Hollywood Actor Samuel L. Jackson has admitted to something that appears to be the news of the century.  He admitted he voted for then Senator Barack Obama because he was black.

In an interview with the New York Post on race in politics Jackson said,

“I voted for Barack because he was black. Cause that’s why other folks vote for other people — because they look like them.”

He was asked whether it was a little cynical to vote for a candidate based on his race and not based on the issues.  He responded that he didn’t feel any guilt for that because Obama is a politician and it doesn’t matter what any politician says, as they all will say anything to get elected.

He said,

“That’s American politics, pure and simple. [Obama’s] message didn’t mean [anything] to me. In the end, he’s a politician. I just hoped he would do some of what he said he was gonna do. I know politicians … lie cause they want to get elected,”

The African-American vote was huge for President Obama in the 2008 election.  Statisticians say that for any Democrat to win the White House they need to pull at least 80% of the black vote.  In 2004, John Kerry pulled in 88% and in 2012 Obama pulled in 95% of the black vote.

President Obama faces a bit of a problem with Black voters this time around as black leaders, who were somewhat skeptical of Obama in the first place, are not thrilled with the President’s results for the black community.

If the black community votes like Samuel L. Jackson does it may be a huge difference in 2012?

Do you think it is right for people like Samuel L. Jackson to vote based on skin color and not on the issues?

Samuel L. Jackson: I Voted For Obama Because He Is Black is a post from: The Inquisitr

Former Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin just can’t get away from her admiration for Newt Gingrich.  Palin told Greta Van Sustern on Fox News that Gingrich is the one that Obama truly has to fear.

she talked at length about how President Obama is happily gearing up for a fight against Mitt Romney.  Romney is favored to win the Republican nomination.  She says that she think President Obama beleives that Mitt Romney is truly beatable.

But when it come to Gingrich she had this to say,

“Well, I think that Newt Gingrich would be the toughest debater, debating ideas and solutions, and his experience as one who had learned through the Reagan revolution what true conservatism is, and how it is that with foreign policy we need to provide that peace through strength in our world, and how it is that we need to balance budgets and we need to slash budgets because we are going bankrupt, all those things that Newt has talked about in his campaign. I think that he could most brightly contrast himself against what Obama’s failed policies have done to this country through debates. So that’s why I say that Obama, I believe, would really fear having to debate Newt Gingrich.”

Palin has yet to officially endorse a candidate in the Republican Primary.  She has come out on a very pro Gingrich line as of late but is careful not to attack Romney.  Her husband Todd officially endorsed Gingrich.

Today three states are in play.  Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri.  A win by Gingrich in any of them can reinvigorate his campaign.

Do you think President Obama is afraid of Newt Gingrich?

Sarah Palin: Obama Would Really Fear Newt Gingrich is a post from: The Inquisitr

In light of the ongoing violence in Syria and stymied diplomatic efforts, the U.S. closed down its embassy in Syria on Monday, pulling all of its staff out of the country.

“The United States has suspended operations of our embassy in Damascus as of February 6. Ambassador (Robert) Ford and all American personnel have now departed the country,” a State Department statement said.

“The recent surge in violence, including bombings in Damascus on December 23 and January 6, has raised serious concerns that our embassy is not sufficiently protected from armed attack,” the statement reads. “We, along with several other diplomatic missions, conveyed our security concerns to the Syrian government but the regime failed to respond adequately.”

Russia and China recently vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that condemned Bashar al-Assad’s government, sparking outrage from the international community. In an interview with NBC, President Barack Obama said that a negotiated solution is still possible.

“It is important to resolve this without recourse to outside military intervention and I think that’s possible,” he said in an NBC interview.

“My sense is you are seeing more and more people inside of Syria recognising that they need to turn a chapter and the Assad regime is feeling the noose tightening around them. This is not a matter of if but when.”

U.S. closes embassy in Syria is a post from: The Inquisitr

Following through on his earlier promises President Barack Obama on Monday placed harsh sanctions on the Iranian banking system. Under the sanctions all Iran government and central bank assets held in the U.S. and foreign branches of a U.S. entity have been frozen.

Skirting away from the issue of nuclear weapons the President said action needed to be taken because of “deceptive practices” discovered at the Iranian Central Bank, practices Obama says pose an “unacceptable risk” to the international financial system.

The President had already froze assets belonging directly to Iranian entities or individuals however the new President’s new executive order blacks all property and interests in property belonging to the Iranian government, its central bank, and all Iranian financial institutions.

