Must Read Mrs. O: The Obamas
Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 8:27 AM "Michelle Obama and the Evolution of a First Lady" [Jodi Kantor, New York Times]
The Obamas [Amazon]
Update #1:
"White House pushes back against Kantor" [Politico]
“This is the author’s take, reflecting her own opinions, on a remarkably strong relationship between the President and First Lady – both of whom share an unwavering commitment to each other, and to improving the lives of Americans,” White House spokesman Eric Schultz said in a statement. “The book, an overdramatization of old news, is about a relationship between two people whom the author has not spoken to in years. The author last interviewed the Obamas in 2009 for a magazine piece, and did not interview them for this book. The emotions, thoughts and private moments described in the book, though often seemingly ascribed to the President and First Lady, reflect little more than the author’s own thoughts. These second-hand accounts are staples of every Administration in modern political history and often exaggerated.”
Update #2: Two reviews of The Obamas worth a read:
"Partners in Love and the Presidency" [New York Times]
"State of the Union" [The New Yorker]
Update #3: Gayle King interviews Mrs. Obama for CBS This Morning:
Reader Comments (70)
I am a long-time lurker and infrequent commenter but I thought this was a blog that celebrated Mrs. O. No amount of spinning will convince me that this is a book worthy of Mrs. O and quite frankly, this site's attention.
If you missed the show this morning, here's the first half of the interview:
http://pragmaticobotsunite.blogspot.com/2012/01/video-first-lady-michelle-obama-talks.html?spref=tw
I believe CBS might have other the half, but I'm not sure. There is more of the interview tomorrow on the show. Today she addressed the book and I think she was very candid about her feelings. She stated what some of us here said, that people have been trying to paint her as the "angry black woman" since the day the President announced. And all that she can do is continue to be her and hopefully people will see the truth and for those that don't, she can't worry about them. I love this lady even more and I didn't think it was possible, but it is. She kept it 100 as always.
@CanuckJoyce please don't go away, your spot may be taken by someone like lifeboat65 and that would simply destroy this atmosphere of this blog. Don't you see that that is the intention. Please reconsider!!!
Mrs. Obama addresses the issues.
http://news.yahoo.com/mrs-obama-her-angry-black-woman-image-150915657.html
Nyon, I am not sure how I proved your point but I hope it was in in a good way. The book demeans and here people are getting off on the far end because some of us say so. I am 'fair-minded' to use someone's word in a posting above and ladywatcher, you, well....
Pass on this book. The author did not interview the Obamas but purports to report their feelings and thoughts. That is the worst kind of phony biography.
The book is full of back handed compliments and one has to wonder about why someone would write this.Saw the interview with Gayle. Mrs. Obama was nothing but gracious and a lady. I have seen a bit in my lifetime and this is treachery at its peak. Everyone knows that what goes around comes around. I hope the author is ready. Oh and by the way the Firdt Lady is anything but an"angry black woman."
I believe that it would have been best if there had been no comment at all from the White House or its staff. To give interviews, especially on television, is just giving the book and its author undeserved publicity. Silence ignores. Let's have some more of that. The Obamas are two very strong, intelligent people. I am quite sure that they knew what they signed up for. For the public (us) to get up in arms about this book just makes it "forbidden fruit" and thus, more popular.
As for Kantor's book........pure drivel! It would probably make good lawn fertilizer, though.
I agree with Mrs. Obama that it is entirely presumptuous of this author to speak about Mrs. Obama's inner thoughts. It's silly really. I know cynics out there will say that you can't trust an autobiography because the writer is going to portray themselves in the best light. But I have always preferred it to the biography precisely because they are telling you what their thoughts were. If you choose not to believe them, that is your choice, but I think more often than not, people are sincere when they write their own stories. So, I will wait to read Mr. & Mrs. Obamas own memoires once they leave the White House. Until then, actions speak louder than words. One has only to watch them to know that they have a strong and playful marriage, that they are stellar parents, that they make choices based on what is best for their family and for the girls. I think the majority of Jodi Kantor's book is hearsay and in my opinion, not credible.
