Cindy McCain, Michelle Obama speak out
In the new issue of Good Housekeeping magazine, the two women who would be the next first lady offer very different views on whether the presidential campaign is changing racial views, their biggest fears and hopes if their husbands become president, and the most important campaign issues for them.
Michelle Obama, in her interview, also bats away the criticism of her must-dissected remark that Barack Obama's electoral success was making her proud of her country for the first time. “It’s a mischaracterization that has nothing to do with the intended statement," she said. "I am proud of my country -- I’ve always been. Nowhere but here could my story be possible.”
Cindy McCain, meanwhile, chafes at characterizations of her as a "Stepford wife." "That couldn’t be further from the truth," she said. " I think my husband would say that too. I have very distinct opinions. Just because I choose to be a little less overt out on the campaign doesn’t mean I’m anything less than very opinionated and very intelligent.”
The magazine's editor-in-chief, Rosemary Ellis, interviewed Obama and McCain separately for the November issue, which becomes available Oct. 14. Here are some excerpts released this afternoon.
On the campaign changing perceptions of race:
Obama: “I think absolutely it has. We are talking about issues that we have never talked about before out in the open. The good and the bad. I think that at least for the kids I know – not just African-American kids – seeing different images of what is possible means something. So many kids – because of their race, their economic background, or where they live – don’t see themselves [reflected in this world]. And when kids don’t see themselves, they don’t see their possibilities. As young people have watched Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama being treated as serious, viable candidates – people who could be President of the United States – it changes everything."
McCain: "I think it’s a phenomenal age of politics because there are many firsts in this race. But I don’t think it has changed – nor should it change – the way people look at race. I think Americans are good-hearted, open-minded people and race doesn’t enter into this – at all.”
Biggest hope for their husband's presidency:
McCain: “My biggest hope is that he can achieve the things that he truly wants to do. He really, truly wants to clean up government and keep our country safe. I know he can do that. People feeling secure in their own homes, that encompasses many things. It’s not just the war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan: this is local issues, too.”
Obama: "My hope is that we can get the country on track domestically. Reinvest in education here in the United States so that we lay the groundwork to ensure that every child has access to a world-class education from preschool to beyond college. Making sure that folks have health care. I hope that our image as a nation, in the world, is improved.”
Biggest fear if their husband becomes president:
McCain: "My biggest fears would be, perhaps, he couldn’t get the work done that he wants to do. That politics as usual would stay in place. That he would attempt to work across the aisle and they would refuse. He’s a tough one to turn down, though.”
Obama: "Fear may be too strong of a word, but what I’ve just outlined (her hopes) – those are big agendas, and they take years to unravel. And it doesn’t happen overnight. It’s going to require a lot of hard work, not just from the next President of the United States, but all of us. And I hope that we’re ready as a nation to make [the needed] sacrifices and compromises – no matter who’s the next President.”
Important campaign issues:
McCain: "Certainly the war. My own sons have been and are active military, and many, many thousands of other young men and women around the world are involved in it. And the economy…the economy-slash-education. I put them together. People are losing their homes. And with that comes the opportunity for education. John and I had a wonderful opportunity to be able to send our children to the schools of our choice. Not everybody has that. We want everybody to have that. I think it’s a right that every American parent should have – choice and competition in education, and choice in schools are most important to me.”
Obama: "Over the last year, I’ve spent a lot of time traveling around the country working on issues that face working mothers. I want to be a voice for figuring out, How do we provide more support? So that families aren’t just surviving but they’re thriving. Within the last year, I’ve even honed that focus a bit more to military families.”
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If CIndy and John McCain want to bring CHANGE to this country, why does she not want the way people look at race to change. I don't quite understand that comment.
Reagen tanked our economy, Bush Sr put us in a recession and Bush Jr has flat out DESTROYED the USA financially, you Republicans SUCK, plain and simple. NO MORE!!!!!!! NO way NO how, NO McCain, NO Palin!!!
