Breaking news! A parallel universe does indeed exist, and either John Harwood or I inhabit it. The irrefutable evidence came this evening, as Harwood of CNBC/NYT claimed that Michelle Obama will be—albeit slightly–more of an asset to her husband's campaign than will Cindy McCain to that of her spouse.
Here was Harwood's response on this evening's Race for the White House to a question from host David Gregory about the respective roles the two spouses will play in the coming campaign.
JOHN HARWOOD: Yes, look, I don't know how you match up spouses, and obviously people generally speaking aren't going to vote on that. Cindy McCain looks a little bit more exotic, she's a little richer than Michelle Obama. Michelle Obama has a little bit more of the average, middle-class housewife look about her, she's got young kids. So, I'm not sure there's a big advantage for either side, if I had to give any I'd say slight advantage to Michelle Obama.
View video here.
Surely it would be impossible to assess Michelle Obama's impact on the campaign without discussing:
- her "first time I'm proud of this country" remark?
- her claim that this country is "downright mean"?
- the way she griped to women of modest income about the way she and Barack have to get by?
- the curious way in which her hospital administrator's salary more than doubled when her husband became a senator?
Actually, it would be possible, since Harwood didn't touch on any of those issues in awarding that "slight advantage" to Michelle. I imagine Cindy McCain might be flattered by Harwood's depiction of her as "exotic," but go ahead and beam me up if more Americans will relate to Mrs. Obama than to Mrs. McCain.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Well, she does have more
May 23, 2008 - 22:40 ET by Clear thinkerWell, she does have more junk in the trunk!
"Abstain from McCain"
Saw That
May 23, 2008 - 22:43 ET by Gat New YorkI caught that before going out.
My belief is that Harwood was trying to fit in with the rest of the "dream team" that makes up MSLSD.
I am in the beverage industry and Cindy McCain is the real deal when it comes to business. She and Michelle Obama are not in the same league by a mile.
As usual with sleepy-eyed
May 23, 2008 - 22:43 ET by bigtimerAs usual with sleepy-eyed John...no bias showing.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Oh,, now Mark
May 23, 2008 - 22:44 ET by bigpapaYou know Michelle is a much more desireable first lady since she's black and hates America...
She has been discriminated against and held down by the (white) man...
Michelle deserves to be the first lady because she..... .... well uhhhhh,,,, is black and a woman!!!!! yeah,,,
yeah,,, that's the ticket.. :)
I think was Harwood was
May 23, 2008 - 22:45 ET by Gat New YorkI think was Harwood was saying was that M.O. would appear to be more of your average housewife than trophy wife McCain.
Housewife maybe for the Manson family given her values.
for example
May 23, 2008 - 22:59 ET by bigpapaSo no one thinks I'm racist or sexist...
let her words speak for her....
http://www.floppingaces.net/2008/05/23/michelle-obama-blacks-who-assimilate-into-white-culture-are-uncle-toms/#more-4680
Harwood
May 23, 2008 - 23:15 ET by Jerry MackHarwood should drop all pretense to objectivity and start wearing his elect barry button on tv.
I can only imagine the
May 23, 2008 - 23:27 ET by CJK51I can only imagine the Hulk-like rage that erupted from Shelly-O after hearing someone thought of her as a houswife. Aside from not knowing many Ivy League-educated housewives pulling down $300K a year and barely getting by, I'd say Shelly wants everyone else to be a housewife while she carries on like Cleopatra.
Michelle smash!!!!
I'll take the #2 position on the transporter Mark.
May 23, 2008 - 23:39 ET by JPR1And, my guess is that Cindy McCain coud buy the Obamas lock-stock-and-barrel without feeling the pinch. She had the brains/courage to manage her inheritance, more power to her I say.
"Michelle Obama has a
May 23, 2008 - 23:59 ET by Blazer"Michelle Obama has a little bit more of the average, middle-class housewife look"
.......of course most middle class wives didn't attend Princeton or collected six figure salaries. G-DAMN YOU AMERIKKKA !!!!
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
What a dumbass. "Exotic"
May 24, 2008 - 00:41 ET by stratmanWhat a dumbass.