This blog is really serving its purpose. We are not only following the fashion sense of Michelle Obama; we are following her style. So far, i think she has handled this situation in a dignified style and manner. We love and support you Mrs. O & OBAMA 2012!
On the fashion front regarding the Gayle interview...I like Mrs O's outfit, esp the color, but I'm not feeling the hair and I so wish that Mrs. O would have more natural looking brows that weren't so harsh and "sharpie" looking. I am trying to "tame" my own brows now (lol) and I know it can be tough but she is the First Lady and has every make-up tool/product and artist at her disposal to get it right.
Now to the book and Mrs. O's interview:
Someone mentioned Laura Bush was never treated this way and wasn't "fair game" to political opponents. That's because she never seemed to be an independent thinker who had a mind of her own and wasn't an intellectual threat to anybody. Mrs. O is a threat to many, mostly because she is a strong, intelligent, black woman who doesn't act like a puppet in her Presidential hubby's hand.
It would be easy for us to be naive and say this book is all a bunch of crap and pack full of lies but the fact that Gibbs came out and said what he did in response to the book shows u that the author didn't just pull this stuff outta thin air.
I am just shocked that Mrs. O and the White House took the bait and decided to comment on this looking defensive and appearing to be doing 'damage control' when they could have just ignored it thereby making the book little more than a glorified gossip tabloid.
The fact that Mrs. O came out like this (while admitting that she hadn't read the book and has no interest in reading it) just gets the book more attention and gives more credence to the stories within it.
A more experienced political figure a la Hillary Clinton would have never fallen for this and for that I blame not Mrs. O, but her advisors and perhaps Pres. O who should have known better and (wrongly) thought this would squash the story and interest in this book.
This blog was a reprieve for me. Fashion is a light, airy, fanciful, whimsical topic.
We all have weightier issues to confront and wrestle with once we step away from our computers. After all, this is an election year - in the coming months we will mercilessly be inundated with sensationalistic drivel, divisive rhetoric, and more 30 second ads then we can bear. There will be few safe havens that are above the fray. With Mrs. T opting to showcase Kantor’s book, the timing of which indicates that it is highly political, this blog is no longer a reprieve and above the fray.
Mrs.O-org has historically been about Mrs. Obama’s style and fashion choices and how those choices are a reflection of who FLOTUS is at her core, confident, polished, self-assured, and warm. To step beyond this blog’s traditional content to embrace Kantor’s work is problematic. What’s more troublesome, disturbing, and even insulting is to endorse something like this book and not to see why it’s a problem. Mrs. O is quite articulate. She does not need anyone co-opting her voice for profit. Kantor cannot speak for Mrs. O.
I will not be visiting this site for quite some time, possibly never again. I wanted to offer this community and its principal author the courtesy of explaining why. I like to support FLOTUS in word and deed.
Best of everything to you all in 2012.
I debated in my mind as to whether the First Lady might have benefited more by maintaining her silence, or gone ahead as she has done, and taken an opportunity to voice her opinion; after some thought, I'm supportive of the stance that she has taken.
I don't understand why anyone would be "shocked" by her actions, particularly in an election year, when any and everything no matter how innocuous, poisonous, truthful or otherwise, fact-filled or utterly fictional, to do with President Obama, and the First Lady is going to be under the radar for months to come. Ignoring it (the book), would not, therefore, to me, have silenced the detractors, or squashed the story, and interest from those both within and outside of the media many of whom love to feast on gossip, and dine out on negativity, while declining the uplifting, and positive.
It (the book) is already out here, as are the reviews, and a multitude of opinions about what it all might mean. Yesterday, I picked up an English newspaper which made mention of the disagreements referred to in her book, but that also made no mention, whatsoever of the First Lady, and her interview. So, as far as I can see, comment about the book, the New York Times article, etc, is being made, and will continue to be made. Also, the First Lady's opinion of it, certainly doesn't add credence to the book's contents in my eyes.
