Political Punch

Having lost my mother on 9/11 I take her not being there as a slap in the face to all of us who lost someone that day. She had to be with her kids? Well she didn't have to be with her kids the 2 days prior that we was out on the road giving speeches. She is a disgrace and I'm pretty sure if this is how she feels that if Obama didn't HAVE to be there he wouldn't have either. Wake up

Haha were you guys there at the 9/11 commemoration? Please, blog about something interesting and worth-while. I can't believe people actually blog about why someone wasn't at a ceremony, and try their damnedest to pull political meaning out of it. I feel more stupid for having read this. Just, please, think about what you're saying before you say it. I mean, really think about it.

Oh, and please research your facts too, so you don't waste my time.

I find many of the comments on this article disgusting and a fine example of the racism and bigotry that still exists in this country. I would hazard a guess that the people who are all attacking Michelle Obama for not attending the ceremony and for being "unpatriotic" are the very same people who drive huge, gas guzzling trucks with "I Support the Troops" magnets on their bumpers. I wonder how you support this country and the troops? What have you actually done besides wear flag lapel pins made in China and constantly attack a woman who is real, a loving mother and someone who actually cares about people. I am ashamed of my country because of people like you. You are the "Ugly Americans" I wish we could hide from the rest of the world.

Barack is the candidate, not Michelle. At least, they are putting their family first. That is more than Sarah Palin can say with her 5 children, one with special needs and one with child!

I am a mother and I teach my children that there are somethings more important them ourselves,the time to be with this families that lost love ones in such a tragic ways is one big lesson that we have to put others ahead of ourselfes.
Sorry Obamas you guys lost a great and dignify way to teach your girls about life and how not to be selfish.
What a bunch of BS this Obama campaing...
Let us wake up,McCain might not be perfect,but his love for country and his fellow men are amaizing.
O and by the way?What is the other lies about Michelle,afterall she is no where to be seen,not even in Hollywood tonight???Or maybe she was there????
Please let me know.

michelle obama wants to be our first lady. She can't mourn with us because she despises us.A progressive would not be so caught up in the past. We were willing to give her a chance at leading us, and she can't even show respect for the innocent victims of a brutal attack on our country.Those victims were my brothers and sisters,my fellow Americans.Her loyalties are not with us. She is hiding behind her skirts. What a dismal display of a lack of leadership skills!

I'm glad I'm not alone in this observation. . . But, now that I know she was campaining when her husband made such a display of the pause for respect of his country, I'm just totally disgusted. . . Another lie to add to the Obama list.

Does this mean if Michelle becomes First Lady she will always put her children first? I highly doubt it. She put campaigning before honoring the September 11 victims and used her girls as an excuse. Michelle has other priorities and she doesn't deserve to be First Lady. I will have a priority come election day and that will be to vote for her husband's opponent.

Beckie, she was also in Ohio and Indiana the day before stumping... yet she had to be there for their first week of school. I guess I didn't see what I thought, I must be stupid.

It was clueless to pull this counter-op on this day of all days. She missed a great opp to throw away earlier words and heal this nation (as she says). But hey, if she didn't feel it, why come. Good to see where she's coming from, as if we didn't know.

If she can't show up on 9/11, don't show up in the WH.

Okay, She stayed away from NY because it was the first week of school for the children.

But...As I understand it she was giving a speach in Ohio. Did she Pause for a monent of silence in this speach in memory of 9/11?

anyone know if there is a place to read the speach?

I love when women make decisions to put their children first, but, I also think that this is SO IMPORTANT and HISTORIC, and since her HUSBAND is in the race and representing the democrats on 9-11, she actually should have been there and brought her children with her. Why? They could learn more from this day than a month in any school.

I think the answer from her party was contrived as she did politic that day. I really believe she blew an amazing opportunity, not just to politic by being at 9-11, but for herself to "get it" about America.

And meanwhile, in Alaska, Sarah Palin gave a speech during which she wrongly linked Iraq with the tragic attacks on the Twin Towers. This assessment is no longer being espoused, even by the Bush administration.

