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
Sorry, LD, but Hillary Clinton made me forget that girls grow up trying to decide what dress to wear next and what color cushion goes with the sofa. Substance? Are you kidding? How about these few to start with - vote on FISA today (disaster), veering away from his stance on Iraq, going soft on NAFTA, his wife saying she is finally proud of our country. There are other things, but the list is too long to list everything here.
Posted by: Ben | July 09, 2008 at 06:56 PM
I love the way the girls have the freedom to discuss family issues with their parents with such openness and candor. Obviously, the Obamas have done a terrific job of raising these two lovely and intelligent girls. The interview didn't intend to be sappy, but it was wholesome, and exuded a good feeling for the 4th of July and for American family values.
In contrast, what values does John McCain's bimbo trophy wife represent, except being directly responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans from DUIs as a result of providing beer to millions of drivers who kill hundreds daily in America, while the McCains get rich from the beer distributorships that the airhead Cindy McCain owns. For shame!
Posted by: dandan | July 09, 2008 at 06:31 PM
"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." -Previous Poster
Are you kidding me? Obviously this has everything to do with the future of our country. LOL Gimme a break.
Posted by: dave | July 09, 2008 at 06:09 PM
In reading these posts my superficial impression is that people supporting McCain are bitter.
I think it was a mistake on the Obama's part but I do not know what I would think if I were on the campaign trail for 17 months and I had part of the day to spend with my child on her tenth birthday. I don't like the decision. Let she or he who is without sin cast the first stone.
Reconsidering my superficial opinion, I'd say they have much to be bitter about. McCain is plodding and Obama is dynamic.
Posted by: Ron M | July 09, 2008 at 05:23 PM
I think it was a sweet interview and can only hope him politically- seeing his family together like that gives him a depth and a charm beyond his oratorical skills. I think his regret wasn't about it hurting or helping him, but just a natural desire to protect his children. He is still getting used to the spotlight and trying to figure out what is the right level of exposure for his kids. The Clintons went through the same thing with Chelsea. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer, and I think the fact that he is thinking about it and doing his best to protect his kids shows that he is a great dad.
Posted by: JST | July 09, 2008 at 05:10 PM
I initially saw this as a means for Obama to proudly showcase his All American young family - another attempt to conjure up a Kennedy like comparison. Seemed fine by me. As I watched the segment. filmed around the Fourth of July, my brain made an unexpected detour. I was surprised to suddenly be thinking of John McCain's family. Two of McCain's kids are or have served in the military (like their father and grandfather before them), and their adopted daughter was rescued as an infant from Mother Theresa's ophanage. She most probably would have died without Cindy McCain's efforts.
For some reason I was annoyed that Obama's campaign keeps pulling me away from looking at the qualifications and experience and vision of each man running for the highest office of this land and instead I end up thinking about wives, the people they admire enough to make advisors, and now even the kids.
By the end of it all, I wondered whose bright idea it was. Are we really to believe that Access Hollywood ended up there for the Fourth and just happened to ask him when he was less guarded? Hpw gullibe does he or his campaign believe we are? He or someone believed it was wise at the time to use his family to try and steal attention away from the Republican candidate who is a decorated war hero. As cute as Sen. Obama's little girls are, McCain's kids seem more relevant on the 4th of July and the McCains long commitment to country and living by example rang in my heart and made me proud to be an American.
Posted by: Jaquey | July 09, 2008 at 04:55 PM
You know the reporter was chomping at the bit to ask the kids what they thought of Uncle Wright and do they miss seeing him every sunday at church....
Posted by: vp in Richmond | July 09, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Yes, I will accept public financing, no I will not accept public financing. Yes, I will bring the troops home in 16 months, no I will wait to see how things are after my trip to Iraq. Etc., etc., etc., etc.,. Obama changes his mind so much that I-Hop is thinking of naming a pancake after him. They plan on calling it "The Obama Flip-Flop".
Posted by: Hobo Joe | July 09, 2008 at 04:29 PM
Obama was probably just expressing regret because of the exposure his children are getting because of his path in life. I see it as inevitable that they will be exposed to the American public via the media. To keep them cloistered away, or presented in only highy controlled segments would be too secretive , especially since it is the intent of the right wing blowhards to portray him and his family as "foreign", or "anti-American". Of course it is a double-edged sword, but I'm sure the Obamas will protect their children to the best of their ability.
Posted by: twilightgal | July 09, 2008 at 04:06 PM
This guy will use anyone, including his kids to promote himself...If he had to appear on TV to show he is more wholesome, then there is something wrong. The fact is he whined about his wife's criticism saying she was off limits, but now he throws his kids out there. No matter how innocent the girls are...he left them open to criticism or anything else people might say...So now he has changed his mind again on what is on and off limits?? He is the man of change isn't he.
