Later, correspondent Tracy Smith reported: "Perhaps hoping she'd give her husband a bump in the polls, Michelle Obama played co-host on 'The View' yesterday. Tackling topics from panty hose...to political attacks." A clip was then played of "View" co-host Joy Behar asking Obama: "Do you feel there was any sexism in the media?," with Obama replying: "I -- there is -- yes, there's always a level of -- people aren't used to strong women."
Smith later explained appearances by both Cindy McCain and Michelle Obama on "The View" by touting a CBS News poll from April: "58% of voters were undecided on how they felt about Michelle Obama. 75% were undecided about Cindy McCain." Smith then credited Bill Clinton with beginning the trend of presidential candidates, and their wives, making guest appearances on popular shows: "In 1992, then candidate Bill Clinton got attention by playing the sax on Arsenio...Since then, guest spots on entertainment shows have become a political rite of passage." Smith remarked how: "McCain traded barbs with Letterman. And Obama got his groove on with Elllen."
After Smith’s report, Chen and co-host Maggie Rodriguez commented on Michelle Obama’s outfit on "The View":
CHEN: So yesterday I'm watching that fabulous black and white dress that Michelle Obama had on. I today I pick up on the New York tabloid papers. Did you know how much she paid for that dress?
MAGGIE RODRIGUEZ: Was it a vintage cheap thing?
CHEN: $148. It is not vintage. It apparently is in a store right now, right on -- well probably gone by now -- but on Fifth Avenue called White House Black Market.
RODRIGUEZ: Oh yeah.
CHEN: I don't know that store, but I should-
RODRIGUEZ: So she shops at regular stores.
On Wednesday’s "Early Show," a segment on Barack Obama touted how he didn’t wear "fancy custom tailoring" and that his suits were bought "...off the rack at Nordstrom's and Bloomingdale's."
Here is the full transcript of the Thursday segment:
7:01AM TEASER:
JULIE CHEN: Also this morning, like Cindy McCain did this past spring, Michelle Obama co-hosted 'The View' yesterday. We're going to see how comfortable she was with the women of 'The View' and what she had to say on everything from sexism in politics to who does the housework in the Obama home. That's coming up in just a bit.
7:14AM TEASER:
CHEN: But up next, Michelle Obama takes on the ladies of 'The View.'
7:18AM SEGMENT:
JULIE CHEN: As the race for the White House heats up, there's a lot of attention on who will be the next First Lady. On Wednesday, Barack Obama's wife, Michelle, appeared on 'The View' as a co-host. CBS News correspondent Tracy Smith has the story.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG: Michelle Obama!
[Footage of Michelle Obama fist bumping 'View' co-hosts]
TRACY SMITH: Perhaps hoping she'd give her husband a bump in the polls, Michelle Obama played co-host on 'The View' yesterday. Tackling topics from panty hose-
MICHELLE OBAMA: You put them on, you rip them.
SMITH: -to political attacks.
JOY BEHAR: Do you feel there was any sexism in the media?
OBAMA: I -- there is -- yes, there's always a level of -- people aren't used to strong women.
BEHAR: No.
SMITH: Obama sat in the same spot occupied by another political wife not too long ago.
CINDY MCCAIN: Throwing some things around.
SMTH: Back in April, Cindy McCain co-hosted 'The View.'
BARBARA WALTERS: What's the biggest misconception about you and about your husband?
CINDY MCCAIN: You know really, the temper issue. He is passionate about the future of this country. Some people mistake that for temper, it's not.
SMITH: While both women seemed at ease on the show, it's doubtful either wants a permanent seat at the table. So why do it? It's a chance to reach voters who still don't know much about who these potential first ladies are. According to a CBS News poll taken at the end of April, 58% of voters were undecided on how they felt about Michelle Obama. 75% were undecided about Cindy McCain.
BETH FRERKING: This is definitely a way for them to say 'I want you all to see who we are, who I am, in a situation that's relaxed, in which I feel I can be a little more myself.'
SMITH: In 1992, then candidate Bill Clinton got attention by playing the sax on Arsenio.
JOHN MCCAIN: What should we be looking for in our next president? Certainly someone who is very, very, very old.
SMITH: Since then, guest spots on entertainment shows have become a political rite of passage.
DAVID LETTERMAN: The campaign started-
MCCAIN: Right then we plummeted.
LETTERMAN: That's right.
SMITH: McCain traded barbs with Letterman. And Obama got his groove on with Elllen. So, it's no surprise their partners are showing a different side of themselves too, hoping all of these appearances bring them one step closer to the Oval Office. For "The Early Show," Tracy Smith, CBS News, New York.
CHEN: So yesterday I'm watching that fabulous black and white dress that Michelle Obama had on. I today I pick up on the New York tabloid papers. Did you know how much she paid for that dress?
MAGGIE RODRIGUEZ: Was it a vintage cheap thing?
CHEN: $148. It is not vintage. It apparently is in a store right now, right on -- well probably gone by now -- but on Fifth Avenue called White House Black Market.
RODRIGUEZ: Oh yeah.
CHEN: I don't know that store, but I should-
RODRIGUEZ: So she shops at regular stores.
CHEN: Yup.
RODRIGUEZ: Very good.
CHEN: You looked great, Michelle.
RODRIGUEZ: Yeah.
