Comments on: CNN: “First Mom” a Demotion?

By: wendy maddy

wendy maddy — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 04:32:20 +0000

Like all political wives, Michelle is playing the part they have decided she has to play in order to appeal to the voters. She worked full-time before attaining the White House, and her children were very small toddlers then. Then there is the role model for African American women and men, where the man is the provider and the woman gets to be a supported, stay at home mother. After they are out of office, you will then see who she really is, when she is on her own time and less in the public eye.

By: Lauralei

Lauralei — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:07:54 +0000

I am a feminist, but not a ‘far right’ feminist. I personally feel that after one’s relationship with God, your relationship with your husband is first. That is why marriage comes before the children. It is the marriage that forms the foundation for the family, not the opposite. I always wonder how POTUS feels about Mrs. O. putting the kids ahead of him. Okay, I am ready for the brickbats now.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 06:18:05 +0000

Shouldn’t you issue an apology??? CNN didn’t demote Ms. Obama. She claims her primary role is as “mom-in-chief.”

By: Robert Conroy

Robert Conroy — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:35:24 +0000

Michelle Obama hasn’t even gotten into the White House and already she’s judged against Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton. Give her A break. She is her OWN woman with her OWN agenda. Stop trying to make her into YOUR image on how and what she should do and be.She is not Laura Bush nor is she Hillary Clinton she is A strong black woman raising her two daughters and she doesn’t need your help. She knows what to do, she’s had 200 years of training,

I don’t know if she has A role model or who it might be. In my opinion, she IS A role model and will remain one for some time. Stop trying to run her life and leave her alone.

By: Tricia

Tricia — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 21:28:19 +0000

I totally agree with Michelle Obama.She has young kids and they would not be growing up normal life there every move will be scrutinized and at times critized so instead of them coming home and being greeted by a nanny their mom will be right there.

She does’nt have to try to justify to any boss how important a child’s spelling bee is than some budget meeting at work.

Good for you Michelle I am very proud of you

By: Jen

Jen — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:03:30 +0000

I can agree that being a stay-at-home mother to one’s children, particularly in the early years, is a choice that many women are free to make. However, it is not an option that Michelle Obama exercised before. So, folks can crow all they want about how she’s making the right choice to stay at home with her family now, do those same folks think she was making the WRONG choice to work outside the home before Barack Obama became president-elect? If you don’t think so, then what’s wrong with asking the question?

I think it’s a legitimate question to ask whether this lifestyle change will feel like a demotion to the First Lady, not that I ever expect her to say so out loud to the US public.

By: Diane

Diane — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 03:59:22 +0000

Oh brother lol. When will some feminists stop hating women?

What was the point of those fifty plus years if you’re going to bash a woman’s personal choice to be a stay at home mother? And it’s not like most women even have this option. Most work two three jobs just to get by. So if you’re worrying worry about the children with no health care, over worked parents. Stop picking on personal choice.

As for the Pres. Obama, “oh why isn’t he first dad!”? What’s the point of this line of argument? He’s the President lol this is his job. He is also a father. If he wanted to be called first dad he would have called himself that.

Im tired of this meme that to be a feminist you have to be like Hillary. Perhaps, shocking as it may seem, Michelle Obama is her own woman. A woman that is not interested in turning her four or eight years as first lady into a stepping stone to President of America.

Again I ask, when will women stop hating each other.

By: Denise M. P.

Denise M. P. — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:29:20 +0000

Never is Mom first, a demotion for any women. Children are and should always be a priority. Women do what they have to do to take care of their children. Michelle and Barrack are two successful individuals, and I’m sure they did what they had to do when they needed to, to get were they are today. Having reached the ultimate altitudes of their lives togather, Michelled now needs nothing more then to make sure her two beautiful daughters whom she loves with every breath in her body, only wants to make sure that her girls are safe, loved completely, that they are well grounded and makes it to the highest altitue in which they will want to travel through their lifes journey. Kudo’s to you Mrs Obama, you are truely a women who knows when you have reached the epitome of success, and when to stand behind your man, after having stood beside him all these years. I pray that God takes you all to the highest level of accomplishments by any first family.

By: Crystal

Crystal — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:50:27 +0000

Let’s face it, women do have to make sacrifices if you want to be a good mother and a career woman.

One mentor told me, what would you rather have on your tombstone, “Beloved Mother” or “One Hard Ass Worker for Company A or B”?

We were put on this earth to be nurturers, yes, many of us have advanced degrees and high level jobs, but like most of us, we also have the task of being the stability of the home.

Believe me, Michelle has the rest of her life to accomplish all of her goals, she has already done so by helping to get her husband elected to the Presidency of the United States of America, and raising two beautiful, well behaved children, along with her impressive career up to this point.

One thing is certain, she is making sure that she raising those girls so that in their adulthood, they won’t throw anything in her face about being a selfish, self centered woman, like one woman who ran for a national office this year.

By: Chenel

Chenel — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:40:21 +0000

I have three small children and I understand both sides of the issue. Michelle is a sophisticated and accomplished lady but she is prioritizing here. If you do a study on the “first children” you would know that is going to be a difficult transition for the kids. They are leaving behind their home and their friends to live in a fishbowl for the new four possibly eight years.

With any undertaking whether it’s POTUS or any other career aspiration, it’s pertinent to have priorities in order and the children should come first. Having said that, I have no doubt that MO will find a way to define the role of First Lady into one that fits best for her family. Gauging from how she balanced her role on the campaign trail, I’m think ultimately it translate into exceeding our expectations as well.

As for CNN, well Campbell Brown has a 10 month old and is expecting her 2nd child, so I don’t think they meant to denigrate anyone.