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Obama Regrets Letting Young Daughters Talk to Access Hollywood

July 09, 2008 7:26 AM

If you didn't think it was appropriate for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, and his wife Michelle to let their young daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, give interviews to Access Hollywood  you are not alone.

Obama this morning told Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America that the way his daughters' interview with Access Hollywood played on the cable networks gave him a moment of "pause."

The family got "carried away" in agreeing to do the full family chat on camera since the interview was on Malia's birthday, Obama said.

In retrospect, Obama says he doesn't think the exposure is "healthy and it won't happen again."

- jpt

July 9, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (261)

User Comments

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I see nothing wrong with doing an interview with his family, including his children. They act and talk like children. And if Obama wins the White House, then they will be expected to be seen and heard at some point. People are curious.But keep it in perspective for crying out loud...they're children. But eee...Why a tabloid interview??? Access Hollywood...ugh

Posted by: Bea | Jul 9, 2008 2:06:11 PM

Come on guys. How many times have we done something or said something only to later realize ... "oops, shouldn't have done that!" What are we saying? Barack Obama is not human - that he's not allowed to make mistakes? I disagree with him. There was no damage done. And yes, I'm a Republican. And yes, I like John McCain. But let's get real! Let's be fair! Barack Obama did nothing wrong! Nothing! He's a good guy. And the fact that I like John McCain does not make Barack Obama any less of a good guy. As a matter of fact, I think Barack Obama is a great guy. It's just that my preference is John McCain. Let's stop clouding the water with foolishness ...

Posted by: Lizzie | Jul 9, 2008 2:03:16 PM

I'm amazed that almost every day I hear how Obama says or does something, then the next day has to recind it. As president, how many times will he make the wrong call on serious issues that will effect our entire country, if he can't handle simple issues.
I believe he is trying so hard to make people believe he is something more than he is, that the truth is continually being unveild. He should stop trying to put on a show by attempting to appeal to everyone. I believe he's insecure. I'm sure he's a very inteligent man, but these constant flip-flops have me way too concerned to give him my vote. We need someone of integrity who means what he says. These days, sadly, that's difficult to find! We've become a nation of liars who will say whatever it takes to get ahead! One nation no longer under God. We live by our own rules and you can see where that has taken us. God help us!

Posted by: Barbara B. | Jul 9, 2008 1:56:07 PM

I thought it was nice.
I'm glad they did it.
The kids are adorable.

Posted by: db | Jul 9, 2008 1:54:24 PM

If there is any truth in any of this, who cares. When do we plan on focusing on the important issues that impact our lives, our children's future and the upcoming election? Sound bites are just that and distort what is said, how it was said, what was meant. We really need a media that is more responsible about how they handle things that can influence our future.

Posted by: Sue | Jul 9, 2008 1:45:54 PM

Just another of his boneheaded mistakes.Are we starting to see a trend or is it just too soon to realize it's an habitual thing.

Posted by: mmonroeliveson | Jul 9, 2008 1:43:38 PM

The Obamas should have given some thought to subjecting their children to years of hate, racism, and un-Americanism in that awful Black Theology Church.

Obama is a bit slow, it took him 20 years to figure that one out (or to figure out that he was destroying his chances in the election).

He probably still thinks it was good to subject his kids to all that hate and racism. I haven't heard him admit that it was wrong.

Posted by: Cheryl | Jul 9, 2008 1:43:10 PM

Sure he does, like he regrets saying to the press that he would rather have his own daughters get an abortion than be PUNISHED with a baby, yes he said Punished. And he thinks true christians and evangelicals will vote for a man with these thoughts. Give me a break. Anyone voting for this man is not a true christian. dont fool yourself into voting for this villian.

Posted by: Dean O | Jul 9, 2008 1:29:53 PM

I didn't see the Obama Family interview,but amazed at the ugly comments. I would want a President, who would think over his comments and learn by his mistakes,that is if he has make a mistake. I know that in my life I have made some mistakes and then on learning better changed my mind. If you never change your mind or admit to having made a mistake, like a current president,I can think of, you just go on making mistakes and never correct anything you have fallen short in.
I voted for B.Obama and plan on voting for him in the fall. I have also read about what we can expect from Hillary. She is surrounded by her untruths. I also don't want a man in the White House who looked not only the American People but the World in the eyes and lied to them. I voted for Bill Clinton once and won't again. All Mister Clinton had to do was admit his mistake and ask for forgiveness and all of us would have loved and respected him. God Bless All Of Us.

Posted by: Jackie L | Jul 9, 2008 1:07:29 PM

So REFRESHING to see a politician admit that he did something wrong or regret a decision. The past 8 years have proven that chaning one's mind is a good thing, admitting mistakes early is a good thing, and taking responsibility for those mistakes is a good thing.