According to Section 1. (a) of the order

All property and interests in property of the Government of Iran, including the Central Bank of Iran, that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any United States person, including any foreign branch, are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in.

The sanction also states under part (b):

All property and interests in property of any Iranian financial institution, including the Central Bank of Iran, that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any United States person, including any foreign branch, are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in.

You can find the full Iran Banking Sanction: HERE

The new sanctions were mandated by Congress and signed by the President on Dec. 31.

In his Congressional notification President Obama stated:

“I have determined that additional sanctions are warranted, particularly in light of the deceptive practices of the Central Bank of Iran and other Iranian banks to conceal transactions of sanctioned parties, the deficiencies in Iran’s anti-money laundering regime and the weaknesses in its implementation, and the continuing and unacceptable risk posed to the international financial system by Iran’s activities.”

Do you think far reaching sanctions against the Iran banking system were necessary?

Obama Follows Through On Promise, Imposes Sanctions On Iran Banking System is a post from: The Inquisitr

Following his very public and surprisingly melodic Al Green rendition, President Obama has been invited to perform on American Idol by executive producer Nigel Lythgoe.

Obama took everyone by surprise last month when he crooned a line from Green’s ‘Let’s Stay Together’ at a fundraiser event (those who dwell beneath rocks can watch it below). The crowd lapped it up, and now Lythgoe wants to pull off the Idol celebrity booking of the decade and get Obama and Al Green to perform a duet.

Using the handle @dizzyfeet, Lythgoe tweeted an invite to the Commander-in-Chief on Tuesday:

“@BarackObama we loved your vocal performance so much we’d love to invite you on to #AmericanIdol this Season for a duet with Al Green.”

One politician who won’t be getting an Idol offer is GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Romney sung – if that’s the correct word – a verse from ‘America the Beautiful’ at a recent rally, and his vocals were pancake-flat. Lythgoe was decidedly unimpressed:

“If it were an election based on vocal talent @barackobama would beat Romney hands down. Mitt was very flat singing America the Beautiful.”

Admittedly an Obama appearance on Idol is a supremely unlikely occurrence, but it’s a fun idea, no?

President Obama Asked to Sing on American Idol is a post from: The Inquisitr

If you were to head into a Chrysler dealership and purchase a 2005 Chrysler 300C in pristine condition and fully loaded you could expect to pay a Kelley Blue Book value of $19,142, however one eBay seller is hoping that their vehicle, previously owned by President Barack Obama will fetch at least a cool $1 million.

Seasoned eBay seller Lisa Czibor placed the vehicle on eBay this week and she has proof of the previous owner (Obama) via owner Tim O’Boyle. Among her proof? A printed copy of the title with Obama’s name.

Buyers on eBay have 10 days to pay the purchase price in full with the auction ending on February 1 with no bids after 11 days.

Among the vehicles features are just 20,800 miles along with decked out leather seats, a sunroof and a navigation system (mind you it’s GPS circa 2005).

In order to raise up bidding the eBay page for the $1 million Presidential ride points to other expensive vehicle purchases including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s 1977 Peugeot which sold for $2.35 million last year however that money went to charity.

The last time President Obama was seen riding in the leased vehicle was in July 2007 when he launched his Presidential campaign.

The cost of the car has also increased, during Obama’s Presidential inauguration it was up for auction at a much more friendly $100,000 but was taken down after various fake bidders pushed the price of the vehicle to $100 million.  The new auction has security measures in place to avoid erroneous bidding.

Do you think a former US Presidential owned vehicle is ever worth $1 million?

President Obama’s Old Car Up For Sale, Seller Asking $1 Million is a post from: The Inquisitr

President Barack Obama on Saturday night crashed the Alfalfa Club dinner for his first visit since 2009 and his jokes have everyone talking.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Alfalfa Club it’s the quintessential DC insider club that exists primarily to hold an annual dinner with some of the most influential politicians from around the United States.

Obama showed up as the steak and lobster dinner and through out some jokes about himself and his presidency.

In joking about his own appeal to everyday Americans he said:

“You’ve heard it from the pundits: ‘Obama is cloistered in the White House.’ ‘He’s aloof.’ ‘He’s in the bubble.’ ‘He’s not connecting.’ And that’s why one of my big goals this year was to get out and be among everyday, ordinary Americans—like the men and women of the Alfalfa Club.”

After making the “out of touch joke” he then joked about his hour long State of the Union address in which he said he had “about 45 more minutes on the State of the Union that I’d like to deliver tonight.”

