Obama To Tenn. GOP: "Lay Off My Wife"

Democratic Candidate Fires Back At Online Video By State Party Targeting Remarks Made By Michelle Obama

(AP)  Democrat Barack Obamahas a message for Tennessee's Republican Party: "Lay off my wife."

Obama, his party's presidential front-runner, and his wife, Michelle, were asked in an interview aired Monday on ABC's "Good Morning America" about an online video last week by the state's GOP taking her to task for a comment some considered unpatriotic.

"The GOP, should I be the nominee, can say whatever they want to say about me, my track record," Obama said. "If they think that they're going to try to make Michelle an issue in this campaign, they should be careful because that I find unacceptable, the notion that you start attacking my wife or my family."

He called the strategy "low class."

The video, posted on YouTube, centered on remarks Michelle Obama made while campaigning in Wisconsin last February, when she said: "For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country."

The four-minute video replayed the remark six times, interspersing it with commentary by Tennesseans on why they are proud of America. In a news release that included a link to the video, Tennessee's GOP said "the Tennessee Republican Party has always been proud of America." It urged radio stations to play "patriotic music" during Michelle Obama's visit to Nashville last Thursday.

Michelle Obama later clarified the remark, saying she meant she was proud of how Americans were engaging in the political process and that she had always been proud of her country.

"Whoever is in charge of the Tennessee GOP needs to think long and hard about the kind of campaign they want to run, and I think that's true for everybody, Democrat or Republican," Obama said in the ABC interview, adding: "These folks should lay off my wife."

Obama said his wife "loves this country. For them to try to distort or to play snippets of her remarks in ways that are unflattering to her is, I think, just low class. I think that most of the American people would think that as well."

Tennessee's Republican Party was roundly criticized in March, including by likely presidential nominee John McCain, for a news release that used Barack Obama's middle name — Hussein — and showed a photo of him wearing what it said was "Muslim attire."

The release ultimately was removed from the party's Web site at the urging of the state's two Republican senators and Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan, who said he "rejects these kinds of campaign tactics."

[riptide213]

Remember this.

We the people in order to form a better nation. We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

When did it all go astray?

Make this election an historic 21st Century turning point in our national politics when the American people had their modern day resurgence to tear down the ivory towers of political cronyism and arrogance.

If the people dont win this one, if the people dont make politicians answerable now to us then we the people might not get another chance to really change the course of our prevailing political descent into an abyss of public desolation.

All those in power must play or pay by our rules not some privileged artificial construct of democracy without public accountability or rebuke.

Voters fix your bayonets of virtue and lunge toward a ballot box near you to save our nation from the enemy within.

Vote for them in political battle trenches isolating our nations leaders from their own citizens and putrefying spirit and intent of our countries founding principles.

If required, vote with your best gut instinct not with your party politics.

[ekucrew]

"Lay off my wife"......Bwahahahaha
Then maybe when in a public speaking setting your wife should be less Martha Mitchell and more Laura Bush.

[rowdytexan2]

So many gutless wonders trash Hillary Clinton almost hourly, yet have the nerve to berate someone else for alleged criticism of women. What arrogance and elitism.

There''''s only one reason Obama has defeated Hillary for the nomination. The far left in the Democratic Party decided it was OK to slap around a woman, to lie about her, to use their filthy macho ego ********* jokes, to distort her statements and positions but boxed in the Clinton campaign so that any strong criticism of Obama''''s positions and questions about this experience, judgment and character were made to appear racist.

I dare and defy you gutless wonders to criticize anybody for lashing back at this racist old gasbag grump and calling her out on HER OWN WORDS that are on videotape all over the net!

Too bad the ''claws come out'' when you d/amn this country!

[therealkman]

OBAMA IN 08'', DON''T HATE!

[eyeswideope2]

...centered on remarks Michelle Obama made while campaigning ...

IF SHE''S GOING TO CAMPAIGN, SHE''S PART OF THE CAMPAIGN.

[jack3213]

WHAT A HYPOCRIT! IT IS OK HOWEVER FOR HIM TO MAKE COMMENTS ABOUT MCCAIN AND HIS WIFE- OR BILL CLINTON- THE WHOLE OBAMA FAMILY IS PART OF THE PROCESS- AND IF ''MICHEELE'' SAYS SOMETHING STUPID SHE SHOULD ANSWER FOR IT. BOY, IS HE EVER INEXPERIANCED!!

