Michelle Obama Appreciates Laura Bush

Says On "The View" She Was Touched When First Lady Came To Her Defense

(AP)  Michelle Obama said Wednesday she was "touched" that first lady Laura Bush came to her defense after she was harshly criticized by Republicans for her February comment that for the first time in her adult life she was proud of the United States.

Obama, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, later clarified her remarks, saying she had always been proud of her country and was particularly proud to see so many people involved in the political process.

In an interview last week with ABC, Bush said, "I think she probably meant 'I'm more proud,' you know, is what she really meant." She said comments in a campaign are closely watched and can be misconstrued.

Michelle Obama told the women of ABC's "The View" that she sent Bush a note for her remarks.

"It took me a while to write it. It's like, how do I address her?" she said. "I said dear madam first lady."

Obama did not elaborate on the contents of the letter because she said Bush might not have received it yet.

"But I was touched by it," Michelle Obama said. "And that's what I like about Laura Bush. You know, just calm, rational approach to these issues. And you know, I'm taking some cues. I mean, there's a balance. There's a reason why people like her. It's because she doesn't, sort of, you know, fuel the fire."

At a campaign stop in February, Michelle Obama told an audience in Milwaukee: "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."

Michelle Obama, a guest host on the popular talk show, talked about the presidential campaign and helped the show's regular hosts interview actor Matthew Broderick.

She walked onto the set arms linked with Barbara Walters, one of the show's co-hosts. She joked with the other cast members Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd, giving them fist bumps as she joined them at the table.

"Wait," she told them after sitting down. "I have to be greeted properly. Fist bump, please."

Earlier this month, a Fox News analyst suggested that her affectionate on-stage knuckle bump with her husband, on the night he locked up the Democratic presidential nomination, might have been a "terrorist's fist jab."

"It is now my signature bump," Michelle Obama told "The View" co-hosts. "But let me tell you, I'm not that hip. I got this from the young staff. That's the new high-five."

Michelle Obama, 44, and her husband, 46, also appear on the cover of "Us Weekly" magazine this week, under the headline, "Michelle Obama: Why Barack Loves Her."

Barack Obama told the celebrity magazine, "When we started out on this campaign, we wanted to make sure that life for our girls would remain as normal as possible, and it's because of Michelle that they are so grounded. Nothing is more important to Michelle than being a good mother, and she works every day to instill in our girls the same values we were raised with."

The couple have two daughters, Malia, 9, and Sasha, 7. The issue hits newsstands on Friday.

[cold777]

Michelle Obama is one of the classiest people out there.

[shortestfuse]

Yeah, she''s waaaay out there....

[sallyr3]

There is no comparison between First Lady Laura Bush and the Obama woman. "How do I address her?..." Please, have some sense. Laura Bush is the "First Lady".

[gwagener]

So far as I know, Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain are not on the ticket, so I see no relevance to anything they say or do.

[dinkydog1]

Oh, more of the new Michelle Obama makeover! Why does she need one?

Did Laura Bush ever need a makeover? A repackaging?

Why does Michelle?

Posted by ddhinnyc at 02:21 PM : Jun 18, 2008
+ report abuse

.................

No , Laura was the ideal Conservative Republican example of a proper woman....... quiet and dumb as a brick

[credibility2]

If Michelle was so consumed with having misspoke or not using the words she wanted, I''m hard-pressed to recall her even offering a statement of clarification until quite some time had passed and then only after she continued to receive criticism for her moronic ungrateful comment. Cindy McCain was correct in saying what she said because she demonstrated that while campaigning for your husband you had better make sure you weigh your words carefully and not put your foot in your big mouth, as Michelle did. As long as Michelle campaign''s for her husband, any of her comments, whether she meant them or not, are fair game for criticism and she had better stop relying on others to speak for her. Michelle is a grown-up now and should conduct herself as one and not make excuses; come to think of it, her husband uses this method as well and the suckers have fallen for it.

[gbdmd]

First of all, there was ABSOLUTELY NOTHING controversial about Michelle Obama''s "proud of America" comment. An overwhelming majority of people who heard and read the comment in its context clearly understand what she meant.

