As President-elect Obama’s inauguration plans are solidified for next Tuesday, Obama decided to pen an open letter to his daughters Sasha and Malia. The letter will be printed in its entirety in Parade magazine this weekend, but the people at OK! have an early copy.
Obama talks about the life lessons he’s learned from his mother and grandmother, why he ran for president, and discusses how much his perspective on life changed when his daughters were born. From the excerpts, it sounds like a really touching, moving letter.
President elect and the most famous daddy in the world—Barack Obama—has written a heartfelt letter to his little girls, explaining why he had to turn their lives upside down and run for the White House.
In the emotional note, to be published in Parade magazine this Sunday, the Pres-to-be lets us in on his private hopes and dreams for Malia and Sasha, hands down some pearls of wisdom from their grandmother, and dishes out a little fatherly advice of his own.
President Obama explains to the girls that when they were born, it showed him that his own dreams of success weren’t the most important thing in the world — and eventually led him to run for President.
“I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours,” he writes in the two-page letter. “And I realized that my own life wouldn’t count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours.
“In the end, girls, that’s why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation.”
Movingly, Obama passes on the lessons that his mother, Anne Dunham, who died in 1995, taught him.
“With the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility,” he says. “That was the lesson your grandmother tried to teach me when I was your age.”
And he ends the letter, signed, ‘Love Dad’, by telling them his take on the real secret to success. “It is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential,” he imparts.
“I am so proud of both of you. I love you more than you can ever know,” he ends.
[From OK! Magazine]
I’m comfortable admitting that I cried while reading this. I’m even comfortable admitting that I cried while reading something from OK! Magazine. Regardless of political affiliation, one thing should be clear to every American: this is a man who absolutely adores his girls, and he was a wreck spending so much time away from them. Even though I bet Malia and Sasha are already proud of their dad, hopefully they’ll understand some day why their father sacrificed so much to become President of the United States. It’s been a rough few years for the Obama family, but it’s probably nothing compared to what’s to come.”
Awww. I wish my parents would have written me a letter like this when I was younger. Regardless of what happens later, they’ll always have this moment to treasure.
And that, my fellow Americans, is why I have faith in this man.
Why write an intimate letter and then post it in a newspaper? He is using those little girls for his own personal gain. How does this guy only have positive press?
ahhh
An “open letter” to his young daughters smacks of PR. He can’t have personal communication with his own kids, it has to be printed in magazines so everyone can see how sensitive he is?
I’m sure George Bush had some lovely, tender interactions with his daughters over the years, it didn’t keep him from completely
fu¢king up in office.
Beefcake pics and published love letters to his daughters. This will, indeed, be a presidency like none before, based entirely on appearances and not experience or ability.
Oh, boo hoo. Why not do it in secret? Anything for more press.
If this was really for his daughters then he would have given it to them, by putting it in a magazine it comes off as self serving, he’s trying so hard to make us believe he is super dad. Dont be fooled, this was a publicity stunt for OUR benefits. “Ahhhh” indeed.
The more it goes tiddly-pom, the more it seems he is like every other politician before him…
This is complete rubbish: if this were for his daughters he would not publish it.
Just more PR rubbish written by his speech writers…
using your kids to win even more sympathy, nice touch!
I think he was also writing it to be a letter to all American children. You don’t know how much of a role model this man is for many. As a Black American, you don’t realize how much of an impact Barack has had. The mention of this man makes kids pull their pants up, stop shooting off at the mouth, and stand a little straighter and prouder. Hell, I wish he was my daddy!
“I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours.”
This line perfectly sums up the incredible privilege that is parenthood. Watching my boys giggle and play, or holding them close while we’re just hanging out, sparks the most intense feelings of love and happiness I could ever experience.
Edit: J-Lin, your post is awesome. Thank you for giving us all some much-needed perspective.
Why not pen it as a ‘Letter to all American children’ based on his experiences as a father? Im sure it would have been much more well recieved that way.
If it is just for his children then he has taken away the meaning.
PR bull. There is nothing intimate about publishing a letter to your children in a newspaper. The guy is pumping up the media hype as much as he can. All that glitters in not gold. Some people call him a role model. The guy is an absolute unknown. Rev. Wright and his associations with the terrorist Bill Ayers is disturbing.
@Codzilla, I agree. I still feel that joy while watching my daughters with their children.
#edit DM- I do agree that an intimate letter should have been kept private.
