Going after Michelle Obama might open up a whole can of worms in the Cindy McCain department. If they are smart, they won’t.

Yes, I think Obama is running the highest position in this country so voters will judge her comment. Some people will find it is very offensive to her comment.

I think its a great idea, I mean after the first serious woman candidate is eliminated, why not attack the next closest female to the election, we already know that McCain hates woman and wants to destroy Roe Vs. Wade, why not let him show how far out of touch with reality he really is. As a Democrat I think its brilliant of them to attack the lady of the group.

Obama/Clinton ‘08!

I live in Memphis, Tennessee, and this is typical of Tennessee Republican party. They were behind the race baiting that occurred when Harold Ford Jr. was running for Corker for US Senate a couple of years ago. Even Corker has denounced these race baiting ads -d two years late!

Funny how the Democrats picking up the R+10 congressional seat in northern Mississippi is getting their attention. I want to believe the state of Tennessee will have as much sense as northern Mississippi in the elections this year.

I look forward to turning Tennessee BLUE come November!

Go Obama - from a 58 year old white feminist! No, there are many of us who realize that true freedom and equality is voting for the best candidate, regardless of race, creed, color, sex, or any other parameter.

Has it worked for Republicans before? Yes.

Is it obvious what they are doing? Yes

Will Americans fall for it again? Possible

The republican party has destroyed this country in the last eight years. And the sad thing is that the same people who voted for the republicans last time will vote for them again because of a woman and a black man. The republicans going after Michelle Obama is not a strategy, it is a disgrace and shows how much republicans really depise the middle class, working people in this country.

I hate it when someone’s remarks are deliberately taken out of context. I’m sure that every thinking adulty in American knows what Michelle Obama was trying to say. Perhaps both parties should focus more on the issues that need attention and spend less time hoping that the other “guy” says something off the cuff. I’m glad I don’t have people dissecting every comment that I make.

I don’t think it’’s a great idea for them to go after Mrs. Obama - Mrs. McCain, who doesn’t think she has to release her tax returns like everyone else, because she is apparently too rich to have to play by the rules, would seem a lot more vulnerable. And if we are going to talk about hair….

In the add thats running agienst michelle you see the exact type of racism that still exsist in america and by who,(white rual america or blue collar who barack has problem with) and the fact that the country for the most part is willing to get past those old feelings makes her and even me proud to be american becuse it is progress we can see and feel however some people still want to promote them I think we will see good prevail over evil. If we are the united states is it not time that we be united for us and all the world to see?

What a bunch of crap. GOP = Grand Old Pitifulness, this is the same old stuff that everyone is just completely sick of. If you are going to spend your time spinning words then what will get done?

Yes, I do believe that the GOP is going after Barack Obama by using snippets of Michelle Obama’s words to try to scare the public from voting for a different kind of candidate. I think it is shameful and one more reason why I will be voting for change in November.

I emphatically support Barack Obama for President and will not let these underhanded and ridiculous attacks sway my opinion. Let the GOP make fools of themselves! While the Republicans are gearing up for more dirty tricks, Obama is talking about real issues and real solutions.

They better expect the same in return! I mean really….addiction to prescription drugs…not releasing tax returns….the list is a mile long…do they really want to start going there?

It is expected from the Republicans. Look at their candidate’s wife. She pales in comparison to Michelle Obama. Michelle is an inteligent, strong, and well informed female that can hold her own. I am a 30 year old white female from the South and for the first time in my adult life I am proud to be an American. Look at what Obama has encouraged. Droves of young people registering to vote, encouraged by such an inspirational couple. Michelle and Barack are people I want my children to look up to, not a beer heiress and her dirty old man.

Good strategy or not, it is not an unacceptable idea. Attacks have been made again the spouses of both Hillary Clinton and John McCain so why can’t attacks be made against the spouse of Barak Obama? Does the Obama campaign feel she is better than Bill Clinton or Cindy McCain?

Yes it is! Democrates were telling Hillary not to use the race care, and not to rough up Obama; are they going to tell the republicans that? No, they’re not. It shows how many weak points Obama has, and how weak he will be against a republican. Obama’s wife stated, prior to the elections she hated America. How did those feelings vanish so rapidly and easily? Obama didn’t reject that of her, as he didn’t reject his pastor and ministry for promoting hatred. Lets face it, no one hates America; they hate whites, or blacks, brown, yellow, etc. There will be no holds-bar for the republicans and there shouldn’t be any for Hillary.

It’s absurd, cowardly, and deceptive. In other words, typical Republican campaign strategy.

The spouse of the President of the United States has considerable influence. As such, the spouse of any candidate should be considered part of the package. Michelle Obama should be held accountable for her statements, Cindy McCain should provide her tax returns, and the Hillary Clinton should be considered as part of the dynasties of Bush, Clinton, Clinton, Bush, Bush…

They sure go after Bill Clinton, don’t they? He’s not running for president either.

Well, Jack, with a failing economy, a disasterous war in Iraq, unprecedented corruption and a generally bleak future, I don’t see any better strategy for them to persue than one which involves distraction and frivolty.

Sure, if they want to insure a Dem victory in the fall. I cannot understand the lack of class the GOP continues to show. Truly unbelievable.

They went after Hillary when she was first lady - and the hatred of
Hillary endures - so it seems to work. The GOP should go after
Michelle Obama so when she decides to run for President later there will be lots of people, like you, Jack, who will have learned to hate her
too.

John Portelli Albany, NY

This GOP tape has been edited. Is this the “lynching party” that Bill O’Reilly was talking about when he also took her comments out of context? This is disgraceful. I heard the original comments she made and she said “really proud”…not just proud. The American people are not going to stand for these lies anymore, fear mongering, and the like. This tacky, smear campaign shows that they have nothing on Senator Obama. When in the history of presidential elections did we start going after the candidate’s spouses? Senator Obama’s campaign will not smear Cindy McCain.He stays above the fray. He has too much character and class. This is gutter politics at its worst. God help our country, indeed!

