Michelle Obama: Barack's The Underdog

In An Exclusive Interview With Maggie Rodriguez, Also Comments About Role Of Race In The Election, And Much More

(CBS)  Before Michelle Obama headed to Long Island, New York to watch her husband in his final debate with John McCain, Early Show co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez caught up with her on the campaign trail in Fort Wayne, Ind. Wednesday.

And in an exclusive interview aired on Thursday, Michelle told Rodriguez her husband is still the underdog in the presidential race, and will be "until he's sitting in the White House," despite polls showing him ahead. She insisted no one in the campaign is taking anything for granted:



Obama also shared her thoughts on the role of race in the election, whether she's really, as McCain has charged, "measuring the drapes for the White House" already, how she's juggling campaigning and parenting, and more:

[stand4justus]

Many of Obamas constituents have been muzzled, for good reason! I personally am not happy about the choices we have to vote on. Further, I wrote a long comment which was politically correct, no hate or attacking, and posted it, and it was edited by being deleted. Yeah...the media is bias!

[stand4justus]

If Colin Powell or Condaliza Rice were running, I would be more prone to vote for one of them.
Yes, Obama has learned how to say all the right things and he is a very smooth talker, but so was the snake in the garden. It''s very easy to overlook things that aren''t quite right, when verbally you are being led down a path you want to go on. But remember, words are only words. Look behind them!
IF Obama didn''t have ALL the associations and questions about his past, and wasn''t being paid more than any other govt employee in funds from the oil companies, bailed out banks, and other top institutions with agendas, then maybe I would have considered a vote for him. Along with what I posted before, I cannot justify what might come if I did.

On the other hand, I really like his stance on clean energy with more emphasis on wind, solar, etc..than nuclear!

[stand4justus]

IF Obama wins, would it silence all the whining, angry people who say they cannot get ahead because of color or status? I tend NOT to think so. In real life, squeaking wheel type people remain that type of person, for if they get their way about one thing, they realize they can always get their way that way. What an annoying way to play! Maturity has it''s place in this world and goes far towards fairness.

There is a good mix of all nationalities in positions of all types. America has evolved to more than a black and white integrated nation! I have many black friends who say they are tired of how they are portrayed by the publicity of Obama''s associates, starting with Michelle Obama and his 20 year minister, Wright and even on Father''s Day, how Obama addressed black men specifically rather than all dads.

I also would welcome anyone who is qualified to lead our country, who is a U.S. Citizen, no matter what their color, not based on the fact that a new color is in the white house, there to make a statement about that, perhaps focus too much on sweetening the pie for that group of people only, but one who would run our country as the *United* States that we are. We have way more pressing issues to deal with during these upcoming years..one of them being that there seems to be a need to work towards redeeming America as it''s own nation and taking government back to the laws of the Constitution. *FOR (all) THE PEOPLE*, with Liberty, Justice, and Freedom for *ALL*!

[ddsquared7]

I would vote for a black president without hesitation, but just not THIS candidate Posted by JaneSchmoe
I couldn''t have said it better - where is Colin Powell - I will be first in line to vote HIM in.

[truthpig]

you identify with only the color of his skin. Who is racist now??? Posted by ddsquared7

Bingo!

[truthpig]

I for my part hope that Obama wins so we can silence all the whining, angry people who say that they cannot get ahead because of color. Posted by ddsquared7

We have an african american on the Dem ticket for President of the United States...THAT IN ITSELF SHOULD SPEAK VOLUMES, yet you still think America is a racist country. We have a black man on the Supreme Court, a black woman (with real slave decendents) as Secretary of State and for some reason they don''t count? Seems to me that the only people who continuously play the race cards are the democrats...if I were black I would be highly offended.

[ddsquared7]

We do still have racism - on both sides - white on black and black on white. I for my part hope that Obama wins so we can silence all the whining, angry people who say that they cannot get ahead because of color. When Obama breaks that glass ceiling and becomes President all you whiners better be careful you don''t get cut on the glass shards - no longer can you whine that a black man can''t get ahead. Finally you will have to look at your own inadequacy as a human being and realize it was only yourself holding you back. Look to Colin Powell and Condolezza Rice to just name a few on their success. No whiners there. They seem to make it. Boo hoo - it is so easy to blame someone else for the bad choices or lack of ambition that keeps one stagnant.

[truthpig]

because in 2008 we still have racism. Posted by deshieldsv

Bullsh!t! How is questioning someone''s experience being racist?