Oh puh-leez people. You are being maninpulated and man-handled. A letter to his daughters? Published in Parade?
Can you truly take this seriously? Can you not see you are being played?
MEDIA SPIN
MEDIA SPIN
MEDIA SPIN
Don’t all of us send our private letters to Parade magazine for publication?
How insipid. And how lame if you are going all weepy over this drivel.
A private letter to his children is only for his childrens eyes. Not yours or mine. If you or me aree looking at this–it ain’t a letter to his daughters, folks.
Barack doesn’t need a speech writer to pen a meaningful letter to his girls; he is a talented writer all in is own right. I wonder why it is so hard for some of you mean spirited people to give this man credit for anything, particularly after 8 years of shameful lies and deceit, loss of some of our basic civil liberties, and the destruction of our economy — all so that the rich can get richer.
I agree with you J-Lin — this was a letter to all of the children in this country, which includes my nine year old, nonwhite and infinitely precious daughter. Obama is not everything that I had hoped that he would be, but by God, this man is a class act, and I am grateful and proud to have him as our president. I suspect that those of you who sneer at this letter do not have children, and have not given much thought to the dismal future our children will inherit.
And BTW, I doubt very much that George Bush had many lovely, tender interactions with his daughters over the years; I suspect that the tender moments were all with their mother.
daisy: My Mom feels the same way, too. (I’d insert a smiley face, but I’m afraid I’ll end up in mod!)
Dirt Martini: If identifying with Obama’s love for his children makes me lame, then I’ll brandish the label with pride.
PS The Obama girls are adorable, and I sense something extra special about the oldest. It is going to be fun having young children in the white house again.
tigerlille: I agree in full. And you’re right about his daughters: they are absolutely gorgeous.
there are some that will use every excuse to criticize all this man does and will do.
Just take a breath and allow yourself the positive emotions instead of looking for something negative.
This is a man who obviously has a very very strong love of his children. And only people that feel that same love will not challenge what he says.
He’s walking the “damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t” tightrope. His winning the presidency has left an awful lot of resentful people.
I just wish they’d save their criticism for the job he was elected to do and that is President of the United States. How he chooses to co-helm his family, and how much he chooses to reveal to the public about that family life, is his business.
Personally, I think he’s trying to reach out to show he’s a parent too and it’s with the young people in mind that he will govern. A radical idea indeed for any head of state.
8 years of Untouchable Prince George and some of you are ready to lynch this man before his inauguration. Next you’ll be using that horseless carriage and that fancy talking machine like the city folk.
Edit Point to me one president or member of his household who didn’t write some obvious fluff piece for the press.
I have to admit, as much as I love Obama, my eyeballs started to roll on their own accord at the beginning of this write-up. But once I started to read little snippets his letter, I got a little emotional. (I’m a Daddy’s Girl, myself.)
I think it’s remarkable that he’s taking the time and effort to identify himself to the country as a parent first, and a politician second. The willingness to resonate on a basic human level – that’s something I haven’t seen from a position of power in my lifetime. (I’ve seen plenty of “mavericks” and “cowboys”, though.)
Cynics will say what they will – but only time will tell the quality of his demeanor.
We didn’t have an election: we had an American Idol contest with a clear winner.
Obama will always have an Oprah-esque spin going on around him and is getting ready for 4 long yrs of duking it out with Pelosi, Reed, et al. There is a lot of resentment under the table from his fellow democrats and political posturing for a power spot. I swear to God, I think they all hate each other and I predict they will tear the meat off Obama’s lean frame before July 4th.
I don’t think Obama is such a hot writer, either. If he wrote all those books alone, I will eat my hat. It’s a lot of pop spin, I’m afraid.
That being said, I do wish him luck and wisdom as he assumes this heavy, heavy mantle of service. Every President, even those we don’t like, deserves our respect.
Oh, you people slobbering all over this man are such fools.
“You don’t know how much of a role model this man is for many.”
Get a real role model please. Like a doctor or a Iraq veteran. Obama’s just another politician playing you for a useful idiot. Nice little PR stunt.
I can’t wait for you people to finally realize this guy is HUMAN and WILL make mistakes. Keep letting this guy lead you by the nose until you come to your senses.
