Ok, so this is old, but no one posted about it. I'm wondering what your thoughts are? Keep in mind that I chose to use a Democratic source to avoid some of the bias.
Posted at February 21st, 2008 6:25 am by lyndonjohnson
Filed under: Michelle Obama
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.
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.
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