"Exotic" has never been applied to WASP's, especially monied WASP's in their typical outfits and makeup.
Cindy McCain looks "affluent", not exotic.
The rest of his opinion is of similarly importance and truthiness.
More yellow journalism.
Hm...I posted this before,
May 24, 2008 - 07:48 ET by motherbeltHm...I posted this before, but it's not here....
A blonde, fair-skinned woman in the US is definitely not "exotic." In fact, she's pretty "generic."
Yes. Generic... from a
May 24, 2008 - 09:24 ET by stratmanYes. Generic... from a bottle.
I read some time ago that natural blonds are becoming fewer in numbers in the population while bottle blonds are more frequently seen and now viewed as more desirable by men.
Regardless of the origin of the blond hair, generic is a more apt term than exotic for blonds in the USA.
As to that age old question, do blonds really have more fun? Maybe not this year if you're a Democrat.
Go Cindy!
RRAM Tough!
Hey Michelle... Why the
May 24, 2008 - 08:03 ET by Jack BauerHey Michelle...
Why the BLACK DOUR SALUTE?
Check out the full story on my l'il blog www.hollycrud.com
Is that Harwood in that
May 24, 2008 - 08:05 ET by SchnikeysIs that Harwood in that picture?
Whoever it is, he's got this obnoxious crybaby expression on his face that should never be seen on a man. Whenever I see a man sporting it, I instantly think, "liberal."
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Grizzly Bear '08
'Middle class housewife
May 24, 2008 - 09:49 ET by SickofLibs'Middle class housewife look'?
I guess he would say Marie Antoinette had that look, too. This guy, and the rest of Gregory's regular panel, are seriously painful to watch, but I have to. They outdo each other every day with Obama worship.
M.O. probably is a better
May 24, 2008 - 11:42 ET by ConservativeRexM.O. probably is a better campaign asset in the South side of Chicago, East St. Louis, Watts, Harlem, Bedford Stuyvesant, 3rd and 5th Ward, 9th Ward, South Oak Cliff,Atlanta, Detroit and a few other places. Just what are you trying to imply Mr. Harwood? Are you implying that Mrs. McCain would be accepted everywhere other than those places I listed? Whatever could you mean?
Yeah, exactly where does
May 24, 2008 - 13:00 ET by Ten7sYeah, exactly where does seething, angry, bitter, outspoken anti-Americanism play well?
"Cindy McCain is a little
May 24, 2008 - 12:54 ET by badger."Cindy McCain is a little bit richer than Michelle Obama. Michelle Obama has a little bit more of the average, middle class housewife look about her, she's got young kids." Is this Harwood guy kidding or what?
Michelle Obama a middle class housewife, (yeah right) last I heard the Obama's were millionaires. They gave/give their spiritual adviser Wright an the average poor persons whole year earnings/salary. Drop in the bucket for the Obama's.
As far as First Lady material, Cindy McCain wins hands down in my opinion. I am far from a sophisticated fashion designer, but take a look at the clothes/outfits Cindy wears compared to those that Michelle wears. (Both have plenty of money available) Cindy is stylish/trendy in her selection of wear, Michelle is not. Cindy is quiet and reserved, Michelle is not. Cindy has class about her in public, Michelle does not. Take notice when the Obama's are out eating in a public restaurant. Watch Michelle reach across/over or pick at Barack's plate like Ernest T. Bass would, with no etiquette or manners whatsoever. Barack is elegant/graceful, while Michelle is not. The reason I bring this up is because the Obama's might be representing America around the world, wining and dining with Kings/Queens, Prime Ministers, Presidents, Dignitaries, VIP's, etc. etc...
I know I'm a slob at the dinner table in the privacy of my own home, but I do try to show some etiquette when out in public with my family, furthermore, I am not running for the highest office in America. At least Barack learned something from his Ivy league schools, Michelle, apparently, learned nothing from her great education.
Cindy McCain may not be the perfect choice, just better that the alternative. Having to make a decision between these two women, which one would you choose to represent America as the First Lady?