[notopennshut]

The republicans are really not only low-class-they are classless! When they have no ideas, nothing to pin on someone, they go attack the spouse and other family members. They keep on saying that they are the party of family values, but have shown in their own deeds and words that they are in fact the opposite. During the last year, check out how many republican law makers have been caught in situations with both male and female other than spouses. Then comes a public apology and they think this should resolve it? The republican motto seems to be "do as we say and that does not apply to themselvles". But going after anyone else other than the candidate is the lowest they have stooped to, ever.

[mudrose-2009]

Michelle Obama is so negative it''s impossible for her not to be an issue. Every time she opens her mouth it''s an America that is doomed and gloomed. If your wife isn''t running for President, then maybe she should keep her big stupid affirmative action mouth shut.

[jack3213]

OBAMA IS THE ONE WITH NO CLASS- HE DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO TREAT PEOPLE RESPECTABLY AND THEN WHEN HE SAYS SOMETHING INSIGNIFICANT HE APOLOGIZES NOT BECAUSE HE IS SINCERE BUT BECAUSE HE WANTS TO APPEASE THE PUBLIC. WHO IS THE HYPOCRIT HERE? SURELY YOU GEST

[jack3213]

JEDI - I NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT HILLARY- AND BESIDES WE ARE TLAKING ABOUT THE SPOUSES NOT THE CANDIDATE

[jack3213]

JEDI- SURELY YOU DON''T KNOW THE FIRST THING ABOUT WHAT ''EXPERIANCE'' MEANS

[jack3213]

JEDI-LOL! I HAVE NEVER SUPPORTED THE CLINTONS. NEVER WILL. THE 90''S ARE OVER, BABY. MCCAIN 2008.

[msay3]

If Obama wants us to lay off of his wife, then maybe his wife should keep her big mouth closed!!!

[libh8er]

This assclown runs a pretty good racket. Comments by Bush - he makes it out to have been about him. Now it''s about ''his wife'' when no one said anything about the beotch.

He''s carefully setting himself up as being victimized adn thus deflecting legitimate discussion because PC RINOs will not cross the line.

Very clever play of race.

[chitown639]

If Obama wants us to lay off of his wife, then maybe his wife should keep her big mouth closed!!!


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

Posted by msay3

Maybe you should tell YOUR mother or wife that first!!!

[singingrick]

The GOP can''t run on their record of success because they''ve only got massive failure to show for their time in power. That''s why they run with smear and fear. Americans see through it and are tired of it.

[msay3]

chitown639: We''re not the ones who are suffering from "foot-in-mouth" disease.....Michelle''s big mouth is exceeded only by her big butt!

[fabrat1]

"These folks should lay off my wife."
.
.

Yeah that sounds real intelligent.

[perceptions5]

If Michele Obama makes "public" statements then those public statements can be reprinted or re-ran anywhere in America. As long as we still have those freedoms.

ONCE AGAIN, our corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack press, and CBS is an alpha member, is TRYING to supress and censor any "anti-Obama" news in Ameirca today.

This "story" is just one more attempt by our "free left-wing press" to dicate who they want in the White House.

And we can tell you right now it won''t be the Obama''s, although we fully expect their corrupt liberals pals in our wolfpack press to go to every extreme to "try" to make it happen.

[barbaraf4]

The Obama campaign needs to acquire a sense of humor. No matter what is said, they and their supporters, stand ready to be offended. I keep hearing about "code words". Give me a break! I have no problem expressing myself without using code words. Those folks are nutty as fruitcakes.

[specter878]

If she had not opened her mouth in the first place, they would not have cause to repeat what she says.

[libh8er]

Michelle''''s big mouth is exceeded only by her big butt!
Posted by msay3 at 09:25 AM : May 19, 2008

OOoooooo......baby got BACK? :) Is that what you''re trying to say? LOL Can you imagine the low frequency bass vibrations eminating from ''da house'' if these two get elected?

You will probably be able to hear the windows rattle from PA Ave.

[ljb6599]

Perceptions5...You are just way too paranoid.

Get Real Obama. If the press and campaigns can criticize Cindy McCain, Teresa Kerry, Chelsea Clinton, and Bill Clinton, than Michelle Obama is fair game. I watched the complete video and according to Obama her comments about not proud of being an American were not what she meant. Every time the Obama%u2019s put their foot in their mouth, the media gives them lots of free air time to tell us what they really meant, not what they really said. Give me a break.

