A GOP move to prevent Michelle Obama from following in Hillary Clinton’s footsteps
First Lady Michelle Obama cheers local schoolchildren on the South Lawn. Photo credit: New York Times
Politico.com says it’s detected a Republican move against Michelle Obama:
House Republicans are pressing for a change in federal law that could force Michelle Obama and future first ladies to do more of their policy work in public. But Democrats warn President Obama may take the attempt personally “as an attack on his wife.”
The GOP effort is being led by the ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), whose initial salvo was rebuffed recently at a contentious committee markup session. Under Issa’s amendment, any government policy group that Mrs. Obama or another first spouse regularly participates in would be subject to a law requiring meetings to be announced in advance and, in most instances, public.
Sounds like an attempt to prevent Michelle Obama from assuming the role that Hillary Clinton did during the first years of her husband’s White House tenure.
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
339 comments Add your comment
ProudTechFan
March 26th, 2009
2:58 pm
Scooter you are right, it only took her 40+ years to “finally be proud of being an American”. Too bad you have no clue what she had to go through or what the people around her had to go through during her lifetime. It may be a little tough being in a country during her lifetime that faced racial struggle at a very young age and not understand why. It may be tough being the friend of a little girl who happened to be in a church of all places and suddenly that church gets bombed. It maybe tough being proud of a country, where the President had to send federal troops to protect black kids during an integration process in the south. I dont know how Mrs. Obama was directly affected by these events. But I would believe, that to some it took its toll, and takes time to let go. So think about history before you try to demean someone for their emotional progression as a black women in American.
Scooter
March 26th, 2009
2:59 pm
Eston,
Another great liberal retort. I do enjoy the attacks on Rush as a person by those who have no substance to attack his message. Get it, “substance”…as in substance abuse I thought I would throw that one in so you would have more fodder for your continued attacks.
reservoirDAWG
March 26th, 2009
2:59 pm
Barry is Barack
Help
March 26th, 2009
3:02 pm
Scooter you are such a comedian….hahahahahaahah LOL
Bob
March 26th, 2009
3:02 pm
It’s funny how Obama supporters continually bring up the race card… and really get personal when you try to change a policy. I don’t necessarily agree that a change is needed, but I don’t believe anyone is being being “racist” about it. Laura and Sarah are well educated thank you, and based on what I have seen more intelligent. And if Americans want another Obama in the White House after this fiasco we deserve what we get.
tired of fake people
March 26th, 2009
3:02 pm
Scooter, you need to do your history. Your ignorance is glowing in your comment. You tell me, if your people in this country were mistreated for over for 400 years, oppressed, not considered at one time to be fully human,lied to, cheated, not giving any reward for the labor that helped the majority race receive plenty of the wealth that it has would you be proud to be an American. I think not!!! It wasn’t until last year with the election of President Obama where many black people finally developed some love for America. America for many years has not been overly kind to black people. Do your history before you open your mouth!
rational thinker 2
March 26th, 2009
3:02 pm
i echo your sentiments rational thinker. i’m black and some black people do unnecessarily scream racism when its not necessary. then again, some white people scream its not racism when it really is. they generally cancel each other out. there is absolutely no need to get upset over this. its obviously an attempt to needle the new administration (whether its because he’s black or a democrat or not a conservative is irrelevant) what matters is the President won’t lose an ounce of sleep over it and neither should anyone else. i’m also a lawyer. laws designed for a specific person (remember the young lady from florida the repubs tried to save) are doomed. but even if it passed, so what….like someone said, she’s usually surrounded by children or veterans’ families. what should be considered is the message it sends…repub president’s wives don’t need to be monitered bu dem’s wives do….why???
GMan
March 26th, 2009
3:03 pm
This is Darrell Issa…
http://www.politicalusa.com/columnists/schlussel/schlussel_003.htm
GOP – The Bitter Old White Man’s Party… soon to go by the way of the dinosaur!
sharon deline
March 26th, 2009
3:04 pm
get real people and get on with your life. unless the first lady is doing something wrong be thankful that she cares enough to work with our kids and try to protect them.
