Obama Lonely in Office, People Mag Says

(CBS)  First lady Michelle Obama's 46th birthday is on Sunday, just a few days before President Obama marks the first anniversary of his inauguration.

People magazine sat down with the first couple to talk about the past year.

Betsy Gleick, People's executive editor, filled "Early Show" viewers in on the candid session.

Gleick said the headline of the interview is that Michelle and Barack are optimistic about the country's direction, but that there are huge challenges ahead for the U.S.

"Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith pointed out that the president talked a lot about "being in the bubble" of the powerful office.

Gleick called Barack's words on the subject "touching."

"He just talked about the loneliness of the job. And some of the loneliness, he embraces. He realizes that he has big decisions that he alone needs to make," she said. "But he misses being out among regular people."

Smith said rhe People magazine photo spread is among the best he's seen of the couple.

Gleick said the pictures show the genuine affection between the President and first lady.

"They're comfortable," she said. "They have sort of taken to life in the White House. Their children have taken to life in the White House."

In fact, the interview also highlights the lives of Barack and Michelle's daughters, Sasha and Malia.

Gleick said there are several "adorable" anecdotes about the children getting adjusted to life in the mansion on Pennsylvania Avenue. She added the two girls seem as if they now view the historic residence home.

As for the presidential garden, Gleick said it's still an important symbol for Michelle in her fight against childhood obesity and self-sustaining food supplies.

"She tells us we're going to be hearing a lot more this year from her about childhood obesity and healthy eating for families."

[bonorocks01]

I totally agree wit mid-class!!! OBAMA ROCKS:D

[jgg000101]

seriously, barry, get another dog. maybe a chiuaua.

[-One_American-]

Poor, sad little Obama.

All alone, in his little bubble behind closed doors - making crooked deals, going completely against the will of the American people, falsely blaming everyone but himself for the problems he creates, and stealing from the American taxpayer while he pays off his political Chicago mobster cronies.

Poor, sad little Obama.

Nobody understands just how hard it is for him to be the most dishonest, corrupt, and unethical occupier of the White House in all of our history.

Did I say hard? I meant easy...

[Dgunner]

I think we should let all the cocky republicans have things thier way for a year. If thier brilliant ideas don't work . Drag them out in public and shoot them. Same goes for democrats. I betcha this would stop alot of the bs that road blocks progress.

[GunnerSix]

You first... Obama's ideas and clear majority in both houses are heading us toward a depression. Now that the "swamp" is drained, lock and load buddy. Charlie and Maxie are pop-up targets in the stuck mode!

<i>She added the two girls seem as if they now view the historic residence home. </i>It's NOT their HOME. This is where they lodge for 4 or 8 years, just like everyone else who floats through there. These people need to understand they are not royalty nor are they dictators nor are they permanent fixtures.

[busbus5]

You just had to find something to gripe about! The White House is just a building. It's the people who live there that will make it home for the time that they live there.

What you suggest is that if one lives in someone else's building without charge, pays rent to live in someone else's house or pays rent for an apartment in someone else's building they should never feel that they are at home when living in any of these spaces. Wow!

Now I know that every official living in a space paid for by taxpayers should only consider the space as a place for shelter, that they and their family are only temporary lodgers and that they should never make or consider this space home for the time that they are allowed to live there. Okay -- I hope that all governors, ambassadors and other officials (perhaps, mayors) understand this point. Never consider living space paid for by taxpayers HOME!

[MCdV-CH]

'Home' is where one lays their head....or are you dumb?

[drthvader]

Michelle is beginning to look actually pretty. Good for her!

[bcs2k]

Beginning?

Always was quite pretty!

[jgg000101]

you guys must be blogging from the slammer.

[gboyd41]

Lonely? Mr. President, perhaps you might resign? Don't play games with your mental health.

[midlclass]

he has a full plate and to me is doing the best job one man can do. what i regonize here is a failure of people to get behind the president. you republican'ts seem to forget that at the time of 911 we democrates rallied along with the rest of the nation behind GW. he just flushed it down the tubes. now because there's a chance for real change. the party of no is doing that. if you need to ask what change look at all the issue's your arguing about. yes wait until 2012 then see what you have to say.

[ajvw]

yes the whole country rallied around bush for about 48 hours. as for me, I'll never rally around the socialist one

[cidaia]

I'm not a Republican and I didn't get behind Bush either.

When they told me that polls said 100% of America thought Bush was doing a good job, I laughed.

If Obama wants me behind him, he'll have to earn that trust, or is it respect? I'm not going to fall in blindly with a bad leader. That sort of "unity" is not helpful.

[stormerF2]

I do not blame him for wanting to be alone,who in their right mind would want Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid keeping you company. Bill Clinton had the right Idea find him a usable Intern,Or maybe Desiree Rogers to keep him company so he will not be so lonely?

[sjc_1]

The President has lots of people that support him. a good staff of advisers and cabinet. He is not alone in making all the big decisions. Too many people have placed far too much of the burden on this one man. It is OUR country and we are here to help too.