[ddsquared7]

no one said that a black man can''t be president. Again focusing on his color. He is WHITE also - which all of you seem to choose to forget. If his skin was a little less dark would you be so fervently protecting him??? If he looked more like his WHITE mother would so many African -Americans identify with him? I think not. Obviously not - you identify with only the color of his skin. Who is racist now???

[deshieldsv]

You know as I read some of these comments, it just saddened my heart, because in 2008 we still have racism. Everybody, is being so rude about Obama and attacking his characters. Obama have just as much experience as McCain either though he may not have experience in the military. To be honest, it time for a change in the white house, we have a new generation and it time to put them to work whether they are white or black. For all of the people that are trying to judge Obama YOU ARE NOT GOD!!! You can bad mouth him all you want, but one thing that I know that God is not please the way his people is acting because an African American male is running for president. I would like for some one to tell me why do they think a black man can''t be president of the united states? I would like for someone to email and give me an answer.

[truthpig]

Google this: BARRY SOETORO
Posted by john43218

***! How many more names did this guy have? People, why are you voting for someone you know nothing about? What has he done to show you he loves this country? Because, in my book, love of country should be the first and foremost requirement to become president. Has anyone ever heard Barrack say he loves this country? I haven''t. I have, however, heard and read numerous reports of America haters that he associated with. Listen, if Hillary were running I would have voted for her...I''ve chosen to vote for for McCain because of his experience and proven love of this country. Also because of his bipartisanship. Obama is very charismatic and smart but past that I see nothing that qualifies him to lead this great country. There are too many questions! I know most of you hate Bush and link McCain to him but don''t be fooled! Obama is counting on you voting in haste...he''s taking full advantage.

[misha128-2009]

She is simply stating that he is the "underdog" so that people will not avoid going to the polls. When one is far ahead in the polls, people stay home.

Posted by cbs_tom at 11:58 AM

In the final analysis there is only one poll that counts -- the one on election day where all voters have the opportunity to participate. All other polls are meaningless.

[cbs_tom]

She is simply stating that he is the "underdog" so that people will not avoid going to the polls. When one is far ahead in the polls, people stay home.

[blackeurope]

"If McCains pastor was a racist pig as Obama''''s former pastor was" ?????

Eeer .... McCains pastorS (plural) ARE racist pigs!!! Ever even listened to Hagee? Parsely?? unfiltered racism, religious hatred, what have you.

What Wright said comes down to this:
White Americans kill, maim and hurt Native Americans, Black Americans, Angolans, Cubans, and lotsa other countries with brown or black skinned people, and THEN they have the chutzpah of invoking GOD for their brutal and Godless acts with their "god bless America". But God doesn''t bless killing , maiming and hurt, God DAMNS those actions, so yes, God *** America!

How dare you to ask God to bless all these heinous warcrimes! That''s sacrilegous. As blasphemic as Creationism.

[ddsquared7]

If McCains pastor was a racist pig as Obama''s former pastor was (only former because he knew he had to can him if was ever to be President) would CBS and the rest of the media have EVER dropped the story. I don''t think so - just look how they went after Sarah about her religious affiliation. Race plays a big part in this election. There are going to be just as many racists voting for Obama as there are who are voting against Obama. I for one don''t understand it - this guy is bi-racial - neither 100% black nor 100%white. He is both. So this is not going to be our first black president. This is going to be our first bi-racial president.

[ddsquared7]

When Maggie asked who cooks in the house - Michele at least was honest saying that at least recently there has been a lot of take out - and she isn''t even the actual candidate - just the wife. Now if Sarah had said that Maggie would have probably been all over that asking her if that was being a good mother - and she is the actual candidate running. I don''t usually watch your broadcast because you are so unfair and biased in your reporting. But keep it up. I am an Independant and I feel as many others - Whatever side CBS news is favoring - go the opposite way. At least report fairly. Neither of these candidates walks on water - have a financial analyst actually take those promises of tax cuts and sort that out. Neither can do what they promise.

[john43218]

Google this: BARRY SOETORO

[chitown639]

Michelle Obama, what a touch of class. She will be a much better First Lady than that drug addict Cindy McCain....

[dante805]

Seems like the Nasty is hitiing the weed again just like she and B.O. Did back in college.

[wrmscvsuv]

Talk about being a racist...Michelle Obama is among the worst, and her thesis at Princeton proves it. That''s all she thinks about. She''s just a damned whiner.

With her looks, maybe she has a right to be.