Cindy had to be with her husband. Obama is the smart choice, but right now, Americans seem to like how the republicans can package a poor candidate wrapped in flags and bs. However, it still smells like the last 8 years to me.

some of the comments on this site confirms what I already know to be true: there are some hateful bigoted fools among us!

The gall of YOU people trying to come down on a woman for choosing to put the needs of her children first.

How freaking dare you!!!

This is so hateful and petty. I wasn't there either and I love my county. There were over 300,000 Americans not there. I'd like to know which of you hateful folks went there. Don't say you weren't there because you aren't running for President because either is she. Besides, would that be the only reason to go? She lives in Chicago, not New York. It isn't like she would just hop in a cab.

Those girls were probably crying their eyes out when told they might not be moving to the White House.

Michelle needs to teach them the meaning of not counting chickens before they're hatched.

Of course, she's too busy spending $10,000.00 per year on their ballet and drama lessons to do that.

Wouldn't it have shown tremendous class if Michelle Obama had sent a card or something to Sarah Palin on September 11... the day Gov. Palin's son was deployed to Iraq? Do you think that happened?

I think it's obvious why she wasn't there - so as not to remind everyone about her lack of pride in her country on 9/11 (or anytime in her entire adult life before Obama's campaign for president).

As a SINGLE mother myself, I can say that this is just about the lamest excuse I have ever heard. There are just some things that you find time for and this is for sure one of them. With all of her means I am sure she could have figured out a way to attend a one hour ceremony with out causing permanent traumatic damage to her children. GIVE ME A BREAK!

Why are we even debating this? Michelle already stated herself that she is not proud of her country. I think she has made herself more than clear on this matter.

She wasn't with her children on 9/11. She campaigned In Indiana on the morning of 9/11 and later in the day she was in Ohio campaigning.

BTW, at neither speech did she even acknowledge the significance of September 11th.

I was appalled that Michelle was not at ground zero for the ceremony. It is just another sign of disrespect for America, its traditions and its citizens. She may just be his wife, as someone stated, but if he gets elected she will be our first lady. Throughout history first ladies have played an important roll in representing our country in a hospitable and graceful manor. You could say that they have been America’s hostesses. There is a certain etiquette that is expected of our first lady and Michelle has shown that she does not possess this. Maybe this is the "change" that Obama is speaking of. Under his administration there would be no presidential etiquette as we have had in the past. He already has his own version of the presidential seal and his own version of the American flag (if you could call it that) on his plane, what’s next. Our Forefathers must be rolling over in their graves. What a shame!

Well this just means that Obama's kids are to small for him to be President. After all the school days are more important to the Obama's then the greatest tragady in US history. Well this just goes to show that Michelle really does agree with Jeremiah Wright. She would have made it. She is not capable of being a first lady. Her husband is not capable of being President. Hell if Sarah's little baby can make the media and Obama say she can't be VP because she is to busy this story gives us pause to wonder if Obama can handle the job.

Just more proof that the Obama campaign will throw out just as much Bulls*** as necessary... It's okay for her to campaign in Ohio and Indiana during the first week of school, but don't show up for a very important tribute to those dear victims on 9/11...

michele obama, will never be proud of this country, when she can't even take time to remember 9-11-01, and be with her husband.

I agree
she should have been there in NY for that Photo OP. Forget that most american's watched it on TV from home with their famlies.

Where were you guys?

When is update #3 coming? I mean this is all I can think of.... forget all the other REAL news.

Michele Obama should have accompanied her husband to ground zero on September 11, 2008. No doubt the Obama's are dedicated parents and she could have flown back after the ceremony.

Are we forgetting that MO has a fulltime job at a hospital, and has been working throughout her childrens' lives.

This latest memo doesn't help my opinion at all. If they had said that they just found out that Cindy was attending the day before- then it would be a pass. But MO had several days notice.

No one is asking her to neglect her children. BUT - if she is able to attend campaign events, she should have been able to attend this. Especially since her previous comments have made people unsure of her.

The spouse is not running, but the First Lady is a very important asset to our country.

I have held numerous officer volunteer positions while my children were growing up, and while I didn't do much traveling I do understand how hard it can be to find balance.

But, MO really missed an opportunity to show Americans how important America is to her. For people to see her campaign this week and then not attend, it leaves a sour note. Like perhaps she feels campaigning is more important.