I am amazed at the level of cynicism that some people have about Obama before he even takes office. He has had the smoothest transition of any President in modern history and he has attempted to bring even those who disagree with him to the table in a meaningful way. I thought the letter was not only addressed to his children but to all of the children in this country but perhaps Parade will describe how the letter came to be published. As a woman who lost her father 12 years ago, I wish that I had a letter from him telling me how much he loved me and what I meant to him. People can say what they want but no one can deny the love that the Obama family seems to have for one another and you can try to reduce it to media spin and a popularity contest but you would be missing the point. I find it incredibly baffling that so many Americans had no response to the disaster that was the Bush administration but they are ready, willing, and able to dismiss and disrespect Obama from day one. For the first time in a long time, I’m optimistic about where we’re going as a nation and I’m so happy to have a family in the White House that appears to be a loving and normal.
“And BTW, I doubt very much that George Bush had many lovely, tender interactions with his daughters over the years; I suspect that the tender moments were all with their mother.”
And why do you say that? The media didn’t slobber all over George W like they did Obama…so of course you feel that way. You don’t know how Jenna & Barbara get along with their father & for you to insinuate anything is out of line & unfair.
I’m sure Obama’s a fine father. But enough with the blathering nonsense already.
“He has had the smoothest transition of any President in modern history”
Uh huh. Perfect specimen of humanity that guy is.
All of our transitions are smooth. Including the one between Clinton and both Bush’s. But, apparently the media wasn’t fawning all over that transition so you didn’t notice that it went smoothly as well.
God, this media is a problem! It’s like everything he does is magical! Grow up & think for yourself!
“oooh, Obama walked a mile! Best mile walked ever!” Puke.
Now that I said the work puke, I do imagine that if Obama pulled off a broccoli incident like HW did, they’d probably marvel at how beautifully Obama vomited…and a lot of you would marvel right along with them like the lovely sheep you are.
There’s a difference between an intimate, personal letter just for his daughters and an OPEN letter to them. Open means it’s meant for more than just them, that it’s a public declaration of his feelings about whatever he’s writing about, in this case, his feelings about how being a parent to daughters he’s proud of shaped his life, both personally and politically. Absolutely nothing wrong with “open letters”.
George Bush has a very sweet relationship with his daughters. They very clearly love him very much and there’s no doubt in my mind that they have shared some very tender moments with their father as well as their mother. His presidential abilities have nothing to do with his parental abilities.
I think both men are great fathers. I think one of them will be remembered as a great president.
The thinly-veiled racism is always so amusing.
@Lisa: Yes, he is a hero to young Black Americans who now know that one day, they COULD be President…just the same as young white children have had the privilege of knowing for all this time. That there is achievement in education and service to one’s community.
He’s the reality that a lot of people, regardless of colour, thought impossible.
And let’s get real: A doctor as a hero for a lot of the youth Obama is trying to reach? In a country with HMOs and no equal access health care who would that doctor be, Lisa? Cliff Huxtable?
On the subject of soldiers, for many of the poor and/or minority groups, the service is the only option they have to secure employment with health care and other benefits – and receive a modicum of respect while doing it. In exchange, they are cannon fodder and let’s not glamourize that.
If the veterans are such heroes, then please explain Walter Reed Medical Centre to me. Explain cutting the veteran’s pension to me. There’s no heroism in being a sucker for a government that doesn’t give a shit about you. There’s no heroism in being sent off to fight for imperialist-driven mandates and dragging the name of country through the mud in the process.
The American soldier (and my Canadian ones too in Afghanistan) deserve better and I feel sorry for them. They’re being misused and there’s nothing heroic about that.
Lisa: Why so bitter? This story is about Obama declaring his love for his children. PR move or not, it’s a sentiment any parent (regardless of his or her political preferences) can relate to, and despite your nasty accusations, does not mean that we’re a bunch of sheep. Lighten up a little bit — it’s not healthy to be so angry all the time.
PARADE Magazine actually asked him to write this for them!!!! His girls already know their Dad’s heart and God willing, will have many years to love and cherish him!
Why is this about racism? I don’t get it. Is any and all criticism of this man about race?
So because all previous presidents have been white, all white children think they could be president? Give me a break.
And all our troops are suckers, right? Yeah, no generalizations there.
All of our transitions are smooth. Including the one between Clinton and both Bush’s.
Actually, the transitions from Bush to Clinton & then Clinton to Bush were NOT smooth. I bet even Fox News will tell you that.
Regardless of political leanings, no one can deny the love that Michelle & Barak have for their daughters
In the bottom picture, his youngest daughter has one leg in front of the other so the pic looks like she only has one leg. Kind of amusing!
