The Extent Of My Political Discussion
Posted By Kristabella on July 11, 2008
The other day on a local morning radio show, one of the topics of the day was Barack Obama and his whole family, including his two children, appearing in an interview on Access Hollywood. The debate was whether this was bad to be exposing the children to the media and to interviews and subsequent paparazzi. This was the first-ever interview with the entire family.
Barack has since come out to say that he regretted granting the interview and exposing his kids and the attention it received on all the major news outlets. He wants to shield them as much as he can, since they are young (10 and 7), which is completely understandable. I have absolutely no idea what that kind of media attention is like.
This is a similar debate that went on in the blog world a few months ago, with several popular bloggers being called out for exploiting their children on their websites.
First off, I don’t feel that writing about and/or posting photos of your children or your friends children or your nieces or nephews online (with permission) is exploiting them at all. A lot of bloggers start their blogs when they are pregnant as a way to not only keep track of their pregnancy for friends and family, but also as an online scrapbook that all these kids of bloggers are going to grow up and cherish. I know if I’m ever pregnant, I will do the same thing. I’m a middle child, I think my mom gave up with my baby book when I was a few months old. These Children of Bloggers will have so much more to read about their lives.
On the same page, I don’t feel that Barack and Michelle Obama were exploiting their kids in this media interview. For one, it was Access Hollywood, not an interview on CNN with Wolf Blitzer. Second, the questions were about their family and very tame things.
I am a Barack Obama fan. People can say he doesn’t have the experience or he’s too wet behind the ears, but he has been my choice since the beginning. I am not an overly political person. I should pay more attention. I vote Democratic every time. My beliefs lean to the left. I don’t follow a lot of the issues, which I know makes me a bad American, but I also learned an important lesson in Political Science in college that stuck with me – vote for the party, not the person. Because, even as much as we’d like to think differently, one person does not make a difference in our political system. If you’re a Democrat, you want a Democratic President and a Democratic House and Senate. It’s the best way to get things done. And vice versa for Republicans.
One of the biggest reasons I am a Barack follower is because he represents change. He’s different than any other political figure I have ever seen in my lifetime. He moves and motivates people. My half-sister Kelsey and I had a discussion about the election back in the winter. She turned 18 in May. And she was EXCITED to vote in the election this November. She had been reading a lot about Obama and was EXCITED to vote for him. EXCITED. Now, honestly, how many of us were really all that moved and EXCITED to vote in our first elections? I wasn’t. I did my duty, but I wasn’t overly excited about any of the candidates.
Which leads me to this interview with the Obama family. To me, this might have been one of the smartest things he could have done. Not only is his wife amazing, but his girls are so cute and so normal. He’s a normal family guy. They like to go out to get ice cream as a family, they go to church, they like to spend time together. Totally normal.
I have never been able to really relate to a candidate before. And I know this all seems so silly because it is his political persona that we need to be concerned about, but I feel like Barack Obama is a man of the people. Which means for the first time in a long time, we may have a man leading this country who actually listens and makes decisions for the masses and actually leads the country.
So what do you all think? Was the interview with his children too much and too exploitative? Or just a new insight into a man running for the office of the President and the leader of the free world?
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Not exploitive at all. Unfortunately, when he’s elected, the kids will be under a microscope whether he “allows” it or not.
Oh, your baby book went up to around 3 years old…at least…your sister’s on the other hand, pretty much stopped after she was born.
I agree with Mahnee, once elected they will be in the spotlight. Working them up to it now is a kinder, gentler way to prepare them for what will be their life in the future.
I wish that he wouldn’t apologize so much when people get their panties in a wad though. I want my future leader to be willing to make a decision and just go on with it.
Of course, he is my leader of choice and you know that.
Raven’s last blog post..a life of leisure
The first president I ever voted for was Bill Clinton, and I was EXCITED about that. I was EXCITED to cast my primary vote for his wife, too…
definitely not exploiting them…and he definitely shouldn’t feel bad about it.
ali’s last blog post..please come and sell me chocolate. i will buy a dozen.