It is absolutely pitiful that of all the things that are going on in the world, the Tennessee GOP picks up on this statement by Michelle Obama, one that she has already admitted was mis-spoken. There are a lot of reasons to be proud to be an American…but I can guarantee you the GOP party isn’t one of them. America is in crisis, more and more families are struggling to feed their families, America’s hardest workers are losing their homes and having to go without vacations just so they can pay for the gas they need to get to work, and the GOP wants to focus on a statement made by the wife of a presidential candidate…WOW. Let me tell you one thing I am not proud of, and that is that I ever voted for anyone in the Republican party. That will NEVER happen again.

It just makes the GOP look weaker than it already is not to mention desperate. They cannot find any real dirt on Obama himself so go after the next best thing (Michelle) and hope he makes a mistake in his zeal to protect his family. Weak Weak Weak. They forgot the prime rule of smear politics…thee who live in glass houses cast not the first stone. This makes Cindy’s tax returns, business dealings and drug abuse fair game for democratic 527’s.

Sure, it’s okay, if SHE was actually a candidate running for office. If the Tennessee Republican Party is too cowardly to go after the ACTUAL candidate, okay. Good luck to them, she’s not exactly the weakest link in this campaign.

Lisa
San Diego, CA.

The Republicans going after Michelle Obama just shows how desparate they are. We do not need people like them leading our country. Which member of Obama’s family will they smear next, the six year old or the nine year old?

No because the written transcript show that the video may have been edited to exclude certain words to make it sound worse. BUT here is my question is the America proud of its history and what it has done to the Native Americans and African Americans. We have come along way, but America is not guiltless. So why can she not make this statement when we have come so far to see that for the first time America is becoming the America that it needs to be for the people and run by the people. The government is there to make sure we are all loved and taken care of. We are all Americans and should be treated as such. THE REPUBLICANS WANT TO DEVIDE THIS COUNTRY AND I HOPE WE DO NOT LET THEM. They get off on the little people fighting while they take our money away and give it away to rich folks.

These republiniks are just gutless cowards, Jack. I also wouldn’t easily dismiss the possibility of racism coming into play here. It’’s becoming fairly obvious now that the republiniks, who tied their fortunes to radical fundamentalist regious cults, war mongers, and polluters, are going to be slaughtered in this election, and rightffully so. Attacks like thse are the sign of a desperate and terrified party of elitist snobs who have fed at the trough for the last eight years and contributed nothing to the country. Away with them!

Its not good strategy but it could be effective. As someone who is a public figure she’s fair game but this tactic just shows the reality of what the GOP is really about. They’ve lost the values that lead to success, if they ever had them. They can’t defends it record over the last 8 years and have gotten fat and happy at our expense. All politicians are the same, they pick an item, twist it into the mold they want, turning it on an emotional dime hoping the american people won’t have the attention span to listen to the real issues which take a bit longer than 30 seconds to discuss. The strategy worked for them in 2004 so they are just going with what works. The problem is that more americans are waking up and this will backfire.

Doug
Charlotte, NC

The Republicans are only showing how weak they are by pouncing on Michelle Obama. They arent getting anywhere attacking Senator Obama, so lets go after the wife. So much for John McShame’s, oops, I mean McCain’s remarks about running a positive campaign.

Jack,

What do you expect they are Republicans? If they are not hating gays, Muslims and Mexicans, ignoring the poor and minorities, or trying to take away the right for a woman to choose they are trying to smear any American walking that doesn’t look or sound like a Republican. It amazes me a party that has so much hatred for other groups has the nerve to talk about anyone. Maybe she wasn’t proud of her country, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t love it. I am a parent, I love my child, but I am not always proud of what he does. If you are proud of this country no matter what it does, you might as well put on a wool coat, follow the shepherd and say baaaaaaahhhhh . . . . . .

Here is the deal, those who are attacking Michelle in this manner are the ones who Sen. Clinton were most likely speaking off, with the exception being that they don’t belong to democratics.

Maybe they will vote for Hillary during the general election (let’s hope so).

Not a surprising for the GOP, they have been reaching for the life raft all year.

In response to the question:

Is it a good strategy for Republicans to go after Michelle Obama?

I think the obvious answer to this is no, for two reasons.

First, it cheapens politics; it’s misleading and detracts the focus of the discussion from what it should be, the policies and plans of the candidates, to non-issues that take the forefront of so much media attention.

Second, I think Barack Obama has shown that conducting a campaign with some integrity can bring in results. I think, and hope, that people are finally tired of being treated like junior-high students and ready to be treated like adults who are interested in where this country is going rather than focusing on blunders made by the candidate or his associates.

I have been disgusted with the GOP’s campaign tactics for the last eight years. If ever there was a chance I would cast a vote for the GOP, they lost that chance in the last two elections. I believe that others could be driven to the democratic party that way.

(Blue Springs, MO)

It’s ultimate sleaze but it’s also a good strategy for the GOP as it will be very effective in wooing back to McCain the independent swing voters and “Reagan Democrats” who have been flirting with the Dems this year. Much of the white working class Hillary vote can be swayed by this kind of obnoxious attack.

This comment proves that the Obamas as a political couple have a deep anti-american sentiiment behind their polished image. Barok’s refusal to wear a flag lapel pin, his association with Revrerend wright (Mr God Damn America himself) and his comments about bitter working class Americans are frightening. A poresident can recognize their country has issues but when they are expressed in negative sardonic ways there’s a Problem. if the GOP is smart they’ll dig into this issue as much as possible. People dont want to hear a president or first lady that insults the country. It will mean the end for the Obama’s.

