Classy First Lady

[Dr. Shane]

Michelle Obama prepares for role as first lady

She's been compared to Jacqueline Kennedy, is every bit as high-powered as Hillary Rodham Clinton was and has praised Laura Bush's calm and rational approach to issues.

So what kind of first lady will Michelle Obama be?

...Aides say publicly she is not interested in shaping policy or reserving a seat for herself at her husband's decision-making table. She prefers, at least for now, to focus on easing the transition for Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7 — getting them in new schools, settled and comfortable with a new way of life.

The girls are her priority, she has said often, the last thing she thinks about before falling asleep at night and the first thing on her mind when she wakes up in the morning.

During the campaign, she set her schedule so she would be home to tuck them into bed and see them off to school.

..."My first job in all honesty is going to continue to be mom-in-chief," she told Ebony magazine, "making sure that in this transition, which will be even more of a transition for the girls ... that they are settled and that they know they will continue to be the center of our universe."

...Valerie Jarrett, a longtime family friend who is helping lead the president-elect transition team, said in a broadcast interview Sunday: "Having a seat at .... the table and being co-president is not something she's interested in doing."

...The first lady defended Michelle Obama this year after Republicans criticized her for saying that for the first time in her adult life she was proud of her country. Laura Bush said comments made during the heat of a campaign are closely watched and misconstrued.

Michelle Obama said on "The View" that she was touched by the comments and had sent Laura Bush a note.

"And that's what I like about Laura Bush. You know, just calm, rational approach to these issues. And you know, I'm taking some cues. I mean, there's a balance. There's a reason why people like her. It's because she doesn't, sort of, you know, fuel the fire."

[text taken from link]

[phkrause]

agreed

pk

[Dr. Shane]

Her first Christmas in the White House will be her first big test. I want to see how she does Christmas.

[Liz]

Could ya'll imagine being 7 or 10 years old and getting to live in the White House? How cool that would be? And getting to say that my daddy is the President, how awesome? I am sure that some of that is lost on them, because of their age. But I think it would be so cool to be a ten year old girl living in the White House and looking for secret passages; and being followed by my own secret service people. Although, the secret service people might get tiring after a while--but at first it would be cool.

[Dr. Shane]

Fatherhood is something much of America lacks. My father abandoned me when I was quite young as have thousands of other fathers. One of the reasons I voted for Obama is because I think he will be a good example of what a father and a husband should be. I hope he is politically successful so that his positive role model is not lost amongst criticism of his policies.

[Neil D]

Fatherhood is something much of America lacks. My father abandoned me when I was quite young as have thousands of other fathers. One of the reasons I voted for Obama is because I think he will be a good example of what a father and a husband should be. I hope he is politically successful so that his positive role model is not lost amongst criticism of his policies.

Excuse me, Shane....but you have always said that the threads were never about you....Why are you posting as if it were?

[Woody]

Her first Christmas in the White House will be her first big test. I want to see how she does Christmas.

Yes ... we will be watching and ready to criticize.

[Liz]

Her first Christmas in the White House will be her first big test. I want to see how she does Christmas.

But it won't be this Christmas, won't it be next Christmas? He doesn't take office until Jan. 20th. So surely there will be plenty of opportunities for her to prove herself before next Christmas?

[Dr. Shane]

Originally Posted By: Shane

Fatherhood is something much of America lacks. My father abandoned me when I was quite young as have thousands of other fathers. One of the reasons I voted for Obama is because I think he will be a good example of what a father and a husband should be. I hope he is politically successful so that his positive role model is not lost amongst criticism of his policies.

Excuse me, Shane....but you have always said that the threads were never about you....Why are you posting as if it were?

Please re-read the paragraph. Obama and America's need for an example of fatherhood is the focus. The thread is about the first lady or expanding from that a bit, the first family. I am expecting to see a wholesome family environment in the White House and think that is a good thing.

[Dr. Shane]

Originally Posted By: Shane

Her first Christmas in the White House will be her first big test. I want to see how she does Christmas.

But it won't be this Christmas, won't it be next Christmas? He doesn't take office until Jan. 20th. So surely there will be plenty of opportunities for her to prove herself before next Christmas?

Yes, this year will be the last Christmas for the Bush's but that is not a bad thing. The Bush's have always done a great job for Christmas. Actually, they are leaving some big shoes for the Obamas to fill.

[Neil D]

Fatherhood is something much of America lacks. My father abandoned me when I was quite young as have thousands of other fathers. One of the reasons I voted for Obama is because I think he will be a good example of what a father and a husband should be. I hope he is politically successful so that his positive role model is not lost amongst criticism of his policies.