@Girl: GAAAAAAAAAH! I can hear the one cylinder firing from here.
Wait! The part at the bottom that says “P.S. I’m not your real father” got cut off.
I see there are a lot of Rush and Shammity listeners deciding to post here. You can hate Obama with all of the fire of the sun but that’s not going to make your pal Dubya look any better I’m afraid.
Lisa, I doubt Barack could do anything to make you happy, but, I admit, I quietly smile at your bitterness. My favorite Republican is an out of office, bitter Republican. Barack should write his next letter to you all.
“Is any and all criticism of this man about race?”
Didn’t you get the memo? Of course it is! It’s the weakest arguement his disciples have though. A black man can be president, but you don’t dare critisize him. That’s not equal rights at all.
Oh, but I forgot, we aren’t sheep, so we aren’t falling all over the magic man.
This man is very dangerous. A lot of you Obama-sheep will too busy licking his shoes and he could easily get away with murder (literal murder). It’s sad so many people don’t have a skeptical bone in their body.
He’s appointed a person who didn’t pay their taxes to be Secretary of the Treasury…but all you people are doing is going “aww, he loves his girls so much better than that last guy”
Keep burying your head. I’m not bitter or angry. This guy does scare me because the media (and the Obamabots/sheep) will let him get away with anything, and in the process go “Ooooh, pretty Obama”
“no one can deny the love that Michelle & Barak have for their daughters”
So what? That has no bearing on him as a politician or POTUS. No one can deny the love my parents had for me, but I wouldn’t vote for either of them for POTUS.
🙄 Lisa~ You clearly are both bitter AND angry
People, I hope you realize that a lot of the cynical stuff on this post is being written by one person using different names.
You! you know who I am talking about, Shut up! The election is over.
“I doubt Barack could do anything to make you happy, but, I admit, I quietly smile at your bitterness.”
Sure he could…pushing back the DTV transition for example and his possible stance on medical marijuana. But people like you just eager to stand in line to give the man BJs sicken me. There’s not a skeptical bone in your body that would question a thing he would do. It’s dangerous.
No, I’m not bitter. I just knew that whoever won, we would’ve gotten a crappy president either way. McCain sucked too. But he didn’t get fawning disciples falling over every word.
“Yes, he is a hero to young Black Americans who now know that one day, they COULD be President”
Yes, before I forget…they now realize they don’t have to look up to gang banging rappers glorifying drugs & rape…so there is that. I’m not quite sure why black kids HAVE to look up to a black man though. We are all human. A good role model is a good role model. Focusing on the color a person’s skin is a waste of time and only serves to separate us further.
The republicans have driven the train off the tracks yet all they can do is slander a man that hasn’t served his first day in office yet.
Get over it. Better yet, why not give the other side 4 years to make the world a better place to live than Cheney and his minion Dubya did?
Taking a private family matter and exposing it to the public does not make the man a good father. All he is doing is playing the publics emotions. It’s no different from “Terrorists are going to kill us!”. It’s an attempt to manipulate the publics emotion for political gain. Pretty common among politicians of all stripes actually.
But run along and be good little Obama sheep swallowing every word he says & marveling every second.
Seth, I’m not using any other names.
I’ll write my own letter of wisdom:
No matter who you are, how hard you try, or what your best intentions are….someone is going to bitch.
I think his note was beautiful – no matter why it was written or whether someone wrote it for him – the sentiments are heartfelt and warm. Something I haven’t seen from our previous government leaders since Kennedy’s Camelot era. Give the man a chance, people! I’m desperate for some fresh air (and perspectives)in Washington.
**Edit – just saw some of the latest comments about the supposed ‘hero worship’ going on because black children have someone to look up to. For the record, I support him and will continue to support him as long as he does the right thing. My children look up to him for the same reasons and with respect. We’re white – or whatever the politically inoffensive term is. Give him a chance, please!
“The republicans have driven the train off the tracks yet all they can do is slander a man that hasn’t served his first day in office yet.”
And all you can do is slobber all over a man praising his every step when he hasn’t served his first day in office yet.
I’m with Lisa. And some of you have way over-politicized the issue. This has nothing to do with Dubya, Clinton, or race.
It’s Cele-bitchy, people. Jeez. Did you get confused and think you were over on the Huffington page? ROFLMAO
A letter to your daughters in Parade magazine is NOT a letter to your daughters.
