Michelle Obama Takes Heat for Saying She’s ‘Proud of My Country’ for the First Time
Michelle Obama is taking heat for saying in Wisconsin Monday she's proud of her country for the first time in her adult life. (AP Photo)
Barack Obama’s wife, Michelle, is under fire for leaving the impression that she hasn’t been proud of her country until now, when Democrats are beginning to rally around her husband’s campaign.
Speaking in Milwaukee, Wis., on Monday, she said, “People in this country are ready for change and hungry for a different kind of politics and … for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback.”
Greeted with rousing applause after making the comment in Milwaukee, Obama delivered an amended version of the speech later that day in Madison, Wis.
“For the first time in my adult lifetime, I’m really proud of my country … not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change,” she said. “I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment.”
Obama was born in 1964, meaning her adult life began in 1982. Critics quickly seized on the newfound national pride.
“I am proud of my country,” John McCain’s wife, Cindy, said at a campaign stop in Brookfield, Wis., Tuesday. “I don’t know if you heard those words earlier … but I am very proud of my country.”
During a follow up press conference, the Arizona senator was asked if they were responding to Michelle Obama and he deferred to his wife.
McCain responded: “I just wanted to make the statement that I have and always will be proud of my country.”
Obama campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the candidate’s wife wasn’t trying to knock her country, only underscore the meaning behind her husband’s campaign.
“The point is that of course Michelle is proud of her country, which is why she and Barack talk constantly about how their story wouldn’t be possible in any other nation on Earth,” she said. “What she meant is that she’s really proud at this moment because for the first time in a long time, thousands of Americans who’ve never participated in politics before are coming out in record numbers to build a grassroots movement for change.”
But conservative outlets aren’t so ready to let her off the hook.
“Can it really be there has not been a moment during that time when she felt proud of her country?” reads an article in Commentary magazine. “Forget matters like the victory in the Cold War; how about only things that have made liberals proud — all the accomplishments of inclusion? How about the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1991? Or Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s elevation to the Supreme Court?”
The article then says Michelle Obama’s comments suggest “the pseudo-messianic nature of the Obama candidacy is very much a part of the way the Obamas themselves are feeling.”
Weekly Standard Editor Bill Kristol said the comment “was sort of revealing.”
“She was an adult when we won the Cold War without firing a shot. She was an adult for the last 25 years of economic progress, social progress,” he told FOX News. “I think the Democrats have to be careful … they’re running against the status quo … You have to be careful not to let that slide into a kind of indictment of America. Because I don’t think the American people think on the whole that the last 25 years of American history is a narrative of despair and nothing to be proud of.”
Democratic strategist Bob Beckel said Obama “shouldn’t have said it the way she said it” but she gets the benefit of his doubt. He added that she most likely was just referring to the grassroots movement that’s swelled to support her husband, but she needs to be more careful.
“The Obama’s have to recognize they are now front-runners, and everything they say, it’s now open hunting season for people,” he said.
Click here to read the posting on the Commentary Web site.
FOX News’ Mosheh Oinounou and Bonney Kapp contributed to this report.
Please let Mr Beckel know that, when he indicates that the country as a whole does not support John McCains view of the war on terror, He does not speak for approximately one half of the population. I, along with most conservative Americans support Mr McCains view, and we make up a LARGE portion of the country as a whole. Tell Beckel to speak for himself, or better yet, just tell him to SHUT UP!
With the record breaking turn out of participants in this election process, apparently this is the first time in THOUSANDS of people’s lives, BLACK, WHITE, ASIAN AND HISPANIC, that they are proud and excited to be a part of this American process. Not only is Barak generating this excitement, but Hillary also. With Barak winning in states where it would seem otherwise, Iowa and Wisconsin, it makes me proud also (for the first time) to know that America isn’t just changing on paper with civil rights legislation but truly changing in our hearts.
When a person is in a public speaking position, the speaker had better have there speech together. Michelle has made her remark and should be very ashamed of herself especially with the type of life she leads. I hope to God the American people wake up. This woman is NOT First lady material. I would not want her to represent America. I am now decided who I will vote for and no words that Michelle may say now will mean anything. I know now we need experience to lead us back to respect around the world and not someone whose speeches are based with the words hope and change. These are non-debatable words. He may be an eloquent public speaker but he does not have the record to lead our nation.
