Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, shares a laugh with Jill Biden, wife of Obama running mate Joe Biden at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, part of their two-state tour this week courting female voters. (Photo by Chuck Kennedy/MCT)
by Mark Silva
Michelle Obama suggested today that voters should cast their vote for president on the issues, not because, "I like that guy" or "she's cute."
"She?''
In other words, Republican running mate Sarah Palin?
"I'm talking about me," Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's wife said with a smile at her appearance in Charlotte, Day Two of a tour of Virginia and North Carolina to court the female vote for the party's all-male ticket.
Of course, Michelle Obama is not on the ticket.
Her remarks came at a women's round-table on the economy, with Democrats working to offset the appeal that Palin has made to women voters.
(A new CBS News/New York Times poll finds that women have settled down somewhat since the Republican convention that introduced Palin to the nation, with Obama again holding a narrow, 2-point advantage among white women -- McCain had gained a 21-point advantage over Obama among these voters with Palin's nomination).
Michelle Obama told her Charlotte audience that the junior senator from Illinois is the only candidate focused on equal pay, health care, an affordable college education, teacher recruitment and other issues of concern to women, issues that matter.
"People shouldn't make a decision this time based on, 'I like that guy' or 'she's cute,'" she said, without mentioning Palin by name -- a line winning her a lot of applause.
When applause subsided, she said: "And I'm talking about me."
The Associated Press contributed.





Comments
Michelle Obama is definately right...Voters should vote on the issues. Not because someone is " cute "..With our Nation at war and an economical crisis it is going to take much more than " cute " to fix our problems..Not only do we have to worry about the war, terrorists,.loss of jobs and homes we have to worry how are we going to be able to sned our Children to college..It is unbelievable that McCain would choose 'cute" over intelligence and experience..We have no time for show and tell training for the possible VP that will be second in command of our Nation...This is becomming more scary by the day....
Posted by: Randolph | September 18, 2008 3:29 PM
Of Course, because identity politics have played no part in this election. We're constantly nominating inexperienced first term senators in this country. Cults of personality have no place in this election, right?
Posted by: Greg Martin | September 18, 2008 3:43 PM
Personally, as a woman I am insulted by those who seek to define me based on one single trait: My gender.
AND then claim to seek to represent my interests based on that single trait.
I am not a victim. I am not a statistic. I am NOT a gender.
I do not need or want the government's "help" in ordering my life. I can do that very well on my own. If I can do it then so can others.
And I never vote on style. That is why my vote will go for McCain in November. He represents an identity that is of more importance to me and should be to everyone who lives in this country: Being an American.
Posted by: Typical White Elephant | September 18, 2008 5:00 PM
The thing is, no matter how she meant is, she is correct.
Posted by: kg123 | September 18, 2008 5:05 PM
NO one is voting for her, so, she was referring to Palin. shame on her to start this silly game again!
Michelle is still angry woman...feel sorry for her. She is making $300K/year, a big house, great kids and great education and she is still angry!
Posted by: frieda | September 18, 2008 5:12 PM
To be so smart -
She sure dosen't use good judgement---
Posted by: George | September 18, 2008 5:24 PM
All I can say liberals are safely cuddled by the left-wing media. By this association words spoken by McCain or Palin, obviously are greatly distorted to appeal more to the Democrats. Let me say this: Hollywood was invented Americans. Americans, by nature love beauty and of course brains. What really holds that strong appeal---alongside intelligence and personality---is BEAUTY! Unfortunately, Obama's party...hmm. Hypocrites. Where do you think he gets his funding to run for president, hmm? From Friends, who are rich! The very people--day in day- out he puts down to say they don't care about the poor of this country.
Posted by: eva | September 18, 2008 5:44 PM
Michelle Obama was referring to Palin. Because I am tired of all the sexism, I will vote for McCain-Palin. Michelle Obama should be ashamed of herself.
Posted by: TrueDemocrat | September 18, 2008 7:52 PM
I have three 3 daughters, who are forever referring to someone as "the b-word." I tell them that that is no better than saying the actual word.
But today, Michelle Obama is "the b-word." What a horse's patooty she is. Does she think we're so stupid we don't see through her remarks?
Posted by: beth | September 18, 2008 9:40 PM
Here is what she should have said.
Michelle Obama suggested today that voters should cast their vote for president on the issues, not because, "I like that guy" or "she's cute.or because he's Afro American"
She should have included her hubby in that comment.
Posted by: Grace | September 19, 2008 3:45 PM
Michelle dear, don't be so angry! You are a fine woman in your own way. You have a fine family. Why do you stoop so low with so catie a remark about Mrs. Palin who is surely not cute. She is a beautiful woman, a beautiful person and she is authentic. Get back up on your feet and become an asset for your husband. He needs support now that we know how empty he is.
Posted by: Nancy O'Murphy | September 19, 2008 4:25 PM
Reading some of the comments here, I'm guessing if she said 'what a beautiful day' that would somehow be seen as sexist!
Posted by: Damien | September 19, 2008 5:19 PM
3 things were distressing about Michelle Obama's remarks:
1. The only "she" on the ticket is Sarah Palin so either she is referring to Palin or Ms Obama does not know who is running for election. Either way, unclassy;
2. What a low opinion she appears to have of the American electorate. Perhaps I'm unusual, but my friends, family, and colleagues vote the issues, not the physical attractiveness of a candidate. Unclassy.
3. What poor judgment she shows in her choice of words...unless she meant to denigrate. Again, unclassy.
Posted by: Anne | September 19, 2008 9:41 PM
1) If she was referring to Palin as cute and you are truely outraged; Why would you vote for M/P? Where was this outrage during the RNC where delegates wore buttons that stated "coldest state/hottest govenor? What word would you use for those people? 2) I find it odd that you tell your daughters that the B-word is just as bad, instead of not to use it against another female, we should teach by example.
Posted by: Tereza | September 19, 2008 10:06 PM
First of all, if Michelle Obama is not a candidate--why consider whether she is cute.
Secondly, if she was sincere why didn't she say: "Vote the issues, don't vote for someone just because they are Black." Then referring to herself would work!
Posted by: Vivian Squibb | September 20, 2008 2:11 PM
Obama has no track record ... only a fabricated image ... like the Obama girl, and the View calling him sexy.
OBAMA = BETRAYAL
Obama supporters are foolish to think that he will never betray them.
Obama was a close friend of Pastor Wright for TWENTY YEARS.
Obama threw Wright under the bus for personal ambition.
McCain would not betray his country even after 5 years of torture.
You can put lipstick on a traitor, but he's still a traitor.
Posted by: Gina | September 21, 2008 1:25 PM
MO does not have the grace to be First Lady-she is an angry, militant woman with sour grapes toward Sarah.
Posted by: rhonda bloschock | September 21, 2008 5:50 PM
MO does not have the grace to be First Lady-she is an angry, militant woman with sour grapes toward Sarah.
Posted by: rhonda bloschock | September 21, 2008 5:51 PM