Obama made a mistake, recognized it quickly, & won't let it happen again

[mtnsnake]

concerning the interview with his daughters. The Obama girls are cute kids, but subjecting them to the media in that fashion only opens them up to possible future criticism by the rightwing nutcases. The slanted media can claim they're "fair game" after events such as that. Obama knows it, and he won't make that mistake again.

I think it's a great sign that Obama recognizes things so quickly as he does and follows up by taking care of the matter. I'm way more comfortable with the situation now that he has talked about it. Compared to 2004, we are already so far ahead of the game with this guy that it should be a breeze knocking the Republicans out of power. Is he going to make some mistakes? Yes, but as long as he keeps the damage to a minimum and learns from them as he goes along, we'll be just fine with this guy. From what I've seen, he is one of the most careful politicians we've had in some time. All Obama has to do to win is keep talking about the things that got him here and keep being himself.

[DevonRex]

1. I think he was surprised that it got spread around like that. After all

it was just an entertainment kind of show.

I doubt he will let himself be taken by surprise like that again.

And I agree, it is refreshing to see someone who can make a mistake, admit it, and change direction. We haven't seen that in more than 7 years.

Still, I loved seeing the girls. Can't help it.

[mtnsnake]

5. I agree it's so refreshing to see this after 7 years of having an imbecile not admit 1 mistake

The bottom line is that this was just a minor mistake and it came at a time so early in the campaign that it will only serve to keep him on his toes for the duration. He and his advisors will neeed to be on the alert and think things ahead, there is no doubt about that.

[formercia]

2. I think Obama's eldest daughter should be VP

She seems to be more intelligent than most of the denizens in Congress.

[ellacott]

3. You're right

I'm on one blog now where they are saying the kids are now fair game since he had them on TV. They also said he was shameful for using his children.


People are stupid. I imagine that he heard this also.

[EarlG]

6. I suspected this would happen

FWIW I don't think there's a problem with Obama introducing his family to the world, especially on an entertainment program. I'm sure this was just a one-off thing.

It did occur to me that the wingnuts would say that the kids are now "fair game" since they appeared on TV. I think they're making a big mistake. But hey, if they want to go after 10-year-old and 7-year-old girls, that's up to them. I hope they enjoy the backlash.

[dkf]

7. What do they think they will attack a 10 year old and 7 year old about?

That is lame.

[ellacott]

9. This is one comment from the blog I was reading

It's Anderson Cooper's blog


**********
Kalayna July 8th, 2008 10:13 pm ET

If Obama puts his kids out there, then they are free game too, thats ashame that the Obama as paents would do that. Does that mean he will DO ANYTHING

[foo_bar]

11. Chelsea was fair game too, it's not like they need an excuse

[mtnsnake]

12. Not that I remember, not until after Bill was elected & Rush made the mistake

of going after Chelsea on one occasion. Then Hillary made him pay for doing that and she had Rush in tears. That was so awesome how she tore Rush a new one.

[foo_bar]

13. I seem to recall McCain getting in on the Chelsea bashing as well

Clearly we shouldn't give them any additional excuse to be assholes, but given this age of ubiquitous cameras and 24x7 media micromanagement I think Obama's being fairly restrained. I rec'd your post, though, since coming from you the OP is high praise.

[mtnsnake]

14. FYI, I was one of the first people on this board to push for Obama as our president

Check out these threads of mine way back when:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2978738

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=3104753

Thanks for your rec, btw. :)

[foo_bar]

16. I know :P

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6453440&mesg_id=6453853

[whatchamacallit]

4. All you have to do is watch McCain for a minute and the confidence builds n/t

[SeaLyons]

8. I agree mtnsnake...

I like his quick remarks about the interview. His daughters are so cute and sweet, but they need to stay in the background and I think Obama recognizes that.

[mtnsnake]

10. Yup, as cute as they are, he knows that it just wasn't necessary. In due time

everyone can get to know his daughters a little more, after they're living in the White House and as long as Obama gives the okay on it then.

[AllentownJake]

15. Who attacks 7 and 10 year old girls?

Seriously...

Remembering 90s and non-stop attacks on what appeared to be shy reserved 12 year old girl who turned into a very beautiful and accomplished inteligent woman....I don't recall any interviews with her at the time yet they still attacked her.

These people are Evil. Nothing makes a 7 or 10 year old fair game unless your a sociopath.

[mtnsnake]

17. I dont' think it's that as much as people from all walks criticizin Obama for putting them out there

As cute as they are, some things are just left better a mystery for now.

[AllentownJake]

18. Hard hitting questions

like what's your Daddy's favorite Ice Cream? What would be the most fun about living in the White House?

The kids are already out there. They have men with Uzi's under their jackets following them around everywhere they go. What do people think is more scary men with Uzis to protect them or the Access Hollywood reporter :shrug:

[Thrill]

19. The kids are fair game?? What are they going to do to them? Post their math scores?

[AllentownJake]

20. Call them ugly and imply their mother is Hillary?

Because that is what they did to Chelsea when she was in the awkward adolecent phase.

So glad she's such a knockout now...kind of sweet revenge.

[mtnsnake]

26. Hey Brent, let me know when you turn 14 and I'll explain it to ya

[Cleita]

21. Dan Abrams interviewed the reporter who said it was a spontaneous thing,

that she originally was only going to interview Barack and Michelle. I thought the little girls were so cute and sweet. The reporter just let them be themselves. I think it was a big plus for people to see him as a family man, however, I agree that he should keep them in the background until he becomes President from now on.

[beachmom]

22. Wow. Another Kerry bash thread in disguise. Unbelievable. Give it a freaking rest. nt

[mtnsnake]

25. Nothing in disguise about it. Thank god we have a candidate this time who knows how to campaign

Lighten up, beachmom. It's not my fault your idol sucked as a campaigner, but thanks for bringing it up.

[vaberella]

23. I think the Repubs are afraid these kids might actually play slip'n'slide on the front lawn

of the White House. I realize it was a mistake but I thought Obama saw it as people getting to know him and his kids. It's unfortunate the MSM and repubs see him as an opportunist which is far from the case. I really liked seeing the kids.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

24. Blaming the victims, eh?

[Awsi Dooger]

27. I wish Obama had been more relaxed

I just saw that segment for the first time. Obama was so uncomfortable with the potential for an off the wall response by his daughters that he wasn't smiling and wanted to cut the interview immediately. After every question directed to the daughters he insisted on interjecting something first, a semi disclaimer.

I understand the need for control of a campaign, and in the vast majority of instances it's correct. But here he needed to display more confidence in his daughters and handicap the situation properly, that it was a lighthearted interview and nothing of substance was going to spring from it, certainly not a lasting jolt to his campaign. Perhaps a small embarrassment if the youngest one blurted a home secret. But even that would be appreciated by the masses as a human touch, something everyone could relate to.