It’s comforting to see that the Republicans have still not learned their lesson, after their recent electoral defeats. Their desperation is getting more and more transparent, as they keep reusing Rove’s playbook of smears, lies, and deceit.

They’re still stuck in the past. That’s fine; the rest of us are going to move on, and, with some luck and hard work, put the nation and the world on a path to a better future.

What we’re hearing from the Republicans now is like the last gasp of the last dinosaur, before it fell down dead and its species became extinct. These ancient reptiles need to get out of the way: It’s time for humanity to rise.

I think that this campaign will sink to a new all-time low. The Republicans know that their leadership has caused problems on all fronts—the war, the gas prices, the economy, etc.; and they think that they can win by throwing dirt at the opposition. I hope that Senator Obama and Michelle can rise above all the garbage and lead by example. Frankly, the dirt throwing makes me sick

Jack, it’s politics and we all know how the game is played by all involved. The kids are the only players who should be left alone. Maybe the better question would be for CNN to find out why Obama has been anointed by the press as our new messiah. He is an inexperienced sweet talker and we have all see those people before. We can all say Bush! I for one am getting sick of the retro ’60s drool by the way left liberals and CNN’s playing the game with them. It’s bad when FOX and O’Reilly are more fair and balanced. It was not that long ago CNN was top of the line.

I don’t know if it’s a good idea, but they are certainly allowed to do what they’re doing. If they can batter and box Hillary around for years, then Mrs. Obama isn’t off the hook. Finally, the Obama’s are getting a dose of what real politics is like, and it aint pretty.

It would be fair if she were a politician or was running for office. But she’s not running for office and her comments are no reflection on her husband. But that wont matter to the desperate, G.O.P. I hope Michelle never had an overdue library book, or parking ticket. G.O.P your time dsestroying this country is almost up, and you guys will get you clocks cleaned in November.

I’m an Obama supporter. That the GOP is going after Michelle Obama doesn’t surprise me. Carl Rove has schooled them well, which is why they make me ashamed to be a Republican. But here’s a word to the wise. Going after Michelle makes Cindy and her baggage fair game.

In a year where women are engaged in the election process more than ever. This has to be one of the dumbest ideas the GOP has come up with yet. This will rally women of all ages and ethnicities around are next president >>>GO OBama>GO

I believe GOP have no strengths to share and hence are spending all their money on any negatives they may find from Obama camp.

They are continuing to use their Political Strategy of using “Fear” and “Hatred” strategy. They cannot make the public to “Like” their own candidate, so they are doing everything to make the public to “Hate” their opposition.

The GOP ought to be ashamed of itself. It’s sleezy, below-the-belt, dishonorable tactics betray just how desperate and classless the Republican Party has become. Barak Obama has raised the bar too high by now for this . It’s embarrassing.
JL Waldron
Rye NH

The scary thing is people in places like West Virginia believe these type of gutter politics and their vote counts as one vote like mine. Such garbage should be punishable by law.
larry, Waldorf, MD

Congradulations on the 10 million plus page views. I’m trying to do my part, I never miss it.

My self i dont care who is running for the W.H all what i care about is
America.
and i wont vote for anybody not proud of AMERICA if you are proud of any other country go run there to be president.
i wont vote for OBAMA because of his wife only.

Well, lets just say that the republicans will go after their own mothers if they had a choice.

Hey Jack,

Its funny to see the “party of the common folk” disrespect a woman whose parents pulled themselves up by the bootstraps to enable their children to get such a great education. When her Royal Beer Highness Cindy McCain NEVER worked a day in her life because she had to….when she did start “working”….she used her charitable organization as her personal illegal Rx drug emporium because the stress of her complicty in the Keating 5 scandal. Sounds like McCain is begging for a swift boat ad about HIS wife….

Beka

The spirit of Karl Rove lives again! If they can’t get Obama on anything, the GOP will use any garbage to attack his candidacy. The Republicans hope that Obama’s wife will be just as useful to them as Rev. Jeremiah Wright was in March and April. It’s enough to make you throw up. As if I didn’t have enough reasons for vote for a Demcrat.

I don’t recall any past elections where the wife of the candidate has been attacked. Why is Michelle considered fair game? I find this offensive.

Going after Michelle Obama is tacky, but that’s all the GOP has. They’ll constantly try to grab the headlines to keep the public minds off of the recession, the war and the bush administration or lack there of. I think they call it a “wag the dog”.

Weezie, Cincinnati, Ohio

Yup!

She’s gonna be big problem for him.

As a long time republican, I am on every level betrayed.
Fiscal responsibility? Nope
Keeping us Safe? Nope
Pandering? Yep
Playing the evangelical card? Yep
Small Government? Nope
Personal responsibility? Nope
Energy freedom ? Nope
Slime campaigning? Yep, Ms Obama for example

Please know Ms Obama, not all republicans are character assasins

No. It simply emphasizes how out of touch Republicans are with the real issues that are important to voters. We want to know how they are going to fix the big problems in this country- healthcare, dependence on oil, poverty, the economy. Voters could care less what Mrs. Obama meant or didn’t mean.

I think that this is destined to failure like the Rev. Wright ads that were run in the special House election in Mississippi. The electorate has moved on past this issue and would like to hear some substantive discussion. If the Republicans want to continue these tactics they are doomed to failure in all levels of 2008 elections.

Jim M.
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan

First off all let me say this…..I support Obama even if I am not an american citizen.
Now about you question:
It is a good strategy for Republicans to go after Michelle Obama…Barack Obama…his dad…his mom…her dad…her mom..everybody in this world somehow they related with! And I am sure Republicans are going to do that. What you expect Jack from these dirty…stupid…and evil minded politicians.

Good strategy?…Yes. It speaks to the type of person she and her husband are. Politicians. As much as Obama wants to say he is not your typical politician…he is the same man who distanced himself from Rev. Wright..who made horrible comments about the U.S. and “chickens coming home to roost”. They distanced themselves from those comments, but showed their true character when she made such comments. Face it Obama family…your politicians.

