Obama's Private Life

Opinion Brief

Michelle Obama's rebuttal: I'm not 'some angry black woman'

In a CBS News interview, the first lady denounces the bruising portrayal of her in Jodi Kantor's new book

The first lady dismisses a New York Times' reporter's account that she clashed with some of the president's closest confidants.

The first lady dismisses a New York Times' reporter's account that she clashed with some of the president's closest confidants. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images SEE ALL 40 PHOTOS

Best Opinion:  Wash. Post, Daily Mail, RT

The video: On Wednesday morning, CBS News aired a taped interview with Michelle Obama in which the first lady took issue with the unflattering portrayal of her in New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor's "explosive" new book, The Obamas. (Watch the clip below.) The first lady, who told CBS' Gayle King that she hasn't read the book, denied allegations that she clashed with former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel and former press secretary Robert Gibbs, and tried to bully her way into West Wing business. "'I guess it's just more interesting to imagine this conflicted situation here," she said. "That's been an image people have tried to paint of me since the day Barack announced [his presidential bid], that I'm some kind of angry black woman." 

 The reaction: I applaud Mrs. Obama for taking a stand, says Judith Howard Ellis at The Washington Post. "African American women often are portrayed as walking volcanoes, ready to spew on the nearest human rock. Enough. Black women, and all women, for that matter, are entitled to be authentic and upfront." C'mon, says Don Surber at the Charleston, W.V., Daily Mail. The first lady simply proved that she's a "person who, when cornered, tosses out the race card." Ugh, says RT.com. No wonder Mrs. Obama is "annoyed" with the media. Too many writers wrongly portray the first lady as some "power-hungry force" who rules the White House like a "tyrant." Enough already. Watch Mrs. Obama's rebuttal:

 

 
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opinion brief

Should the Obama kids be allowed to watch the Kardashians?

The First Couple disagree over whether their daughters should "keep up with" the vapid reality TV beauties — prompting a parenting debate

'The Kardashians' reality show is, apparently, a mildly divisive issue in the White House TV room.

Are Malia and Sasha Obama keeping up with the Kardashians? It depends, apparently, on which parent they ask for permission to watch. In an interview with iVillage, Michelle Obama reveals that the President would prefer that the kids steer clear of Keeping Up With... More

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All the GOP's dreams have come true, as the president finds himself denied entry to the Oval Office

Obama was briefly locked out of the Oval Office after returning to the White House earlier than staffers expected.

The video: The fervent prayers of the Republican Party have been answered. President Obama found himself locked out of the White House yesterday upon returning from his five-day trip to Latin America. Sadly for hopeful GOP supporters, Obama was only temporarily... More

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The 'vile' first lady cartoon

Did a political cartoon mocking Michelle Obama as a two-faced burger-scarfer go too far?

"I didn't depict the first lady as fat - just a hearty eater!" says cartoonist Batton Lash.

The image: A political cartoon portraying First Lady Michelle Obama as a gluttonous hypocrite has drawn criticism from commentators who consider the image inappropriately personal — and even racist. Published Sunday on the conservative website BigGovernment... More

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The fashion industry vs. Michelle Obama

Some in the American fashionistas think the First Lady should wear more homegrown designers, but she says she wants to focus more on her causes and less on her clothes

Michelle Obama wore a British-designed Alexander McQueen dress to a state dinner last month, to the dismay of American designers.

Last month, Michelle Obama incensed the American fashion industry by wearing a dress by British designer Alexander McQueen to the China state dinner. Designer Oscar de la Renta questioned the decision, given that the visit was meant to promote American-Chinese... More

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Petty controversy: Presidential flip-flops!

Is it really outrageous for the leader of the free world to wear flip-flops in public? The New York Post reports, you decide

Should the President's footwear be front-page news?

The petty controversy: A photo of President Obama wearing flip-flops at a Hawaii ice cream shop made the front page of Wednesday's New York Post, paired with the incredulous headline: "Should the leader of the free world dress like this — even on vacation... More

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