Being a political nerd, I was so excited for my first election. I still kind of get a thrill of excitement when I go to the voting booth. It’ll be even more exciting this year with Bush’s name absent from the ballot 🙂
Katie’s last blog post..Keep These in Your Back Pocket
The first election I was able to vote in was Clinton vs. Bush I. I was very excited to vote for the first time, and get that Bush out of there! It was great. The last two elections, however, have sucked.
barbra’s last blog post..DONE!
I read that story, and Obama said that he only caved because the kids wanted to do the interview. It makes his seem like such a typical parent. Every once and a while, you just cave to the kids, and darnit, those kids wanted to be on TV! I think it does a little to satiate the public’s interest in his family, without going too overboard into their personal and their kids’ safety.
That being said, I’m not planning on having kids, so I reserve judgment on people who want to post pictures of their kids on blogs. I’m honestly not certain that I would choose to do it or not.
Noelle’s last blog post..And a 1/2!
I’m with Raven. It’s making me nervous that he apologizes for everything that someone else thinks is stupid or exploitive or wrong. I like that he listens to everyone but I kinda want him to pick a gun and shoot with it. Instead of thinking “Maybe the bow-n-arrow is better. Or the cat-o-ninetails. A bozooka?”. Man, they’re YOUR kids. As long as you’re not abusing them (which Michelle would never let happen), then you shouldn’t have to apologize for it. Sheesh!
thecoconutdiaries’s last blog post..Mississippi Sissy
Whether you’re 7 or 27, if you’re the child of a president, you’ll be exposed to the media in some capacity. A simple family interview doesn’t seem like exploitation. But, to me, exploitation starts with motivation and I don’t believe his motives (or mommybloggers’ motives) were anything but genuine (which is why I think the whole “exploiting your children” discussion is so frustrating—so YOU wouldn’t post pictures/stories, that’s fine, then don’t. But these women are not bad mothers for making a a different choice than you and the fact that you can’t see that makes me think you’re probably very narrow-minded on a lot of different topics).
I like Obama a lot, and I really do feel he can win this. But, I will say, my first election, I was passionate about Al Gore. I thought then that he was a good man and I still do. I stood alone on my conservative campus, but I never sat down.
She Likes Purple’s last blog post..What You Should Know About Me…
The first year I got to vote was 2000. I remember having a test to get up early for the next morning (I was a Sophomore in college), so I went to bed, only to be woken up by my redneck upstairs neighbors who were shooting off fireworks at 3am in celebration of Bush’s “victory.”
Between that and the “hanging chad” debacle, I was less than excited to vote in 2004. Also, knowing that my state permanently swings Republican doesn’t help matters.
But this year? I’m going to punch that button/pull that lever with EMPHASIS.
The Muse’s last blog post..Snort.
I have to agree with all your other readers. I’m excited to vote this year…now if my candidate could just WIN!
Melissa’s last blog post..Buh Bye, Dr. Hottie….
I like Obama and I don’t envy his position having to walk the tightrope to not offend ANYONE. Seriously, when Jesse Jackson is calling for your nuts and he’s supposed to be on your side, the guy must feel damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t.
Dingo’s last blog post..Better than Court TV
I didn’t see the interview, but I too am a Obama fan.
Although I have to say…I vote for the person, not that party. I’m democrat and usually vote that way, but sometimes you get the crazy dem’s and we don’t want any more crazies in our government.
Kristie’s last blog post..I come up with most random stuff sometimes.
Amen sister friend! But I was not happy about his most recent comments about Iraq.
jodifur’s last blog post..It Must Be Said
As long as he doesn’t continually shove them into the spotlight and expose them to all the media pressure, it’s fine by me. I don’t mind seeing and listening to the people who may or may not be the First Family.