Get over your pseudo-intellectual selves. Because of you were all that–you wouldn’t be here.
Lisa, you could learn a thing or two from Obama, like not letting bitterness and hate destroy the joy in your life.
While you and McNasty Hannity are busy hating Obama is busy conquering the world.
This letter is to parenting what celebrity weddings are to marriage
I have plenty of joy in my life. I don’t need to slobber over a politician or a talk show host to have joy in my life.
//can’t stand hannity. Sorry to burst your little stereotype there, Seth.
wow lisa…three words come to mind when i read your insane posts…GET A GRIP.
jeeeeeeesh.
its over, sista. time to deal with it like WE had to deal with EIGHT years of those idiots bush & cheney.
time to put your big girl panties on. lets let the man at least get into office before he is ripped to shreds for writting an OPEN LETTER (do you know what that means by the way? it means its not private) for a magazine.
i can think of a hundred things worse than that that bush has done.
Lisa, you need to go back and do some research before you make your ridiculous claims. The racism in your statement about black children looking up to Obama as opposed to gang banging, rape loving, rappers marks you for the ignorant person you apparently aspire to be. Hopefully, all Americans will be inspired by Obama and what his election says about the possibilities in our nation and every child will know that no matter where they come from, anything is possible. And maybe even mean spirited and petty bigots such as yourself will realize that perhaps your view of the world is outdated and backwards.
aleach: Preach it, girl! You’re right on.
awww that was such a sweet letter. I really hope Obama does the things that he says he is.
Makes me wish I was an american… or his daughter…
My first baby is due in 3 months, and I am so thankful that Obama will be the first president he knows.
The first family will be role models for us – I am so impressed with the way the entire family shows love and respect for one another, and values education and public service. I look forward to teaching my son those same core values.
Baho please tell me you didn’t mean what you said about the American military as a personal attack. I am a marines wife and I really want to take what you said objectively but I’m having difficulty. Please clairify.
My husband and my friends are heros. I may not agree with the military but they are the ones fighting to provide the security blanket I sleep under at night. They are braver than any civillian I know. Every service member does deserve best treatment possible. And they also deserve our respect and our thanks. They are doing what they are told to do. Its their job to fight, not an option.
Geez, Louise. It’s a sweet, heartfelt letter. If I had ever seen anything like that from George Bush to *anyone* it would have maybe caused me to remember he’s actually human and not an evil little troll. PR or sincere or both, it wouldn’t have been such a bad idea.
Maybe the detractors here are just angry Bush never did this? I don’t know.
I do know in my line of work I have to have a supersensivity BS detector and all I’m getting off the snippets of this letter is sincerity. I’ll read the whole thing Sunday and see how I feel then.
Meanwhile, if PR is the worst thing this guy does, we’ll still be light years ahead of the last eight years, and hallelujah for that.
You’re “supersensitive” BS detector is on vacation. Meanwhile you’re lapping up the BS coming from this guy because “ooooh, Obama”
I’m not angry that Bush never did something this meaningless. Obama can give whole speeches of meaningless dribble and people lop it up like it’s the best speech ever. He’s an empty suit. This “love my daughters” stuff doesn’t mean a damn thing to the presidency.
Meantime, we still have a Treasury Secretary nominee who didn’t pay their taxes. Yeah, nice work there Obama! I think this “letter to his daughters” thing is something he’s using to take your attention away from the Treasury thing. See how easy it is to divert your attention. Nice little sheep.
“I am so impressed with the way the entire family shows love and respect for one another”
Considering the fact that Bush wasn’t diddling with the interns, I’d say he showed a lot of love & respect for his wife & the daughters. He showed a hell of a lot more respect for them than Bill Clinton ever did to Hillary and Chelsea…but all we ever got was fawning over him too. Fact is, all he ever was was a dirtbag womanizing abusive whore. Hillary and Chelsea both deserved better.
Women, in general, deserve to be treated better than Bill Clinton could ever dream of treating them. I really hope Obama truly respects his wife & daughters the way Bush has…unlike that abusive Clinton. I couldn’t imagine putting any child of mine through the crap he put Chelsea through! He better hope guys treat her better than he treated her and Monica.
Of course it was written for publicity, but why is that a bad thing? I think most of us would have trouble “sharing” our dads with the whole country (or the whole world, even), but Obama’s daughters have been patient and supportive. He has every reason to be proud of them, and a public acknowledgment of his family’s sacrifices is well-deserved.