As far as Cindy McCain stating that she is and has ALWAYS been proud of America, then that means Cindy McCain has ALWAYS been proud of slavery, ALWAYS proud of Jim Crow, ALWAYS proud of the lynching of black people in the south, ALWAYS proud of the internment of Japanese people during World War II, ALWAYS proud of the discrimination inflicted upon people of color. Hey, she said it and was proud of it... right.

[minnick8-2009]

As long as Michelle campaign''''s for her husband, any of her comments, whether she meant them or not, are fair game for criticism and she had better stop relying on others to speak for her.

Posted by Credibility2

You are right on!! If Michelle or Barak do not want people commenting on her commentaries, then she should not put herself out there with commentaries. She should stand by her man, smile, and wave.

[sgtrds-e4]

Laura Bush is a classic GOP Stepford wife. They run them off in an outsourced factory in China and then issue them to young republicans when they run for office. They''re guaranteed to look adoringly up at "their man", maintian their blank smile, to never have an original thought of their own and to ignore any hints of an affair. They''ll never make any noise no matter what they''re used for, just remember to plug them in at night.

[minnick8-2009]

Oh, more of the new Michelle Obama makeover! Why does she need one?

Posted by ddhinnyc

When Bill Clinton was the presumptive nominee, Hillary took the public''s comments and underwent a make over. There is nothing wrong with improvement. I think it is interesting that Michelle''s new coordinator (whatever her title is) is a white woman.

[gbdmd]

At issue is not whether people comment or even critique anything Barack or Michelle Obama say. The issue is that their comments are often misrepresented and exaggerated into something not even close the resembling the comments actual context or intent.

I think anything any politician says should be evaluated for truthfulness and accuracy. But it''s something entirely different to purposely misrepresent someone''s words. So no... it is NOT FAIR GAME to misrepresent and mischaracterize someone''s comments.

What saddens me is so many people don''t do the actual research to get the real story. Every time I hear or something stupid, the first thing I do is get the actual story and not rely on a single reference.

[sgtrds-e4]

"They''''ll never make any noise no matter what they''''re used for, just remember to plug them in at night."
-Posted by SgtRDS-E4 at 03:21 PM : Jun 18, 2008

Sounds like you''''re describing one of your liberal environmentally-friendly electric cars.

Posted by mike071067 at 03:25 PM : Jun 18, 2008

I don''t think you can get as much millage out of Laura Bush between repairs though and she has to be shipped back to the factory in China every time she breaks down.

[skyk-2009]

You can pretty much tell how successful an event was by the reaction of the Right! When they ATTACK without regard to anyone or anything the event went well. This is going to get much worse before it''s over but the Republican Party will be the one to pay the price. They continue to loose members with every passing day because of the control over the party by Religious Extremist and of course the Southern Racist. I could understand Nixon, after the Civil Rights Act, going to these people with a wink. I can understand it but it was and will become an even bigger problem for the party as this goes forward.

[skyk-2009]

Sounds like you''''re describing one of your liberal environmentally-friendly electric cars.

Posted by mike071067 at 03:25 PM : Jun 18, 2008

Exactly how is that?? I make no connection and can''t see how anyone who wants to talk WITH a fellow citizen about a subject could.

[jetlizhan]

cbs obviously erase my comment - i''ll post once again. michelle''s so called kind words come way too late. laura is so above michelle - laura has class, but then again, so does michelle, it''s just all low. she doesn''t deserve america''s support and respect.

[minnick8-2009]

They''''re guaranteed to look adoringly up at "their man",

Posted by SgtRDS-E4

I think it is one of the cruel jokes that God played on women or part of evolution (take your pick). The chemistry fueled by pheremones (which are part of the chemistry) is responsible for the utter twitterpation. Ever noticed, that women, no matter what socioeconomic, race, or social status will follow her man around like a puppy dog after his best friend? I think it is absolutely irritating. It is what keeps a woman with an abusive man, or an alcoholic man, or a poor man. For the most part, it works that most women don''t take off and leave their man with a batch of small children. So if that is what it is for, then I guess it is good.

