband.Nobody took nothing out of context, we know what she meant. She a d*mn racist wench too, like Oprah. It doesn''t surprise me that they all are nothing but a bunch of racist hipocrits that love black muslims who hate white people. Even wright hates white people. I want to throw up on all of them.

[vmcneal2]

Please..I think most people know what Mrs Obama was saying. I''m alot older than Mrs Obama and this is the first time I''ve seen so many people from different backgrounds come together for change. This has not always been the case in America. Barack Obama brings people together. If you don''t think Obama is right for the job than,God help us all, vote for John "no change"McCain.

[tibu987]

hopetrumps.....snide and inadequate comparisons.

bzzzz....and don''t forget bzzzz-bots.

"People who live in glass houses should not throw stones".
I''m sorry, I don''t know the author of that saying.
Please don''t accuse me of plagiarism.

There are a lot of important issues facing this country, semantics is not one of them.

[infidel_us]

As a conservative, I was appalled by her comment. Now that I''ve read her explaination, I believe her. I think it was a poor choice of words for such an ''educated'' lawyer, but I think she''s telling the truth.

[tibu987]

I knew exactly what Michelle Obama meant when she said what she did. That others are so quick to jump on their opponents semantics mistakes just indicates how desperate they are.
There is no doubt in my mind but that Barack and Michelle are very patriotic Americans.
Even the latest McCain flap is hooey and I am no fan of McCain. We have all made mistakes in life and are often sorry we did. Let''s just stick to the issues and forget all the inane stuff.

[l00ker]

She has gone on record in clarification, and for those who don''t except that, then she should just forget them. It''s all about politcal posturing anyway, and the critics aren''t looking for clarification, they are looking for negative press, and to derail the Obama message, the longer, the better.

[pacific_c]

Odd that the "will of the people" includes Independents and Republicans voting in the Democratic primary. Once nominated the Republicans will have a field day with the liberal Senator from Illinois. Republicans are really smart and they will win a presidential election they are supposed to lose.

IS THIS THE CHANGE YOU WANT?

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/02/the_obama_delusion.html