Speak up Michelle Obama, but Hillary definitely needs to be kept under wraps

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Sat Mar-08-08 01:29 PM
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Speak up Michelle Obama, but Hillary definitely needs to be kept under wraps

Edited on Sat Mar-08-08 01:32 PM by ProSense

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Sen. Clinton apologizes for work remarks

May 15, 2006

NEW YORK --After telling an audience that young people today "think work is a four-letter word," Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said she apologized to her daughter.

"I said, 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to convey the impression that you don't work hard,'" Clinton said Sunday in a commencement address at Long Island University. "I just want to set the bar high, because we are in a competition for the future."

Clinton spoke to more than 2,000 graduates days after she criticized young people at a gathering of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington. In those remarks, she said young people have a sense of entitlement after growing up in a "culture that has a premium on instant gratification."

The senator said that her daughter, Chelsea, phoned to complain after learning about the comments. The 26-year-old was hired in 2003 by McKinsey & Co. as a consultant, reportedly for a six-figure salary. She received a master's degree from Oxford University after graduating from Stanford University in 2001.

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Listeners Respond

It is fabulous to see a potential first lady that totally breaks the traditional mold of traditional first ladies that only supported antiquated images of women. Her leadership speaks positively to his, and I would be pleased to have such a world leader at hand!

-Diepiriye Kuku-Siemons

Michelle Obama is smart, stylish, and beautiful. A Jackie Kennedy kind of girl. End of story. (By the way, for those of you focusing on racial divides, I'm white.) Rather than focusing on her physical attributes, I'm curious what issue she would take on as first lady. Now there's an interesting story!

-Mary Schafer

Michelle Obama is the first black woman to have a husband running for president! Why shouldn't she be dissected? Go for it NPR. If this country had been exposed to a black man running for president, it might have a different tone. NPR is doing their job!

-Barbara Downey

This conversation only shows how far American has to still go to embrace the diversity we so often praise. Michelle Obama is beautiful and highly intelligent. This is a combination that many will find intimidating. I find her to be a wonderful example of an American woman. When she is in the White House, I believe that Americans will find her intriguing. Women married to powerful men should be just as interesting as the man the walk side by side with.

-Colette Harris

She is an excellent example for American women. Educated, supportive of her husband and family-centered. Not a caricature � an attractive, intelligent, refreshingly honest woman, who I believe is a down-to- earth role model that all of our women can identify and connect with.

-Robert Leslie Jr.

Michelle Obama is so real she's strong, she's intelligent, she's funny she's passionate. She makes mistakes as all people do. She's tall, dark and strikingly beautiful. She and Barack are so suited for each other. She's black, all right, and I, as a single white mother of four children can't wait for her to be our First Lady AND I KNOW SHE WILL BE!!!

-Carol Hardison

Michelle Obama is a lady who will bring the beauty and intelligence of a Jackie Kennedy to the White House. She will make us proud of her in America and abroad !!!

-Ken Collins

She is an authentic individual with quirks. I prefer this kind of woman. Perhaps others are put off by her candor, but you know she isn't scripted. Too may expect pristine perfection. I have friends who have worked with Michelle at the University of Chicago and they think she is terrific - sure of herself and willing to initiate action.

-Geraldine Conrad

We live in the Hyde Park-Kenwood community of Chicago where the Obamas live, and know that she is thought highly of here. I think she is a breath of fresh air and would make a wonderful first lady who would set a high standard. Yes, she is direct. As a white woman, I know that some people seem to find it threatening when African-American women are more upfront and direct than many white women are. I find it refreshing and think we need to get used to strong women who speak their minds!

-Janet Howe

As a black man with a law degree married to a statuesque, dark chocolate woman with a PhD, I couldn't be happier to see this couple rise to prominence. They make it clear both as individuals and as a couple that while they have talents and advantage, they are normal people with whom we can all identify. She is proof of his good taste and sound judgment.