[erasmus81]

No , Laura was the ideal Conservative Republican example of a proper woman....... quiet and dumb as a brick

Posted by dinkydog1 at 02:55 PM : Jun 18, 2008

I guess this is what Michelle Obama has to look forward to. It is just beginning. I hope she is up for it because it will get nasty. I feel sorry for their two little girls. Look what Chelsea had to go through.

[skyk-2009]

Well, if you believe Barrack Obama''''s defense of his dumb wife, then she was also proud of those very things you listed, because, according to him, Michelle has always been proud of her country also.

Gotcha, stupid liberal!

Posted by mike071067 at 03:23 PM : Jun 18, 2008

Well MAYBE she''s proud because "Liberal''s" stood tall against the racist and terrorist in the old south?? As a young college student I got on those Buses headed for places like Selma and I was proud... proud of myself and ALL those who stood tall against those "Christian Conservatives" who were lynching people because of the color of their skin. You should TRY standing up for others sometime yourself. It might help you understand why those LIBERALS all those many years ago stood up against the KING!

[gbdmd]

Well, if you believe Barrack Obama''''s defense of his dumb wife, then she was also proud of those very things you listed, because, according to him, Michelle has always been proud of her country also.

Posted by mike071067 at 03:23 PM : Jun 18, 2008
---------------------------

Thanks for making my point. You simply can''t extrapolate the ridiculous from an innocent comment. My point about Cindy McCain is that I don''t think for an instance that Cindy McCain is proud of the things I mentioned, but as has been applied to anything the Obama''s say, one can apply the ridiculous and nonsense to anything anyone articulates.

So... you didn''t get me. You made my point. The problem is... you weren''t bright enough to "get it". And it''s people like you that might actually vote in this election... that''s what really scares me.

[minnick8-2009]

"They''''ll never make any noise no matter what they''''re used for, just remember to plug them in at night."
-Posted by SgtRDS-E4 at 03:21 PM : Jun 18, 2008

Sounds to me like you are a bitter man.

I can understand that, I''m a bitter woman. I can make comments about gender also.

Here is one: Men have their place, someone has to donate sperm and pour the cement.

I remember when men used to say, "Why buy the cow when the milk is free?" I say, "Why buy the pig just to get a little sausage?"

[skyk-2009]

I guess this is what Michelle Obama has to look forward to. It is just beginning. I hope she is up for it because it will get nasty. I feel sorry for their two little girls. Look what Chelsea had to go through.



Posted by erasmus81 at 03:35 PM : Jun 18, 2008

Oh you know it!! You can begin to see that from the post on here! But that''s okay! The MORE they attack and the MORE they show their true selves the MORE people who will come to our side. American''s are tired of these people who attack, shout people down and attempt to Tar people for no other reason than they refuse to agree with them.

[sgtrds-e4]

I remember when men used to say, "Why buy the cow when the milk is free?" I say, "Why buy the pig just to get a little sausage?"

Posted by minnick8 at 03:37 PM : Jun 18, 2008

It''s a shame you got stuck with a pig with a little sausage.

[minnick8-2009]

American''''s are tired of these people who attack, shout people down and attempt to Tar people for no other reason than they refuse to agree with them.

Posted by skyk

Sounds to me like you are describing yourself.

[minnick8-2009]

SgtRDS-E4

I''m not stuck!! I make my own choices.

[mjvw2]

Well MAYBE she''''s proud because "Liberal''''s" stood tall against the racist and terrorist in the old south?? As a young college student I got on those Buses headed for places like Selma and I was proud... proud of myself and ALL those who stood tall against those "Christian Conservatives" who were lynching people because of the color of their skin. You should TRY standing up for others sometime yourself. It might help you understand why those LIBERALS all those many years ago stood up against the KING!

Posted by skyk

I couldn''t agree with you more. You should be proud of your actions but what you fail to mention is that the "Christian Conservatives" you stood up against were Democratics led by the likes of Lester Maddox of Georgia and George Wallace of Alabama. The Civil Rights Acts would never have passed without the Republican Liberals. This statement will certainly draw fire from the uneducated that frequent this website.