Your point can be re-worded to convey the same thing...but your initial post didn't convey your intent. Count 'em up, Shane...Reverences to self out number/shadow the references to the thread.

I know...I am nit-picking....'cuse me...

[Dr. Shane]

What we do here is share our thoughts and ideas about various subjects. By sharing one's thoughts and ideas about a subject, that shouldn't turn the subject upside down to make it about the person who is sharing their thoughts.

For example, I may say "I think abortion is wrong" the subject in that sentence is abortion not "I". Or I may say, "Sexual assault is a terrible thing, I know because I have been sexually assaulted." The issue there is "sexual assault" not me being sexually assaulted. Personal experience only lends credibility to the person stating their opinion or belief. It does not change the topic being discussed. In this thread I shared that I believe Obama is a good father and I admire that quality because I didn't have a father. That shouldn't change the subject to me and my father. The subject remains the first family.

[Neil D]

With all the I statements, is this really contributing or ....well, it sure looked like you were trying to change the subject abit and at the same time get a bit of sympathy...

Yeah, I know...I'm nit-picking....

[aldona]

Back to the topic of the First Family...

Speculation is building that they may send their girls to a Quaker school (Sidwell Friends). Apparently Chelsea Clinton was a student there, and many other high-profile people send their kids there.

http://www.celebrity-babies.com/2008/11/mom-in-chief-mi.html#comments

aldona

(respect and admiration for the Obamas just went up a couple of notches)

[Woody]

Respect? He is the President of our nation and he can't send his children to our schools. Who does he think he is?

[Neil D]

Respect? He is the President of our nation and he can't send his children to our schools. Who does he think he is?

A father who wants his children safe, and who doesn't want the country held hostage because he's president of the US.

[Dr. Shane]

I thought he was already living in Washington as a Senator. I am wondering why he is changing his kids' school because he is moving across town. From what I understand he is a family man so certainly he wasn't living in Washington alone with Michelle and the girls back home. It seems like I don't have all the pieces to the puzzle.

[aldona]

Respect? He is the President of our nation and he can't send his children to our schools. Who does he think he is?

By "our" schools, do you mean US public schools, or Adventist schools?

Of course a prominent public figure like the president could not send his/her kids to a public school - it would be a security and publicity nightmare. (not to mention - as one contributor to the Celebrity Babies blog put it - ask all the Harvard trained lawyers you know, how many send their kids to a public school?)

As far as Adventist schools go - I went to an Adventist school for my entire grade school and high school experience, and I was very happy there. Hey, I ended up getting into med school, so they must have done OK with me academically, too. If I had kids I would be more than happy to send them to an Adventist school, probably the same one I went to.

But I don't know what the Adventist schools are like in the USA, how they compare to other private schools, and whether there are any nearby that the First Family could seriously consider sending their kids to, so I won't speculate on that.

And if I had the choice between an Adventist school and a Quaker school, and the distance from home and cost were comparable, it would be a tough call. Everything I have heard and read about the Quaker educational system has left me very, very impressed. (unfortunately, the only Quaker school in Australia is in Tasmania.)

aldona

[Woody]

Is it true that they have Devils in Tasmania?

[aldona]

Not specifically the supernatural variety - that is, no more so than any other place on earth.

But the furry four-legged marsupial variety - yes. Unfortunately, the population is in decline and they are at increasing risk of extinction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasmanian_Devil

(why? are you hoping the Obama family travel down there?)

aldona

[Woody]

Good one Aldona. I knew you had it in you.

Thanks for the link. They do look vicious enough to send Obama to. I will have to consider your offer,. ( On behalf of Obama )

[carolaa]

Originally Posted By: Liz

But it won't be this Christmas' date=' won't it be next Christmas? He doesn't take office until Jan. 20th. So surely there will be plenty of opportunities for her to prove herself before next Christmas? [/quote']

Yes, this year will be the last Christmas for the Bush's but that is not a bad thing. The Bush's have always done a great job for Christmas. Actually, they are leaving some big shoes for the Obamas to fill.

What do most Presidents do for Christmas? I don't even know, but it seems to be of enormous importance to you, Shane. You've brought it up several times on different threads.

[Dr. Shane]

It use to be that only the Washington elite were privy to Christmas in the White House. The internet really changed all of that. Now White House staffers make little videos that everyone can download at www.whitehouse.gov around Christmas time. In my family, we have made it a holiday tradition to gather around the computer and treat ourselves to Christmas with the first family. The White House is really the people's house and the internet makes that truer than ever before.

[carolaa]

Well, cool, I'll have to remember that and check it out. Do you think they have archives available from past Christmases?