Obama represents real change by the nature of his character. I'm sure there'll be a lot of Republicans tossing out the 'flip-flopper' term this year, but finally I hope we all realize that this isn't a bad thing, and should be sought out in a candidate.

Posted by: Joe | Jul 9, 2008 1:06:41 PM

Who cares? He did something and then decided that he didn't want to do it again. Have none of you changed your minds about something? The way some of you are carrying on, you need to vote for a robot rather than a human being.

If your concerns about "flip-flopping" are serious, McSame makes Obama look like a dogmatist. McSame can't even keep his position on immigration reform straight...he said recently that he wouldn't vote for his own legislation. How about opposing off-shore drilling before he supported it? How about not supporting the Bush tax cuts before he supported them. How about calling right wing nut cases "agents of intolerance" and then running around begging for their support?

Posted by: Brooklyn Democrat | Jul 9, 2008 1:04:35 PM

"Access Hollywood"? Maybe if some of these guys--and right now they're all guys--took more time for substantive discussions of pressing issues, they wouldn't be able to fit in mindless dates with the entertainment press. I don't want a movie star in the White House. We already had that experience. I want someone who demonstrates character, toughness, the ability to solve major problems creatively, a willingness to negotiate from a position of strength, etc. Bush is an empty suit. We don't need another one for two more terms. I don't care if the kids like sugar cookies or where Michelle does her clothes shopping. We can watch and read plenty of that piffle after the election is ovr.

Posted by: Ed | Jul 9, 2008 12:51:09 PM

Interesting how Barack and Michelle are concerned about their kids on Television, but they subjected both children, throughout their entire lives, to Jeremiah Wright's and, now Pastor Moss' anti-American racist sermons.

Posted by: Lee | Jul 9, 2008 12:34:31 PM

The interview had to have been the tackiest thing ever to do.. I don't care how cute or sweet the children are. They're little girls and shouldn't be subjected to the press. It's been an unwritten rule that a candidate's underaged children shouldn't be subject to press coverage or scrutiny; the Obamas broke that rule by allowing their small children to be interviewed and are rightly suffering some backlash for it. The Clintons did everything in their power to shield Chelsea from the limelight and deserve lots of praise for it. The Obamas should have looked to that example before they agreed to the interview.

As a sidenote, I think that whole tying the dog to Daddy's career aspirations is kind of tacky. Are they seriously going to deny their little girls a dog if Daddy doesn't become President? I'd hope not.

Posted by: Kelly | Jul 9, 2008 12:22:02 PM

Brilliant? Websters defines that as "distinguished by unusual mental keenness or alertness." I wouldn't equate the giggling of a 10- and 7-year-old as being "brilliant." But then again, it can be a relative term. I mean, for a Clinton Democrat, "brilliant" could easily be associated with being able to figure out how to open a door... using the door knob... with no instructional signs posted... and the door able to swing both ways...

Namako,
That was awesome!!!

Posted by: Thomas | Jul 9, 2008 12:17:28 PM

Brilliant? Websters defines that as "distinguished by unusual mental keenness or alertness." I wouldn't equate the giggling of a 10- and 7-year-old as being "brilliant." But then again, it can be a relative term. I mean, for a Clinton Democrat, "brilliant" could easily be associated with being able to figure out how to open a door... using the door knob... with no instructional signs posted... and the door able to swing both ways...

Posted by: Namako OH3 | Jul 9, 2008 12:08:14 PM


Anyone supporting Bush and McCain are not equipped to try and connect the dots for me or anybody else.

Posted by: brigitte | Jul 9, 2008 12:16:15 PM

What a flip-flopper!!!!! What judgment does he have or show? He flip-flops on policy and he flip-flops on personal decisions! What a loser!!!

Does this give those politicians who never allowed their very young daughters to be interviewed on such Shows the good judgment to be POTUS? By the Obamaniac’s standards, it should!!!!!

Wake up, voters, before it is too late!

Posted by: Beckie | Jul 9, 2008 12:15:53 PM

Kardasia_Prime

Im not trying to disrespect you,just saying.Obama is a liar,hes proved it over and over as well as a racist.

Posted by: Thomas | Jul 9, 2008 12:15:48 PM

To those who say Obama has done all this great stuff:
MAybe thats why he never voted on anything in the state senate and has no real positions....
Change,change,change isnt a motto, its his political career...

Posted by: Thomas | Jul 9, 2008 12:11:44 PM

Brilliant? Websters defines that as "distinguished by unusual mental keenness or alertness." I wouldn't equate the giggling of a 10- and 7-year-old as being "brilliant." But then again, it can be a relative term. I mean, for a Clinton Democrat, "brilliant" could easily be associated with being able to figure out how to open a door... using the door knob... with no instructional signs posted... and the door able to swing both ways...

Posted by: Namako OH3 | Jul 9, 2008 12:08:14 PM

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