In all the fuss over Barack Obama going on ABC and telling his opponents to "lay off my wife," some might have assumed that Obama was implying that Michelle Obama wasn't a major player in the Obama campaign. Read the transcript again, and you'll notice he never says that. (Michelle, however, felt compelled in that interview to deny Robert Novak's buzz that she axed Hillary from the ticket.)
All this reminded me of an April 24 CBS Evening News story where Katie Couric spent some gummy-grinned giggle time inside the Obama campaign HQ. As she surveyed the press shop, a camera found this sheet of paper with a Barack declaration of policy: "Whatever Michelle Says Is The Message."
Here's what Couric was saying as the shot hit the screen:
Then there's the press operation, answering questions from reporters, trying to tamp down any controversy, in constant contact with the road while trying to make sure the message of the day survives.
So when Barack says "lay off my wife," is he following the wife's message orders?
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Michelle and Hillary
May 21, 2008 - 13:56 ET by m36b1Hey - it's just Michelle following Hillary's example :) 1) Trumpet "I'm not a cookie baker". 2) Be (lib's hope so anyway) the nasty queen bee of the white house for a few years. 3) Run for Senate in Illinois. 4) Claim she's got tons of White House experience. 5) Run for Prez as the first "African-American Woman".
There she would pick up her husband's mantle as the "3rd Messiah".
Heaven help us.
So if what she says is the
May 21, 2008 - 13:56 ET by MeanderingSo if what she says is the message, then whatever Jeremiah Wright says is the message as she was the one who really listened to his sermons. Scary!
awesome - t-shirt this one
May 21, 2008 - 13:57 ET by TruthMongerawesome - t-shirt this one quick
remember to add a few Michelle quotes:)!
I'll take a couple (larges,
May 21, 2008 - 14:37 ET by Ruths husband BenI'll take a couple (larges, please)!
"Whatever Michelle Says Is The Message." –
Senator Barack Obama October 1, 2007, Chicago HQ
This could mean anything.
May 21, 2008 - 13:58 ET by balboaThis could mean anything. It could be an inside joke, it could be policy, it could be ANYTHING in between.
Why not take it down then?
May 21, 2008 - 14:00 ET by Tim GrahamIf this was inside office humor not meant for national eyes, wouldn't you -- in the PRESS SHOP -- have put it in a drawer for a few hours?
I didn't say it wasn't
May 21, 2008 - 14:06 ET by balboaI didn't say it wasn't meant for national eyes. I'm saying that it's awfully tough to jump to wild conclusions based solely on one piece of paper.
»→ bal
May 21, 2008 - 14:40 ET by Cool ArrowI'm the boss around my house, and I've got my wife's permission to say so.
You're right, there's nothing to indicate this any kind of political statement.
Men have been making self-deprecating remarks about their relationships since forever.
I run things around my house. . . The vacuum, the dishwasher, etc.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
The Man Song by Sean
May 21, 2008 - 14:48 ET by Ruths husband BenThe Man Song by Sean Morey
I don't take no crap from anybody ... else but you.
I wear the pants around here...when I'm finished with your laundry.
'Cause I'm a guy you don't want to fight ... when I say "jump" you say "yeah, right."
I'm the man of this house ... until you get home.
He's the man! He's the man!
What I say goes around here ... right out the window.
And I don't want to hear a lot of whining ... so I'll shut up.
The sooner you learn who's boss around here ... the sooner you can give me my orders, dear.
'Cause I am the head honcho around here ... but it's all in my head.
He's the man! He's the man!
And I can have sex anytime ... that you want.
'Cause I'm a man who has needs ... but they're not that important.
And don't expect any flowers from me ... because if I'm not mistaken you prefer jewelry.
I'm the king of my castle ... when you're not around.
He's the man! He's the man!
And I'll drink and watch sports whenever I want ... to get into trouble.
And I'll come home when I'm good and ready ... to sleep on the couch.
Because a man's got to do what a man's got to do ... and I'm going to do what you tell me to.
Because I'm top dog around here ... but I've been neutered!
He's the man! He's the man! You the man!