Andy
March 26th, 2009
3:04 pm
I think Yobama and Mrs. Yobama need to spend as much time as possible on Leno and determining their March Madness Picks… Now thats a good productive use of the Presidents time!
Jeffr
March 26th, 2009
3:04 pm
You’re an embarassment to the GOP, however it explains why you’re no longer the majority party. Get a life, and address the REAL issues. When are you people in California going to stop telling us how to run our lives.
This seems stupid
March 26th, 2009
3:04 pm
Rational thinker I think you’ve got it wrong. I don’t assume that because someone is critical of Obama that the person is a racist. If the criticism includes a disparaging remark about his race, then I might think that person is a racist or at least slightly insensitive to race matters in this country. I also disagree that people think “he did something well, it is BECAUSE he is Black” no one has said that here and in everything that I have read over the past YEAR – I have never heard or read a comment like that.
tired of fake people
March 26th, 2009
3:05 pm
Scott, you just explained why it’s always racism with your stupid colored folks comment. You can know take off your white sheet Scott, you’ve been revealed.
This seems stupid
March 26th, 2009
3:08 pm
@ livininatl – The POTUS has said on MANY occassions that HE identifies as African American. So, when someone calls him African American/Black it is NOT meant to ignore the fact that he is also white. We ALL KNOW that his Mother is white. So grow up a little, ok?
tired of fake people
March 26th, 2009
3:10 pm
Bob, Sarah Palin is intelligent. An intelligent person would say because I can look out my window and see another country that means I have foreign policy experience. Real intelligence. Like D.L. Hughley said, “Just because I can look at my window and see the moon doesn’t make me an astronaut.” As for Laura Bush, she is intelligent. So intelligent, that you can never recall anything that she said because she’s is nothing but a yes sir, woman.
rational thinker
March 26th, 2009
3:10 pm
Hey ProudTechFan that was Condi Rice’s friend that died in the church bombing. It’s funny how noone wants to recognize her accomplishments as a black leader but everyone wants to laud every step Obama takes. I guess noone cares since she is a republican. Rational Thinker 2; thanks for the comments but all I am commenting on in this whole thing is the race card being played. I make no attempt to understand the inner working of eitehr party when it comes to these types of things.
Peggy
March 26th, 2009
3:10 pm
THANK U PRESIDENT BUSH for bringing the races closer together. Mr. Bush, you treated all Americans fairly. You didn’t just make the poor poorer, you made the rich poorer. Your policies bankrupted everyone regardless of race, religion, class, gender, sexual orientation and age. You have taught many who thought they were special cause of their pale skin, that they were no better than their hard working darker neighbors. I watched my white and black neighbors lose their homes due to their jobs going over seas. When gas was $5 a gallon, Republicans did not get a discount at the pump. When food prices went up due to the gas prices, ALL AMERICANS paid the price. Thank U Mr. Bush. Unless you are an oil exec or have a company who has a contract to help rebuild Iraq, no one advanced under your policies.
Mr. Bush, your policies were so bad that American elected a black man with a Muslim name without any previous national political friends or family near or in the White House. Thank U Mr. Bush for making history.
Ricardus
March 26th, 2009
3:11 pm
As an American citizen, I am very worried about Michelle and her agenda. She is as dangerous as her husband to the U S Constitution and our American way of life. In Florida they call it the Government In The Sunshine Law.
As to “right wing nuts”, I am just to the right of Ronald Reagan…very right wing and a Patriotic American.
This seems stupid
March 26th, 2009
3:12 pm
Rational thinker – what is the race card and how is it played?
James
March 26th, 2009
3:13 pm
I don’t like blacks, therefore I don’t like Fred Sanford in the WHITE House.
davidb
March 26th, 2009
3:13 pm
You’re right. The government does have alot more to do than worry about the first lady. Such as filling out ncaa basketball brackets and attending the ncaa tournament… Oh yea, and don’t forget all the talk shows.
Spend that money and I want my check!
