Michelle Obama on ABC The View June 18, 2008

Michelle Obama made an appearance as a co-host on ABC’s “The View” on June 18, 2008 alongside regular co-hosts, including Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Hasselbeck Joy Behr, and Sherri Shepherd.

Not surprisingly, all of the co-hosts greeted her with a fist bump and lauded her for her stylish attire, a  chic sleeveless black and white print dress from White House Black Market.  Michelle Obama said “It’s fun to be pretty” and she acknowledged her stylist, designer Maria Pinto of Chicago.

Michelle Obama on ABC The View June 18, 2008

Michelle Obama discussed the controversy that has been brewing over her “proud of my country” remark earlier this year and she expressed appreciation for an outspoken ally, First Lady Laura Bush.

Michelle Obama wrote a thank-you note to Laura Bush after the first lady spoke up in defense of the wife of the Democratic presidential candidate, Obama said on Wednesday.

Obama, who is married to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, created a controversy on the campaign trail in February when she said, “For the first time in my adult lifetime I am really proud of my country.”

After critics questioned her patriotism because of the remark, Obama has frequently said she is proud of her country.

During an appearance on ABC Television’s “The View” on Wednesday, she re-stated her pride in the United States and said her controversial comment was referring to being proud of the political process this year.

Laura Bush came to Obama’s defense earlier this month, telling ABC’s “Good Morning America”: “I think she probably meant, ‘I’m more proud.’ You have to be very careful in what you say. Everything you say is looked at and in many cases misconstrued.”

Obama said she appreciated Bush’s comments and concern.

“I was touched by it and actually I sent her a note,” Obama said on “The View.” “It took me a while to write it. Like, how do I address her? I sent it to ‘Madam First Lady.’ I don’t want to talk about it because she might not have it yet.

“That’s what I like about Laura Bush, her whole rational approach to these issues. I am taking some cues. There’s a reason why people like her, because she doesn’t sort of fuel the fire.”

Source: Michelle Obama writes thank-you note to Laura Bush

The Laura Bush “Good Morning America” video and article are here:
ABC News Exclusive: First Lady’s Kind Words for Hillary Clinton, Advice for Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama on ABC The View June 18, 2008

Michelle Obama with Matthew Broderick on ABC The View June 18, 2008

Michelle Obama with Matthew Broderick who was a guest on on “The View.”

Michelle Obama also discussed Hillary Clinton and the role that sexism played in the Democratic primary campaign.

“Yes, there’s always a level [of sexism],” she said. “People are not used to strong women.” Obama credited Clinton for her race and for breaking down barriers for women.

“And I think that Hillary Clinton, as she said, has made 18 million cracks on the ceiling and we need to keep pushing it and pushing it.” She further credited Clinton for paving the way to make it easier for her young daughters, Sasha and Malia. “She’s taken [the hits] so that when my girls come along they won’t have to fight it as badly,” she said.

Obama side-stepped a question on whether or not Clinton would make a good vice-president for her husband. “The one thing the nominee earns is the right to pick the vice president that best reflects the needs of the country, and I’m just glad I have nothing to do with it.”

Source: Michelle Obama Applauds Hillary Clinton on “The View”

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Video: Michelle Obama on “The View” 6-18-08