I am totally disgusted with the way the Republican party has attacked Michelle Obama and I am disgusted even further that CNN or John would give their comments air time. The sound bites that they want to exploit are cheap shots, but then again if President Bush wants to leave home and make cheap shots about Barak Obama I guess those of the party he represents feel that they might have better aim if they stay home and do it. Is the republican party so without class?

No. Attacking Mrs. Obama is simply an ad hominem attack, which implies that the Republicans are reduced to attacking the Obamas personally because they have no real arguments against Sen. Obama’s policies. Thus, attacking Mrs. Obama is a sign of weakness; the Republicans should not do it if they want to have any credibility in the upcoming election.

The strategy to attack Michelle Obama by the Republicans is not a good one. These same tactics were used in Mississippi and Louisiana and failed miserably, which demonstrates how ineffective smear and fear-mongering tactics will work in this election. Someone please inform the Republicans that the American people have caught on to their Karl Rove tactics.

If they are dumb enough to go after Michelle,it only shows the stupidity that they have become accustomed to. She has nothing to do,basically,with the nomination of Barak Obama. If they want to attack her,go for it. It will only establish the ridiculous reaches that they are trying for. The GOP is dead in the water and they will stop at nothing to ressurect their assinine ideas that have no bearing whatsoever on the needs of American people.

This is the same old, same old from the Grand Old Party - throw mud around and see what sticks.

She is a strong woman and can take whatever they dish out. And, I am sure it will backfire.

How about asking about Mrs. McCain’s tax returns, which she won’t reveal? And, didn’t she spend some time “drying out” for a medication habit?

Be careful what you do, GOP. It will come back to bite you.

Civility is what John McCain just promised. My eye.

Mrs. Obama was making a point about Americans getting so involved in the current presidential race.

I totally got what she was saying because I am 41 year old American that never engaged to the degree that I am with this presidential election. And for me it all started with emails from the Obama campaign asking me to get involved.

That’s what Mrs. Obama is so proud of. Record numbers of average americans engaging in the political process because they were asked. It’s absolutely awesome!

I’m a registered Independent and voted Republican for the last 2 presidential elections and I do understand why the Republicans are reacting to this. They must come up with something because so far Obama has been unstoppable. I’m convinced he is the next President of the best country on planet Earth!

Felicia Campos
Windermere, FL

Sure it’s a good strategy Jack. A good strategy for Democrats. It makes the Republicans look too cowardly to fight the actual candidate. And as a side bonus it angers women and African-Americans.

Jack, great, though-provoking question. When I first read about the “attack” on Mrs. Obama, I, too, was appalled. For the Republicans to go after a presidential candidate’s family, is criminal. Will they now post operatives at the school where the Obama daughters attend to spy on them and see if they miss the bell to return to class on time after recess? Un-American! It’s that sickening. I vividly remember when Bush was running for president and news reports surfaced that his twin daughters were drinking up a storm and partying late into the night while attending college. Respectfully, the Democrats didn’t try to make political hay of that. For the love of God, someone stop this madness and let us debate how we, as a nation, will overcome these last eight years of the Bush debacle, excuse me, presidency!

Of course. Look at Hillary’s 8 years as First Lady. If Michelle is going to be in the kitchen, then she better be able to take the heat. This could backfire and be beneficial, as all things seem to when Obama gets challenged about anything. He gets a mulligan and gets to take another swing.

Attacking the wrong people seems to be the republican idealogy. It will make no difference, they are TOAST !!!!!!!!! Come on November !!!!

Only if you aren’t man enough to go after her husband!

It is this gutter politics that gave us 8 years of George W. Bush. Does it work - offcourse it does, but only because the media fails to ‘keep them honest’ and profits from the spectacle.

Strategically, it may be a good idea to go after Michelle Obama. It fits the strategy of catering to people’s ignorance by perpetuating the notion that anything but unflinching support for this country is unpatriotic. So, if they’re trying to get the Stupid vote, which they ordinarily do, then they should go ahead.

Jack I don’t think so. She’s not the first potential first lady to have her own mind. Eleanor Roosevelt was no shrinking violet and neither was Barbara Bush. Nancy Reagan is a tough old bird and I don’t remember anyone calling them names. But I say let them have at it…….you see whee that mudslinging got them in Mississippi!!!!!!

This was just another example of the GOP trying to make the election about things other than the real issues. In the past this strategy has worked, but these tactics will no longer get the job done. 2006 and the special Congressional races have proven this true. Focusing on things like the use of the word bitter and flag pins are tired tactics that no longer work.

If Michelle Obama is fair game, then so is Cindy McCain. She needs to produce her tax returns…

(andover, ma) Absolutely, not. It’s hitting below the belt if you know the history of our country.

I think Obama called it exactly what it is: shameful. Attacking a candidate is one thing but his family should be given some level of respite. Given the GOP’s failure to derail the democratic party by using Obama and Pelosi in recent elections, one would expect that they would have learnt a thing or two. But I guess the party is just like its leader; blustering and clueless!

A spouse of a presidental candidate is fair game. It is being done by both Republicans and Democrats alike. Hillary and now Bill Clinton have been subjected to it over the years. If Michelle Obama wants to make speeches, she should be prepared for a response. Up until now the Obamas’ have been given a free pass. It appears as though they are not able to handle the pressure - better we know now than later.

Hi Jack,

If it were ok for her to say that this was the first time in her adult life that she’s been proud to be an American, absolutely! I don’t care how you spin this one, what she said is and was offensive to us who have been proud to be Americans for all our lives. Sounds like the ghost of Rev Wright in her comments and she should just own them!

Good strategy or not, the Republicans will do anything to smear and destroy anyone who stands in their way. They will keep doing this as long as it works, and the evidence to date is that it will work again this time around.