[singingrick]

Republicans have nothing to offer America except four more years of Bush''s failed policies. That''s why they are running on smear and fear.

[ringading3]

Very ugly angry woman, will be a disaster as First Lady.

[libh8er]

although we fully expect their corrupt liberals pals in our wolfpack press to go to every extreme to "try" to make it happen.
Posted by perceptions5 at 09:27 AM : May 19, 2008

EXACTLY! Trying to stifle ANY debate regarding his associations, friends, and character (or lack there of).

[concorde5]

Barbara......Your statement makes no sense. You think the GOP attacks on Michelle Obama is Funny? You think Obama should just have a sense of humor about the whole thing?

What are you smoking?

[libh8er]

I like big butts and I can not lie
You other brothers can''t deny
That when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist
And a round thing in your face
You get sprung
Wanna pull up tough
Cuz you notice that butt was stuffed
Deep in the jeans she''s wearing
I''m hooked and I can''t stop staring
Oh, baby I wanna get with ya
And take your picture
My homeboys tried to warn me
But that butt you got
Make Me so horney
Ooh, rump of smooth skin
You say you wanna get in my benz
Well use me use me cuz you aint that average groupy

[concorde5]

Obama is about to come out swinging and leave McCain in the dust.

Republicans are very scared of Obama because they know they can''t defeat him. He will be our next president. Get Used to it. It''s about time we had a little soul in the white house. Maybe we can shake up the good ole boy mentality that is currently eminating from the white house.

[libh8er]

jh6379,

In other words, she lied. Admit it. Get over your liberal white guilt syndrome and open your eyes.

[fabrat1]

Obama is about to come out swinging and leave McCain in the dust.

Republicans are very scared of Obama because they know they can''''t defeat him. He will be our next president. Get Used to it. It''''s about time we had a little soul in the white house. Maybe we can shake up the good ole boy mentality that is currently eminating from the white house.

.
.
HaHaHa best joke I''ve heard all year!

[prinzowhales]

"Michelle Obama later clarified the remark, saying she meant she was proud of how Americans were engaging in the political process and that she had always been proud of her country."

This clarifies nothing...she is a lying racist low life just like her husband...who despite repeated opportunities has refused to explain why for twenty years he remained an officer in a church based on Cone''s black liberation theology which held that if a religion did not aid in the destruction of the "white enemy", it should be cast aside.

As if this were not enough, the Israel-firster and America-laster, Neo-con William Kristol has said that he prefers Obama over Clinton. His campaign manager, Axelrod, is the protege of Representative Rahm Emmanuel--an IDF veteran who represents Israel from his perch in Chicago. His foreign policy handler is Zbignieuw Brzezinski who wants to renew the Cold War with Russia!

You''d have to be dumber than a bag of hammers to support this Manchurian candidate.

[concorde5]

I am sick and tired of having rednecks and hillbillies in the white house. It''s past time to rid the white house of trailer trash.

Go to the O!!!

[singingrick]

Do Republicans have anything to offer other than fear and smear?

[libh8er]

Republicans are very scared of Obama because they know they can''''t defeat him.
Posted by concorde5 at 09:36 AM : May 19, 2008

That''s not exactly true. We''re scared because McPusskator will be the nomineee (short of a heart attack from heaven) and has already said he will not go negative.

Neither will Ubama...the press will do the job for him (like this story illustrates.) And the countless other negative stories about McCain and his wife that will come out.

And McNiceguy will just sit there and take it.....and likely lose.

[blondbeotch]

mike71067 9:32----You are so right!!! This guy is a wusss---What does he think he''s running for--Student Council Prez? Get over it and start stating what you stand for!! Noone knows you or what you stand for except CHANGE???? What kind of CHANGE?? You never say!!!!

[nolalou]

WHO IS THE HYPOCRIT HERE? SURELY YOU GEST
Posted by JACK3213

Who''s the IDIOT here? Surley you can''t spell !!

[msay3]

All kidding aside, guys, if you listen to the message that Michelle Obama gave in a session where she was speaking to under-privileged children, most of them black, it sends a rather dark message....She told those kids how life is stacked against them from the beginning, that they will constantly have hurdles thrown in front of them, and that it is a tough uphill climb....She may believe that, but wouldn''t it have been more inspiring for her to say "...Look at me, I went to Harvard, I am now the proud wife of a black man who is running for President of the United States of America!!....If I could do it SO CAN YOU!!!!"

