Michelle Obama says president has handled first term with ‘grace and poise’

The Hill ^

[Sub-Driver]

Michelle Obama says president has handled first term with ‘grace and poise’ By Alicia M. Cohn - 04/17/12 04:14 PM ET

First lady Michelle Obama said this week that she is “working hard” to help her husband’s re-election campaign “because he's handled himself with a level of grace and poise that not many people could given the challenges that he's faced.”

Obama dismissed the stresses of being first lady, saying the job has been “less stressful than I would have imagined,” especially in comparison to her husband’s job. Obama said that she has appreciated “a country that has been respectful of my children and their privacy.”

“I think in the end, I want to make sure that my kids come out of this thing on the other end in one piece,” she told NPR News in an interview transcribed online Tuesday. “But I also know that that's how the rest of the country feels as well, so for that I am grateful.”

Obama compared herself to any other mother in her desire to put her two daughters first.

She also reiterated recent reminders by her husband and the president’s campaign that children should remain “off limits” in attacks on political candidates. The comments followed a recent controversy over remarks Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen made about presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney’s wife Ann.

Obama said that the support of the country has made being first lady “less stressful than I would have imagined,” especially in comparison to her husband’s job.

“And that's why I'm working hard to get him re-elected, because he's handled himself with a level of grace and poise that not many people could given the challenges that he's faced,” she added.

The first lady, who has done an increasing number of interviews as her husband’s re-election campaign heats up, has become a staple in popular culture by shaping her public appearances around audiences her husband ordinarily might not reach, filming cameos on “The Biggest Loser” reality weight-loss competition and “Extreme Home Makeover.”

Michelle Obama’s popularity is a political asset during an election year when both sides are accusing the other of waging a “war on women.” Her emphasis on the similarities of families nationwide also deflects the type of criticism Obama attracted during her husband’s first campaign.

Obama generated her own political controversy in 2008 when she said on the campaign trail, "for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback." Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin fired back over the comment, suggesting it revealed a level of anti-American exceptionalism also demonstrated by the Obamas’ past affiliations.

Michelle Obama played a key role during the recent controversy between Rosen and Romney's campaign. Rosen asserted last week that Ann Romney was unable to weigh in on the economic issues effecting women because she has "never" worked outside the home. Romney’s campaign sought to tie her perceived attitude toward stay-at-home mothers to the president.

Both the president and his wife weighed in on the controversy. Obama expressed his opinion that there’s “no tougher job than being a mom." Michelle Obama tweeted, “Every mother works hard, and every woman deserves to be respected.” Obama told NPR the tweet said everything she needed to on the subject.

President Obama also said, following the Rosen comments, that he believes families of candidates, including spouses, should be treated as “civilians” when it comes to politics.

Michelle Obama weighed in on what has been a firm, unwritten rule of political campaigns.

“You know, let me tell you, the one thing I believe is that families are off-limits,” she told NPR. “And I think my husband said it, and he was clear on that. And I totally agree with him.”

The Obama campaign issued a similar warning earlier this year when Rick Santorum, who has since dropped his bid for the White House, criticized Obama for allowing his teenage daughter to go to Mexico on spring break.

"I'm surprised that Rick Santorum wouldn't agree … that children, for candidate purposes, have always been off-limits in presidential campaigns, and really any campaign," said Obama Deputy Campaign Manager Stephanie Cutter on MSNBC at the time.

[Churchillspirit]

He wears pantiliners?

[EDINVA]

Odd she would use two more feminine words to describe his handling of the job. No “strength” or “resolve” or “determination,” but poise and grace, like a ballerina. He has failed at every single one of his challenges which are not the worst ever faced by a POTUS.

[dandiegirl]

They constantly claim that they want to keep their daughters lives private, but BO has gotten to where he talks about them in at least one speech a day it seems. They are using them for political game. The fact that she has to go out and tell everyone that her husband is full of grace and dignity means just the opposite. These traits are seen if they are present without someone having to announce that they have these traits.

[dandiegirl]

game=gain

[TigersEye]

Grace and poise.

"Judge me by the people who surround me." - Obama 2008

Shock Photos: Candidate Obama Appeared And Marched With New Black Panther Party in 2007: http://biggovernment.com/abreitbart/2011/10/03/shock-photos-barack-obama-with-new-black-panther-party-on-campaign-trail-in-2007/ (Credit to ETL for pics and link)

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0bama the Uniter!

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[mikrofon]

Michelle Obama has handled first "term" with crass and avoirdupois.

[vaudine]

Oh! Aren't Grace and Poise two of Moochele's 100 thousand a year helpers?

And she doesn't mind his handling them? No doubt Billy Jeff approves.

vaudine

[Libloather]

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

I just hope he doesn’t screw up anything.

[RobinOfKingston]

michelle is as full of sh!t as a Christmas goose.