Liz J in Central Illinois’s last blog post..24 Years Ago . . . (pt. 2)
I thought itw as adorable! If possible, it totally made me love them more. I can’t wait to see him and his adorable family (with their new puppy!) in the White House.
Someone we can believe in again? We needz it.
Ex’s last blog post..Now Here’s The Door.
I don’t fault him at all for the interview – it happens. Do I like the media outlet that did the interview, no, but they can be easily controlled so I’m sure they got their “Dos and Don’ts” in line. But still.
Do I feel it’s exploitive? Quite frankly, no. How many candidates for ANY political office take their kids on the road and put them in the spotlight – most, by my recollection. It’s a whole “I’m just like you” mentality to identify with voters. I get that.
Plus, as a recovering publicist, I can see the reasons why he did the interview and does that change who I vote for – nope. I think he’s a fabulous candidate and I am totally Team Obama (much to the shock and chagrin of my Republican family).
Don’t shoot me for the last part 😉
Lys’s last blog post..Calling All Shoe Detectives…
I’m with Raven, I wish Obama wouldn’t apologize over every little thing. Do what you’re going to do and own it.
That said, I would not have allowed the children be interviewed if they were mine. If he’s elected, the next four (or eight) years are going to be rough enough for the family as it is.
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Ha! Mahnee called your ass out! 😉
I didn’t see the interview, but I’m so glad that he’s running. And I admire his wife, but I’m afraid she’s going to get raked over the coals.
Ree’s last blog post..Haiku Friday – To Do List
I saw the interview, and agree it was pretty tame. I mean, his daughter talked about how he didn’t like bubblegum- it was fine. Unlike a lot of people, I appreciated that he came out and said that he and Michelle made what they thought was a mistake and wouldn’t have the girls interviewed again. I like it because it shows that he’s not afraid to come out and say that he screwed up. He could have said nothing and none of us would have known he regretted it at all, you know?
brandy’s last blog post..George Stroumboulopoulos & I now have one thing to talk about
I thought the interview was great. I think he needs to realize that the spotlight is a package deal with the position he is try to obtain and everything that leads up to it.
I don’t think it was exploitation at all. It’s not like he’s been parading them around all along the campaign trail. Besides, they are still and all his children, whether or not he is elected president, and they should play a part in whatever role he takes on.
Besides, I think he’s a fantastic father and husband, and has the potential to be one heck of a leader of this nation. Guess we’ll see if enough of the rest of the country feel the same.
Evil Genius’s last blog post..Update
I only saw a clip of the interview and thought they came across as a nice family.
I think it must have been a slow news day for everyone to get so up in arms about it 🙂
Angella’s last blog post..Up And Down And All Around
I don’t think it was exploitative at all. I think he’s done a great job of keeping them out of the limelight throughout primary season. It’s going to be much more difficult when he’s president, so they are going to have to get used to a certain amount of media attention, I suppose. The interview was completely harmless.
KP’s last blog post..Five Fact Sunday
I’m completely with you. The interview was short, cute and showed what a loving father Barack is! Now, if the Obamas were trotting the kids out to be interviewed at any opportunity or to distract from serious policy discussion, it might bother me. But that clearly wasn’t the case here! Those girls are precious!
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I agree with you. Although, I like McCain too. I will have to hear them talk about what they want to do more and maybe then I’ll make a decision. I really hope that this whole gas thing will change. I don’t know if that is within the president’s realm of things he can do, but I’m hoping. And as far as the interview goes, I don’t think he did anything wrong. But that’s just me.
Sheri’s last blog post..Down on the Farm
i was excited to vote for Dole way back when.
Scarlet’s last blog post..Hot Freaks
I don’t think it was too exploitive. I think we need to see him on the human-being level, not just as this political icon. I’m sick and tired of people bitching about every single thing the candidates do. It makes a mess of the real issues, ya know?
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