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McCain vs Obama...Cindy vs Michelle, That Is
February 19, 2008 6:53 PM
ABC News' Jennifer Parker, Bret Hovell and Sunlen Miller Report: Michelle Obama, the wife of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Wednesday attempted to clarify remarks she made Tuesday about being proud of the country.
Michelle Obama has been criticized for the comments, with some suggesting her remarks were unpatriotic.
Campaigning in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Monday, Michelle Obama said, "For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country and not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change."
In a rare move, Cindy McCain, wife of the Arizona senator, took on Michelle Obama's comment Tuesday as she introduced her husband at a rally. "I'm proud of my country, I don't know if you heard those words earlier. I'm very proud of my country," she said.
The Arizona senator also made a subtle dig at Michelle Obama's comments during his victory speech Tuesday night.
"I have never lived a day, in good times or bad, that I haven't been proud of the privilege" of being an American, McCain said in Columbus, Ohio.
In interviews on Wednesday, Michelle Obama attempted to clarify her remarks.
"What I was clearly talking about was that I'm proud in how Americans are engaging in the political process," she told WJAR in Rhode Island today.
"For the first time in my lifetime, I'm seeing people rolling up their sleeves in a way that I haven't seen and really trying to figure this out - and that's the source of pride that I was talking about," she added.
Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., was asked about Michelle Obama's comments during an interview today and she stressed how proud she was of the country.
"You know, I've been proud a lot of America," Clinton said during an interview with WJAR Wednesday. "I think we've all been disappointed in our country. But I've been proud of America on many occasions during my lifetime."
Senator Obama also attempted to clarify his wife's remarks Tuesday and expressed frustration that his wife's comments had become political fodder.
"Statements like this are made and people try to take it out of context and make a great big deal out of it, and that isn't at all what she meant," Obama said during an interview on WOAI radio in San Antonio, Texas.
"What she meant was, this is the first time that she's been proud of the politics of America," he said. "Because she's pretty cynical about the political process, and with good reason, and she's not alone. But she has seen large numbers of people get involved in the process, and she's encouraged."
The reaction by McCain's wife Tuesday has taken many people aback.
Cindy McCain has generally stayed out of the political fire and spent much of last year telling audiences that her first reaction to the idea that her husband might enter the presidential race was “No!” But she stood next to him during a press conference after the Tuesday rally.
The two were asked what they thought of Obama's comments, and if Cindy was responding to them directly?
“I don’t think we have any comment on that, do we?” McCain said Tuesday, looking at his wife. “Do you have any comment?”
“I just wanted to make the statement that I have and will always be proud of my country,” she replied.
Cindy McCain was given another opportunity later in the day in Columbus, Ohio, to amp up what one veteran campaign reporter called a “spousal spat.” Did Cindy McCain intend for her remarks to “tweak” Michelle Obama?
“Well really all it was about is I always have been and will always be extremely proud of my country. I’ve led a very fortunate life. It was nothing more than that. I’m just very proud to be an American,” Cindy Mccain said.
Somewhat subdued, perhaps, for the drama-hungry press corps.
But if the general election turns into a McCain-Obama match, maybe it was an opening skirmish in the battle between each candidate’s biggest supporters.
ABC News' Kate Snow contributed reporting. This report was updated to include Michelle Obama's attempt Wednesday to clarify her remarks.
February 19, 2008 in Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (539)
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You tell them Cindy good for you !!!
Posted by: SJ | Feb 19, 2008 7:01:37 PM
I'm with Michelle all the way!!! I was NOT proud to be an American UNDER BUSH! I was ashamed of my country's leadership, Iraq, our rights being ripped away along with the Constitution. The moment I realized that Obama just might be the next President, I different. Proud. Proud of what we will show the world when we elect OBAMA. A Texan for Obama ALL THE WAY!
Posted by: eric | Feb 19, 2008 7:17:25 PM
Obama talks alot about national health care but the rich have right offs the middle class mostly white will pay taxes to have the health care plan an the blacks an latinos will be the ones to benefit from this, no thanks. There are too many uneducated white Americans that are voting for Obama.
Bush was bad as President but McCain has moreexpreience than Obam Hillary an Busch combined
Posted by: larry martin | Feb 19, 2008 7:19:12 PM
I think that Michelle made an innocent comment. I think she is just very proud of her husband. Cindy McCain should just keep her mouth SHUT the same way she has been, or somebody will start talking about her past.
Posted by: pt | Feb 19, 2008 7:20:36 PM
Michelle shouldn't be proud of the fact she got into Princeton and Harvard through Affirmative Action, not by her grades. Stepping over qualified people is nothing to be proud of.