[demslie]

John McCain is polling ahead of O''Bama because the American people are tired of the Endless hate rage and anger of Democrats. How in the world is O''Bama supposed to Bring the country together when Democrats anounce their hate for everything everyday. Democrats hate Bush, hate republicans, hate the military, hate capitalism, hate rich people, hate christianity, hate herterosexualls and hate family values. And now comes O''Bama who hates white people and the American Flag. The Democrats hate and anger are sure endearing themselves with the American Voter.

[l00ker]

Being the president of the United States and First Lady of the United States are positions which come with their own unique set of protocols, which lend to people''s expectations, and plenty of unforeseen public relation minefields. Michelle will have to get used to being First Lady, instead of being first girlfriend. There is a lot of pomp, circumstance and stage craft that come with these positions.

[liberalme]

cbs obviously erase my comment - i''''ll post once again. michelle''''s so called kind words come way too late. laura is so above michelle - laura has class, but then again, so does michelle, it''''s just all low. she doesn''''t deserve america''''s support and respect.

Posted by jetlizhan at 03:31 PM : Jun 18, 2008

Heck I can;t respect Laura for sticking with an idiot like Bush--

[sgtrds-e4]

SgtRDS-E4

I''''m not stuck!! I make my own choices.

Posted by minnick8 at 03:42 PM : Jun 18, 2008

Then maybe you should choose a pig with a big sausage?

[pvperson]

How do you have an opinion about Laura Bush, she''s such a nothing, no substance, caricature of a person. At least Michelle has a personality.

[sgtrds-e4]

Michelle Obama is a classy lady, whereas Laura Bush is a robot.

[liberalme]

Posted by demslie at 03:54 PM : J

You been hitting the sauce again?

Dems hate what Bush has doen to this country---
Hate the military? WE''RE the ones trying to bring them home from a war for oil!!
Hate rich people? Rich people use and grind anyone who isn''t rich, under their feet--Big corporations have used the heII out of the average American.
Rich are the ones like Nike who pay Vietnamese workers $59.00 a month!!!
Hate christianity? We''re not the ones shoving our beliefs down everyones throats--we believe in FREEDOM of religion.
Hate heterosexuals? We ARE heterosexuals!! No self loathing here.
Hate Family values? We''re the ones who are trying to save our grandchildren from this wasteful debt YOUR president got us into--We love our families and our Country!
And show me where it says Obama hates white people and the American flag---By the way--most flag pins are made in China!
You are merely one of the few that are very comfortable killing people for no reason, invading an unarmed country and lying to defend why we''re there--it''s "your kind" that has given this nation the hate and disrespect we not receive.

[krenz4]

Being the president of the United States and First Lady of the United States are positions which come with their own unique set of protocols, which lend to people''''s expectations, and plenty of unforeseen public relation minefields. Michelle will have to get used to being First Lady, instead of being first girlfriend. There is a lot of pomp, circumstance and stage craft that come with these positions.


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

Posted by l00ker

THis "first girlfriend" is an educated, highly respected, well paid Corporate exec and lawyer, I''m sure she know that she is Indeed already a lady and is well heeled in the pomp and circumstance of canoodling with bigwigs. This is no ''round the way girl" that you seem to think she is. She is by no means going to walk around ''shinin'' like past presidential wives. Get used to it.... this is going to be your new FIRST LADY and she is up for the job. She doesnt need former housewife Laura to teach her anything!

[spinster2]

John McCain is polling ahead of O''''Bama because the American people are tired of the Endless hate rage and anger of Democrats. How in the world is O''''Bama supposed to Bring the country together when Democrats anounce their hate for everything everyday. Democrats hate Bush, hate republicans, hate the military, hate capitalism, hate rich people, hate christianity, hate herterosexualls and hate family values. And now comes O''''Bama who hates white people and the American Flag. The Democrats hate and anger are sure endearing themselves with the American Voter.


