Archive for Michelle Obama

Photo Gallery: Indiana and North Carolina Primaries

Another week, another day of primaries in the Democratic presidential race. As expected, each of the co-frontrunners had something to celebrate on this critical election day, pocketing a victory a piece May 6.

Below are some photos of last night’s rallies held by Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama - and their spouses - in Indiana and North Carolina.

Click to enlarge any of the shots of the Clintons and Barack and Michelle Obama photos, and follow the jump for many more May 6 pictures …

A Big Smile Hook Em? Bill Clinton, Chelsea Clinton Obama PhotoAn Obama Embrace Waving to the Crowd Michelle Obama: Pumped UpIndiana Victory Speech Hillary Clinton SupportersEvan Bayh

Continue reading this article …

The March 4 Primaries in Pictures

Below are a collection of photos leading up to, during and following the March 4 primary elections in Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island and Vermont.

The tension, celebration, the heartbreak, the endorsement of Sen. John McCain by George W. Bush - we’ve seen a lot in the past 72 hours.

Here are some highlights, with many more after the jump. Click to enlarge and visit our gallery to search even more photos by politician (or spouse).

A Good RunCindy McCain PicHillary Fights OnA John McCain PicPrezObamasClinton, Hillary RodhamA Loving LookHome StretchIt's Party TimeA McCain EmbraceChelsea and Hillary Clinton

Continue reading this article …

Photo Finish: Cindy McCain vs. Michelle Obama

We’re not writing Hillary Clinton’s candidacy off, but we’re all very familiar with the former First Lady - as well as the possible future First Gentleman.

Cindy McCain and Michelle Obama, on the other hand, remain a bit of a mystery to many Americans seeing them on the national stage for the first time.

Donkey Dish’s political bios should help you get up to speed on these smart and talented women - as well as the candidates themselves.

We also have ever-expanding galleries of Cindy McCain photos and Michelle Obama photos. Below are just a few - follow the links for many more!

Safety FirstJohn McCain and Cindy McCainJohn and Cindy McCainCindy McCain SmilesCindy McCain PhotoJohn McCain and Wife Michelle Obama and Barack Obama A Hug For BarackThe Obama FamilyMichelleMichelle Obama PictureMichelle Obama, Barack Obama

As we come across more quality photos of Michelle, Cindy and other prominent political figures, we’ll add them to our galleries. So check back often!

Michelle Obama Remark Sparks Controversy

There’s a long way to go, but Barack and Michelle Obama are starting to get a taste of what a general election campaign might be like.

After winning the Wisconsin primary, John McCain stated that Barack Obama offers “no more than an eloquent but empty call for change that promises no more than than a holiday from history and a return to failed policies.”

But it’s a remark by Michelle Obama - not Barack’s traditional rhetoric - that has drawn particular ire this week.

On Monday, Michelle Obama told a crowd in Milwaukee:

For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country. Because it feels like hope is making a comeback.”

Later in the day, she gave another speech, saying:

Let me tell you something. For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country, and not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change.”

That triggered no small amount of rage from many on the right, and even prompted a retort from John McCain’s wife, Cindy McCain:

“I am proud of my country. I don’t know about you, if you heard those words earlier. I am very proud of my country,” Cindy McCain said.

Michelle Obama Picture

The response from many Americans to this Michelle Obama quote is “oh, the horror” - and there’s no question it wasn’t the best choice of words.

However, it’s worth noting that many news outlets first reported she said “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country.”

Without the qualifiers on the end, it sounds a lot more inflammatory. Either way, it’s hard to say what Michelle Obama was going for here.

As an African-American of privilege she may be more aware of American inequality, not less, as many have suggested. This could’ve been a way of saying she’s proud of the progress we’re making - or striving to.

More than likely, though, Michelle’s comment was simply a case of - imagine this - hyperbolizing in a political speech to make a point!

Much like the outrage at John McCain’s “100 years in Iraq” quote, Michelle Obama’s remark was probably meant be compelling and to convey a point, not be taken literally and in some sense out of context.

In Michelle’s case, she probably meant to express how proud she is of America right now. Anything more is a product of bad word choice.

Whatever she meant by it, Michelle should apologize and explain the comment, because many people do take offense and you don’t want to let the press and the public speculate and assume the worst.

But people should also, as James Carville says, go take a wet shower.

Michelle Obama at Center Stage

The Wall Street Journal’s Monica Langley has a terrific piece on Michelle Obama on the front page of today’s paper.

The scene: Barack Obama and his top advisers on a conference call, prepping for a debate. Michelle dialed in to listen and couldn’t stay silent.

“Barack,” she interjected, “Feel - don’t think!

Saying her husband’s “over-thinking” during past debates had tripped him up with rival Hillary Clinton, she said: “Don’t get caught in the weeds. Be visceral. Use your heart - and your head.”

The campaign veterans shut up
. They know Michelle Obama’s opinion and advice means more to their candidate than anything they could say.

A Princeton- and Harvard Law-educated hospital executive, Michelle has assumed a dominant role in the Illinois senator’s public life.

Michelle Obama Photo

The three people Michelle lives with certainly aren’t surprised.

She expects a lot of the family, from having their six- and nine-year-old daughters set their own alarm clocks to insisting her husband pick up his dirty socks. Her most recent directive to Barack: Stop smoking.

In the campaign, she has emerged as an influential adviser whom aides watch as a barometer for how both they and Barack Obama are doing.

They watch for “the look” between Barack and Michelle Obama on stage or in private moments, as an indication of his mood.

Inside the campaign, she’s been dubbed “the closer” because she often pushes harder to seal the deal with voters than he does.

In the Democratic race, Bill Clinton comes across at times as empathetic, a seasoned leader of the world - or argumentative attack-dog-in-chief.

Michelle leaves the policy and strategy to Barack Obama on the campaign trail, but jumps right in when it comes to issues that affect her personally, such as being a working mom and overcoming obstacles.

Continue reading in the Wall Street Journal