I can’t believe that Obama’s camp is so indignant about this. Chelsea Clinton is campaigning for her mother and Obama supporters have been extremely harsh on her for something her father did. Obama’s wife is campaigning for him and has made some very disturbing comments about America. If he is elected, she will represent this country as it’s first lady. You are damn right the GOP should be tough on her and so should concerened Democrats. I just think that she and her husband have way too many personal “anti-American” associations for Obama to be an effective president.

Hey Jack
Why did you not think it was a bad idea when Bill Clinton was attacked? OH, I remember, you were leading the charge on that one. Where is your OBAMA 08 pin that you need to wear every day since you are only a mouth piece for him?

You dont have the guts to post this, so I guess this is a waste of my time, sort of like listening to you, that is why I mute the TV when you mug shows up.

Jack,

Why is it ok to attack Chelsea Clinton but not ok to attack Michelle Obama? Is it because Michelle is BLACK? You tell me Jack.
If the Clinton Family is available for attack so are the Obama’s

The GOP would be laughable if it weren’t for those who fall trap to their trash tactics… What’s next Repubs? That their girls stayed up past their bedtime?? Why don’t you run on your own positive merits? Oops! Duh!! You don’t have any!!

Oregon says Barack AND Michelle Obama 08 !!

It is the same issue as the whole none sense issue about the flag pin. GOP could play patriotic music and say they are patriotic, but are they really patriotic? While Michelle’s comment may be unwise, it indeed highlights the vulnerability of GOP political strategies.

It’s pathetic. The attack on Michelle is a death rattle of a dying political party. Republicans don’t have the spine to go after Barack Obama, so they go after his wife. Republicans are such LOSERS.

Republican can say anything! Look at their President making such comments in a foreign land? Michelle already clearified what she meant by that comment . Saqui

Yes, but it should not be.

No!

Michelle Obama is a similtaneously strong, brilliant, articulate, humorous, impassioned, honest straightforward woman.

The fact that she happens to be the Wife of Barack Obama and black, is the only reason the GOP is going after her.

Would the GOP like the Dems, to go after Cindy McCain? Didn’t she steal drugs from her own foundation, to feed her habit, and met her husband (John McCain), through and adulterous affair?

Go after Michelle Obama? Of course it isn’t a good strategy. But the Republican Party is desperate, having nearly scuttled the good ship America under the stewardship of a shamefully ill-equiped crew. The Republican Party is lead by dimwits, and their inability to develop an honorable strategy demonstrates this. I might add that my Republican friends are beyond embarrassed by the party’s condition.

I agree with the Republican Party, Obama does not need to be president of this country, his wife has shown her stupidity in the remarks she made. The whole thing , on the part of the Democratic Party is a farce. I’m sick and tired of seeing this guy, his wife, and his preacher on CNN. Take him off!!!

Jack, I say if the Repubs want to play dirty and go after Michelle, then that opens the door to get down-and-dirty and go after Cindy McCain and her drug addiction and theft of drugs from her own non-profit organization.

Jack,

It isnt the attack on her personally that will be effective, it is the comment she made. That will be played again and again. It will effect some people but not all.
I watch you on CNN Jack, and I realize you are so against Hillary and pro Obama it is really ridiculous. Can you tell me in all sincerity, is CNN allowed this? I used to think the media had to be impartial. Was I wrong?
I have had to quite MSNBC all together because they are just blatantly biased. Now CNN too? Where can we watch where men and WOMEN and all candidates are presented equally?

I am a white Republican in Atlanta, Georgia. If the GOP does not have anything to offer me and the American people rather than trying to miss-stating what was an honest opinion of Michelle Obama. What she felt does not in anyway, in my opinion, means that she never was proud of America.

If English language is not one of my party’s obscurities, I would command them to enlist an English man to interpret the meaning of, “for the first time in my adult life.”

Prior to Mrs. Obama becoming an adult, she was a youngster. And at that, she might have been proud of America. Let’s get serious and stop the politics of personal destruction. For this reason, I see why the American people of all works of life are embracing Obama’s idea of changing Washing and American politics. I am afraid younger Republicans are joining his call.

Jane Emmanuel
Atl.

Jack, I believe it’s not only the wrong strategy, but the wrong message. For far too long, there have been many who have been (and still ARE) proud of America, yet ashamed of the political process. It has increasingly become dirty, nasty, and brings out the worst in many when it should symbolize our liberty. If the Repubs do continue this negative path, they will all but ensure an Obama presidency.

I wish I could say “no, the Republicans are shooting themselves in the foot by going after her,” but the honest truth is the American public gets a large portion of their political knowledge from these clips and sound bytes. So, yes, I’m sure these ridiculous attacks will end up benefiting the Republicans at least somewhat. The question I pose is: “How much responsibility do you (and other TV news programs) take for giving so much airtime to these frivolous clips and sound bytes (i.e., Jeremiah Wright, Barack ‘Hussein’ Obama, etc.)?”

well it was fair for the obama camp to go after bill and chelsea so why not. just wait till the ads on her college thesis break–that ought to seal the deal for mccain. but at least you idiots (excluding lou dobbs) at cnn will get a few more months to continue drolling over obama. how you can call yourselves a news station after the completely biased coverage of this primary is beyond me. i have lost all respect for cnn (again with the exception of lou dobbs)

Jack:

Is it at all surprising that this is coming from a state where they train their children to hang nooses from their pickups and go to Jenna, Miss. in support of racism? Elvis must be embarassed.. Nathan Bedford Forest, however, would be proud.

Thats true! Cindy mccain is a drug adict!

It’s a great stratergy Jack because it means the Republicans are digging a deeper hole that they can’t get out of.
Can I be the one to fill it in.

