Michelle Obama puts 'experience' argument to rest: "Fired up," "emboldened speech" in NH

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN: October 5, 2007
Michelle Obama puts 'experience' argument to rest

NASHUA, New Hampshire (CNN) — For those who have questioned the tenacity of Barack Obama's presidential campaign, his wife , Michelle, is fired up. In an emboldened speech Friday, Obama answered critics of her husband's professional qualifications and declared he can "stand up to Republicans."

"Don't worry about whether Barack Obama is ready–because he's ready. Michelle Obama is ready. We're in this,” she said. “We've already made the sacrifice. We've already suffered through the pains of a political process. We've invested our life in this."

On experience, Mrs. Obama addressed the issue head on calling him "one of the most experienced" people and pointed to his success as a first-term senator from Illinois.

"Trust me, Illinois is not bean bag politics. It's mean, vicious politics. So if people want to know, can he stand up to the republicans? Trust me, I've seen it. We've experienced it. We come out of Chicago, that's hard politics. And to be able to do it and be successful and still maintain a level of integrity and respect among your peers is a real accomplishment."

Obama also took the opportunity to ask for the support of voters in a key state where her husband trails Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton by wide margins in the polls. "I know that if I can talk to every single voter, they're going to vote for Barack Obama. I know that. Deep in my heart, if Barack Obama can talk to every voter, there will be no question," Mrs. Obama said to to the crowd....

Video at link: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/10/05/michelle-obama-puts-experience-argument-to-rest/#more-2377

[journalist3072]

1. So she just expects me to take her word that he's ready? "Dont worry about whether Barack Obama is

ready..."

Excuse me Michelle, but how can you tell me, as an American voter, not worry about whether your husband is ready or not?

I darn sure want someone who doesn't need much OTJ training and is ready to be POTUS on Day 1.

It's very condenscending. Sort of reminds me of when Bush told the American people to go about their business and go shopping because it was his job to worry about the terrorists.

[bigdarryl]

4. Anyone and I mean anyone is READY to be President. it's not rocket science

All this experienced to take the oval office is bullshit thats why you have handlers and Vice Presidents JESUS!!! some of you people let these politicians brainwash you to death. if they tell you to jump off the Grand Canyon you will survive i honestly believe some of you would believe them and JUMP

[calteacherguy]

5. All Presidents have a learning curve, but Obama's would be far longer than Hillary's. nt

[journalist3072]

6. Exactly. They just don't get it, do they? eom

[jefferson_dem]

13. Don't worry. We get it. The issue isn't so much any so-called learning curve but

where the hell these candidates want to steer us to.

Frankly, I don't think I could ever be enthusiastic about hopping on the "Hillary express."

[emilyg]

26. I'll hop in your place.

[jefferson_dem]

29. Have fun with that. Don't say I didn't warn you...

you might not like where you end up.

[Ethelk2044]

20. Yes, Obama got it back in 2002 to he said it was a wrong war. He also was not the person voting for

a bill last week. I believe that was Hillary not Obama. Another bad judgment call.

[Capn Sunshine]

7. why?

Because she was a president's wife? before that, a governors wife?

Both Hillary and Obama are Senators with the same time in the Senate.

You think the world is the same as 1992? That would be what you are arguing.

Obama is the future. Everything else is the past.

[calteacherguy]

9. In answer to your first two questions, yes and yes.

They're team players, and Hillary Clinton was an intergral and active member of the Clinton White House. She's also interacted extensively with foreign leaders, and those connnections will be of great benefit in restoring our image abroad.

[Colobo]

11. Obama is ready.

[Ethelk2044]

22. She was a wife. She was a wife. Stop trying to give her experience when she does not have the

experience. She is on the same level as Obama.

[calteacherguy]

25. To say "she is on the same level as Obama" as far as her readiness to lead is ludicrous.

Look, I'm not putting down Obama, he'd be a good President, too. But don't pretend she doesn't have significant experience.

"She has been through it, not only in the politics of the American political cauldron, but she's been through it inside the White House. She knows about how decisions are made. She knows about the kinds of pressures. And she knows what it's like to get up the next day, after you've had to make some really tough decisions. She was there. She came to the, to the Balkans in the mid '90s. She was there right after we won the war In Kosovo. I mean, she's very, very experienced and I think she's very courageous personally and very solid. I think she's the kind of president we need at this time in this country."

http://securingamerica.com/node/2679

[Ethelk2044]

32. Pretending is exactly what her supporters are doing. Obama has More

political experience than she does. Knowing about decisions made and making decisions are totally different. She was not President during the 90's Bill was. I am not naive or stupid enough to say Bill's experience is her experience. That is what people are trying to push. With that logic they need to sell land off the coast of Florida. What we need right now is Someone in the Office for the people. Someone who has a history of making the right decisions. I do not need someone in the White who was a spokes person for the WAR. I do not need someone who does not have enough experience on her own she tries her best to take what her Husband did. With that logic Laura and Barbara Bush needs to be running. Remember the Levin Amendment. Smart thinking Good Judgment.