-Christopher Randolph

I didn't realize Mrs. Obama was so tall (big deal). She's very attractive. Straightened hair? I see black women both with and without. Same with whites - some perm their hair, frost it... others don't. I've read where light skin color is more valued (its not some secret but a fact for some/many) so I think this article simply talked about things people were noticing. Michelle is NOT a Laura Bush - HALLELUJAH for that!

-Sandra Goodwick

Might just be the finest first lady we have had the opportunity to elect in a long time. I fear for her. In this bigoted and racially biased society, a tall dark woman is facing problems than any white woman with the same qualifications would never have to endure.

-Sue deVall

I am a black woman and I can't tell you how offended I was by this piece on Michelle Obama. I can't believe it that in this day and age, were concentrating on someone's skin color or height. Are we that backwards? Michelle Obama is a beautiful, smart, classy woman. I've seen her in person and when she walks into a room all eyes swivel her way. She's tall and incredibly fit and wears her stylish clothes well. She puts Cindy McCain, and all the other ex-candidates wives to shame. There is absolutely no comparison in terms of looks. I can't wait for la belle Michelle to come to the White House with those beautiful, precious little girls. The message to the whole world will be - look how beautiful black people are. Anyone who thinks otherwise will be ashamed.

-Marian Mcelroy

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I love her! She is a superb American and the perfect role model for young women. I only hope that the "powers that be" don't grind her down.

-Kathy Hope

Yes, I think Michelle Obama's honesty is refreshing. I've had enough of the, "Is this country ready for... a black president, a black first lady, a woman president?" rhetoric. Let's get real. Asking that question is evidence of the intense racism and sexism that is still a part of our subconscious/consciousness. This attitude stymies our progress in becoming a truly representative democracy. There are diverse leaders all over this country and the world. YES WE ARE READY.

-Lori-Ann Lima

I actually think that Michelle Obama as First Lady would be comparable to Hillary Clinton as First Lady. Both women were seen as equal partners (successful, educated, opinionated, strong). For most people that's an asset, but for some it is probably a liability. I think that Michelle has the potential to do great things as First Lady and overall I think she would be a tremendous asset to the White House and the country.

-Daniel Jackson

It is RIDICULOUS, and the lowest INSULT for NPR to pose questions about Michelle Obama's physical attributes to black people. This is comparable to black prisoners beating Fannie Lou Hamer for the white sheriff.

Maybe she will become the first woman of color to serve as America's First Lady. Never have you discussed potential Caucasian first ladies height, weight (anorexic or overweight), their hue, hair, demeanor or vices. NPR OVER-REACHED for no good reason and you should refrain from this. When are you going to have a group of white women and men pass judgment on Cindy McCain and Bill Clinton? They deserve equal treatment.

In short, God creasted Michelle Robinson Obama and like all humans she was made, "very good" and is very good AS IS! Anyone with complaints or concerns should take those issues up with GOD for she like all of us did not create herself. God may choose to do something or He may not. As for the rest of us, we shall accept and respect each person as the special individuals we are. She is an asset to her husband and a fine example of womanhood and this is MOST important. Finally, America is forced to see another type of African-American woman who does not dress lewd, speak Ebonics, is a wife and mother, works and does not shake her rear. WE EXIST TOO BUT MEDIAS IGNORE US AND CELEBRATE THE LESSER! Thank God for Michelle and Barack for they are forcing America to deal with its own hatred for all of Gods creations.

-E.J. Neila

YOU GO GIRL!!!! I am 51 years old and NEVER thought a black candidate would procede so far during my lifetime! Michelle is the ideal "woman behind the man" I don't have words enough to sing her accolades!

-Sharon Bloung

This was an incredible story! My take-away is that a sizable portion of the country thinks Ms. Obama is either too black, too tall, too smart or too asertive to be First Lady. It is unbelievable that we have to have conversations like this when the country is fragmented, the Iraq War seems to have no end and we are causing the climate to change in dramatic ways. But thank you for educating us that people in this day and age still have predjudices like this. I would have a tough time deciding which Obama to vote for if they were both on the ticket.

-Art Olsen

edited typos

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