The Obamas On Their Personal Transition

Talk About Their Family's Move To The White House, And Efforts To Preserve Sense Of Normalcy

(CBS)  Kroft: I know that from talking to you, you've said that this has put a lot of, you know, your husband’s involvement in politics has put strains in your marriage from time to time. He's about to take over the most pressure packed job in the world. But he's also gonna be home, right?

Michelle Obama: Oh yeah. He's got a big office at home now.

You know, this entire year and a half has brought us closer together as a family. And we managed to stay close and become even closer with Barack gone most of an entire two year period. And now we get to be together under the one roof, having dinners together. And, you know, I envision the kids coming home from school and being able to run across the way to the Oval Office and see their dad before they start their homework. And having breakfast. And he'll be there to tuck them in at night. And, you know, again, you know, there'll be moments of deep seriousness and times of great focus. But, you know, we'll be together doing that. And that gives me reason to be very excited.

But that's not the only thing that is about to change for the Obamas. When 60 Minutes first met them two years ago in Chicago, everything was much simpler.

Kroft: I can remember the first time we went to your house We were greeted at the door by the girls. They were a little smaller then. A couple years younger. But that has to have changed. I mean, you can't get in the car and drive all over Chicago, right?

Mr. Obama: Yeah. I remember the first time we interviewed - we just drove down right near your mom’s house.

Michelle Obama: Oh, that's right. That's right. You did.

Mr. Obama: Got out of the car, walked--

Mr. Obama: Yeah, that's a little harder to do now.

Kroft: You told me that when you went off to Washington and made the decision to live there and when you came back to Chicago you had certain chores that you had to perform. You had to wash the dishes and make your bed.

Mr. Obama: Yeah.

Kroft: Are you free now on that front?

Mr. Obama: Well, I…

Kroft: Certainly there's gonna be somebody else to wash the dishes and make your bed.

Michelle Obama: Yes.

Mr. Obama: There sometimes it's soothing to wash the dishes.

Michelle Obama: You? Since when was it ever soothing for you to wash the dishes?

Mr. Obama: You know, when I had to do it. I'd make it into a soothing thing.

Michelle Obama: The thing you have to remember, Steve, is that you, the interesting part about this year is that it is slowly transitioned us into this. So today doesn't feel as normal as it did yesterday. If we had compared it to the January before he announced, it would seem truly odd. But we have gradually, you know, had more and more changes. And I think, for us, that's helped us get adjusted to do it. So today isn't a shock.

Mr. Obama: One of the great joys of this campaign is the seeing how the girls have adjusted to this thing. They have stayed their normal, cheerful, happy, courteous, curious selves. And that was one of my biggest worries. And remains one of my biggest worries. You know, when we think about, I know Michelle and I have talked about this a lot. How do we just maintain that precious normalcy in our two girls? And, you know, 'cause right now they're not self-conscious. They're. you know, they don't have an attitude. And I think one of our highest priorities, over the next four years, is retaining that. If at the end of four years, just from a personal standpoint, we can say they are who they are. They remain the great joys that they are. And this hasn't, you know, created a whole bunch of problems for them. Then I think we're gonna feel pretty good.

Kroft: How has your life changed in the last ten days?

Michelle Obama: You know, it's calmed down a bit. I mean, we're-- we're back into more of a routine.

Mr. Obama: There's still some things we're not adjusted to.

Michelle Obama: Like what?

Mr. Obama: Like--

Michelle Obama: What do you want?

Mr. Obama: Me not being able to take a walk.

Michelle Obama: Oh, well, you know.

Mr. Obama: No, I mean, though those are things that…

Michelle Obama: I don't walk as much as he does though. So I guess I don't miss it.

Mr. Obama: Yeah. I mean, you know.

Michelle Obama: You want to go for a walk?

Mr. Obama: I do. I'd love to take you for a walk. Although it's cold today. But…

Michelle Obama: Yeah, I wouldn't go with you.

[basia95]

I enjoyed the Obama''s comments on their personal transition to the White House. I must comment that since Mrs. Obama will soon be our First Lady that her wardrobe must include stockings if she will be wearing a skirt.

[olivia4441]

WGAS-- WHO GIVES A SHI-.

The ones who do do not understand they have signed up for a depressive country, one which they will suffer even greater than the one they already have. LMAO..You get what you deserve , idiots.

[basia95]

I enjoyed the Obama''s comments on their personal transition to the White House. I must comment that since Mrs. Obama will soon be our First Lady that her wardrobe must include stockings if she will be wearing a skirt.

[basia95]

I enjoyed the Obama''s comments on their personal transition to the White House. I must comment that since Mrs. Obama will soon be our First Lady that her wardrobe must include stockings if she will be wearing a skirt.

[basia95]

I enjoyed the Obama''s comments on their personal transition to the White House. I must comment that since Mrs. Obama will soon be our First Lady that her wardrobe must include stockings if she will be wearing a skirt.

[basia95]

I enjoyed the Obama''s comments on their personal transition to the White House. I must comment that since Mrs. Obama will soon be our First Lady that her wardrobe must include stockings if she will be wearing a skirt.

[basia95]

I enjoyed the Obama''s comments on their personal transition to the White House. I must comment that since Mrs. Obama will soon be our First Lady that her wardrobe must include stockings if she will be wearing a skirt.

[basia95]

I enjoyed the Obama''s comments on their personal transition to the White House. I must comment that since Mrs. Obama will soon be our First Lady that her wardrobe must include stockings if she will be wearing a skirt.