The book may well contain truths, but the slant that has been pursued in publicising it, plays far too heavily on the negative (no surprise, there); the First Lady would have been well aware that given previous form, those intent on having her portrayed in a certain way, are going to leap on any morsel which appears to play to this, and make hay with it for the longest while. She, her advisors and the President would, I'm sure, be mindful of the potential impact of this, particularly in an election year. I have the highest regard for the First Lady's judgment; she has proven herself, time and again, to be a down-to-earth, savvy, mature, and, sensible individual of the highest calibre.
Who knows what Hilary Clinton or anyone else might have done, in a similar scenario, whether politically experienced or otherwise. With respect, they are not the current First Lady, standing in the current First Lady's shoes, right here, right now, dealing with what the current First Lady is dealing with. To me, thoughts of apportioning blame to anyone, in this moment, make little sense, and are helpful to no one.
I loved the interview and jodi kantor looked ridiculous on Pierce Morgan Tonight last night.
@ chauny, what did Gibbs come out and say?
because it seems that the author did talk to aides but OBVIUOS the info is exaggerated if not false( as I said before Soledad did prove the author wrong).
And exaggerated meaning… that there are instances where sharp exchanges would be made (duh, it’s a work environment) but it is far from the norm or overstatements the author presents
Oh please, stop beating this dead horse! I will respond to this and say no more on the topic. I know there are some who are just salivating at the thought of scandal in the Obama Whitehouse, guess what, you got nothing!!
This story already had legs and was out there which is why the Whitehouse had to give a statement (not interview) through Eric Schultz that is after all his job! David Axelrod (top aide to Obama 2012 campaign) appeared on TV show to talk about the campaign but was ASKED about the book, which is why he responded saying the author basically blew everything out of proportion.
As for the First Lady, her interview with Gayle King was already scheduled even before the book came out. Gayle King decided to ASK FLOTUS about the book. What did you expect FLOTUS to do? Ignore the questions? You think her response to questions SHE WAS ASKED gave attention to this book; just imagine the “fake” outrage had she refused to! I can just imagine the headlines!!
Someone posted earlier something to the effect that she didn’t need writers telling her about the Obama’s relationship when they were right there in her face showing love and respect for each other every day! The First lady said it best, “Who can write about how I feel?” So is some ‘journalist’ going to convince me that my own eyes and ears are lying?
This Jodi KanLIE is a fraud and that’s all there is to it! I could go on about how she stalked John McCain’s 16 -year -old daughter in order to get info about her family in 2008! Or how she implies in her book that the Obama Whitehouse sort of hid Michelle during the healthcare debate, claiming that her contribution was limited to ‘long private chats with her husband. ’ And that FLOTUS’ events were limited with little press coverage. Jodi lied- Michelle was on the stump extensively for the ACA. In fact many networks covered her including Jodi’s own NYT which said at the time(paraphrasing), ‘The First Lady is the Obama Administration’s most visible surrogate for the Affordable Care Act!’ So Jodi even lied about her own boss!!
Another poster said ‘silence is golden!’ Yea, look how well that worked out for the President regarding the birth certificate issue, right?
This is an election year and people need to get educated about this administration and all its laudable accomplishments! Do some research and call the Jodi KanLIEs of this world out when they misinform. Enough is enough! This election is personal and the choices we have could not be clearer. 4 more for 44!!
And yes First lady Michelle looks so adorable in the pale pink dress and shoes(I think she wore them for the G20 dinner in Pennsylvania, loved them then and now:-0 The make-up is flawless. Our Michelle looks so gorgeous even when taking down the haters, ha!! Plus she is almost at 250,000 followers in 1.5 days on Twitter, eat that Jodi KanLIE:-))
I think there is a State Dinner next week? Can't wait to see the fashions of our First Lady. Loved the beautiful outfit she wore with Gayle this week--the shoes looked really glamourous!
Joss, I had to log in just so I could say,
WHAT THE F@#$ YOU SAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Excuse my language ladies ;-)
@ Chauny,
What nonsense are you talking about? "Hillary Clinton would not have fallen for the bait". That's BULL and you should know it if you're such a "Hillary Girl". Wasn't it Hillary who lamented to the press about "the great right-wing conspiracy" when while in the White House she and Bill were relentlessly hammered by the GOP and other right-wing groups and media? So your attempt to try to show how "gracefully" Hillary would have handled this situation has just fallen flat as a lead balloon.