Lisa is a troll, pure and simple. “She” is using the same nonsense tactics that all of the crazies have been using to discredit Obama.
Calling him “dangerous”, calling any of his supporters “sheep” (that is really really old…get over it), inexplicably using the acronym POTUS when it’s faster to type President (you don’t sound more intelligent when you use acronyms, you just seem lazy)…did she say drinking kool-aid yet? Because that is another biggie among her people.
None of the people posting on this board have said anything close to what Lisa is accusing them of. Everyone has said something to the effect that Obama seems like a good father, their family seems very happy and they all seem to really love each other.
The letter, to all those who don’t seem to get it, was an OPEN letter. I.e. it wasn’t meant just for his children. It was meant to show that he can relate to parents across the country.
I cannot believe that some of you are condemning him before he is even inaugurated. Forget before he has his first day in office. People were condemning him the day after he was elected. For what? The man hasn’t done anything offensive yet. It isn’t his job to make policy yet. He’s batting around ideas. I am, personally, waiting until he actually creates some policies and puts them into effect BEFORE I judge him.
Based on his general demeanor, he seems rather relaxed and like an intellectual. I think the letter was very sweet and spoke to ALL children in this country, not only black children.
Lisa you are clearly not of African American descent. Otherwise you would understand this momentous occasion and understand why Obama (regardless of how good a president he turns out to be) has changed the lives of many African American children, especially boys. African Americans have long felt like second-class citizens in this country, destined to be treated as such and never ever thought to be President. My mother never thought she would see a black man be President. Ever. She was born in 1956. I never thought I’d see a black president. I was born in 1986. It is hard to think that you can become something like President when you are not white. ALL of the damn presidents have been white men. Every single one. Tell me that doesn’t make you think it would be a pipe dream to become President if you aren’t a white man.
Anyway, I hope Obama does well. I’m not licking his boots, I’m not calling him the “Messiah” (which is something Republicans made up, by the way), I don’t drink kool-aid (even though I’m black) and I’m pretty sure I don’t have cloven hooves, so I’m not a sheep.
Obama is your President, whether you like it or not. I hated Bush’s policies but I never, ever put down the man as a man. He seems like a decent guy who got really shitty advice that he followed until the bitter end. Hate on Obama’s policies all you want (when he, you know, actually starts making some) but hating him because he publicly loves his family is bizarre, cruel and downright weird.
I wrote letters to my children on the days they were born and put them in their baby books. When they move away or get married I’ll give them their baby books and a shadow box that I made with photographs, first shoes, locks of hair, clothes, drawings they made, their infant jewelry etc.
I love starting new traditions that my children can do with their own kids one day.
It is PR but so what, it is beautiful and I am glad we had a chance to read it.
Lisa, I think your hood is too tight, it’s cutting off the oxygen to your brain.
This man is the next President of the United States and he has just written a love letter to the world. He may have addressed it to his daughters but in opening his heart and sharing himself, he has in effect set an agenda of hope and goodwill. That’s what I choose to read from this. It may be PR but it’s positive and the intention was good. That’s good enough for me.
I often wish I could have been alive during the 60’s to hear the great orators like Dr King and John F Kennedy speak. In a time of unrest, there was hope and there were leaders who knew how to inspire. I want to be inspired and I support anyone with a message of hope.
@NotBlonde: That was the best comment I’ve ever read on this site. EVER.
-on another note, why are some people excited to “have children in the White House again”? Is this the female equivalent to the male use of the term “we” in reference to their (the male) favorite sports team? What “we” are we talking about? You are not on the team. Kind of like, who cares if there are kids in the White House? Are you planning on making them part of your life?
And please don’t say it brings back memories of Camelot. That family is a tradgedy and I would’t wish that on anyone. Plus, in the end, Camelot was just another manufactured fairy tale.
He’s dreamy.
Any person who expresses love for their children must be a godless commie.
Lisa, my comment to the effect that I suspect that Laura had most of the tender moments with the Bush children is based on a joint interview with George and Laura that I read at some point during GB’s first term of office. They both agreed that Laura did most of the parenting due to George’s demanding career.
Morgs, I said that it will be fun to have young children in the white house again. I never used the word “we” while making that comment. The president’s family always gets a lot of publicity while in office, and I look forward to reading about young children again. And yes, I am a woman, and a maternal one at that. I love children and dedicated my professional career to protecting them.