Cindi McCain's comments today about Obama not caring about her son who is in Iraq, Obama doesn't care about the military and her son. Well, is she aware that her husband, who is running for president, did not want to sign on to the new GI Bill. The "old" bill was good enough for the "greatest generation." Now it needs to be updated for today's military, and Ms. McCain's husband voted against it. So, Cindi, look to your husband first before you point fingers at Mr. Obama.
Cindi McCain is nothing but an aging "Barbi Doll," and I hope and pray that she and John McCain never set foot in the WH!!!!
Would they have included Bill Clinton in Good Housekeeping if Hillary was the nominee?
Democrats = totalitarian
Investigations indicate that around the time of the “Summer of Love” in 1967, John McCain was frequently seen in the company of Vietnamese torturers. In fact, he spent several years “palling around” with them. At one point, his Vietnamese companions noted that McCain was in poor health. They suggested he return home to the United States. Strangely, he refused. When he eventually parted with them in 1973, he provided them with copies of anti-American writings which he authored during his stay.
What does this say about McCain’s character? Perhaps we just don’t know him well enough, after all.
I don't think it matters which party is in office. The truth is that Obama will not be able to deliver on any of his promises. Both candidates will have to take a look at raising taxes to help balance the sheets. The housing market and the greed of this country put us where we are today. In illinois my home state I was selling mortagages to illegal immigrants funded by the state a couple of years ago. I should have said something at the time, but like the rest of us who thought we were fine because it was legal, I did nothing. In the next couple of years those loans will readjust. We the tax payers will have to pick up that tab. Both parties are responsible for this mess.
Why would America REWARD complete Republican failure ?
We wont.
----------------------------
Cindy McCain is scary lookin' !
Just sayin' - scary lookin'
As I read the words of our new First ladies it hit me that poor Mrs McCain has no idea that the whole world is not invoked in that war.I do hope that if she is our new First Lady she can have her own spokes person to keep her on track and makes sure she is on the page with the rest of the U.S.Tax Payers as that could be quite an party poop-er!!
Please Ella you can use some wake-up pills or maybe a mentor to help you to catch up with real world,your thinking went the way of the Bison please don't let them catch you,you maybe put into a zoo as a way of life in the old days
Dearest "Democrats 08". Please take your meds. Please. Mommy wants you to.
Are you serious? You have to go back to the Carter administration to understand the mortgage issue. And how do you explain 2001? Who had just finished 8 years in office?
Intelligent people will research THE FACTS, and not the hyperbole.....the democratic congress has ruined the economy, and anyone with an IQ over 50 knows that.
As usual, Michelle Obama is thoughtful, intelligent and inciteful. Cindy McCain is just spewing platitudes.
I believe what's truly in the heart of both potential first lady was displayed in their comments. One seems to be out of touch with what's really going on in America while the other is taking on a more activist stance to make change. I know who I will vote for come November.
When Cindy Mc Cain not look stupid just standing behind her husband and Sara Palin, she seem angry and hateful. Did you see her yesterday talking about Obama voting against troops? I wonder if she realize that so did her husband?
She invites Obama to try on her shoes? The $500. 00 shoes.
It is apparent that the McCain can not feel my pain. 7 - 9 houses, 13 high-end cars, $5,000 worn to the convention by Cindy and $500 shoes for Mc Cain. How can they feel my pain.
I just watch as my 401K dropped by $5, 348 in 2 days.
Obama is a Hitler
The American public is innundated with of all of these sycophants who call themselves journalists swooning over Obama like a bunch of silly school girls. If somebody really wanted to make a name for themselves they would break away from the pack and do the right thing...report the truth.
I think McCain is doing all of the right things. The campaign needs to focus even more on the terrorist and mob connections of Obama, "That one" comes out of no where. Obama is a walking September 11th waiting to happen again. Do people really think terrorists give up that easily? What better way for a terrorist to succeed than by getting at America from the inside.And what a better time to do it than when we as a country are obsessed with the cult of personality and obsessed with political correctness.