Posted by: Cheryll | July 09, 2008 at 04:02 PM
I really think this interview was better than all the debates I listened to so far in terms of telling what is in the man running for office. This was an unrehearsed exposure into the family of the man running for the foremost office in the land. I am lightened by what I see: no dramas, nothing to hide, no miffed up or hushed up tones - just plain old fashioned american family. I am frnakly not so sure anymore what folks are looking for in Obama. The tomb is empty guys ! the guy is legit, and clean. So stop digging and start getting your voting IDs ready for the BIG CHANGE !
Posted by: toni | July 09, 2008 at 04:00 PM
There are many on the right who are moaning in pain bacause they discover that Barrack is not as left as they hoped, that he is not this elitist, tree hugging, abortionist, irreligious...etc., etc. They had hoped he will be crucified on the leftist cross, but alas, they wail that he is moving to the center (or may be more to the center than he seemed at first). But if you listen closely, their real complain is this: Barrack why won't you stay on the extreme left so we can hang on your neck the cross of the most liberal senetor in the US. Why are you moving to the center and diluting our allegations. But the facts show is that Barrack is a christian family guy, thoughtful, reflective, transparent, and extremely thorough. Yes, he may have so called left leaning opinions on some social issues (but many christians at their core are left leaning for the most part - if they are minimally truthful). You see my friends, the bible is a left leaning book at its core (without the social debasement now associated with the left). Mike Huckabbee was not as right leaning as many on the right hoped, that's why they abandoned him for McCain who is really neither left or right, but who aligns himself with the convenient foot each time - always running back and forth. I know a flipflopper when I see one and JM flips likes a Hamburger.
Posted by: toni | July 09, 2008 at 03:51 PM
The girls are darling. No question the Obamas seem to be good parents. Kudos to them! However, good parenting skills aside, the question still remains: Will Senator Obama make a good president? In my view, not really. Let's focus on the issues and leave the bubble gum preference to Madison Avenue.
Posted by: maggie | July 09, 2008 at 03:44 PM
There's been all this talk about "is he one of 'us.'" This is an All-American family. And now all of America can see for themselves.
Posted by: Robert Hoelscher | July 09, 2008 at 03:36 PM
Give us a break, Ben!!! The interview was right on the money. She was 10 yrs old - not 12!!!!
Posted by: sandra | July 09, 2008 at 03:35 PM
Guys,
I am amazed at some of the comments that say the interview was a bad idea. It does not seem that barrack came up with this idea anyway and it was impromptu, and seemed casual and fine at the time, but the hyper-analysis, and insinuations, and innuendos sure make it look bad now. I don't fault Obama for that. I fault the readers who see only "bad" in every act. So the guy should hide his family in a closet until November? There are many who have been wanting to see more and get to know barrack (perhaps he has something to hide), but now that they see his family in close range, they are disaapointed that they find nothing to spin - other than a happy closely knit family radiating with affection and great chemistry. To my friends on the right always touting family values, it seems the lights suddenly go out when you see one, unless it is show cased by some republican or conservative. Give this guy a break - he is clean PERIOD. This republican guy out west is rooting for him all the way!
Posted by: toni | July 09, 2008 at 03:33 PM
He says that often - "I was surprised by the attention it received." I was surprised, and I didn't think it was a good move. I thought it was a publicity stunt, to show him as a family man, and to soften Michelle's image. The girls are adorable, though! And, hopefully, he'll keep his word and not do it again. That's one thing I admired about both candidates is that they protect the privacy of their children.
Posted by: sarah | July 09, 2008 at 03:29 PM
Why is this even an issue?
Oh wait, it's not an issue.
Why should anything less have anything to do with who we elect?
But, it's not as if this is the first time we've come up against this conundrum.
Posted by: Lili Brik | July 09, 2008 at 03:27 PM
I liked the interview. It just showed them being a family. They seem like very nice people.
Posted by: Scott | July 09, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Those kids are black. Didn't anyone notice? We can't have black kids in the white house! What's next? Mexicans in the white house?
Republicans '08!
Posted by: Chad | July 09, 2008 at 03:13 PM
Why cant my candidate get his story, facts, thoughts, plans straight??? Leave my wife but include children and now change his mind because there are more dark secret? Keep it straight and dont flip flop on all issues with IRAN, troops withdrawal, gas price etc. i will not be surprised that Mr. Obama will be called MR. OBAMILION if he kept on flipflopping!
Posted by: billyl | July 09, 2008 at 03:03 PM
I thought it showed that the Obama's are real people just like you and me. I like real people as oppose to fake folks.
Posted by: David | July 09, 2008 at 03:00 PM
The man has a beautiful family. They could potentially be the first family of the United States come January. There's nothing wrong with showing them off a little bit. It doesn't have to be ad nauseum, but he is struggling to fight a perception amongst some voters that "he's not one of us."
Posted by: JimmyTMac | July 09, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Malia is 10, not 12. I thought she gave "normal" answers for a girl her age, and it was nice to see how friendly and well-behaved the girls are. That being said, they should be left alone for the next ten years.
Posted by: KCH | July 09, 2008 at 02:55 PM
It was cute but high risk. One never knows what will come from a child's month. Don't do it again.
Posted by: Anthony Glover | July 09, 2008 at 02:51 PM