9/11 is sacred to many people. Older Americans that I know compare their feelings about it to the day JFK was shot. It is a defining moment in our history.

There are many undecided/independant voters and they are watching everything that happens in the next 50+ days.

While I appreciate that Mrs. Obama didn't want to upset her children's schedule this week, I think it equally important that as a potential first lady that emphasis be placed on the anniversary of one of the gravest days in US history. It was for one day - not a number of days.

If, and when, Obama enters the White House, it will be as the President and First Lady. It will be exceptionally odd for her to not be "present."

I wish most of you could really listen to yourselves. You sound flat-out racist with these comments about Michelle Obama. All you see America as is a slice of your apple pie. I've never seen so much hate disguised as an entitled opinion in my life.

Anne:

"The other question is why Obama tossed his rose into the pond but the McCains each respectfully placed their roses? Did anyone notice that but me?"

He can do anything he wants and nothing will be said. He has no respect for AMERICA or anyone in it, except for himself.
__________________________________

Democrat for McCain-Palin:

"If Michele Obama can't hand over the care of these kids to someone else, well she is a very sad example of a first lady. as her husband and herself, choose to do this, well, what can we expect if her husband is elected! she can't have it both ways............she just showed the country she does think America is angry and she is not proud of this country. I want someone better than that for a first lady."

You are so right. No one is asking her to give up her children, but what did she do with them when she worked. It was 9/11 and she was snubbing her nose at this country. She has proven that she is an angry lady.

Are you kidding me!? I cannot even believe this is being debated. As I personally struggle with the sexist issue of whether or not Sarah Palin can serve as VP with her brood of children, I have to say that seeing the opinions posted here establishes for me that parenthood and presidential politics cannot be balanced. If what I am understanding people to say here is that the Obama children will just have to be cast aside since both their parents must be commited 100% to the Presidency 24/7, then I have to say that Palin most certainly has no business in this race. Quite honestly, I think it is deplorable that anyone would put anything, even America, before their school-aged children.

First I hear her minster say ### ### America in reference to 9/11, and now she is too busy to attend a memorial for the 9/11 victims? Yea, I believe it was the kids.

The other question is why Obama tossed his rose into the pond but the McCains each respectfully placed their roses? Did anyone notice that but me?

If Michele Obama can't hand over the care of these kids to someone else, well she is a very sad example of a first lady. as her husband and herself, choose to do this, well, what can we expect if her husband is elected! she can't have it both ways............she just showed the country she does think America is angry and she is not proud of this country. I want someone better than that for a first lady.

"Fact: First lady responsibilities do not include placing her family last"

Tell this to all the military children who started school without their parents. I don't think a 1 hour ceremony in her day for 9/11 would have impacted her children. Does she sit in their classroom all day?

Obama has claimed the mantel of reformer - having chaired the Annenberg Challenge in Chicago. They burned through some $100,000,000 to 'improve public education'. Yet he sends the kiddos to a private charter school to the tune of $20k tuition per student. Didn't he improve the public schools enough to send his own kids? Is this another example of how 'normal' he and Michelle are? They whine about 'making ends meet' and shopping at Target...yet spend as much on elementary school as most folks hope to cover in college tuition.

Where did the $100,000,000.+ from the Annenberg Challenge go? Obama co-chaired this foundation with Ayers. My CPS elementary can do a lot with the extra funds we parents work hard to raise.

Fact: First lady responsibilities do not include placing her family last.

"And just as posted before this would not have changed your vote. "

This is an assumption....an incorrect assumption. Candidates are being evaluated. As the Obamas have not had previous national exposure, many are watching and evaluating. I also think you are assuming I'm a McCain supporter. another assumption on your part.......

Michelle had every right not to attend if she so chooses. We don't know what that woman was doing that particular day. Why do people feel the need to judge others, you need to read your bibles.

I hope the ones criticizing have children. And if you do or do not, there a lot of nerve questioning her dont you think? First of all she has small children. It goes both ways with each candidate that has small children. And here I thought people were more aware of sexism especially after the nonsensical things people had to say about Gov. Palin when she stepped into the national scene. She had children to attend to period. You all worry about how you want to handle your family situations and let the Obama's handle their family situations the way they see fit.