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

Posted by demslie
---------------------------
On the other side the GOP loves ripping off the tax payer, selling out to corperate america, porn, and lying to the ignorant such as claiming that John McCain is polling ahead of Barack Obama.

[yankeerebel7]

Laura Bush is perfect wife material. Smart, classy, caring, and elegant.

[liberalme]

Now how do you think that''''s going to go over?

Posted by ddhinnyc at 04:10 PM : Jun 18, 2008

Remember in the 70''s we had gas lines because of the "shortage?

How come no gas lines now?

[sgtrds-e4]

Obama wrote in his book that he regularly used cocaine.

Is he a cokehead?

Posted by ddhinnyc at 04:14 PM : Jun 18, 2008

He did not say regularly. That is a lie. Not surprising coming from you though.

[yankeerebel7]

If Pres. Bush a "drunken cokehead", then what does that make Ba''raq Obama, who''s an admitted snorter of blow?

[shortestfuse]

THis "first girlfriend" is an educated, highly respected, well paid Corporate exec and lawyer....

Posted by krenz4

Because her well-connected "boyfriend" arranged for some very well-paying business to find its way to her firms.

[sgtrds-e4]

You''''re a minority.

Posted by ddhinnyc at 04:13 PM : Jun 18, 2008

No, actually I''m a middle-aged white male.

[sgtrds-e4]

Obama wrote in his book that he used cocaine.

Is he a cokehead?

Posted by ddhinnyc at 04:17 PM : Jun 18, 2008

Not if it was just experimental, which it was.

[emelder]

Michelle Obama is a good person ... the haters out there embarrass themselves with their irrational and divisive comments that do nothing but cut people down. Go Barack!

[sgtrds-e4]

Michelle Obama is a good person ... the haters out there embarrass themselves with their irrational and divisive comments that do nothing but cut people down. Go Barack!

Posted by emelder at 04:18 PM : Jun 18, 2008

I''ll second that and she going to be the best First Lady since Jackie.

[texanforlogi]

Posted by nokoolaid at 03:10 PM : Jun 18, 2008


Oh, thank you! I am so tired of the ugly.

[spinster2]

I am a democrat and think Michelle Obama has class but I wouldn''t go as far as to say that she has as much as Laura Bush because she just doesn''t.

[sgtrds-e4]

It has never been admitted or proven that Bush used cocaine.

Posted by ddhinnyc at 04:19 PM : Jun 18, 2008

Wrong. Bush said he didn''t use any coke after 1980, but refused to say anything about before.

[liberalme]

Wrong. Bush said he didn''''t use any coke after 1980, but refused to say anything about before.

Posted by SgtRDS-E4

Everything prior to that is fuzzy! lol

[yankeerebel7]

It has never been admitted or proven that Bush used cocaine.

Posted by ddhinnyc at 04:19 PM : Jun 18, 2008

Wrong. Bush said he didn''''t use any coke after 1980, but refused to say anything about before.

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

Posted by SgtRDS-E4

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

So that makes him guilty, but Obama who has admitted to rolling up bills and snorting fat rails of blow, is not?

[texanforlogi]

John McCain is polling ahead of O''''Bama because the American people are tired of the Endless hate rage and anger of Democrats. How in the world is O''''Bama supposed to Bring the country together when Democrats anounce their hate for everything everyday. Democrats hate Bush, hate republicans, hate the military, hate capitalism, hate rich people, hate christianity, hate herterosexualls and hate family values. And now comes O''''Bama who hates white people and the American Flag. The Democrats hate and anger are sure endearing themselves with the American Voter.


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

Posted by demslie at 03:54 PM : Jun 18, 2008

Bless your heart, there isn''t a single word of truth in your entire post! I guess what I''m trying to say is: demslie always posts dem lies!

[spinster2]

I would say that Bush and Obama used Coke although it has never been proven either way. We have only their word and as much as I might fault Bush, I don''t fault him for not admitting it. I believe that he came about as close as he ever had when he asked "How would it look to children to know that the president used to use cocaine?" and as far as I''m concerned, he has a point although I don''t fault Obama for admitting it either. It''s pretty much a non-issue at this point.