Morgs, I didn’t say “it brings back memories of Camelot”. If you’re going to chastise someone, get your facts straight. I believe I indicated that Obama’s sentiments were heartfelt and warm – something that hadn’t been seen since the Camelot era.
And btw… that family was NOT a tragedy. They were our presidential family and experienced tragedy in their lives – the likes of which most of us ever will. They were admired and respected. Manufactured or not, they were our nation’s fairy tale at the time.
while it is nice barack did this for his kids, why was such a private thing made public? it just reeks of PR crap, imo. kind of took the shine off what was an otherwise nice and private moment between parent and child.
I’m pretty sure Parade asked Barack to write this letter. I don’t understand why some of you are so slow and don’t get it.
Presidents do use PR. Remember Bush and the Mission Accomplished sign right before Iraqis opened a can of whoop ass out of nowhere?
Hi Cakes: Just doing one’s job or what one is “told to do” doesn’t make one a hero. Going above and beyond the call of duty, as was the case with the 9-11 firefighters, makes one a hero.
I certainly understand your allegiance as a military wife and I do sympathize with what you are saying; my partner was a Canadian Forces sniper for 4 years before a knee injury ended his career. During that time he shot quite a few people in the head. Why? Because he was told to and that’s all he needed to know because that was his job. Did he care or did it bother him? Not especially, because he was a soldier and that’s what he was trained for. There’s nothing exceptional about that and it’s the exceptional that makes a hero, not the rhetoric.
Of course they deserve our respect and I didn’t say they didn’t, nor did I say they didn’t deserve the best treatment possible (hence my mention of Walter Reed and the pension cut). I’m saying they deserve a hell of a lot better from their government, particularly not to put them in harm’s way when there is no reason to.
You’d be surprised how brave civilians can be and I’ll just point out 1776 for the American folks. Secondly, every conscripted and volunteer soldier in both world wars was a civilian. The women who went into the factories to keep the war effort going and do for their men overseas during WW2 were brave civilians. So there you have it.
DLR If you actually read the article it says “open letter” not “private letter”.
“The mention of this man makes kids pull their pants up, stop shooting off at the mouth, and stand a little straighter and prouder.”
Really? Where would those kids be?
@Baholicious:
Colin Powell, Condi Rice.
They should’ve been recongized as Heroes, they where the first Black American’s to EVER hold that post, both brilliant, but they were derided for being Republican’s; as race traitors & uncle toms.
And for the simple fact that Soldiers, Marines, Sailors & Pilots put on that uniform, do what they do makes them heroes, because their aren’t alot of people who can do what they do, you have a valid point on that they deserve better and should be getting it.
@Lisa:
Calm down, it’s an open letter, heart felt and beautifully written; why get bent out of shape for it?
Rice and Powell were derided based on their performance while in office, not beforehand so let’s give Obama the same benefit of the doubt. There was a tremendous deal of pride in the Black community with Colin Powell in particular, until he rolled over.
Regarding: “Soldiers, Marines, Sailors & Pilots put on that uniform, do what they do makes them heroes, because their aren’t alot of people who can do what they do” They aren’t born knowing these things, they are trained for the job as anyone can be.
My original point was that it’s a sad commentary on a nation’s economic and social structure when many people have no career alternative BUT the military.
I respect the soldiers, and I sympathize with them, but I don’t glamourize them. People should do more in fact to advocate for them, not just crow “they’re heroes!” and call it a day.
Baho: thanks for clarifing your point. I happen to respectfully disagree with you. Its all good.
[There was a tremendous deal of pride in the Black community with Colin Powell in particular, until he rolled over. ]
-Agreed. And I think that we all forget to realize that, as president and as the first president who isn’t a white man in the history of our nation, does he really have any privacy? He can’t even use a blackberry or anything like that now that he’s going to be in office, because it can all get leaked.
I think having the letter published was a smart move on his part, similar to actors who sell their baby photos to prevent any kind of crazy pap chase.
The man’s under a telescope and he hasn’t even implemented any policies yet. Geez. I wish y’all had scrutinized this heavily when W was in office, maybe we wouldn’t be in this shithole economy problem with billion dollar bailouts left and right.
If I remember correctly Mr. Powell resigned, so he didn’t just roll over.
And even if didn’t agree with what they did believe in and do, you can still take pride in the fact that those two people acsended to that position on their own merit; and thEY should and should’ve been celebrated for that, just like our President is for his great feat.