Posted by: Bill | Feb 19, 2008 7:22:23 PM
This just shows how cocky the OBAMAs are getting.
Posted by: Billy-Texas | Feb 19, 2008 7:23:34 PM
Why is it everyone is all for freedom of speech as long as it is speech that they like. I am 40 years old this year, and I have to say, there has not been a lot to be proud of from the office of the President for the last 22 years. Scandals and lies, promises of prosperity followed by realities of debt and despair. It is no one President's fault, but here we are. She believes in her husband and has great reason to do so. She should stand by what she said.
Posted by: Louis | Feb 19, 2008 7:27:56 PM
a liberal, i am embarrassed of those radicals who will not pledge allegiance, face the flag, wear lapel pins or feel pride for their country. the obama's can kiss my you know what. this will be only the second time in my 57 years that i vote republican. go cindy!
Posted by: ron | Feb 19, 2008 7:29:49 PM
You can judge a politician by judging his wife.
Posted by: Hard | Feb 19, 2008 7:38:06 PM
I am sure Michelle Obama did not mean to say what everyone is making what all the news broadcast are trying make it sound like she was not patriotic,well to to even let your family be put through the scrutiny and lies I'd say you have to be very patriotic.And as for Cindy McCain she can finally step out from behind her husband to say something he will need her to help get their party behind him because he still has memebers of his party that are not totally behind him yet.He has done some flip flopping of his own.
Posted by: damehen | Feb 19, 2008 7:40:18 PM
Michelle Obama has spent all her adult life working for those who have never seen the American Dream. She's a good woman, an intelligent lawyer, and she'll make a wonderful First Lady!
Posted by: Steve | Feb 19, 2008 7:44:15 PM
After saw CNN news,Michelle Obama the day before. On Monday, she told a Wisconsin audience that
For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country, because it feels like hope is making a comeback.... not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change."
I am shocked, Isn't it should be proud of your country no matter what?
this woman is hungry for power, I have really doubt that she is love this country, I can not imagine if Obama elected, what will happen next!!! I am not American but live in America, I think I love America more than her, I am not American yet, but I can not stand for this statement, I just hardly understand American voter why vote for this Obama family who even do not love their country unconditionally???
Posted by: magicspell | Feb 19, 2008 7:45:49 PM
I for one am a proud American. I find it very sad that because a person invests so much hate for our president they cannot see the greatness this country has. I see greatness everyday in the people I meet in my town daily. I believe that this country is "We the people" not the president or any branch of government. I am "we the people" and find the remark very offensive.
Posted by: nobiggov08 | Feb 19, 2008 7:46:36 PM
magicspell: I wish you the very best. I know how hard it is to get in this country legally. Keep going forward and eventually it will happen. Good luck.
Posted by: nobiggov08 | Feb 19, 2008 7:50:37 PM
This is the second time I've heard Michelle Obama make a disparaging comment that sounds divisive. First, she says she'll have to think about whether she'll vote for the other democratic candidate if her husband loses in the primaries and then she says is only now proud of her country because of her husband's lead in the democratic primary. It comes off bad and she's obviously too intelligent to say these comments were a slip of the tongue. I will vote for whichever democrat wins the primaries, but the Obama camp is really starting to make feel like I will have to hold my nose before I vote if that candidate is Obama.
Posted by: Mary | Feb 19, 2008 7:50:56 PM
Why so many people still think Michelle Obama made an innocent comment???
If Obama elected she is first lady, her word will represent America.
If you are Amerian, You can point out the problems in this country, people together make this country strong, But no matter what kind of president or what kind of situation, you should always love your country.
OH, by the way I agree with you RON, You can judge a politician by judging his wife.
American voters wake up be smart, do not be a follower of media.
Posted by: Joy | Feb 19, 2008 8:00:11 PM
Powell and Obama are real good friends do not be surprised if powell is Obama's running mate.
Posted by: Mase | Feb 19, 2008 8:01:05 PM
I did not know McCains wife could even talk.
Posted by: Mase | Feb 19, 2008 8:04:26 PM
YET ANOTHER meaningless non-story.
Michelle misspoke. Big deal. We ALL know what she MEANT to convey, and we ALL know that she is NOT "unpatriotic."
Be sure to carefully examine the (hyper-partisan) motives of anyone who tries to spin this non-story otherwise.
Posted by: Mark | Feb 19, 2008 8:06:25 PM
Michelle and Cindy have the right to say whatever they feel. If one has been proud of their country forever, good for her and if the other has just become proud, good for her. In all honesty I haven't been 100% proud of this country in the past seven to ten years myself. Get a life all of you out there who has nothing better to do with your time than try to make someone look as small as you must be feeling.
Posted by: Mercedes | Feb 19, 2008 8:06:40 PM
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