Posted by: sammy197

first day.....first week. So what? she was there for her kids. She actually thinks about them unlike I dont blink.

And just as posted before this would not have changed your vote.

Want some cheese with that whine?

I'm sure every McSame supporter’s vote here would have changed if she had attended any ceremony in IL?

"Michelle was off sending her kids to their first day of school"

I believe someone already confirmed it was not the first day of school, Yes?

Anyone with an ounce of brain can see that Mrs. Obama is no racist. Look at the way she interacts with all people and I can see she is someone who is geniune. You people need to give it up and stop trying to paint Michelle with the racist brush.

I don't mean that the country is racist per-se. I think that there are a bunch of idiots out there trying to act superior to others...but there are not the rule, but the exception. I think SHE is the racist. She does not like america, except for the fact that they could be POPULAR by becoming president and first lady. But their interest is not on the country. Check the moment when the flowers were being laid...BHO throws it.. McCain lays it down. Look at MO's face during the convention speeches...pure hatred for the speakers.

Please drop the term Racist. America is past this... HINT: We have for the 1st time a presidential candidate that is black. Of course this country has it's fair share of goofs. But seriously, if the main stream american was racist we wouldn't be looking at Obama on the ballot for Nov. 4th. It is just a shame that Michelle is not on the bandwagon like she should be supporting her husbands duties. Taking care of your children that started school is normal. But running for president only comes once (maybe in this case). I think they have ruined so many opportunities to make their campaign for presidency bette, to stay on top. Now look at the polls and watch them keep dropping because of situations like this.
It looks like they are confused about what they are really campaigning for, themselves or the country?

I think Mrs. Obama was right where she needed to be.
Taking care of her children, like good moms do. mad about 9/11? blame the people in charge at the time. No terrs alert when it counted, but alerts all the time when terra is needed to scare people. We were warned..those in charge ignored it and used 9/11 to invade Iraq.
Chew on that.

First lady responsiblities come hand in hand with the presidency. Jackie showed her support for JFK at every memorial service, Nancy Reagan went beyond respect and support for memorial services. Now here we have a country in morning and there is not a sing of Michelle? Just poor judgement written all over this one. I am sure no matter how uneventful this could have been to Michelle, she could have arranged to be at the service with her children. After all there were children of the fallen victims there. She really screwed this one up and Obama should not have supported this. Judgement and reasoning are HUGE factors for our presidential candidate and this extends to the first lady of the candidate.

Amazing... During the speeches of Hillary and Biden, all MO could do was watch and grinch her face as though she was upset. Does not appear at the 9/11 ceremony, and was probably the engine behand not getting Hill on the ticket. MO is a racist and she is WRONG for the country, with or without BHO.

Sammy197, tell that BS to someone else. I've been on many racist sites like You Tube and I know that racism is the bottom factor in this election. You can talk a good game but the truth is...it does not matter what race you are. Some people are honest with themselves and will admit that they are racist, but others are in the closet about their true feelings. In all honesty if Mr. Obama were a white man, those poll numbers would be alot higher for the democrats. The bottom line here is not Michelle Obama...it's the fact that racism is going to hurt working class middle america...black, white, brown and yellow. You can take that to the bank.

There is no excuse period. This is one spin that just won't fly.

M.O. insulted every American who felt harmed by those attacks and welcomes the efforts to try and heal the wounds we suffered as a nation . There were children who lost their parents at that Ceremony. Not only should Michelle have been there.... She should have brought her children with her .
People pay to travel across the country to attend this Remembrance , and she could not be bothered to attend. There is NO EXCUSE

"I'm sure Mrs. Obama is certainly reminded everyday of America's racist past"
"...the racist just can't see it"

Whenever you disagree with anyone (or can't defend your position), you cannot have a discussion without calling everyone a racist. How do you know what race I am? I am soooo over the race issue and until Americans can have have discussions without race, we are going backwards. This has nothing to do with race.