Jack I just love your comments. Keep up the good work. I think the GOP going after Michelle Obama shows how worried they are for the fall elections. To attack the senator’s wife is as low as they could get.

May 16th, 2008 4:12 pm ET
corrections added.

It is so sad to see racism rearing its ugly head in such a blatant way in areas where people are ignorant and undereducated. Obama is winning with educated people. To attack his wife is desperate. Mrs Obama is an elegant educated woman. We should be so lucky to have her as first lady. This election is going to show America’s true colors, so to speak. Pretty shameful and an issue that just might unite us and wake us up. This issue of ignorant mean hateful racism is about to be discussed. It is about time.

White women in Mill Valley, ca

You can’t say anything positive about your own party, you tried saying negative things about Obama in House races and lost ’secure’ seats, so you move on to say negative things about Obama’s wife? When that doesn’t work will they move on to kids and pets?

Why does any candidate have to “go after” anyone? The American voters are sick of this finger pointing method of running a campaign. I would like to see a candidate who will simply focus on what they plan to do for the country if they are elected. There are too many serious issues to waste time focusing on superficial ambush tactics. We had a candidate like that but sadly John Edwards was driven out of the campaign by a lack of media attention. When is this country going to get back on track?

let the GOP go after Michelle Obama. let them go after (the so called) pastor Wright. let them go after… jimmy carter?? heck, let them go after ME for all i care. it’s clear that they have no real material to use against Barack Obama himself.

Sure it does! It significantly reduces the number, and by extension, quality of the opponents that they’ll have to face for the Presidential race. Who would want to subject their family to the type of smear campaign that Hillary went through and that Michelle Obama is very likely to go through if Barak Obama becomes president?

It’s a very effective strategy even if it is also very sleazy, but our politicians have proven many times over that sleaze usually wins the day in American politics.

Cowards. They are not men, they went after his wife. lol

Of course it is not a good strategy. In the heat of the moment, Ms. Obama got carried away and forgot to “walk on eggshells,” as we so often do these days in politics…or in general for that matter. Our focus should be on the candidate that we feel is either qualified or not qualified for the task at hand. And a monumental task that it is. An attack on Ms. Obama weakens our position and serves absolutely no purpose on this campaign. After all, we are not choosing a first lady, but rather a President.

Poor Republicans, What’s next. Trying to go after Michelle Obama. John McClain in not patriotic. Anyone who help shift thousands of jobs from American workers to the EU (Tanker Deal) is not a patriotic American. Is that patriotism or not???

With everything in love, war, and politics, all is fair game. We as human beings, have being programmed by the media, to demand such little dark secrets, regardless where they may lie. Leberals do it to Conservatives and vise versa. Do not be fooled by the hypercritical righteous-isms that are spent following a discovery. We are all in the same boat. We all have little dark secrets. Those of us who say otherwise, are in denial. Sure there will be those who say “she is being picked on because of race, gender, or anything that will draw attention away from the discovered truths, I do believe they call that the “Potomac two step.”

NP
Arkansas

I would imagine it couldn’t hurt, since Americans seems to have an endless appetite for down-in-the-gutter, dirty politics. As much as politicians and polls indicate that we’re tired of the “politics of personal destruction” that fact is that these things work in a political campaign. The dirtier the attack the more we seem to like it. I for one go by an old rule…once you start attacking other people, it tells me you’ve run out of good things to say about yourself.

Swift boating a spouse — where have we sunk to? We are in 2 wars…

I guess it is if it’s ok to go after the pill popping addict who steals to support her habit…Cindy McCain?

The world is suffurring from an illness no one has diagnosed; because they’re too stupid and stuck on books they read and write. The illness is called evil; spelled backwards it’s LIVE, and lived is DEVIL. The U.S. is acting as if racism recently simply vanished. It’s acting as if beguilement vanished; as if we can now trust politicians.

probally not a good idea for the rebublicans to try to belittle michele obama unless they want to bring up mrs mccains relation to charles keating and her stealing drugs from her organization. turnabout is fair play i think.

If the rushpublicans attack Michelle Obama then Cindi McCain will be in the firing line. How will her drug addiction, “alledged” family Mafia ties, and having an affair with a married man - McBush, play out. Not well, I would think.
Wonder what Johnnie Mc Temper will do if that happens

Remember there people that are just waiting to “Rove” and Swift boat McSame.

WW Thurber
Phoenix

Jack, I live in Tenn. I am so ashamed my face is red. I got the e-mail with link to said message . I sent a e-mail straight back. . I told them that this the nasty tacky partisan politics we are all sick of.
I would like to say I am sorry to Mrs. Obama. This is a good reason we need change ASAP
Everyone I would like to say I am sorry for that nasty tacky ad. I am 100% for and voting for Sen.Obama.
Tenn GOP Shame on You!

This is what the republicans have become: a party dereft of ideas. Instead of presenting Americans with reasons why we should vote for a republican they resort to slanderous, misrepresentations of others’ character. And on top of that the wife of a candidate, not the candidate himself.

Jack, we have had enough. The general election season has just started and already the republicans have compared Obama to a nazi appeaser (when Bush’s administration has already held diplomacy talks with Iran, seems they really think Obama is correct), shooting at him at an NRA meeting (Huckabee pulling back the curtain revealing the real violence of thought of his party), faslely representing Obama’s thoughts as his pastor’s (lying and slandering is not Christian, giving benefit of the doubt, forgiving while maintaining your principles is), and racheting up fear politics (the only joker card they have left).

In complete seriousness: Senator Barack Obama represents leadership that only America can produce, strength of character, inspirational and inspiring, solid principles, and acknowledge of freedom of choice and voice. Senator Obama will keep us safe, will ask us to work to succeed in the big problems, and will unite us - even those that play fearful games.