I agree with others who have voiced their disregard for this so called book and it's author who presents herself as a journalist. First of all, one of the tenets of journalism is to presents the facts...facts that are thoroughly and credibly researched, and presented without bias and false opinions. This woman depended greatly on hearsay, innuendo, and a vivid imagination to construct events that never took place. Today, what passes for journalism (both print and broadcast) is a total disgrace, for all these so called journalist are just interested in promoting themselves, and their next job assignment. Notice how many of them are in the business of writing books about former and present public officials? Sadly when you take the time to read the book, it's nothing but dribble, and old news pulled from previously published books or articles. So they go around peddling their manuscripts like hookers peddling their wears on a Satuday night. That's how I see Jodi Kantor, the only difference is that she's a very high-priced one. For those of you who have chosen to forget what true journalism is, I suggest that you go back and read "All the President's Men" and all other material that describe how Woodward and Bernstein went about gathering the facts about Watergate and the ensuing coverup. You will learn how each fact had to be corroborated by 3-4 different sources before Ben Bradlee (editor of The Washington Post) would consider printing it in his newspaper. This was the case even when they were given direct information by "Deep Throat". So no, I don't respect Jodi Kantor as a journalist, instead, she's a gossip columnist, never mind a highly paid one. Neither it seems that her editors subscribe to the same level of journalistic integrity as Mr. Bradlee. It doesn't matter if she sprinkles her flight of fancy with a few platitues about the first lady and tries to peddle it as some insightful account of the relationship between the Obamas. A hachet job is a job, period!
Ever since The Obamas entered the White House and it has been demonstrated on a national and international level the close, loving and abiding relationship these two people have, there have been a concerted effort by those in the MSM to try to assess and pick this relationship apart. It's as if they find this close bond unusual, and particularly coming from a black couple, as if their relationship is so hard to fathom and couldn't possibly exists among people like them...an extremely smart, hardworking couple coming from working class families who achieved the American Dream the old fashion way, through hard work, dedication, and strong family support and values. It's true that in recent years there have been quite a few political couples whose relationships have been proven to be phony and politically expedients. So this is the backdrop that leads to Jodi Kantor, who sets out to try to dissect this relationship by any means necessary, even if it means twisting facts and making assumptions that cannot be corroborated. Garbage in, garbage out. One thing I know, Jodi Kantor, like all of us, is entitled to her opinions, but she's not entitled to her facts. She did a piss-poor job in gathering her facts. Based on what I've read so far, I"m pretty sure my high school as well as college literature and composition professors would have marked that essay with a big fat D minus.
So those of you who find this junk a credible piece of journalism, so be it, have at it. In this country we are free to consume any sort of information we choose. I choose to follow the First Lady's lead and not read this book, it's not worth my time, and as others have suggested, I rather take that $24 and donate to the President's reelection campaign. For any book that promotes itself as being complementary of the First Lady then proceeds to paint her as some uncontrolled virago detrimental to her husband's presidency is not something I want to waste my precious time reading.
I have actually finished the book and given the marginal notes I generated I could write pages (and intend to in another medium). The book does not actually paint a portrait of Mrs. Obama as an angryblackwoman. And there are actually some facts in the book. However, the facts are highly selective in order to fit an interpretive framework that is KANTOR'S' story. Because I have diligently viewed every photo on this website, I was able to visualize many events in the book, and my interpretation of Mrs. Obama's facial expressions (yes, she does that!) and Kantor's interpretation do not match. Furthermore, she takes events to which she did not have access and compares them to similar situations in other administrations and with other first ladies and draws conclusions from presumed adequate comparisons. In order to tell her story, Kantor had to leave out A LOT of activity early on in the White House. Kantor wanted to tell a tightly woven novel-like story and in order to do that she left out a lot that would contradict her interpretive framework and conclusions. The best part is that Mrs. T's website, just by focusing on clothing and style, provides a much broader and more nuanced overview of Mrs. Obama and her work.
THANK YOU MRS. T!!!!!!