. . . in the White House.
Chris Matthews on 'unhappy' ObamasWITT: You're just giving a bunch of contradictions in terms of the differences between Jack Kennedy and Barack Obama. Are there comparisons?
MATTHEWS: Differences.
WITT: Right, differences…
MATTHEWS: Well, they’re both young, they’re both very well-educated, they’re both idealistic, they’re both incredibly well spoken, articulate, whatever the word is. They have a great sense of poetry. They know how to say the right things about our country. Obama is wonderfully skilled at evoking what America’s all about. I think he's great at it. He thrills me when he does it. In fact, that's one of the reasons I was inspired by him. He talked about our country. He evokes our country from his background. But once having won the office he seemed to think that that was the end of it in terms of his connection to the American people.
Don't you feel, I think everybody feels an absence of communication from the time he's been elected. And it's not about not being left-wing enough or too left. That's not his problem. It's connection. And Mrs. Obama, she's an amazing asset. And what has she done? Obesity?
How about connecting with the American people about being Americans? I don't think she's, I don't think she's happy. I don't think they like being in the White House. The American people can tell that. They don't seem thrilled at the fact the American people have selected them as our first family. I don't sense the gratitude, the happiness level, the thrill of being president. Bill Clinton loved being president every minute and you knew it.
WITT: You did get that sense.
MATTHEWS: And that's what the American people liked. They like knowing their President's happy.
read more:
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/news/article_1676390.php/Chris-Matthews-on-unhappy-Obamas-contentious-book-tour-VIDEOS___________________________
The only difference between the romance surrounding the Kennedy presidency and the Obamas term in the White House is that the former is mostly a myth and the latter is reality.
Anyone who listened to or read the latest interview released this year with Jackie Kennedy can hear the anxiety, ambivalence, and naked ambition behind the 'Camelot' facade that's been built up out of whole cloth since the former president's assassination.
If only looking on at the First Lady's efforts to bring affordable, healthy food to underserved communities, her efforts to combat child obesity, her efforts to highlight and enhance the lives of our nation's veterans and see that she's worked to make the 'joy' of life a reality for countless Americans in the scope of her advocacy and pro-activism.
Also, who in government can match the optimism and enthusiasm of our calm, collected chief executive as he has worked to overcome one of the worst economic crises that any president has inherited in modern history? Two simmering wars to end and a world in turmoil, Barack Obama has been a steady, frequently inspiration leader who appears tireless and determined in the face of all of the unrest and uncertainty.
Michelle Obama on the U.S. elections: "We really don't talk about the election. We're really doing the work, and that's an important and useful distraction in the midst of it. There's a lot on the president of the United States' plate that keeps him focused on what needs to be done, so you just keep doing what you believe is right. I always say this: One of the reasons why I support this president and not just as my husband, but as a citizen, is because I see him taking that long view. I see him every day waking up worrying, not about polls, but worrying about what is the right thing to do for the future. That keeps you pretty focused on what's important."
I have to say this: I am very grateful for the support and kindness that we've gotten . . .
President Obama: If you were to listen to the pundits and the talking heads on TV, most of their criticism isn't necessarily about substance, it's, you know, 'You didn't package it right, you didn't message it right, you ...' Well, part of the reason is we've been spending a lot of time just focused on doing the right thing, not out there selling it. Now, I think there's a legitimate criticism that part of my job as President is also selling and making sure that people know that I'm in touch with them . . .
This is somebody who cares about them, who comes from communities like this who knows their struggles because he's been through 'em. And that's not a function of campaigning, that's part of governing."
You know, I love this job. There are gonna be days where, like any job - I'm assuming like your job - there are days where you say, 'Boy, there's a lot of headaches here.' And there are times where I am so incredibly frustrated because I know how many folks out there need help. And I know that there are things we could be doing right now that we're not doing.
And you know, you'll have folks like in these town hall meetings today saying, 'You know, why can't we get the parties to come together on a more sensible approach to this or that or the other?' And you have to explain to 'em, 'Well, this is a big, messy democracy and people have different points of view,' and, you know, but that can drive you nuts sometimes.
I think it is an extraordinary privilege to be able to serve the American people . . ."
Are there times where I'm not sleeping as well at night as I'd like to because, you know, we're grappling with some big problems? Absolutely. But every single day I consider myself the luckiest man on earth to have the privilege of trying to move this country forward and helping people who hadn't, you know, the willingness to put the, to entrust me with this great responsibility and I'm very grateful toward.
(happy, grateful? You bet.)
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