Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama, was interviewed on CNN Larry King Live on October 8, 2008. She discussed the second Presidential debate, which took place the previous night, October 7, addressing controversies that had arisen, including Republican Presidential candidate Senator John McCain calling Obama “that one” during the debate, insisting that she was not offended.
In a candid and relaxed manner, Michelle Obama talked about the increasingly negative and contentious tone the Presidential campaign has taken, including Republican VP candidate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s assertions about Barack Obama’s association with former 1960s radical Bill Ayers, (“palling around with terrorists”). She also talked about John McCain’s wife, Cindy McCain and Senator Hillary Clinton, as well as the personal sacrifices she and her family have made while on the campaign trail.
John McCain and Barack Obama, second Presidential debate, October 7, 2008
On McCain calling Obama “That One”
In the presidential matchup at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, GOP nominee John McCain criticized his Democratic rival for supporting the 2007 Bush-Cheney energy bill.
“It was an energy bill on the floor of the Senate, loaded down with goodies, billions for oil companies, and it was sponsored by Bush and Cheney. … You know who voted for it? You might never know. That one,” he said, gesturing toward Obama. “You know who voted against it? Me.”
When asked whether McCain’s reference to Obama as “that one” was offensive, Michelle Obama simply said “No,” adding that the issue has nothing to do with what’s affecting average Americans hurting from the economic downturn.
Sarah Palin, California rally, October 4, 2008
On Sarah Palin
King: All right. She said that your husband pals around with terrorists. And she’s referring to William Ayers, I guess.
Do you know William Ayers?
Obama: Yes. Yes. Yes. Barack served on the board of the Annenberg Challenge with Bill Ayers and…
King: That was started by the Annenberg family, right?
Obama: Absolutely. And Mrs. Annenberg, in fact, endorsed John McCain. So I don’t know anyone in Chicago who’s heavily involved in education policy who doesn’t know Bill Ayers. But, you know, again, I go back to the point that, you know, the American people aren’t asking these questions.
King: You don’t think it affects the campaign?
Obama: You know, I think that we’ve been in this for 20 months. And people have gotten to know Barack. He’s written books. Books have been written about him. He, like all of the other candidates, have been thoroughly vetted. And I think people know Barack Obama. They know his heart, they know his spirit.
And the thing that I just encourage people is to judge Barack and judge all of these candidates based on what they do, their actions, their character, what they do in their lives, rather than what somebody did when they were eight or six years old.
On Cindy McCain
King: The “Tennessean” is quoting Cindy McCain as saying that your husband is — get this — is running the dirtiest campaign in American history. Now tell me you have no reaction to that?
Obama: Well, it’s just not true. It’s a simple reaction. It’s not true, and when something is not true, you don’t take it to heart. You just keep rolling along. I think — I’ve been so proud of the way that Barack has conducted himself in this campaign. I think he’s one of the smartest men that I know, and he’s able — what we saw in that debate, one of his many gifts, is to be able to take really complex issues and make them real for people and explain them in a way that doesn’t seem condescending or disrespectful. I don’t think Barack has that kind of bone in his body.
John McCain, Cindy McCain, Michelle Obama, Barack Obama second Presidential debate, October 7, 2008
King: So, the next time let’s say you run into her, you wouldn’t say anything?
Obama: I saw her last night. I don’t know when she said this, but, you know, I shook her hand. We shake hands. She, you know, addresses me politely. We, you know, have a very respectful relationship. … You know, we’re going to need John McCain, we’re going to need Cindy McCain, we’re going to need independents and Republicans working hard to fix this crisis.
On Hillary Clinton
King: Speaking of Hillary, are you happy with the way she’s supporting your husband?
Obama: She has been phenomenal. From the minute after this was done, she has always been just cordial and open. I’ve called her, I’ve talked to her. She’s given me advice about the kids. We’ve talked at length about this kind of stuff, how you feel, how you react. She has been amazing. She is a real pro and a woman with character.
King: And will she campaign and go all the way?
Obama: She’s been campaigning. She’s on the road. I don’t know her schedule completely, but she’s been raising money for the campaign, she’s been working on her donors, she’s been in swing states. She and Bill Clinton have been working hard to make sure that Barack is the next president of the United States.
Sources: Michelle Obama not offended by ‘that one’ comment and Michelle Obama: Campaign jabs don’t anger Barack
See also: Full Transcript: Michelle Obama Larry King Live Interview October 8, 2008
Photo credit: CNN, Getty Images North America
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Video & Photos: Michelle Obama Larry King Live Interview 10-8-08 [Full Video] pics pictures
10:55 am on October 9th, 2008 1
[...] she did on the Larry King Live interview, Michelle Obama stressed the importance of focusing on issues that American citizens face in their [...]