"Proud" quote: Waves from Michelle
It was fairly predictable that Michelle Obama's comment in a speech yesterday that "for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country" would make waves. Now, it's happened.
Cindy McCain (left) takes her to task in Wisconsin today, without naming her: “I am proud of my country. I don’t know about you. If you heard those words earlier, I am very proud of my country.” Video is here.
Don't discount the importance of this issue. In the last two days before Wisconsin, two stories have been in the mix -- does Obama plagiarize, and is his wife unpatriotic. That's an emotional thing. McCain's comment signals that it won't be forgotten in the general -- but it could affect some votes today, too.
To recap: Michelle Obama, in Wisconsin yesterday, said: “What we have learned over this year is that hope is making a comeback. It is making a comeback. And let me tell you something — for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment. I’ve seen people who are hungry to be unified around some basic common issues, and it’s made me proud.”
The Obama campaign clarification: "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. 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."
Here's video:
E-mail
Facebook
Digg
Delicious
Comments (4)
here's the deal. Anyone who knows what the word plagiarize means also realizes that Obama didn't plagiarize a thing. Just ask Hillary, who is fired up and ready to go.
I have never been so proud of my country as I am now (which is probably what Michelle Obama meant). I feel the same way. An African-American man and a woman are vying for a major party endorsement for president of this great land. Never before has this happened. We have come a long way, and no one should question anyone's patriotism.
These two things are non-issues.
Unfortunately, my friends and I read about Mrs. Obama's statement. We found it odd as well as somewhat offensive. We have always been proud to be American for our entire adult lives. That doesn't mean we don't try to help make positive changes where needed or that we think things are just fine or agree with everything the politicians do but we have, nevertheless, always been glad to be American. Some of my friends have also fought for our country and put their lives on the line-with pride for America. No matter how Obama's public relations tries to correct the damage, Mrs. Obama's words speak for themselves.
The statement from Michelle Obama, "..for the first time in my adult life time, I am really proud of my country" If this does not get people to turn from Barack, nothing will. Remember the old saying, the apple does not fall far from the tree. Well, if Barack feels the same way, and I suspect he does, we have to ask ourselves, is that the person we really want to be our president?
Sigh.
I think it pretty obvious that she meant that she felt proud of her country in the political sphere - proud of what is happening across the political landscape. The whole speech is about just that.
But sure, she flubbed the line, and the vultures circle. In a campaign, the oppostion cares not what you mean, they only look for any advantege. I doubt very many people are not able to see this as the petty little political game that it is.
And Harvey - "the apple does not fall far from the tree" refers to the similarity between parent and child. Michelle is Barack's wife.