I think the Democrats are on the verge of committing political suicide if Barrack is the candidate the Democratic part is the worst political organization in this modern World. This is just totally nonsense to have Independence and Republican voting in the Democratic primaries. They will choose the weaker candidate and this is what is happening I could bet a Million dollars that Barrack would never become president of America. When you have such traitor like Dick Morris saying that Barrack would win because of Independence and Republican it is clear that this is a conspiracy to make Hillary lose the Nomination. The Republican are calling their supporters to support Barrack to Create and impression that he is getting Republican support Nonsense. The issue that Hilary would rally the Republican base more than the most Liberal Senator Just like John Kerry You has something more to come.
Sorry folks. I have been a Democrat and liberal all my life and have ALWAYS been proud to be an American and of my country. I believe she revealed in one instant how she really fells. We are told to believe there is no color or ill feelings to one another, but we have never been told to “honor thy country” regarldess. It comes natural.
I find it offensive, a redal lack of charavcter for a potential first lady and really echoes how she feels. I will not vote for Obama now even if he were to win the Democratic nomination.
Of course Cindy McCain is proud of her country…being a white, blonde wealthy woman goes a long way here… to see Americans rally around an African American presidential candidate is huge and I am sure is a huge stride for the African American community, who have endured and still do endure much discrimination in this country. I say GO MICHELLE…we need a brainy, outspoken minority first lady in this country…I hope she never loses her sense of self.
The comment that Michelle Obama made,’ for the first time she was REALLY proud of her country’ was said in earnest. I’m not so sure that Cindy McCain’s comment was meant to be anything more than a snide comeback. Although I believe both women are proud of their country or they wouldn’t be investing so much time and effort in the process. What really aggravates me is that you guys (FOX,etc,etc) spend so much time on trivial stuff like this when our country is bleeding. Shame on you.
Conservatives complain about Michelle Obama’s quote, “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country.”?
Well, for once in my life I have someone who needs me
Someone Ive needed so long
For once, unafraid, I can go where life leads me
And somehow I know Ill be strong
For once I can touch what my heart used to dream of
Long before I knew
Someone warm like you
Would make my dreams come true
For once in my life I wont let sorrow hurt me
Not like it hurt me before
For once, I have something I know wont desert me
Im not alone anymore
For once, I can say, this is mine, you cant take it
As long as I know I have love, I can make it
For once in my life, I have someone who needs me
I figure most of this crap is just posturing. So she said something we don’t like or think of as being a “Good American”, big deal. No telling how many times our current and former Presidents have made statements that make a High School dropout wonder just what the hell they meant or where they happened to get their education. Let it ride people. Oboma doesn’t have a proven track record and when it gets down to the nitty gritty hopefully people will see him for what he is. He is riding a wave of idealism based on many of today’s young people’s displeasure with what is happening in the USA right now. He is cashing in on the angst felt among the young people, the blacks and other minorities and saying all the right things. I live in Texas and watched one of his campaign ads that was made just for our ears and eyes in Texas. Small wonder he proffered up his ideas on the exact subjects that happen to be a hot subject politically speaking these days. Aside from mentioning the proposed new I-69 Corridor the ad was spot on. So that should tell the folks who support him something, he says exactly what folks would like to hear. Compare the ads from all of the states where he has gone to campaign for the nomination. The proof is in the pudding folks. I’m sure all of the presidential hopefuls change things up as they go along, but do compare them before casting your lot with someone who is wholly unproven in the political arena. And as a last thought, anyone regardless of color or culture who insists on labeling themselves by the country of their origin as such not only separate themselves from everyone else who doesn’t happen to be like them, but also throw up their own personal barriers…….. We all came from somewhere when this country was first established.
It is sad that even after tragedies that brought out the humanitarian side of Americans - the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Katrina, the Tsunami in Asia and other disasters - that Michelle Obama did not feel pride for her country even then. During those times, so many Americans stepped up to the plate and demonstrated what it truly meant to be American and I, for one, was extremely proud of my country during those times. I take her comment as a personal slap in the face. With harsh anti-American sentiments like her’s, my support for the Obama campaign is slipping away.