@ Sammy197 - It's not Mrs. Obama who need to learn from the past. I'm sure Mrs. Obama is certainly reminded everyday of America's racist past. It's some people on here who needs to learn from the past and move on from America's sordid past. When that happens America will truly become a country to be proud of...for all people.

Michelle Obama is a great lady...the racist just can't see it. Barack was there and that's all that matter.

"Michelle could not have brought the victims of the 9/11 tragedy back from the dead...so what is the problem with her not being in attendance."

Ummmm We can't bring back dead soldiers,Pearl Harbor victims or Holocaust victims either however we honor them. Raising the dead is never the issue. Respect and learning from the past is concern.

Paul - wow, powerful post. First off - 9/11 was NOT their first day of school. Second, by your line of reasoning, we should suspend future observations of:

- Veteran's Day
- Katrina disaster
- MLK assassination
- Pearl Harbor
- the Holocaust

Remembering/honoring the dead ain't gonna bring them back. Compassion at its best.

Toni - to be fair, the UCL school calendar does show 9/8 as first day of school.

"She needed to get them ready for school, be home, and put some normalcy back into their routine."
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Right: being overseen at the mansion by their maternal grandmother is sooo disuieting for the kiddies.

Maybe she can make it to SNL.

Most likely: she -- like her husband -- is jealous of Palin, and is afraid it shows.

I'm thinking in terms of the situation from a mother's prospective. I would've definately want to be there for my children's first day of attendance at school. Besides the pundits would have found fault elsewhere with the Obama family. When you seek fault; you will find it. The bottom line is...Michelle could not have brought the victims of the 9/11 tragedy back from the dead...so what is the problem with her not being in attendance.

"This week, Mrs. Obama decided she needed to be home as much as possible for their first week of school. "

How interesting. The first week of the school they attend was Sept. 2nd. and I believe she was taping the Ellen Show during that week.

Here's the better question:

When you're a candidate whose wife is perceived to have hateful feelings toward America, how clueless do you both have to be to think that she wouldn't be criticized for not attending? Do you just not care? Are you that blind? Is this the kind of judgment we need in the White House?

Someone posted the key point here - it's 9/11...not pre-planning attendance for landfall of a hurricane. It's a known entity. People are yammering on about the great matron Michelle and her priorities. Be there for the kids? Absolutely. But let's be real about the demands of making an appearance in NY - it's not like she'd travel there by covered wagon. We're talking about travel by private jet followed by a motorcade to NYC. It's conceivable that she could drop off the kids...jet to NY...and be back in time for dinner. After all, she scheduled time to travel to other states.

Nobody's saying Michelle HAD to be there. It would be a welcome change if the campaign's response didn't require a suspension of rational thinking and mental gymnastics to follow their non-answer.

Hmmm, here's a thought. Maybe Michelle didn't feel like going. Maybe she watched it on television like I did and prayed for the families. She isn't running for President. She doesnt have to do appearances to satisfy the pundits...Dumbest post ever ABC news.

The First Lady will be a representative of our country so even though she is not running for office, we need to see an example of how she will represent our country. Choice of a spouse allows insight into a person's character. All former Presidents have managed to raise families and still represent our country at important events. If Michelle Obama can not attend a 1 hour ceremony becaue of her children, I don't believe she has the skills to be our First Lady.

I think a better question we should be asking is where was Palin and Biden for the 9/11 Memorial service. I think they are the ones that the public should be more concerned with.

Michelle had a good reason for not showing up. She just wasn't feeling proud of her country today!

What is the issue really? Senator Obama is running for president, Michelle Obama is not running for office, she is simply the wife of the candidate. Stop it people...that of all things you would focus on after Sept 11...not togetherness...not the people that were there...just the one that wasn't. Would you be trash-talking her if she had a nanny...she chooses to raise her kids herself and only do what she can during school hours. My daughters first week of school was the most important to set the standard for the rest of the year. To be available for her was my top priority. Sometimes I think that we are so wired to see the glass in half empty that we don't even realize when our negativaty is unreasonable...America please, let's talk about the issues. Come on!

The update is even more disturbing. The campaign staff states that her schedule is confirmed "well in advance". I don't believe the date of 9/11 has changed. Shouldn't this have been scheduled in 18 months ago when he began his campaign? I guess 9/11 is not important to this campaign.