No, it is not a good idea for the Republican’s to go after Michelle Obama. However, it is typical of the way they operate. It’s disgraceful and pathetic. All it does is give Democrats more clout. The hole the Republicans have dug during this administration is very deep and I pray that our country can get out of it gracefully…and soon…and with a Democrat in office in 2008.

Michelle Obama’s ‘adult life’ comment struck me as no more than a simple, rhetorical device. Even so, I have no doubt this GOP smear will sit well in the bellies of most Republicans. After all, a great many of them still believe Barack to be a Muslim. So, yeah, it is a good strategy considering the target audience, who are apparently willing to believe just about anything. Attacking on two fronts at once, the two Obamas, will probably benefit them.

Every American should go after every anti-American, of which Michelle Obama is one. Orlando, Fl

I believe the tactic will not be helpfull this time. I remember four years ago the republicain did the same with Mrs Heinz…What a cheap shot again.. The republicain party is again full of BS…

These sorts of tactics are absolutely tasteless. Its what Americans have come to expect form Republicans. Launching direct attacks against Michelle Obama even though she isn’t a politician is the kind of tactic Republicans use to avoid arguing the real issues, arguments they lose consistently. Its the reason they’ve been getting shellacked in elections since ‘06.

They wont, Michelle Obama is one tough woman. Maybe tougher than Barrack..i wouldnt want to mess with her. Keep up the good work Jack..i love you dude..

I feel that this is absurd and offensive. A low blow like this just proves that the GOP is weak and losing its grip on the american public. The GOP knows that if they focus on the issues they will definetly lose the election, so they have to resort to these types of low-rent attacks. These fear tactics are pathetic, and will not work. I hope the American people will be able to see through the smut that the republicans throw in the face of honest, sincere candidates.

As if the Republican party couldn’t do any more damage to it’s own why in the world would they now shoot themselves in the foot too by attacking Michelle Obama? This makes the GOP seem desperate, petty and very much like Democrats.

If thats the best the republicans can do ….have at it!! who’s next?…..the kids? Give it up Mcain you are way out of touch with what really needs to be done with America!!

Dawn
Canada

It is so stupit to attack Michelle Obama….first, only idiots couldn’t understand her message, second…she is not running for President? the repubblican are too afraid to lose this election, I am surprised that don’t attack the little girls of Obama!

Jack what do you espect? The Republican party is so desperate to get an edge on the Democrats that they will use anything. I am an African American and I can relate to Michelle Obama’s comment. They are drowning and using her comments is like their last straw.. Afterall Jeremiah Wright is all played out.

Hi Jack, Love your time on the air.

If the GOP are already in swiftboat attack mode on Michelle Obama they must be mighty scared. I wonder where Cindy and John McCains straigt talk objections to his party’s attack of his opponents wife are? I’ll bet if the Dems were attacking Cindy McCain John and the GOP would be in full outrage mode.

Maybe we should rename the GOP the Mudsucking Slime Party.

Lisa Mason

No, it’s not a good idea. The GOP should run on success in the War in Ir—,er…no, the GOP should run on the health of the econo—,er….no, the GOP should run on the strength of the housing mark—, er….no, the GOP should run on what they’ve done to reduce global warm—, er…ummm….yeah, they should go after the wife of the Democratic candidate!

I do believe it is a good strategy to go after Michelle Obama……she potentially could be the first lady. Frankly I have a hard time listening to her and she just rubs me the wrong way. Sometimes I wonder with her attitude who is really running for President I have heard her talk right over B.Obama…..this is all a real mess.

Sandra in Cedar Hill, Texas

This is exactly why the republicans are going DOWN one by one
three seats lost already because of their *DIRTY* politics play book
Americans are sick and tired of it!!!!
their tactics are what is taking them down…. nasty dirty politics
Michelle Obama does not deserve thosse tactics and they will pay big time in the fall
the Bush MCSame era is*over*

One more note, have they forgotten that Ciny McCain was involved in stealing drugs for her percocet addiction habit? Among other issues. Hmmm…wrong choice of attack, in my opinion.

Hi Jack it’s simple. When they have nothing to offer. They tear down someone that does. I used to vote Republican but this group has made me a shamed of being American. I actually think about selling everything I have & moving to another country. I voted for the liar Bush the first time. Nothing he promised was done. I pray for his term to end. Allen Minnesota

It’s not even worthy of being called a strategy. They need to apologise for their sick effort to damage the Obama campaign. Ugly, ugly, ugly political garbage is what it amounts to!

Why go after here? I’ve been ashmaed of America before. Hello! Slavery! Jim Crow Laws! Katrina! Gay Marriage in California! Steriods in Baseball! The list goes on and on. I also love America. We’ve many great things in this country, and abroad. If people have never been embarrassed about this country then look our history.

Lucieann, Port St. Lucie, FL: I really do think this sort of attack on the wife of a presidential candidate, who may be the First Lady~is out of line~!! If I was to lower myself to the level of the Tennessee GOP, I would have to think that Cindy McCain and her theft of drugs from her charitable organization, to feed her drug addiction would be fair game as well. But knowing that these attacks on family of candidates is not only despicable, but out of line…..I would not push that issue farther~

Of course it is!
Every time the GOP exposes itself as the unscrupulous, vicious bone-heads that they are, the better is the chance that their power will diminish.

Wesley Chapel, FL

Going after the wife of an opponent is a sign you don’t know how to go after the candidate themselves. That’s not a position of strength, but an admission of weakness.

If might be fair for the Republicans to go after Michele Obama if the Democrats can go after Cindy McCain and her “fortune” - she has refused to disclose her tax returns and I wonder what she is hiding.

If she would keep her anti-America comments to herself, she wouldn’t be a target in the first place.

I don’t know if it’s a good “strategy”, but I feel that it’s low class. Michelle is not running for President. This is the same type of “strategy” that made me leave the republican party. As many off the wall topics Bush has made from him not being inform and not knowing that gas prices were going to be raised, to the statement made yesterday in Isreal, they want to hang on another “snippet” of what Michelle said. She’s not running for president….

