Monday, September 03, 2012

Parade magazine conducts interview with President and Mrs. Obama.

Here are a couple of excerpts from the Obama's interview with Parade Magazine.

First it looks like the President's hope springs eternal when it comes to reaching out to Republicans.

Parade: You said recently that the mistake of your first few years was thinking the job was just about getting the policy right—that, in fact, you have to tell a story. At the end of the Democratic convention, if you can do it in one sentence, what’s the story people should understand? 

PO: As hard as the last decade’s been for a lot of middle-class families, we’ve got all the tools we need to succeed. We’ve got the best workers in the world, the best entrepreneurs in the world, the best colleges and universities in the world, we’ve got incredible diversity, and we’re a young nation. What’s preventing us from taking advantage of it is our politics. What we need right now is an end to the uncompromising views that have so dominated Washington. 

Parade: So how are you going to talk to Republicans differently if you are reelected? 

PO: Republican voters, if you ask them about my particular policy positions, often agree with me. So there’s a difference between Republicans in Washington and Republican and Republican-leaning voters around the country. I think that after this election, we’ll be in a position to once again reach out to Republicans and say that the American people have rendered a judgment, and the positions we’re taking are well within what used to be considered bipartisan centrist approaches. 

Parade: Are you saying there’ll be a difference in how you approach Republicans, or their attitude will be different if you get reelected? 

PO: My approach has been pretty consistent from the start; I’ve often proposed ways to solve our problems that used to be embraced by Republicans. There’s no better example than the health care bill, which was designed originally by the now Republican standard-bearer and is working pretty well in Massachusetts. The Recovery Act that helped us avoid a depression, a third of it was tax cuts. My hope is that the Republican Party, post election, steps back and says, “Now that we’re not so worried about beating the president, maybe we should spend a little time focusing on solving the problems.

You know THIS is one of the things that drives me crazy, and that is when the Republicans claim that the President was the one who stopped reaching across the aisle, when in fact it was THEY who decided right out of the gate to sabotage EVERYTHING the President put forward as a policy.  And every time the President reached a little further to compromise, he lost a little bit more of his base, and essentially allowed the Republicans to manipulate him into appearing weak.

He wasn't weak, he was just trying to do his job, and keep his promise to the American people to try and rein in partisanship. The Republicans needed him to fail, and did everything in their power to make that happen.

The President makes a good point about his health care plan being initially a Republican idea, but I am not NEARLY as optimistic as he is about Republicans coming around after this election. However this is one of those times that I would REALLY like to be proven wrong.

Here are a few questions for BOTH the President and the First Lady. (I found these questions really demonstrated the strong love between the Obamas, which seems very obvious in how they finish each others sentences and tease each other.)


Parade: One last reader question. Robyne H. of Maryland writes, "From all appearances you have a wonderful marriage. Can you share one ­occasion when you were absolutely furious, Mrs. Obama, with your husband? And Mr. President, how did you make it up to her?" 

PO: The problem is that she’s got so many examples, that may take … Oh, pick one! 

MO: This last three and a half years, it’s been hard to be really furious at him, because he’s working so hard and doing it at great personal sacrifice, but he’s still managing to be the father and husband he was before. So I have a harder time taking [issue with] his little foibles, whether it’s leaving his shoes out or not. 

Parade: Are they still there? 

MO: You know, we have people [here] who pick them up. [Otherwise] they’d still be there. 

 PO: My pants would still be hanging on the top of the door. 

MO: But little things, like, I’m waiting for him today for 30 minutes, ’cause I’m always waiting for him. He comes down and he’s, “All right, let’s go!” And it’s like, “Oh, so now you’re in a rush?” 

PO: She’s more punctual than I am. I’m going to help her out— 

MO: What, you remember something I was really furious about? 

PO: Well, I think the hardest time in our marriage was when our kids were really young. And that’s probably not unusual when you’ve got a working— 

MO: —two working— 

PO: —two working parents. Because no matter how enlightened men like to think they are when it comes to child rearing and balancing work, I think it falls a little harder on women. 

MO: And the emotions are different. My emotions about my role as a mother are a lot more — not to say that he doesn’t want to be the best father, but he’s much more laid back about it and I’m much harder on myself, like many mothers. 