Again, it’s a job like Fire Fighter, Police Officer and Teacher; all of those are seen as a noble proffession, each a hero in some way. Well, then why not afford that title to those in the Military?
They make sacrifices too.
And yes I agree with you, they aren’t getting their due and the Government should see to it that they are all given all they deserve for their service.
Thank you for the response.
@Sijo: Yes he did, when he sat in front of the United Nations and lied to the world, on behalf of the US government, by saying Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. He resigned as a result of that lie.
At any rate, people can certainly agree to disagree as Cakes said, and it’s all good right back. I appreciated the discussion.
What is wrong with some of you?!?!? If you bothered to read/look at the Parade magazine cover the letter fully states was penned “for his daughters and the children of America”…actually that’s ON the cover of the mag
Lawd..stop tearing down everything as a PR stunt!
THIS MAN DOES NOTHING EXCEPT FOR PERSONAL GAIN. THERE IS NOTHING INTIMATE ABOUT THIS. YOU WOULD NEVER PUT THIS IN A MAGAZINE. THIS IS STRICKLY PR. YOU PEOPLE ACT AS IF YOU HAVE JUST HEARD OF HIM. ALL HE DOES HAS A MOTIVE.
Lisa is probably posting with different names. She’s obviously just a bitter deadender. Well, she’ll just have to deal.
@Ran: I wasn’t chastising you, I’m commenting on the media’s view of this family. People keep bringing up Camelot all over the country.
But I will stand by my comment that that family is a tradgedy. It started with Joe Kennedy who was willing to sell his family to the devil to get ahead. Did you know he lobotomized his own daughter?
Oh, and I would much prefer hunting with Cheney than getting into a car with that old drunk, “Uncle Ted”.
@tigerlille: Thanks for answering my question, I wasn’t trying to be snide (although after two glasses of wine I’m sure it sounded that way), I really do want to know why people are so curious.
Maybe I’m just over everything that happens in Washington becuase it is such a clusterf*ck. I’m happy he has a great family, but for me personally, I’m not interested in his kids and what their deal is. I’ve got way to much other stuff going on. But seeing as kids are your passion, I understand your interest.
And I don’t agree with Lisa, but how can she be posting under different names when they all say Lisa?
“but how can she be posting under different names when they all say Lisa?”
Isnt’ that funnY? It’s kinda a cop-out when someone can’t come up with a retort or just doesn’t like what is said.
Actually, I like the fact that the site keeps my name in the sign in boxes. Pretty handy.
Got it Morgs – thanks for the response. My point of reference for Camelot was for JFK (whom I worshipped even though he was killed before I was born) and Jacqueline and kids – not the Kennedy clan. I agree with you on the family point though… the Kennedy clan, as a whole, is whacked. I didn’t realize Obama was being touted as the coming of the next Camelot. Now I see where you’re coming from.
@Ran, thanks for listening to my response.
A lot of the media (MSNBC,CNN,Headline etc)brings Camelot into discussion because Obama is young, has a beautiful wife and 2 gorgeous, young daughters. I think its unfair for the media to put that comparison on them. I pray to God that everything turns out differently for the new first family than it did for the JFK Kennedy’s.
As do I morgs. As do I.
morgs/Bodhi: Absolutely agree.
In his so called critical moment of economic crisis, how in the world could he spend time to thinking of writing a letter to publish on a magazine. He’s a smartest spinner. He said many time in his speech that he runs for president because of you, the voters. It’s not about himself. But he writes to his daughter that he runs for the president because of them! I am sure he will publish a love letter to his wife to tell her he runs because of her. then a letter to his mother-in-law, to his neighbor, to his high school friend, to his childhood friend, to his dog, then eventually to his shirt, his pen, his book, his desk… He will spend all his time as president to write letters to any people or object he can think of..
LOL
“Think about the children…”
We’ll see how he does in the next 3 months… when the pressure settles around his shoulders…
Then we’ll see what sort of letter he sends
Some of you are idiots. If you read it says open letter to my daughters and american children….that means everyone. He wants all children to have the same opportunities.
I love how taking an hour to write an open-letter to PARADE while people are losing their businesses is “irresponsible”. Using that logic, sleeping, eating, and spending time with family is “irresponsible”.
So I guess giving $100 billion dollars to someone just so they can spend it on cheap hookers and booze in Thailand and then come back asking for more is the epitome of responsibility.
Every father should do that for their children.