[kittykatty2]

It just goes to show, in desperate times a desperate party will sink to desperate measures and the Tennessee GOP has done just that.

[barbaraf4]

"Your statement makes no sense. You think the GOP attacks on Michelle Obama is Funny? You think Obama should just have a sense of humor about the whole thing?" Posted by concorde5
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I think the Obama''s have been in public life long enough to know how to let criticism roll off of them. Yes, I think a sense of humor would go a long way towards accomplishing it. They are grim, serious people who spend most of their time defending or apologizing. Let it go!!

If they are destined to be the First Couple, then they need to lighten up (no pun intended).

[prinzowhales]

Who else supports Obama? John D. Rockefeller IV, who on the Senate Intelligence Committee passed on the obviously bogus ''evidence'' rationalizing the Stupid Peoples'' War against Iraq--as did John Edwards.

Rockefeller has his families own private intelligence network with connections all through the Middle East which would have told him the truth of the matter.

But, as Obama himself and Mad. Albright, Clinton''s secretary of State noted...US FOREIGN POLICY IS BIPARTISAN!!--that means BOTH parties were party to the fraud...both supported the war against Iraq for Oil and Israel. Note also that John Edwards was on the committee with Rockefeller and passed on this war without any hint of due diligence! He is also a Bilderberger attendee--prior to his selection as Kerry''s VP, he went to their meeting in Naples to be vetted.

Kerry and Edwards IGNORED THE THEFT OF OHIO by the Republicans. Kerry and his Republican wife flew away to party with the Schwartzeneggers...Two people are in jail for the Ohio theft.

[mbcsmith]

It just goes to show, in desperate times a desperate party will sink to desperate measures and the Tennessee GOP has done just that.


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

Posted by kittykatty2 at 09:43 AM : May 19, 2008


Please tell us what is wrong with replaying a public comment made by Mrs Obama. Seem like gair game.
Just like "...I will have unconditional talks with the leader of Iran, Cuba and Hamas."

[libh8er]

it sends a rather dark message....Posted by msay3 at 09:42 AM : May 19, 2008

Can they send any other kind? LOL

[Frankie58]

"If they think that they''re going to try to make Michelle an issue in this campaign, they should be careful because that I find unacceptable, the notion that you start attacking my wife or my family."

Sorry there Barack, you better get used to it, should she become the first lady...this is only the beginning my good man, only the beginning. And by the way, if you want the media to "lay off her and the family" you should keep her off stag at your rallies and should she make a speech, she should "engage her brain before she speaks"

[walker1209]

Senator Obama really needs to get over himself. If his wife makes a public statement then is is up for criticism and/or praise. We all know that she is not a candidate but she is a surrogate for her husband when she is speaking out on the campaign trail. Also, some of BARACK THE MAGNIFICANT''S supporters need to chill out as well. Not everyone who does not support his candidacy is racist, stupid, a gun-toter, bogged down in religious doctrine, underemployed, or bitter. I am Black, smart, don''t like guns, believe in GOD (but don''t beat anyone over the head with my beliefs), employed, and reasonably well adjusted. This voter just does not believe the snake oil he is selling and believes that 7 years of one empty suit is enough! I am not a hater, just someone who can think for herself.

By the way, why do some of you feel the need to post the same swill more than once? (One time is sufficient).

[concorde5]

Barbara......That type of attack on Michelle Obama is NOT funny. The GOP attacks suggest that she does not love her country. That is a low blow that I certainly wouldn''t let go unchallenged. I don''t blame obama. If they hit me, I whould hit them back harder.

That''s how you stop a Bully.

[blondbeotch]

JH6379 9;40---You have it bass-ackwards azzz wipe---you lefty libbers are the hate America crowd---you are angry hateful, destructive people!!

[libh8er]

Why do those redneck''''''''d neocons hate America sooooo much anyhow?
Posted by jh6379

Because it has losers like YOU in it!

[homespunlady]

Easy there GOP LOBBYIST wolf-pack.

SECRET "OFF-LIMITS" "I will NEVER reveal" potentially "dirty" financial DEALINGS by "BARBIE" (they REALLY ought to CLEAR THAT UP BEFORE the GE - that 2 MILLION DOLLAR "investment" in GENOCIDAL SUDAN by her isn''t CHUMP CHANGE) might just TRUMP a long ago explained remark that is about a thousand times LESS QUESTIONABLE than the things King George says and DOES EVERY DAY.