Was the Obama family interview with Access Hollywood a mistake?
Just a day after the week's first installment aired, Obama seems to think so. MSNBC reports that the candidate all but called the sit-down with his wife and two daughters, Malia and Sasha, a lapse in judgment:
Barack Obama said it was a mistake to allow his daughters to be interviewed extensively by "Access Hollywood," and he will not allow it to happen again.
"I think that we got carried away in the moment," the Illinois senator and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee told TODAY's Matt Lauer Wednesday. "We were having a birthday party, and everybody was laughing. And suddenly this thing cropped up. I didn’t catch it quickly enough. I was surprised by the attention it received."
Which is odd, because most of the reaction has been pretty positive, particularly about his daughters. Some of the revelations:
- Obama on his choice of mint chewing gum, never bubble: "I'm pretty conservative when it comes to my gum."
- Sasha on her dad's oratorical skills: "Blah blah blah blah blah."
- Malia on her parents' love life: "It also makes me feel good when [my parents], you know. Kids like it when their parents, you know, are all ... except sometimes when you get to be teenager-like. Sometimes people think it's embarrassing. I like it, though."
Now there's a supportive daughter. Two parts left to the weeklong interview series, and you can view them all, eventually, at Access Hollywood. While you're waiting for episodes three and four:
Tell us why below.
*Photo: Jae C. Hong / Associated Press
Obama had said that his personal life/family were off limits, and he told the media to lay-off his wife. Then he throws them - especially his children - in front of the cameras. This makes it seem as if he's taking advantage of every opportunity, and one cannot fault him for that, but sometimes one can go too far. She may be only 12, but there is a certain arrogance when his daughter alreadys starts planning how she's going to redo a place she may never occupy. Overall, I don't think it looks good. I don't think it will affect the outcome of the election, but it can cause some to look at Obama and his family differently. Another time he has had to back off something.
Posted by: Ben | July 09, 2008 at 01:06 PM
I thought it was a very nice way to see how the family is reacting to the busy schedule. I enjoyed the way they responded to each other.
Posted by: Kathleen | July 09, 2008 at 01:07 PM
His children aren't running and this isn't a cutest family contest. He should conduct an adult campaign.
Posted by: Margaret | July 09, 2008 at 01:08 PM
Children are beautiful because of their innocence and lack of pretense in keeping up with media exposure. Interviews such as these change the thought process of children and drag them into the ugly side of media at a very young age.
Leave the kids alone.
Posted by: Salim | July 09, 2008 at 01:09 PM
I think the whole thing stinx.
Posted by: Stinky Pete | July 09, 2008 at 01:13 PM
I thought it was great. Just like an all American family. The girls are cute. Who cares that Access Hollywood got the interview. The reporter did a great job.
Posted by: B. Simpson | July 09, 2008 at 01:13 PM
the Obama interview made me see Obama as a "human being", a family man, someone that will take care of other people with families too, not just a stuffy, straight laced politician. I plan to vote for him now that I saw the interview with his family.
Posted by: Jenni | July 09, 2008 at 01:14 PM
I thought it was sweet and those girls are very cute. If McCain had a similar interview, all he can do is drag out that albino twig that he's married to. I liked the Obama family interview.
Posted by: Laura | July 09, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Vote for Nadar.
Posted by: Happiness | July 09, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Obamas just can't get enough of the limelight. They love attention and I don't believe he's sorry about this one. If he is and did not have enough sense to stop it, how would he function against the likes of Iran (go talk with them while they are blasting off missles), and other foreign countries. Not to swift, Barack Hussein
Posted by: Clyde Nugget | July 09, 2008 at 01:16 PM
This is a time when what is good as a candidate directly conflicts with what is good as a parent. It may not have been a good idea as a parent to have Malia and Sasha's personal thoughts exposed on national t.v. I believe him when he said that it was only while watching the video afterwards that he realized that it was a bad idea. Speaking as a voter, I thought the video was great. I loved seeing Senator Obama with his family. Liking a candidate as a person is as important as liking their policies, and this definitely helped me get to know him as a person.
Posted by: Melissa | July 09, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Having Obama's family interviewed is actually a very smart thing to do. It gives the American public an eye into his family life. By doing so, it would mostly make the public more comfortable with him, especially to see the loving, doting mother and father, with the two happy children. The "ideal" American family..... Well played Sir, well played.
Posted by: Amanda | July 09, 2008 at 01:18 PM
What causes greater concern is the fact that the Obama's were "caught up in the moment" and allowed this to happen. Now have decided it wasn't a good idea.
Do we really want a President that makes decisions based on the moment and then changes his mind???
This isn't the first time it's happened and it scares me.
