February 19, 2008
Stepping In It
So what did Michelle Obama think of the United States before her husband decided he wanted to run the place?"For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country," she told a Milwaukee crowd today, "and not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change."
I saw this quote yesterday, but with more pressing concerns at hand, I let it pass. In the blogosphere, others weighed in.
As it turns out, the Boston.com quote wasn't entirely fair, leaving out the context of the quote.
Here is the more accurate quote:
"What we have learned over this year is that hope is making a comeback. It is making a comeback. And 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. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment. I've seen people who are hungry to be unified around some basic common issues, and it's made me proud."
James Joyner has a nice round-up of reaction to the story.
The differences between the boston.com quote and the Breitbart quote are that the Breitbart quote provides fuller context, quoting the sentences immediately preceding and following the inflammatory statement that "for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country."
At ABC News blog Political Punch Jake Tapper gets a "clarification" from Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton:
"Of course Michelle is proud of her country, which is why she and Barack talk constantly about how their story wouldn't be possible in any other nation on Earth. What she meant is that she's really proud at this moment because for the first time in a long time, thousands of Americans who've never participated in politics before are coming out in record numbers to build a grassroots movement for change."
I certainly hope that is the idea that Mrs. Obama meant to convey, as it would be unseemly to have a potential First Lady say that she has never been proud of her country until her husband ran for it's highest office, not to mention more than a little arrogant and self-centered.
This is not Mrs. Obama's first controversial statement, and almost certainly will not be her last as the race for the Democratic nomination continues.
I'm not so generous. I think Michelle Obama meant exactly what she said.
Just about everything I read and hear about the Obamas cements my impression that they are typical American leftist radicals. They don't love America, they love the leftist, transnational utopia that they think America could become if only people like the Obamas were put in charge--as they deserve to be, if only ordinary Americans werern't too selfish and ignorant to realize it.
Just this morning I learned that Obama has worked with Bill Ayers, an unrepentant terrorist of the Weather Underground, who on his acquittal for his Weather activities sang, "Guilty as hell and free as a bird!"
...we are talking about William Ayers hosting a fundraiser for Barack Obama and actively working with him to secure Barack's first electoral victory in Illinois. But wait, there is more. Barack and Ayers also served on the board of the Woods Fund. And they worked together to give money to some other folks, including a group with ties to the PLO. Larry C. Johnson
I'm an ex-progressive and I know how these people think. They can only be proud of America when America is getting with their program. Otherwise they have contempt for it.
Posted by: huxley at February 19, 2008 03:51 PMWhen Obama become's President, its gonna be fun watching all the "patriotic" conservatives in this country who are always questioning other people's patriotism start talking about how this country is going to hell in a handbasket.
Heck...they are doing already.
Posted by: notforsalethanks at February 19, 2008 04:47 PMIf Obama becomes president, I certainly reserve the right to disagree with and complain about him.
However, unlike many on the left during the Bush years, I won't talk about emigrating to another country, I won't compare Obama to Hitler or other dictators or jungle animals, I won't refer to his administration as a regime, I won't fantasize about his assassination or his death, I will complain loudly about any books or movies made in which Obama is assassinated, and I won't assume that Obama or his followers are stupid or evil because they disagree with me.
And I will continue to be proud of America no matter who is in office, including Obama.
Posted by: huxley at February 19, 2008 07:51 PMNotForSale, are you saying that only lefties have the right to complain about the current occupant of the Oval Office, or even potential occupants?
My, my, you can't be that egregious with your double-standards, can you?
Or can you?
Posted by: C-C-G at February 19, 2008 08:16 PMIf she would release her college writings you will find she told the truth. She has been and is an America hater. I could put a more descriptive statement of what she is ,but 'loud mouth anti-american' is about all you can say these days without being called a racist.
Posted by: Scrapiron at February 19, 2008 11:51 PMnotforsalethanks, of course you're not for sale, you sold out. If Hillary or Obama are elected, we will not leave the country, we will accept that they are OUR president and we will not wish them harm. I am sure this is something sell outs like you will never understand. And oh yes, we will, as is our right, disagree (civilly) with policies we do not like. I suspect the civilly part has you baffled.
Posted by: David at February 20, 2008 11:09 AMIt's a lesson in watching what you say. I am a supporter of the Obama campaign. If he is elected he will also learn to be careful what you "hope" for. All of this good will will evaporate AND the loyal opposition is already fortifying it's oppositional positions.
Posted by: chris lee at February 20, 2008 11:56 AMWhen Obama become's President, its gonna be fun watching all the "patriotic" conservatives in this country who are always questioning other people's patriotism start talking about how this country is going to hell in a handbasket.
We'll undoubtable get an earful about unlawful government oppression and Constitutional Freedoms. Lots of talk about "honor" and "integrity" and how the last President really knew how to get things done. And spending. We'll hear reams of rhetoric about wasteful spending.
Michelle Obama had the audacity to comment on the last 30 years of conservative governance unfavorably. That she didn't wave her American flag hard enough or lower her standards to neighboring third world countries was her crime. And for that the winger media is more than happy to break out the lynch-ropes. (Metaphorically, of course. Michelle should be grateful we don't lynch people any more in America... but she's not!)
So, yeah. Basically, the wingnuts really are scrapping the bottom of the barrel in terms of mud to sling at the most popular man in America. So they go after his wife.
Posted by: Zifnab at February 20, 2008 02:00 PMSpoken like a true Obama Cultist Zif.
Wife of the Messiah had the stupidity to reveal that she's nothing but another America hating ass.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Posted by: Conservative CBU at February 20, 2008 07:46 PM