Obama is buying his way to the Whitehouse with a limitless supply of funds. Where does this endless supply of money come from? Why doesnt some good investigative journalist follow the trail of crime and corruption which is channeling money into Obamas campaign. We already know he is deep in the pockets of the executives of Fannie and Freddie and their execs are now working for him on the campaign trail. Uncover more. Show us the puppet masters of the man who stutters for 8 straight minutes when the words arent put in his mouth for him. This is the tip of the iceberg.
People said the stock market crash couldnt happen again and it did. People may think that blindly following a Hitler whose underlying motivation is hatred for another race coupled with a charismatic personality could not happen again, but it will if Obama takes the Whitehouse. You aint seen nuttin yet.
Barack Obama fueled the collapse of the stock market. In 2003 and again in 2005 John McCain tried to pass legislation to stop exactly what is happening today with the stock market. The Democrats voted against it. Look at the records for youselves and quit buying what is being forcefed to you by the Democratic media. I would encourage voters to be a political adult and spit out the pablum of mediocrity.
R BOLES
Why do you only publish anti McCain Remarks? I know its not because you arent getting anti Obama remarks because we have been sending them. Just proves my point
Obama is a Hitler
The American public is innundated with of all of these sycophants who call themselves journalists swooning over Obama like a bunch of silly school girls. If somebody really wanted to make a name for themselves they would break away from the pack and do the right thing...report the truth.
I think McCain is doing all of the right things. The campaign needs to focus even more on the terrorist and mob connections of Obama, "That one" comes out of no where. Obama is a walking September 11th waiting to happen again. Do people really think terrorists give up that easily? What better way for a terrorist to succeed than by getting at America from the inside.And what a better time to do it than when we as a country are obsessed with the cult of personality and obsessed with political correctness.
Obama is buying his way to the Whitehouse with a limitless supply of funds. Where does this endless supply of money come from? Why doesnt some good investigative journalist follow the trail of crime and corruption which is channeling money into Obamas campaign. We already know he is deep in the pockets of the executives of Fannie and Freddie and their execs are now working for him on the campaign trail. Uncover more. Show us the puppet masters of the man who stutters for 8 straight minutes when the words arent put in his mouth for him. This is the tip of the iceberg.
People said the stock market crash couldnt happen again and it did. People may think that blindly following a Hitler whose underlying motivation is hatred for another race coupled with a charismatic personality could not happen again, but it will if Obama takes the Whitehouse. You aint seen nuttin yet.
Barack Obama fueled the collapse of the stock market. In 2003 and again in 2005 John McCain tried to pass legislation to stop exactly what is happening today with the stock market. The Democrats voted against it. Look at the records for youselves and quit buying what is being forcefed to you by the Democratic media. I would encourage voters to be a political adult and spit out the pablum of mediocrity.
R Boles
McCain and that one (his wife) with all the money, lifestyle and press that surrounds them should figure out that a little class goes a long way. Cindy you look like a rich bitch with a nasty attitude talking about "your" son. Well a reality check no one gives a dam, let's talk to the Mom who lost her son or the Mother that has children to raise by herself, because her husband is not going to come home. YOU SPEND MORE MONEY ON ONE OUTFIT THAN THIS MOM MAKES IN A YEAR. McCain (that one) Where did you go to school? If you cannot address Obama with respect why should we respect you? Also, If you are going to select a female VP, could you have found someone that can speek without sounding like a redneck.. I would love to see her sitting at a conference table with world leaders talking about joe six pack.. What a joke. Mrs Obama you haver the class of Jackie O, Mr Obama I enjoy watching you on T.V. you hold my interest. Mr McCain I go ti the kitchen when you start your rude stuff. Cindy put on a pair of K Mart sweat pants and come work with me for the day. If you worked one good day maybe you could smile and really be proud of something.