Posted by: Carrie | July 09, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Ben, you think it’s arrogant for a little girl to day dream about a new place she might move into. Sounds like you are clutching at straws to find some way to criticize the Obamas. When I was young, I was always dreaming of ways I’d decorate a house we never actually moved to. It was just wishful thinking. More than arrogance, I’d say it’s probably something her mom and dad use as a way to help her comprehend the pretty major changes to her life that have occurred in the past year, and to get excited about potentially moving to a new home, new city, new school, etc.
Maybe you should find something more substantial to dislike Obama for, rather than call his kid arrogant. It’s a bit sad.
Posted by: LD | July 09, 2008 at 01:19 PM
I enjoyed the interview and think it helps to see the family interact. It's a good indication of the family's values and should go a long way toward showing that they're not radicals, but just a very nice family. I personally think that the McCain wife and daughter would be encouraged to give interviews if they weren't as phony-looking. Talk about elitist and out of touch!
Posted by: Jennifer | July 09, 2008 at 01:19 PM
I think it was a great interview. It shows they are a normal american family loving and caring for each other. Why is is that we want to hear all the dirt and none of the positive stuff. Shame on you all that can't get that!!!
Posted by: LJH | July 09, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Yawn! Is anyone else tired of the all mesiah like attention given to a man who is a communist and and ties to terrorists and other seedy charachters? This man may not be the anti Christ but his beliefes are anti American and bad!
Posted by: wej | July 09, 2008 at 01:22 PM
I see no harm done. The Obama's seem to be a typical family. Obama doesn't want to see his wife picked on. Fair enough. I do not see these interviews that way at all and I do not see how anyone could find mud here. My positive view of Obama is unchanged. So far. Much can happen in the next 118 days or so.
Posted by: joe | July 09, 2008 at 01:22 PM
Haha Margaret! Touche... but if it WERE a cutest family contest, the Obamas would crush the McCains. I don't agree that this interview was a mistake, but I do think it should be the one and only time interviews with his kids are allowed. Not sure why he's coming out with this surprising mea culpa.
Posted by: Tim | July 09, 2008 at 01:23 PM
Why people are now judging his family. he has a normal family like everybody else and shouldnt be judged for that. US media just try to take people's attention on things that has no value instead of looking at his policies and ideas that he has to offer for this country.
Even the presidential campaign is part of Hollywood here, which I think its radiculous. This shouldn't have been raised as an issue if he did the right or wrong things, there are other things that this nation has to look to improve rather than just trying to keep people stupid by showing them the hollywood life.
Posted by: BASHA | July 09, 2008 at 01:23 PM
I don't think it was a bad idea per se.
I'm assuming the goal was to make him look more wholesome and family-oriented.
However, has someone who is already having a problem being seen as experienced ... this didn't help. It made him look youthful and a good dad ... but no as someone who could run the country.
My bet would be THAT'S why he's not doing anymore family interviews ... and opposed to anything more noble.
Posted by: Ethan | July 09, 2008 at 01:25 PM
getr over Obama already and start giving equal time to McCain. There is som,ething wrong with people who make this man out to be a god when every thing he wants to do is bad for the nation and he is a anti American communist. OBAMA does not even qualify for a security clearance of the lowest level bcause he is a communist.
How can he swear to uphold the constitution when he is a communist and against everything that made this country great! His activities as a college student we unamerican and contrary to the US Constitution.
Posted by: Shiraz Zarihs | July 09, 2008 at 01:26 PM
It's absolutely fine that he allowed a television program to interview his children, as it is important for people to understand what type of family he has created. A man is judged not only on his accomplishments in business and government, but also by his family. I think they are wonderful, and it's nice to know not every politician has drunken teenagers or trophy wives. It is a reflection of what we all are coming to realize, Mr. Obama is a decent, hardworking and knowledgable man with a beautiful family to boot.
Posted by: Charles | July 09, 2008 at 01:27 PM
It shows that the Obamas are a really good family, what with bright, adorable, and loving children. Apples don't fall far from the tree. On the other hand, I dread how negatively the entertainers posing as journalists will spin this story. They're pretty adept at turning just about anything into some form of poison or other.
Posted by: Mike | July 09, 2008 at 01:29 PM
I think that it was a wonderful moment to show his family side. His daughters were great, ecpecially the older one. As a grandmother of 6 and a great aunt of 2, I love to watch kids reactions to life. The were honest yet polite. I wish I could see more of them together in a normal family setting. I feeel that the reporters that not snag this story are just p----d off because they were not the lucky one to get this story.
This man is a great example of what a leadershould be. Never in my life have I given to any political party, or listen more closely to what is being said and done as now.
Please, lets see more of your family.
We Love you all, and pray for you daily.
REason
Posted by: REason | July 09, 2008 at 01:32 PM