Rather Michelle attended the 9/11 memorail service is of no consequence. Mr. Barack was their to represent his family as a whole and that was sufficent. It's perfectly acceptable for a mother to want to be their for her young children the beginning of the school term. What's not acceptable is for a mother to allow her policatical ambitions to get in the way of caring for her children. Michelle Obama sounds like a woman who has her priorities in order.

I am reading these today as I was remembering and honoring those who died on 9/11 yesterday. As I was watching the ceremonies yesterday, I too wondered where Michelle Obama was. For those of you who live in Chicago, weren't there any ceremonies she could have participated in? This certainly could have been done while her children attended school. Knowing now that she was out-of-state the day before makes this even worse.

I am a working mother and a lifelong democrat and I do not buy Michelle Obama's excuse for snubbing the 9-11 memorials. Please do not the girls school schedule due to the fact Michelle was campaigning in Ohio and Indiana thru Wednesday. The Obama's are not White House material. This is a sad and dangerous couple who will raise taxes, keep the middle class poor and worst of all disrespect our soldiers. I do not want this man to be commander and chief of the military of which my son proudly serves.

voterPA - Once again, the response comes back to race from you and yours. I hate Obama no more/less than I hate any politician. They're all about political expediency. I hate to generalize, but I've yet to see the exception.

It boils down to Barack and Michelle exhorting others to do what they themselves will not do.
- Improve public education...but I use private schools
- Washington outsider...but choose a long-standing insider for VP
- Post-racial candidate...but support a church with unapologetic focus on divisive views
- Extol sense of judgement...does real estate business with a corrupt developer

The list goes on. Here's where the lemmings of the dem party have it wrong. I can be against Obama without being against the democratic platform. I can also be against him without being a staunch McCain fan.

The blind left will vote Obama. The blind right will vote McCain. The battle is for the moderates.

I look at a McCain presidency as a second chance for the democrat-controlled congress. Keep McCain in the middle, and you're doing your job. In 2 years, they haven't challenged Bush at the far right. McCain doesn't require as much effort - he's more moderate than Bush or Obama. Just keep him in the middle.

Conversely, the last thing I want to see is Obama in office with the congress rubberstamping anything he wants. That's not governing - that's colluding.

Michelle Obama was home taking care of her beautiful daughters...unlike another candidate who chooses to campaign far away from her retarded infant son. Michelle Obama has strong family values and those values are what America is lacking these days. Anyway, what difference Michelle's persence would had made. Republicans likes to conjour up fault with the Obama family, sorry but check your own backyard...I'm sure you could find plenty there.

few points to ponder
1. michelle was at home with her kids
2. schools start different days, her appearance on Ellen was TAPED
3. Where was Governor Palin?
4. No her son did not get shipped out yesterday , the "Ceremony was yesterday" they actually don't delpoy until the next few weeks. Convenient for her RNC speech when she said "my son is off to iraq on 9/11" sounds nice, right?

like Keith Olbermann so eloquently put, 9/11 TM. 9/11 tm. noun verb 911.

Ridiculous. Hey, Jake, while we're on the subject of the doting mother tending to school duties...how about some talk about that school?

Obama has claimed the mantel of reformer - having chaired the Annenberg Challenge in Chicago. They burned through some $100,000,000 to 'improve public education'. Yet he sends the kiddos to a private charter school to the tune of $20k tuition per student. Didn't he improve the public schools enough to send his own kids? Is this another example of how 'normal' he and Michelle are? They whine about 'making ends meet' and shopping at Target...yet spend as much on elementary school as most folks hope to cover in college tuition.

Granted, they may not actually pay the full tuition. After all, Michelle serves on the board.

More of the same - Barack Obama.

Michelle was not at home but campaigning.

So LIbs what say you?

This goes along with Michelle being proud of her country for the first time and that this is a "mean" country!

Let's get this straight...
Michelle Obama attended campaign events, in other states, this week. Maybe she was home some of the time, but she had time on Wednesday to attend a forum in Indiana. And, she was also in Ohio.
Do a simple search and find the media coverage.
She should have been with her husband on 9/11.

At least we now know that since the convention is over she is no