"Whatever Michelle Says Is The Message." –
Senator Barack Obama October 1, 2007, Chicago HQ
Love Sean Morey! He's
May 21, 2008 - 14:51 ET by balboaLove Sean Morey! He's hilarious.
I remember the first time I
May 21, 2008 - 14:53 ET by Ruths husband BenI remember the first time I heard this song. I about soiled myself laughing. Ruth said, "what's so funny about that?"
"Nuttin' honey."
"Whatever Michelle Says Is The Message." –
Senator Barack Obama October 1, 2007, Chicago HQ
Great Song!
May 21, 2008 - 15:31 ET by MeanderingShould be the Obama presidential race song.
He's the man!
May 21, 2008 - 15:51 ET by HypocriteHaterLove that song!!
I can picture Bill Clinton singing this little ditty.
"MISSION
May 21, 2008 - 14:06 ET by TruthMonger"MISSION ACCOMPLISHED"
This could mean anything. It could be an inside joke, it could be policy, it could be ANYTHING in between.
It could actually be referring to the USS Lincoln's completed mission - I mean the banner was hanging on the boat after all...
NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!
That's a really valid
May 21, 2008 - 14:40 ET by balboaThat's a really valid comparison... /s
well of course it's not
May 21, 2008 - 15:33 ET by TruthMongerwell of course it's not really valid...
baldface lying about Repubs is just fine - I know that...
...the MA banner obviously was there to promote Bush and Bush alone, for a war that was not over (even though Hussien had been ousted), an illegal war no-less, that has completely ruined our reputation around the world - which was perfect before of course, and now we torture people, and spy domestically, and expose great patriot spies like valarie plame...
that's what I got from the "mission accomplished" sign too, bal - I mean it was SO OBVIOUS...
not like this extremely vague "WHATEVER MICHELLE SAYS GOES" sign, which really could mean anything, like you say - such as "hope is on the way" or "Obama will solve all of our problems" or things like that...yeah, sure...OK...no prob....
My understanding of the MA
May 22, 2008 - 10:15 ET by pbanks7My understanding of the MA sign is that a carrier will display that banner every time they return to their home port. Mission Accomplished.
Any Navy folk out there to confirm this?
MSM - shaping all the perceptions you need to believe.
This is what it means, Balboa!
May 21, 2008 - 14:35 ET by Ruths husband BenIt means I got a new tag line! ; )
"Whatever Michelle Says Is The Message." –
Senator Barack Obama October 1, 2007, Chicago HQ
LOL you beat me to
May 21, 2008 - 14:37 ET by red_dragon311LOL
you beat me to it
A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.
-Thomas Jefferson
I'll share! Hey, maybe
May 21, 2008 - 14:41 ET by Ruths husband BenI'll share! Hey, maybe tomorrow we could all use Obama quotes as a tag line. That would be sweet. A day of Obama quote tag lines.
"Whatever Michelle Says Is The Message." –
Senator Barack Obama October 1, 2007, Chicago HQ
I agree, but below that
May 21, 2008 - 14:48 ET by mjgI agree, but below that there should be some notable quotes from Michelle. Does this mean that Michelle is in charge? She must have told Barack to tell the press that he is tired of the attacks on her. We've only just begun.
Oh, if only the Democrats
May 21, 2008 - 15:29 ET by Chris NormanOh, if only the Democrats and the news media treated Republican "jokes" in Balboa's non-literal way and with his nuanced eye. Why, I even bet Trent Lott would've kept his job as majority leader and George Allen would still be the senator from Virginia.
This could mean anything.
May 21, 2008 - 16:42 ET by motherbeltThis could mean anything. It could be an inside joke, it could be policy, it could be ANYTHING in between. -balboa
bal, you don't really believe that. Whether it's an inside joke or not, it says something about the attitude of the candidate. Everyone knows what "the message" means: it's the bottom line theme of the campaign; what everyone should keep in mind at all times.
Do you think "It's the economy, Stupid!" was just an "inside joke" at Clinton HQ?
Basically, what I take away from this is that Michelle is the woman behind the man. She has said herself that sometimes she tells her husband, "Barack, don't think! Feel!" So apparently she is his "coach" of sorts.
So she sets the message, and Barack comes out and says she is untouchable; no one can criticize her.