To R Boles, you don't know what you are talking about. Reading your message makes me sad because it's full of hatred. Like Obama says: "you are your brother's keeper" I will pray for you that the Lord opens your heart and fills you with the Holy Spirit and that you will learn to love. God Bless you!
John McCain has always cited the military as one of his key priorities. Why then did he not join the investigationor speak out against the walter reed hospital scandal. veteran care is still not wonderful If the military is a prioity, why didn't he step to the forefront at the beginning of the iraq war and firht to be sure our forces were propewrly equipped. The men were asking their family to send proper body armor, The military vehicles weren't correctly armored if at all when we first went there. Did cindy speak up then No Only when here son was directly involved, did we hear anything. I have no children there but am angry. No govt. concern.
R. Boles, you are a stupid sad person full of hate.
How dare you compare Obama with Hitler.
Listen to the rethoric of your pals Mccain and Palin
insulting Obama that is almost racist, just like you!
Cindy McCain calls herself "very intelligent". Ha! That's a stretch. Nobody could say she lacks self confidence though.
As someone from the UK I am concerned on a global scale about who is elected and have taken an interest in the policies and politics of the USA as who is elected concerns the world. I beleive John McCain is a good man but out of touch with the world outside the US. On a world scale he is not strong on foreign policy, hardly any other foreign minister advocates the same opinion are they all wrong. Britan pulled its soldiers out of Southern Iraq and things have improved there as the people have been able to take on the responsibilities they had before. McCain must understand that if the US keep fighting in a country where the people do not want them that they will create more terrorists than existed before 9/11. Mr McCains view will only incite more hatred around the world. It is not right that america is at war with Iraq most Iraquis are not fighting US Troops, America is a war with factions within that country who were sick of being bombed, sick of Abu-Grabe, sick of 14 year olds being raped by US Soldiers, sick of an occupying force. Having got rid of one dictator they do not wish an overseer in the form of the US. You can not win a war if the country is not figting you they simply want rid of you. Mrs McCain is even further out of touch with reality, at time where US citizens are suffereing financially she is sporting clothes worth a small mortgage. She then goes not Georgia in an effort to show support again sporting clothing so expensive it could feed a georgian family of 4 for a month. Maybe she should seek out lesser safe areas of the world than Georgia if she really wants to witness suffering. Dafour would be a good place to start, thats been running for several years with thousands killed. who says race is not an issue! Or maybe Iraq, there are lots of hospitals, homes, schools and children which have been bombed. America needs to remember it has not covered it self in glory in the eyes of the rest of the world and if things are to change on a global stage then america must change. THe officials you elect must change. In 26 years in washington McCain has not shaken up very much, he has got richer at your expense and he is a nice man, but not what the world needs. Sarah Palin is simply a very bad judgement on his part. Good luck and God Bless America.
Michelle Obama is a woman all Americans, male, and female, black or white, can look up to. She is truly a well-educated, well-spoken, mother First, who wants her girls to grow up in a better world. She is not bitter, she is not unrealistic. She just knows what needs to be done, is willing to go out and help do it, and embrace all of us who are willing to do the same This is opposed to writing or saying hateful and inaccurate BS such as we have seen from Mrs. McCain. Mrs. McCain lives a world so sheltered she belives rascism does not still exist, who has major personal issues, as well as a complete lack of educated intelligence on the country's issues.
Maybe we all goofed. Should Hillary not be running against Mitt Romney?
No fears there, as both are capable, intelligent, experienced, savvy and would make great CEOs.
This is a very refreshing article it proves to be that Cindy McCain is the person I thought she was. Her concern is for our country and I am particularly for being allowed to make a choice at which school my children attend. Because the public school system is a mess. I do not like the fact that my tax dollars go to a school system that teaches my child about liberalism and seculiarism.
They are so many charities that Cindy McCain dedicates her life and money to.
I have checked the charitable convictions of both families and the McCain's put their money to many services in third world countries. Yes more than the Obama's. Michelle Obama's clothes are not bought at KMart either.