GMan
March 26th, 2009
3:13 pm
This is Darrell Issa…
http://crooksandliars.com/silentpatriot/david-shuster-smacks-around-rep-darr
GOP – The Bitter Old White Man’s Party… soon to go by the way of the dinosaur!
rational thinker
March 26th, 2009
3:14 pm
My original post was a reply to “Barry”. Read his and you will see.
reservoirDAWG
March 26th, 2009
3:14 pm
I imagine there are far more pressing issues to be dealt with. It amazez me that we have elected these morons.
crass realist
March 26th, 2009
3:14 pm
Michelle Obama is an angry woman with a chip on her shoulders as large as Mt. Everest…we all KNOW who is running the show behind closed doors, further evidenced by BO’s recent miscues with the teleprompter. She is not stupid and I don’t believe that anybody is being racist by stating his or her opposition to MO’s policy-making, but she makes Hillary Clinton look like a John Bircher…
Scooter
March 26th, 2009
3:16 pm
Lot’s of folks on here are talking about the end of the GOP. I can remember several times the past 30 years the same seemed true for the Dems. Political winds blow, and change. Neither party is going anywhere. Get used to it.
This seems stupid
March 26th, 2009
3:17 pm
@ Rational thinker – Condi Rice IS recognized for her accomplishments. However, she is/was NOT the POTUS. So Obama’s accomplishment is EASILY greater than hers. Whether she was with the GOP or not.
Georgia mom
March 26th, 2009
3:18 pm
You dems had no problem attacking every one in Sarah Palin’s family. First lady is fair game if she’s going to play politics!
ProudTechFan
March 26th, 2009
3:18 pm
Rational thinker, I know it was Condi Rice friend who died in the bombing, my point wasnt to undermine Mrs. Rice accomplishments, but to point out moments in history that can sometimes derail someone view of society. It wasnt about Rep/Dem. It was still about being black in a country when it was the hardest time being black, outside of slavery. People were upset when Mrs. Obama for the first time she was proud of being an American. If people would look at history, there was a reason why she said that, and probably a story behind the statement as well, Im just asking people not to be so closeminded.
Eston
March 26th, 2009
3:19 pm
Crass realist, Did you have a problem with Nancy Reagan using an astrolger when Ron was president????
This seems stupid
March 26th, 2009
3:19 pm
@ Rational thinker – I read Barry’s post. I am asking YOU. You said “race card” and now I want YOU to articulate an explanation of the word and its use. If you can. My bet is, you can’t. So you should stop using the word.
This seems stupid
March 26th, 2009
3:21 pm
@ Georgia Mom – This is HARDLY the same thing. A lot of the comments and treament of Palin’s family was unfair, but what we are talking about here is like apples and oranges.
BMDPD
March 26th, 2009
3:21 pm
All of you people crack me up. The libs always do two things: 1) Bash and blame Bush or 2) Cry racism. For all of you. Obama broke one of his biggest promises right off when he said all Bills will be posted for public view. I am sure that that is Bush’s fault and that I am racist. The fact is that Obama is about to Bankrupt our country. That is Bush’s fault and I am racist. Defense spending on two separate wars created most of the deficit. What is Obama doing? He is continuing those wars and tripling the deficit. How is that Bush’s fault? Where is the logic in that? Yes, he inherited a deficit, but spending your way out is a stupid solution. Let me put it in a way that you simple people can understand…Increasing the limit on your maxed out credit card to spend more money you don’t have leads to bankruptcy. You star-struck, American Obama Idol people need to get your head out of the clouds and realize what he is doing. China and the EU have already started to do so! I guess they are racists too!
The Voice
March 26th, 2009
3:22 pm
Who cares what she does….everytime you see BO’s mouth moving see if you can find her arm and hand up the backside.
Chris Dunn
March 26th, 2009
3:23 pm
Everytime anyone challenges the Democrats on anything they do the media jumps them and you Democratic Sheep fall in line. Are you folks really ready for one party rule? What happens when YOU disagree with the DNC? Will you be ready to deal with the insults?
It’s awful funny that a Democrat can say anything – even insulting handicapped people and it’s okay. If a Republican does it, it’s a major crime. That’s discrimination – period and you Democrats are doing just that. Kinda interesting that the folks who espouse diversity are willing to crush any view that does not fall in lock-step with the Democratic line.
As far as the moron who said that Obama hasn’t broken any promises, you simply are not looking at the facts.
