Posted on 08/03/2011 3:10:43 PM PDT by casinva
Outside the sunny East Room of the White House, some 200 spouses and parents of military-service members are waiting in line. It's a slow march to the front, but nobody seems to mind: First Lady Michelle Obama and vice-presidential spouse Jill Biden have planned an elegant tea in their honor and are intent on greeting each, one by one.
(snip)
They whisper tales of pain and loss — "My husband came back from Iraq, then died....I lost my son....
(snip)
In return, Obama and Biden offer a hug, a squeeze of the hand, a promise of prayer. And always, a "Thank you, thank you."
(snip)
When AARP The Magazine sat down with them in the cozy comfort of Biden's office, the military-families campaign was top of mind. But the women also talked about 9/11, the death of Osama bin Laden, their high-profile roles in this administration, their families, aging, health, sacrifice, even running for office.
(snip)
At times philosophical, at times playful, Obama and Biden appeared purposeful, relaxed in each other's company — and clearly grateful for their privileged place
(snip)
Q: It's been a decade since the tragic events of 9/11. Where were you that day, and what went through your mind when the towers fell?
(snip)
MO: "What does this mean for my daughter's life now? Has the world fundamentally been changed? Are we now a nation at war?" So for me it was about the future.
(snip)
Q: The attacks set off the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Did either of you have an inkling that the mission that killed him was in the works?
(snip)
MO: I knew something was happening, but when it gets down to that level of secrecy, there's just a small number of people who know anything.
Q: So when did you find out?
MO: I was actually out to dinner with girlfriends, and I didn't know until I walked in the door. It was later in the evening, and Barack had his suit on, because he was going to the press conference. And I said, "What's going on?"
Q: Was he too hurried to explain?
MO: No, he sat down. And then I sat down and talked to Malia to make sure she was aware, because the crowds [outside the White House] were starting to form.
Q: The President has declared September 11 a National Day of Service and Remembrance. How do you get people to embrace it as more than a one-day wonder?
JB: Well, I think Barack has always said that this should be commemorated as an opportunity for service.
Q: What part of the job did you think you wouldn't like but have warmed to over the months?
MO: For me it's sharing my husband with the world.
Q: Would either of you ever —
MO: The answer is... (snip)
Yea, you are totally right about her desires to be considered beautiful and to be a focus of fashion attention like Jackie O.
I remember reading somewhere she used to work for a PR firm (before she lost her attorney’s license) and that she was very heavily utilizing a PR firm to get the Jackie O image as the 1st lady. (I hate even using that word for her. Notice it is in small letters. lol) She worked adamantly at the beginning especially.
THEN I heard she was actually trying to get pregnant (since Barack Obama took office at the WH) so 1.) she could prove her husband was not homosexual, and 2.) it would provide a more Kennedy-like family image, and 3.) to give her (Michelle Obama) a youthful appearance.
Disclaimer here! LOL I don’t know if those things were true or not, but I read those things in several places a couple years ago, both shortly pre and post getting the presidency.
This Kennedy fascination seems creepy to me personally.
But then again, being just Barack and Michelle Obama seems a little creepy to me too! :)
I think the only reason she was given the interview instead of her husband was her ratings are better than his and the media will do anything to get and keep his message out to the public. I wonder if their egos ever cause friction with each other? They are just like 2 giant bobble heads :)
Barack Obama Bobble Head: http://www.webetiki.com/hahugiwipucl.html
Michele Obama Bobble Head: http://www.webetiki.com/swwahadabodo.html
(hehe)
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