After Attacks, Michelle Obama Looks for a New Introduction

New York Times ^ | 18 June 2008 | By MICHAEL POWELL and JODI KANTOR

[shrinkermd]

Now her husband’s presidential campaign is giving her image a subtle makeover, with a new speech in the works to emphasize her humble roots and a tough new chief of staff. On Wednesday, Mrs. Obama will do a guest turn on “The View,” the daytime talk show on ABC, with an eye toward softening her reputation.

Her problems seemed hard to imagine last fall and winter. Mrs. Obama, a Harvard-trained lawyer, appeared so at ease with the tactile business of campaigning and drew praise for humanizing, often with humor, a husband who could seem elusive.

Then came some rhetorical stumbles. In Madison, Wis., in February, she told voters that hope was sweeping America, adding, “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country.” Cable news programs replayed those 15 words in an endless loop of outrage.

Barack Obama often blurs identity lines; much of his candidacy has seemed almost post-racial. Mrs. Obama’s identity is less mutable. She is a descendant of slaves and a product of Chicago’s historically black South Side. She burns hot where he banks cool, and that too can make her an inviting proxy for attack.

Fox News called her “Obama’s baby mama,” a derogatory term for an unwed mother. Christopher Hitchens, a Slate columnist, claimed — with scant evidence — that her college thesis proved she was once influenced by black separatism. National Review presented her as a scowling “Mrs. Grievance.”

[shrinkermd]

I thought “Obama’s baby mama” was a Michelle Obama quote from her speech noting his Senate victory. If this is so, this article is lacking in fairness.

[Rummyfan]

Her problems seemed hard to imagine last fall and winter. Mrs. Obama, a Harvard-trained lawyer, appeared so at ease with the tactile business of campaigning and drew praise for humanizing, often with humor, a husband who could seem elusive.

But then she started talking....

[Principled]

Christopher Hitchens, a Slate columnist, claimed — with scant evidence — that her college thesis proved she was once influenced by black separatism.

No bias there.

Evidence? We'll just denigrate and minimize it - that way we can ignore it!

[Brett66]

much of his candidacy has seemed almost post-racial

That's all his candidacy is about.

[ClearCase_guy]

“All she has to do is be likable,” Mrs. McCaskill said.

BZZZZZZTTT! Thanks for playing, Michelle.

[dennisw]

You might want to google Stephanie Cutter.
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGIH_enUS269US271&q=%22Stephanie+Cutter%22
She is Michelle’s new minder and controller
Stephanie goes way back with John Kerry and Ted Kennedy...worked for them both

[Blue Turtle]

Attacks?? HA HA HA...paging Mr. Beckel?

[dennisw]

Barack Obama often blurs identity lines; much of his candidacy has seemed almost post-racial. Mrs. Obama’s identity is less mutable. She is a descendant of slaves and a product of Chicago’s historically black South Side. She burns hot where he banks cool, and that too can make her an inviting proxy for attack.

TRANSLATION:
She is freaking idiot who will drive away white votes
Plus Obama has no slave ancestors but she does and has lots of racial resentment baggage

[Crawdad]

By MICHAEL POWELL and JODI KANTOR

It took two people to write this tripe, and still the newspapers can't figure out why they have to lay off so many employees.

[Sacajaweau]

The VIEW.....YUk....

[McGruff]

Fox News called her “Obama’s baby mama,”...

Not the truth but that's irrelevant nowadays.

[bboop]

hardihar, perfect comment.

[Pistolshot]

You only get one chance at a first impression.

That's ok, Michelle, we know who and what you are.

[Mr. K]

This is the EXACT SAME ARTICLE under a different headline printed in International Herald Tribune here

[TexasCajun]

If she requires a “Maker-over”, that must mean her Authenic self is not desireable!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Guess the “Jackie Kennedy” look didn’t exactly take.

[DManA]

If she is changing for the better then they weren’t “attacks”. They were constructive criticisms.

[whatshotandwhatsnot]

When was she attacked?

Get a thicker skin, Obamarosa. You wanted to play.

[Miss Didi]

Scandal? Michelle Obama Called Hubby Barack: "My Baby's Daddy"

Drive-Bys Cast Rush as Villain in Nonexistent Michelle Obama Tape

AUDIO: Michelle (My Belle) from Nov. 2, 2004

[Rummyfan]

Don't go there!!!!

[17th Miss Regt]

But then she started talking....

Even worse, HE started talking - without a teleprompter - and now he is a husband who seems ignorant and stupid.

[jaydubya2]

ExposeObama.com

Unfortunately, I can't get the video to load.

[popdonnelly]

“Fox News called her “Obama’s baby mama,” a derogatory term for an unwed mother.”

Who knew?

Besides, African-Americans have a free pass to make obnoxious racist statements any time they want to.

[Inyokern]

Mrs. Obama, can I introduce you to Mrs. Farrakhan?

[wingman2007]

doing the view is the last thing you’d want to do for a publicity stunt or credibility.

let her hang in the shadows, i want to see obama unscripted somewhere. with all that he said against hillary, everything seemed force fed and the same thing over and over. i can’t believe this noob got the nomination.

but let it me, his wife will look really good sitting to barbara walters when/if norm macdonald shows up again and makes them flabbergasted, showing them what real entertaiment is without even trying.

(fyi: youtube -norm macdonald the view- you’ll see what i’m talking about) one of the funniest 2 segments i’ve ever seen!)

the last place this woman should be going for credibility...we know women can talk for hours on end.

[peridot]

Too little, too late.

[Piquaboy]

Do not say anything negative about Obammys Ho.

[sweetiepiezer]

Just watched the beginning of the view and they started with lies, that someone took out really, when she said, The first time in my life.

Well, I heard her say it and so did Cindy McCain.
Check these out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGjR81pFJI4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTh5LFYxuFk&feature=related

Sent it on to Hannity and the writers at the view.

[Mamzelle]

"Baby mama" and "baby daddy" (both used without apostrophes) refer to the acknowledged bio parent of a child, but not necessarily unwed. I've heard it used for a husband and a father, but it is useful to blur the distinction between legit or illegit. I hear it for ex-husbands and ex-wives.

And I also hear it mostly from whites, as I'm in the mountainous south.

These terms likely would not have evolved were it not for our new fatherlessness and other relationship ambiguities