There is a saying that applies to everyone – Power Corrupts and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely. If you cannot see this happening today, you are part of the problem.
GMan
March 26th, 2009
3:25 pm
This is Darrell Issa…
http://www.gophypocrites.com/2008/12/hyp08052.html
GOP – The Bitter Old White Man’s Party… soon to go by the way of the dinosaur!
Anonymous
March 26th, 2009
3:26 pm
Racism is the crutch of the weak-minded.
This seems stupid
March 26th, 2009
3:26 pm
@ Chris Dunn. I guess you don’t watch the Fox News channel or do they not count as media? Your post is typical of the GOP dirty tricks. Throw the rock and then pretend YOU were the one hit by it. Gimme a break. Please.
Whateva
March 26th, 2009
3:26 pm
The GOP will do ANYTHING to deflect attention from their incompetence and complete lack of job performance. Just another example of how far out of touch they are. I-D-I-O-T-S!!!
Wha?
March 26th, 2009
3:26 pm
Black people are more racist than white people!
Chris Dunn
March 26th, 2009
3:27 pm
GMan – Do you have ANYTHING ELSE you can say? Or is that all the DNC authorized you to say?
This seems stupid
March 26th, 2009
3:28 pm
And I think the person said how can a promise be broken in 3 months when you have a 4 year term. You all won’t even give the POTUS a chance. I honestly think there are people in this country (plenty in GA) who would like to America fail because it would be Obama’s failure. And that is just sad. And sick.
ProudTechFan
March 26th, 2009
3:29 pm
You make a good point BMDPD but what if, (and this is only hypothetical of course), but to use your same example, what if i maxed out my credit to buy more lawnmowers for my lawn service. I can get twice as much done and earn more money. I save money on maintenence issues every week buy INVESTING in a new lawnmower. I think the President is doing what all Presidents should have been doing all along, and that seriously investing in the future of the country. The price tag will always be big in the beginning but when you start seeing the rewards in the future, that investment works in your favor. Just my take on it.
BMDPD
March 26th, 2009
3:29 pm
The worst part is…Even if his plan works, it will only be short term. If we as Americans do not change our sense of entitlement and start living within our means, then the next financial downturn may be for good. (If this one isn’t).
Chris Dunn
March 26th, 2009
3:30 pm
TSS – And the Democrats are pure and wholesome – right……….
Thank U all
March 26th, 2009
3:30 pm
I just love reading these AJC comments…It reminds me that racism, still exists along with fools and idiots. Therefore I thank all of you. I have had my daily dose.
rational thinker
March 26th, 2009
3:30 pm
This seems stupid – all i mean by the race card comment is that it seems like anytime there is any opposition pointed towards our new Rock Star president it turns into a race issue. I just wish we could have free debate over his policies, Michelle’s practices etc. etc. without racism being brought into the mix. Sometimes race talk is warranted i.e. the New York Times cartoon of the monkey shot by police but in this case I dont see how race comes into play so by playimng the “race card” like Barry did earlier I feel it underminds and cheapens the importnace of the real issues at hand.
This seems stupid
March 26th, 2009
3:30 pm
Well said ProudTechFan.
Danielle
March 26th, 2009
3:31 pm
BMDPD,
The fact that this country is in financial crisis is partly Bush’s fault and only YOU know if you are racist. What should have us more outraged is that this is all Issa has to worry about? Unemployment at record highs, unstable ecomony, two seperate wars, N Korea, global warming issues, Veterans rights, children living in proverty, teen pregnancy, crime, No child Left behind, healthcare reform, need I go. If he needs a cause to take up he is more than welcome to pick from the list.
Pedro
March 26th, 2009
3:31 pm
D-fense D-fense D-fense. If the first lady takes a philanthropic, charitable, loving and nurturing approach to subjects like reading to children, as Laura Bush did, then she’s in the clear. If she takes an active political role as Hillarious did, then she needs to be under public scrutiny. SHE was not elected. HE was and he’s under public scrutiny as should be the case. You all pi$$ and moan about transparency then want the covers pulled over the First Lady’s activities? Can you say double standard? That’s what this is about. Sorry that it needed explaining.