On Thanksgiving Eve, Obama Family Hands Out Food to the Needy

Marie, who cares. How much did you give?

Obama is soooo generous. The year he and Michelle made over 4 million bucks he gave a whopping $2225.00 to charity. Impressive.

I'd like to see Bush and his oligarch friends hand out charity to hungry Americans rather than stealing from poor America to give tax cuts to his wealthy, selfish pals. Never gonna happen.

I want my $1000 for voting him.

A promise is a promise, unless you are not a man of word.

Posted by: expecting | Nov 26, 2008 8:26:33 PM

Sorry, but in these tough economic times you will just have to settle for an extra can of yams, instead.

Would you care to accept an I.Obama.U. to make up the difference?

you can tell the good hearted people from the cynics by what their posts read

moderate, thank you! you are really the voice of reason. probably the only one on this posting site! Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm a LOT more impressed with the thousands of average joes who do this year after year with no ulterior purposes and NO images to uphold in mind and who are so happy to be doing this without peaking out of the corner of their eyes to make sure the media is watching.

(insert rolling eyes)

Angeline, you wrote: "No sincerity! how can you say that? What president in history can you say has ever done this before Obama? He cares! I just pray he and his family has good protective security."

I am not one of those who questioned Obama's sincerity. But I do take issue with your claim that no president in history has ever done this before Obama. Of course they have. As I pointed out in my post below, the Bushes do something similar every year. I dare say most presidents have a similar caring impulse and have done their share of volunteer work, both before, during, and after their presidency. (Look at Jimmy Carter, who was, in my opinion, a lousy president but who has done great charity work as an ex-president.) I am pleased that Obama is taking his place in the continuum. What I object to is statements like yours implying that he is unique and better than past presidents because he is doing this. Don't be silly. And yes, he has done this in the past-- for three years. That's a good sign. But the cynic in me does have to point out that's about how long he has been in the public spotlight as a presidential contender. I assume he did similar good works prior to that in other venues. At least I hope so.

Again, I'm not knocking the guy here. I am just asking for some sense of perspective-- applaud people for doing good while NOT putting down others as if they have not had similar good impulses. And to the predictable poster -- pefros, of course-- who tries to say that Bush was only charitable to his oil/gas buddies and Obama is concerned about the little people-- put a cork in it. BOTH these men care about the poor and unfortunate and BOTH have done things to improve the situations of those people. Stop demonizing Bush.

I am thankful today for our country, our government, and the leadership that has kept us safe and will continue to do so.

Way to go President-Elect Obama. I pray for u and your family everyday. God bless.

To say this was a photo op is all wrong, Michelle and Barack have been handing out food in food lines in Chicago for the last 3 years, so this is nothing new and to call their home a manison is wrong also, it is an average 2700sq ft 3 bedroom home in a nice neighborhood of Chicago, so I would not call that a mansion at all. Bush's home in Texas is much bigger than the Obamas in fact Laura Bush is refusing to move to the ranch permentaly, she said it is to isolated so they are buying another home in Houston.

I think it's wonderful that the Obamas gave of their time to the needy today. It is a good example for their daughters and shows compassion. I think he really DOES care. I think so far he is doing a GREAT job and have high hopes for his presidency. He is an inspiration to many who might not see much inspiration in their world. Those of who who are doing ok (myself included) should do what we can to help our communities and neighbors at these difficult times. Donate time or money to a food bank, shelter, any worthwhile group trying to help people. That is the spirit of the holidays.

Never done that when he was a senator.

Even if some of you claim it's a photo-op, you can't deny Obama's sending a great message to society- and encouraging people to volunteer.

I want my $1000 for voting him.

A promise is a promise, unless you are not a man of word.

Yeah, Bush and Cheney deal out billions to their oil, banking and military/industrial pals and the Obama family stops a moment to think about people who are not quite so rich - better start criticizing them.

No sincerity! how can you say that? What president in history can you say has ever done this before Obama? He cares! I just pray he and his family has good protective security.

I'm very happy to have a President-elect who is good with kids, cares about other people, has compassion and a sense of humor and who genuinely puts folks at ease no matter what their age, race or station in life. He's a good man and we will be very, very blessed to have him leading our nation. No one is perfect, but Barack Obama is a giant step in the right direction.

Concerned in OH...You sound like you never helped anyone a day in your life. Too bad, if you did you would realize how very hard warming it is. You really shouldn't be so angry.Let consider this union between America and Our new president a marriage, we are in it together for better or for worst. You know what things are looking better already, hopefully your attitude will change. Try some volunteer work it's very good for the soul, you will see that others especially strangers will respect you for all your efforts. You sound like a very angry person to be. Let move forward and take a hint from the Obamas, do something for someone else. It's not all about you.

Maureen, can't you bring yourself to say something nice about those whose political views you do not share? I know there are some on here who are criticizing Obama for appearing for the press, rather than from sincere concern. But not everyone on the Republican side of the aisle shares that opinion. So why jump to defend Obama by criticizing McCain? he is not part of this discussion, but I will defend him and his family vigorously from your annoying attitude--- he owns 7 homes, he doesn't care about people; Obama only owns one mansion so he cares more. That is ridiculous. Why can't you assume that both men are sincere in their desire to serve their country and their concern for their fellow Americans.

Yes, the McCains are wealthy. But they have used that wealthy to help those less fortunate in a myriad of ways both large and small. And those 7 homes they own? (well,actually, Cindy owns them) Some of them are occupied by relatives that she supports, not by Sen. and Mrs. McCain themselves. But we would not want that pesky little fact to get in the way of a good Thanksgiving sneer, now would we?

Yes, it is good to see Mr. Obama walk the walk. But please acknowledge that he is not the only public figure who does and that defense of his good gesture need not be accompanied by denigration of other public figures who are also worthy of praise and emulation, such as Pres. Bush and Sen. McCain.

I applaud the Obamas for volunteering, and the fact that it's a photo op as well does not bother me. We need photo ops of leaders doing such things to remind others that it is important to follow their examples. yeah, most of us who volunteer all year round (I spend my saturdays at the local animal shelter and volunteer at the soup kitchen as well) would do so regardless of any call to volunteerism by any elected official. Still, if it influences anyone, it's worth it.

I do want to point out, however, that President Bush has regularly done similar volunteer work and I do not see the gushing of praise directed at him as well. I don't just mean flying to Iraq and serving the troops Thanksgiving dinner, I mean packing boxes at a food pantry and similar meaningful volunteer efforts.

The gestures of both these families, the present and future first families, should be applauded.