Jack,

I watched the video. The TN GOP BLEEPED OUT the word “REALLY” before the word “proud”. This changes the context of the comment. An example is “I have a REALLY large boat - I have a boat. I am REALLY sleepy. I am sleepy. I am proud. I am REALLY proud. Not only is this gutter politics, it’s stupid. The video was of such poor quality I thought an elememtary child had made it. No offense elementary school children.

Sabreen
Maryland

Hello Jack. Seems to me that they are “CLUTCHING AT STRAWS”
Lou in Cary NC

Funny how we are suddenly questioning whether it is appropriate to ‘go after’ a presidential candidates spouse. As if Michelle Obama should be given an immunity that was not granted to a certain Democratic Presidential Nominee’s spouse in the 1900s. Arguably, Michelle is as outspoken and influential in her husband’s presidential bid as Hillary Rodham Clinton. Why should she be exempt from the scrutiny of the public, or her words not seen as a valuable litmus to the values of a man who may be our country’s President?

she has the ear of the man who wants to be president. you bet she should be a target along with everyone else that has Obama’s ear.

I’m a 55 year old moderate, politically independent, having voted for both Republican and Democratic presidential candidates. The actions of the Republican party over the last 8 years have been so underhanded, manipulative and loathsome that I approached this presidential race knowing I would vote for the Democratic candidate this year no matter who it was. I don’t believe I’m unique in my feelings. So go ahead Republicans, try to smear Michelle Obama. I had the privilege of hearing her speak several months ago. She’s an intelligent, warm, gracious and, yes, patriotic, individual. Be warned, Republicans. The American public is wise to your manipulations and sick of your tactics. Barack and Michelle Obama’s straightforward classiness will only serve to underscore how twisted you are.

This is typical Republican sleaze, which has become their brand. Todays public is wiser and the great majority of Americans deplore this type of conduct. When we vote for president, you will see the folly of the Republicans failing to debate on the merits of the issues by going negative.

Jack, the GOP is probably going to do whatever, whenever to slow the momentum of Sen. Obama in the general election, up to and including a Clintonesque kitchen sink strategy with all the trimmings. The Dems have one great asset though, it was the GOP that gave us eight years of “Doofus.”

Is there still a WHEEL left on the “STRAIGHT TALK” EXPRESS ??

More “guilt by association” politics? Even if Michelle Obama said something that was truly upsetting, which I haven’t seen her do yet, do any of us always agree without our spouse?

Now that race is a prominent issue, let’s just face the facts. The U.S. Mrs. Obama grew up in is not the same one that most white Americans grew up in. I am the same age as Mrs. Obama. I too, when I went to college, had my dorm mate move out because I was black. Shame on those in that ad who LIVED segregation who have ALWAYS been PROUD of this country.

I agree more with republican policies, but going after the family of a candidate is so low. Obama is fair play, but not his wife or kids. That goes to show how strong Obama is.

The GOP does not have time to go after Michelle Obama. They should be spending all their time freshening up the stinch failure reeking from the party. They must have all majored in how NOT to run a company or campaign effectively!

This is politics. When running for the President, one plays bean ball at 105mph, not kindergarten patty-cake. The wives are fair game. Michelle Obama has demonstrated, both in her choice of pastor with Barack and in her writings at Princeton, that she seems to be the more racist, anti-white bigot as compared to Barack. She seems to be more of a Marxist that he is, too.

It’s unlikely that Cindy McCain has always worn white gloves, but time will tell…and tell it will.

As long as Michelle Obama is stumping for her husband, she is fair game. Also, no one has spared Chelsea or Bill Clinton so why shouldn’t the same rules apply? All is fair in love and war and
presidential campaigns….thanks to the media.

It doesn’t really matter if the Republicans go after Michelle Obama. Senator Obama already has enough association problems by having friendly relationships with an unrepentant terrorist who regrets not doing more against the US government, and Obama’s relationship with a racist pastor who said “GD America”

Michelle’s comments pale in comparison to Bill Ayers and Jeremiah Wright.

Jack,
How Republican to attack a candidates wife. Can you imagine the uproar if the Democrats attacked Cindy McCain? No wonder our country is so polarized. If Sen McCain was any kind of a gentleman he would insist this ad come down but we know he will just wink and nod like he did about the slimy add about Sen Obama. So much for a clean campaign.

It is unconscionable for the Republicans to attack Michelle Obama. She is not running for President.

How about if the shoe was on the other foot and the Democrats starting razzing Cindy McCain for her relationship with her husband, who was married to another woman in the early stages? How about if they went after Cindy McCain for stealing drugs to sustain her drug addiction? How about Cindy McCain refusing to release her income tax returns?

There’s lots more to go after Cindy McCain about than there is Michelle Obama. But, you don’t see the Democrats doing it.

One has to wonder why is Cindy McCain not being attacked just as Michelle Obama is being attacked? Is it because the Democrats have more class and finesse, or is it because Cindy McCain is blonde and Michelle Obama is not?

Yes, I think it’s a wonderful idea. We all know that no other party is more Patriotic, than the GOP… disregard their leading members like McCain and Bush not supporting the new G.I. Bill, the unwise decision to go to war with the WRONG COUNTRY (instead of finding Bin Laden in Afganistan), and please don’t count the failing Economy under Republican rule. We should really follow the GOP’s example of how to be truly Patriotic… *coughs idiots*

Given they have approval ratings below used car salesmen, why not–there’s not much left to loose. My view of the Republican party is that I’d be proud of this once great country all the time, if it weren’t for these slime balls. At least the malignant piece of trash that the GOP has become. And why? Instead of pursuing the honorable policies and tactics of Goldwater, they have become the slash and burn p