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Obama: Daughters 'Won't Be Heartbroken' Over November Loss
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ShareJuly 23, 2008 11:55 AM
ABC News' Nitya Venkataraman Reports: If Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama doesn't win the White House in November, his daughters' might be rejoicing alongside his Republican presidential rival.
"They have a wonderful life in Chicago," the Illinois senator tells PEOPLE magazine in their latest issue hitting newsstands on Friday. "So I'm sure there's a part of them that won't be heartbroken if things don't work out."
In the PEOPLE exclusive, Obama and his wife Michelle say they're trying to create a life of stability for their two daughters amidst the chaos of a presidential campaign.
Obama's half-sister Maya Soetero-Ng told PEOPLE routine was something she and Obama missed out on during their younger years.
"Our childhood was constant moving and adventure but little stability," says Soetoro-Ng. "Barack wants for his girls a rootedness and community that he didn’t have."
The Obamas outline orderly days for their daughters, Malia, 10 and Sasha, 7: the girls earn a $1/week from their father for doing chores that include setting and clearing the dinner table, making their beds, cleaning their toy closet and abiding by an 8:30 bedtime.
The apples seem not to fall too far from the trees either in the Obama household.
"Our girls love to talk," Michelle Obama says, "They feel confident in their own opinions because we value them even if they’re silly or wrong or a little off."
It's a life of limits, too, for the Obama girls who receive no Christmas or birthday presents from their parents who "strive to teach some limits".
Says Mrs. Obama, "Malia says, 'I know there is a Santa because there's no way you'd buy me all that stuff.'"
While the young Obamas are not untouched by the constant media coverage, Obama tells PEOPLE the sometimes bruising race for the presidency has seemed to roll off his daughters, "I've been really happy by how nonplussed they've been by the whole thing," he says.
"When some folks were attacking Michelle, Malia just asked, 'What was that all about?' And we talked it through," he says. Fortunately, he adds "She’s completely confident about her mommy’s wonderfulness."
Ultimately, the Obamas believe the experience will be a rewarding one for their children. Obama says, ""If I ever thought this was ruining my family, I wouldn't do it."
July 23, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (57)
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Another toally non-issue
Posted by: BigDeal? | Jul 23, 2008 12:20:20 PM
"They have a wonderful life in Chicago," the Illinois senator tells PEOPLE magazine in their latest issue hitting newsstands on Friday." So I guess things aren't so "broken" or "bad" in America after all!
Posted by: Ann | Jul 23, 2008 12:20:32 PM
I am never amazed by how the media seems to focus on everything except the issues (economy,housing market,safety,health care,...). These are young girls; let their parents take care of them and everyone else focus on what is really important during this election year.
Posted by: Wilbert | Jul 23, 2008 12:25:01 PM
Obama said, "I've been really happy by how nonplussed they (his daughters) have been by the whole thing."......He needs to look up the word "nonplussed."
Adj. 1. nonplussed - filled with bewilderment; "at a loss to understand those remarks";
at a loss, nonplussed, puzzled
Posted by: Charlie35 | Jul 23, 2008 12:25:58 PM
I want to see a nice cover and story about MY candidate on People too! I hope they have one in progress on the McCains. I am sooo tired of seeing pious praying pictures of Obama every where. It's getting nauseating.
Posted by: teri | Jul 23, 2008 12:45:16 PM
Obamamama and Angie,
Actually the Obamas can be downright sorry people. I'm sick and tired of their anti american friends, their anti american pastors and mentors, their terrorist friends and Michelle always cutting down America.
These people don't belong in this country if it's so terrible MUCH LESS belong in the White House!
Glad they never will be. They're frauds and phonies and I'm sick of their demeaning America any time they can.
You lose. Next.
Posted by: Jo | Jul 23, 2008 12:53:25 PM
Another medic cover for BO, when is the other candidate going to get a fair share. I refuse to be sucked up by Hollywood and the liberal press. Vote for him and get read to hold onto to your empty wallets folks.
Posted by: Linda SAT | Jul 23, 2008 1:19:11 PM
We don't even know what McCains chidren Look like, their names or what they do for a living. How about some real news!
Posted by: Linda SAT | Jul 23, 2008 1:22:32 PM
a few of mccain's sons are in the military, one i know is serving in either iraq or afghanistan
Posted by: chris | Jul 23, 2008 1:25:38 PM
Looks like Senator Obama is using his children for political gain again. Did he not learn his lesson?
Posted by: Mary | Jul 23, 2008 1:44:35 PM
Obama's hyped international trip has become a circus.
Posted by: amy | Jul 23, 2008 1:46:11 PM
Obama's mother's original Social Security Number Application
at: webofdeception
Posted by: Robert Lewis | Jul 23, 2008 1:50:08 PM
The McCains are multi-millionaires, hace 15 personal mansions across the country.They never speak of their children or have been seen anywhere in public over the years.
WHATS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?
Posted by: watching | Jul 23, 2008 2:08:45 PM
Thankfully, this is a non-issue since Senator Obama WILL win in November!
And I'm sure that McSame will be totally nonplussed by the experience! Maybe he'll think he was running for president of Czechoslovakia!!!
Obama 08
Posted by: jackt51 | Jul 23, 2008 2:16:03 PM
Cute girls, knew Obama was cheap 1 dollar a week?
Posted by: rachel | Jul 23, 2008 2:22:24 PM
I forgot to add enough with the hollywood stuff, people, instyle, access hollywood ENOUGH.
Posted by: rachel | Jul 23, 2008 2:28:14 PM
How much more BS can we take??
Posted by: bombem | Jul 23, 2008 2:39:49 PM
How much more BS can we take??
Posted by: bombem | Jul 23, 2008 2:39:52 PM
To Jake Tapper:
Obama today said he was on the senate banking committee.
Only problem is he isn't.
You haven't posted on this. Why won't you post on this HUGE gaffe.
If McCain said this you liberal reporters would have all gone to your battle stations.
Posted by: Steve | Jul 23, 2008 2:51:12 PM
quote....Jo, your quote is wrong about Michelle.
For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country.
Really is the word that the Obama haters keep leaving out......
It really doesn't make much difference if you do! If she found nothing to be really proud of until her husband got a bunch of votes, mostly from blacks, then maybe she'd be happier in a different one. And for what it's worth, I don't "hate" either of them. I don't consider them worth my hate. I also don't consider him worth my vote.
Posted by: Charlie35 | Jul 23, 2008 2:59:38 PM
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