[basia95]

I enjoyed the Obama''s comments on their personal transition to the White House. I must comment that since Mrs. Obama will soon be our First Lady that her wardrobe must include stockings if she will be wearing a skirt.

[basia95]

I enjoyed the Obama''s comments on their personal transition to the White House. I must comment that since Mrs. Obama will soon be our First Lady that her wardrobe must include stockings if she will be wearing a skirt.

[bombamamia]

It feels good to have someone in the White House that I will be proud to call President. It is so refreshing to have an intelligent, compassionate, kind hearted person as President. And Mrs. Obama is going to be a great First Lady. They are both so intelligent and gracious. They''re a beautiful family.

[tejasdemo]

They seem like normal people to me.

[yvonne113]

to doorgunner3
every woman has a way to carry on a relationship with her husband. that is want get them growing. you as a accomplished, degreed person must have lost that during your studies. when you have a circle of influences that judge what you can''t get; you tend to hate with jealousy on my 1st lady. she is very charming and that what men like. Pres. O enjoys and respects his wife. she has plans to be focused on her family. that leaves him to be focused on us. what man doen''t want a supportive wife to come home to? Hillary made a very good statement that has influenced so many women in her past situatuion. Michele has done that same in her current situation. family will always come first. The fundalmental difference is that she is a virtueous woman. How many do you know like that in your circle. My husband and i carry on very much like the Obama''s. guess what? folks can''t buy what we have. a wholesome family communication, not a caveman style. if most woman spoke up with the spouses and got respect from their husbands, they wouldn''t have to sit in the back. many pastorial married teams carry on this way as well. the Obama girls have a great role model for a mom. i love them all, they are my family. we should all check ourselve and be happy for others. and she doesn''t have to wear designer clothes because she has a body that designer want to clothes. you go Michele!!!!

[bold123-2009]

Dear Mr. President:

For over 40 years poor people dreams of hope and economic opportunity have been shalter by America and those it has elected to represent us have failed. Blacks Organizing Leadership Development BOLD, have fought quietly behind the scenes over 17 years in Federal, Appeal and in the United States Supreme Court to no avail. With our beginning with President George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush you may be the world last hope to enforcing our Economic Opportunity Acts of 1964, 1967, 1972, 1978 and the Community Service Acts of 1974. We know it was these acts the established President Lyndon B. Johnson''s "War On Poverty" program and laws that promised to lift poor people out of the dungeons of Poverty. Mr. President, history calls on you and the United States Congress to sign an Executive Order which gives poor people under Mary L. Hill, Founder and National Regional Director of the Community Service Administration by law. According to the acts Anti-poverty funds were earmarked for a specific purpose and in 1981 without a record vote congress repealed an Act signed into law by a duly elected President of the United States. We are the children of Israel and its time to Let My People Go.

Now is the time.


Sincerely,


Rubin Young, President
Blacks Organizing Leadership Development, BOLD
[e-mail]

[olivia4441]

Will Obama share his money or is he just a preacher..and soon to "*** America" ?
Proof is in the action, not the word. This man was supported by the masses for having promised them the world without any past experiance or accomplishment..who is the fool??! Surely not I.

[harapan-2009]

Barack Obama and his wife play an exemplary role for many in their 20s and 30s--folks who have the minds and the hearts to do good with their talent and intelligence but are discouraged with the ''reality'' of the dog-eat-dog world, which has beat cynicism into the modus operandi. Everything that the Obamas represent: consistence, respect, deliberation, and idealism--as well as a view of life that believes in the good, strong, and pure--have slipped through people''s hands in their struggle to survive; forced to dismiss what was once considered an objective in life: to be a well-rounded, good human being. The Obamas--as professionals, parents, and as a couple, and now as First Family--are at the least a breath of fresh air, and at the most as substantially influential as real-life role models can be. I wish the Obamas strength and grace for the next four years.

[likenoone-2009]

I made lots of money with clinton in office and and
I like a good dog

[sunbum33919]

John was a bigger whor then Bill Clinton
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I''m thinking most of the Presidents had mistresses or whatever you would want to call them..... but I''m betting that isn''t going to happen with P.E.Ob..... nuh uh.... nope. All those secret tunnels will be closed off and sealed tight. Clinton was a moral disgrace but still loved by many - so to speak.

[licha3]

President-elect and Mrs. Obama were great in the interview. What a beautiful, inteligent, and charismatic couple they are. They do remind me of John and Jackie Kennedy. Steve''s remark of having a dog and a mother-in-law come into the White House was insensitive.
Good things will come out of all this and will prove to all racists that we need to look beyond color.

[sunbum33919]

They are protected and you can tell they feel that power and have that faith by the presence they have! Sorry get over it. 2 strong intelligent, hardworking folks who had nothing given to them are in the White House... Hope won Hate lost.....
**********************
I must have missed something...... protected by whom or what? Are you talking about the secret service? What "power" does the Constitution allow to the First Lady? She obviously has power in her private non-political life but is not afforded any power as the First Lady. Sometimes a woman needs to take a backseat to her husband regardless of how powerful she feels she is......this would be such a time (and this does not mean I hate her or him). I want the world to love her...... but many will not just because she is "rude and snarly"...... UNLESS she becomes president. Her actions / speech directly reflects on the President. Some may and will interpret this as a sign of his weakness.