PO: My general view was, if the girls went out and their hair didn’t look great, I was [chuckles], “Well, we’re busy right now.” 

MO: Or they didn’t do anything all summer … 

PO: Send them outside, let them run around. 

MO: Or did they get tutoring? And he’s like, “They’re smart enough. They’re fine.” That’s him. That’s absolutely him. 

PO: As the girls get older and more independent, that relieved some of your stress. 

MO: And then you see, actually, they turned out okay. 

PO: They turned out okay. They’re a little more resilient. 

MO: And they feel loved, and they love us.

I have been married twice and I can tell you that it is very hard to fake this kind of easy affection. They might be able to pull off a few PDA's but this kind of banter and good natured teasing is harder to fake.

I think it humanizes them in a way that I certainly did NOT see with the interviews that were conducted with Mitt and Ann Romney. Not that the Romneys aren't in love, just that there were a lot of set pieces trotted out to decorate Mitt's bland life and to make him appear more compassionate and interesting than I think he actually is in REAL life.

Just my opinion of course.

P.S. There was, of course, mush more. And if you want to read it just click the link at the top.

14 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:32 PM

    Pick your free Obama/Biden 2012 bumper sticker and they will send it to you for free:
    http://www.barackobama.com/free-bumper-choice

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous2:25 PM

    President and Mrs. Obama are such 'natural', loving people. Nothing like what the Romneys project (Romney is so damned stiff in body movement and personality!).

    Make sure all your friends get out there and vote in November. Talk up what President Obama has accomplished in his first term in spite of the Republicans trying to block him every step of the way.

    President Obama is a kind, kind man and even says he likes Clint Eastwood in spite of the asshole commentary Eastwood put on to the empty chair. I'm not as charitable as President Obama. I think Eastwood harmed himself and that segment will be talked about when and after he dies..probably more than his movies!

    OBAMA/BIDEN 2012

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:35 PM

      The Obamas are "natural", while the Romneys are "stiff". That's your criterion for voting for the President of the United States?

      Delete
  3. Anonymous2:31 PM

    They are so loving..They just look like they love each other sooooo much, and they love their children. It's as if President Obama's family means more to him than his political career..What? He's risked everything including a second term, to bring affordable health care to we, the unwashed masses, that it warms my heart. Thank you, President Barack Obama.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous2:41 PM

    Gryph-

    Loved seeing the Obamas in Parade.

    O/T: Today, the C4P references an article in which Todd was recently interviewed. Todd said that while he was filming SES, Trig said his first word. What's interesting is that Todd mentions that Trig's "older brother" was picking on him. Since Track has been in Afghanistan (as Sarah and Todd have said numerous times), might the "older brother" be Tripp??
    Hmmmm......Yet another mystery in the bizarro World of Palin.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3:40 PM

      I wondered about that too. Toad can't get his shit straight.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous3:52 PM

      Can anyone tell me: is it developmentally typical for a 3-1/2 year old child with Downs Syndrome to not speak for this long?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous5:23 PM

      Wouldn't he be 4 1/2? He was "born" April 08.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous2:46 PM

    P.S. There was, of course, mush more. And if you want to read it just click the link at the top.

    "Mush more?" Freudian slip? I love this kind of mush!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I just love them. As president and activist first lady, as hard working campaigners, as parents, and definitely as a couple.

    My intended and I often speak of how we hope to emulate their respect for each other and obvious joy in one another's presence.


    By the way, Gryphen- go ahead and give up the dream re Bland Ann & Mitt the Shitt being "humanized".

    Ain't no hoomanizing the Rombots, boo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3:45 PM

      I like how you use the words 'my intended'. I remember that term so well.

      Delete
  7. Anita Winecooler9:51 PM

    You can't fake that spontaneity. What I've always admired about the First Couple is that theirs is a marriage of equals. It's reassuring to see them share the little things every married couple have to contend with. I love how they're raising their daughters.
    They don't even have to speak to see that they're fully human and in love.

    Mitt and Ann, what can I say? He like's firing people and She LOOOVES us Women. And his dad had a florist deliver one rose for his mother every day.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous1:40 AM

    I like the picture of michelle obama as a slave with her bare boob hanging out
    very sexy

    ReplyDelete

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