[jefferson_dem]

18. Right on. It's time for a new generation of positive leadership.

The nation is fed up with the same old stale politics-as-usual. Changing parties only to relive the same old shit again isn't good enough. When I want to turn the clock back to 1992, I'll slap on Nirvana's Nevermind. The rest is *history*!

[Colobo]

8. Obama has what it takes. You will be impressed by his success as president.

It will happen cal.

[Ethelk2044]

19. Hillary has not learned yet. She voted for a Dumb war. Just recently she vote for a dumb bill

as late as last week. She has a longer drive up the Hill than Obama.

[killbotfactory]

28. Let's get rid of elections altogether

It will save us time in all these stupid democratic transitions, and then only "experienced" people would lead.

[ripple]

35. I don't want someone who simply knows how to play the game

I want someone who is willing to change the rules.

[dsc]

33. after the last 7 years are you kidding me?

Even Clinton made some major blunders in his first year and he was prepared. If the last 7 years have proved nothing else they have proved that on the job training is a really bad idea.

[Ethelk2044]

16. No she expects you to use good Judgment

We have enough people making bad judgment calls. That is how this war started. By Senators voting for a bad war.

[Nedsdag]

41. Spoken like a true Hillary supporter.

n/t

[journalist3072]

42. And damn proud of it, too. But really, my post about Michelle has nothing to do with my proud

support of Sen. Clinton.

Michelle Obama's comments about not worry about whether Barack has enough experience, reminds me of George W. Bush's comment before about the American people should just go shopping, and let him worry about the terrorists.

It's insulting. It's almost as though Michelle Obamaa and George Bush don't think the American people have any sense. It's like they are saying 'Don't worry your pretty little head. I got this.'

As a voter, I have the right to be concerned about whether a Presidential candidate is ready for prime time; whether they have the experience to take office at high noon on January 20.

[Captain Hilts]

2. I'd vote for her in a heartbeat. nt

[illinoisprogressive]

3. what Michelle is saying is true. If you survive Illinois politics you can take on anyone.

[madrchsod]

10. obama has about the same experience as did lincoln

and on the plus side obama`s wife is`t mary lincoln. by the way how did that lincoln fellow do?

[jillan]

12. Illinois is a blue, blue state. Being a Dem senator in a blue state does not prepare you for the

partisanship of DC politics.

Isn't that kind of like saying that just because you played college football you are ready for the pros?

[Colobo]

14. You are using Biden's talking points.

[jillan]

15. You're right :) Well on the football part.

[Colobo]

17. You're a disciplined supporter. That's exactly what talking points are for.

[jillan]

24. Katz - you are probably one of the nicest people on DU.

:thumbsup:

[Ethelk2044]

21. Illinois politics is not that easy. If it was everyone would be moving there to run.

[hedgehog]

23. Can you explain why other people claim that Obama was too chummy with Republicans

in the Illinios legislature? It sounds to me like he can side step the log jams to come up witj compromises that work.

[2rth2pwr]

27. Laura Bush puts "torture" argument to rest:

I should listen to her because........?

[Nimrod2005]

30. Obama will be our next PRESIDENT!!!

[leftist_not_liberal]

31. "Experience" = career politicians

There is nothing beneficial about "experience"

[jenmito]

37. Right-Barbara Bush has more experience than ANYONE! Maybe SHE should run!

What a joke. Hillary hasn't even learned from her "experience."

[leftist_not_liberal]

38. Hillary has learned to be a lot like Barbara.

and is a devious warmonger.

[jenmito]

39. Yup, just another establishment hawk who happens to have a D after her name...

Even Alan Greenspan called BILL Clinton "the best REPUB. president we ever had."

[mrbscott19]

34. Well....

I was there in '93 when the Bulls won the national championship. Does that give me basketball experience? No it doesn't. Hillary has no experience except for her time in the Senate. She has direct access to experience(Bill), but she has no right to claim it as her own. I'll still vote for her if she wins the nomination, but personally, I am pulling for Barak. No other candidate even comes close for me. Its time to clean up Washington.

[jenmito]

36. Go Mrs. Obama! She's telling the truth! Why is Mrs. Clinton more experienced...

just because she lived in the WH? So did the "help!" Not to mention she didn't even know about Monica while being married to Bill. Why should we think she learned anything by being Bill's spouse? Obama could clearly fight with the best of 'em. The only difference between him and Hillary is that she'll motivate the Repub. base better than he will.

[BenDavid]

40. Mrs Obama-Sherry Palmer? You be the judge!;-)