I don't know about you, but I find that very disturbing.
I said "Could be." You can't
May 21, 2008 - 17:02 ET by balboaI said "Could be."
You can't possibly determine exactly what this one piece of paper means without any kind of context, explanation, follow-up, etc. You can jump to all kinds of conclusions, though.
Bal, you're kidding, right?
May 21, 2008 - 18:06 ET by Indiana JoeSo, what you're saying is, don't judge the man by the company he keeps, or the advice he solicits, or what he SAYS. Give him a chance to "explain" the "context," and continue to "follow up" until he gets it right. Yeah, just like Bush or McCain or Trent Lott or....
As far as "jump[ing] to... conclusions," I only have one: Michelle is obviously very active in his campaign, and has a lot of input into his policy. Fair enough, I don't have a problem with that. But that makes looking more deeply into what she believes fair also.
So the "hands-off" stricture is mere smoke and mirrors. Just another political ploy, from just another politician.
Well at least Michelle Obama
May 21, 2008 - 18:40 ET by goldbarWell at least Michelle Obama isn't a thief and drug addict like Cindy McCain.
You cant prove that...only
May 21, 2008 - 18:44 ET by bassndudeYou cant prove that...only that she has not been caught, or fessed up. Just means she may be slicker than most.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Slicker even than slick
May 21, 2008 - 18:48 ET by JerSlicker even than slick William, himself?
Jer
Maybe....
May 22, 2008 - 20:42 ET by Indiana JoeAfter all, he got caught!
;^D
Indiana J
May 21, 2008 - 22:51 ET by balboaI'm saying don't judge the man by one piece of paper tacked up on a board. It may well mean what you purport it to mean. But you can't say for certain. Sure, it would spur me to look a lot more closely at Mrs. Obama.
Sure, it would spur me to look a lot more closely at Mrs. Obama.
May 22, 2008 - 20:39 ET by Indiana Joe"Sure, it would spur me to look a lot more closely at Mrs. Obama."
So you agree that, all things considered (by that I mean what she's been saying, you've heard the quotes, I'm sure) it is unreasonable for Barry to declare she's "off limits" in re politics.
<oh, just btw, does your stricture about "one piece of paper" apply to LARGE pieces of paper? Like, say, the size of one on an aircraft carrier? ;^) >
Really, bal? And do you
May 21, 2008 - 19:21 ET by motherbeltReally, bal? And do you think Obama would ever admit that she is really the one in charge? Of course he would say it's a joke.
I have to admit, it does sound like an inside joke, but as I said, even that says something about the candidate and his wife.
Michelle/barack
May 21, 2008 - 22:04 ET by BondPlainBond*LOL*
Talk about naïveté! Barack posts Michelle's "marching orders" over desks to remind his sheeple that Michelle is in charge and CBS captures it on film and makes it public! Michelle must have tugged Barack's leash pretty hard after seeing this little tidbit on the news.
As to the reverse, if McCain's headquarters carried the same over-the-desk memo, he'd be torn apart by the libs and the MSM as a weakling.
Cindy McCain
May 21, 2008 - 23:15 ET by jaywlIt would never happen with Cindy McCain. She has neither the stature nor gravitas that Michelle has. Won't we be so grateful to Obama for his gift to the country, assuming she continues to be proud of us, isn't to mean to us....or are we mean to her, I forget. On the other hand Cindy has class with modesty and must be smart as all hell to manage all that MONEY!! I'll take Cindy.
Well, I guess we know who wears the pants in the Obama clan.
May 21, 2008 - 22:09 ET by R D HelmAnd the name sewn into the waste band of those pants is decidedly not that of Barack Obama.
We are being smothered by government in this country. - Neal Boortz
...as the shot hit the
May 22, 2008 - 10:25 ET by pbanks7...as the shot hit the screen
Is that like saying, "When the fit hit the shan"? When the it-shay hit the an-fay?
MSM - shaping all the perceptions you need to believe.
So if Obama is elected we
May 22, 2008 - 10:48 ET by misterbee241So if Obama is elected we may just get our first woman president after all.
There is none so blind as they that won’t see. Jonathan Swift 1667-1745