The President them took a moment to joke about his “promising future—as an Al Green impersonator” referring to his recent short vocal rendition of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” hit which he performed while giving a speech at the Apollo Club. Al Green himself has praised Obama’s rendition of the song which in turn has helped the albums sales shoot through the roof.

He added:

“I’d like to acknowledge a very good friend of mine. Warren Buffett’s secretary’s boss is in the house.”

Obviously his jokes were geared directly towards the political heavy audience in the room but what do you think of his efforts at some lighthearted fun?

Obama Gets Big Laughs While Crashing Alfalfa Club is a post from: The Inquisitr

You may have heard parallels between Barack Obama and Saul Alinksy, and Bill Maher was kind enough to explain to perplexed liberals who Saul Alinsky is and why he is so scary.

You remember that bill he championed… the “Grab a Corona and Call in Sick Act.”

[Lower quality, slightly longer clip.]

Bill Maher Answers the Question “Who Is Saul Alinsky?” [Video, NSFW] is a post from: The Inquisitr

President Obama on Friday called on Universities and Colleges to stop their rapid increases in the cost of tuition. In confronting those institutions the President promised to pull federal funds should universities find it necessary to increasingly raise the price of admission.

The speech came as President Obama spoke with a group of students at the University of Michigan. In his speech Obama noted that he was ”putting colleges on notice” while promising that the era of tuition hikes is coming to an end.

“You can’t assume that you’ll just jack up tuition every single year. If you can’t stop tuition from going up, then the funding you get from taxpayers each year will go down,” Obama said during his speech to students.

Obama spoke about his financial aid proposal which he first announced during Tuesday’s State of the Union address. Obama’s new plan goes after “campus based” aid such as Perkins loans and work study program. While $142 billion in federal grants and loans were distributed to college students in 2011 only $3 billion went to those program, a number Obama would like to increase to $10 billion annually.

In explaining the importance for a college education the President noted:

“In the coming decade, 60 percent of new jobs will require more than a high school diploma,” he said. “Higher education is not a luxury. It’s an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford.”

In speaking about the need to better monitor performance and tuition at American Universities  Obama education secretary, Arne Duncan noted:

“Historically, we’ve funded universities whether or not they’ve done a good job of graduating people, whether or not they’ve done a good job of keeping down tuition.”

Do you think Universities should be penalized for continuing to raise tuition rates at increasing levels?

President Obama Attacks University Tuition, Calls For Stop To Rapidly Increasing Costs is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Republican National Committee has released a video slamming President Obama’s State of the Union address as more of the same old same old. It compares Obama’s old speeches to his latest State of the union and shows how Obama seems to consistently use the same phrases and address the same issues in the same way as he has done since he has gotten elected.

The Republican attack piece is designed to show how President Obama seems to like to talk about issues at length in his speeches but makes no real attempt to get his agenda through Congress.  Then when Congress doesn’t take up his issues without him getting involved he decries them as obstructionist.

This example of illegal immigration was used in the piece.

Indeed, he “strongly believe[d] that we should take on, once and for all, the issue of illegal immigration” last year, according to his State of the Union speech.

This year, he reminded lawmakers that “hundreds of thousands of talented, hardworking students in this country face another challenge: The fact that they aren’t yet American citizens,” an allusion to the Dream Act, which would provide legal status to some undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children, if they join the military or attend college.

Last year, too, he talked about the “hundreds of thousands of students excelling in our schools who are not American citizens.

There is nothing wrong with being consistent, what the President though is just going through the motions with heated rhetoric followed with little substance.

Do you think President Obama acts with conviction or is just going through the motions?

Watch the attack piece here.

Republicans Release Video Attacking State of the Union [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

When Jan Brewer greeted Barack Obama at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport on Wednesday, she probably wasn’t expecting a dressing-down from the President as she still stood on the runway tarmac.

Yet that’s exactly what Brewer got, with Obama taking the Arizona Republican governor to task over an extract from her November 2011 book, Scorpions for Breakfast. In the memoir, Brewer discusses how she handled SB 1070 and its after effects, and accuses Obama of deliberately mischaracterizing the immigration law. She also recounts a sharp exchange during an Oval Office meeting with Obama.

The two were spotted by reporters exchanging tense words, with Brewer at one point jabbing her finger in Obama’s direction. Reporters close to the conversation said both talked over each other at points, and revealed that Obama ended the conversation by walking away from Brewer while the governor was in mid-sentence. According to Brewer spokesman Matthew Benson:

“The president clearly was unhappy with the way he was characterized in her book. She was gracious but didn’t back down from the president when he voiced her displeasure with her.”

A slightly flustered Brewer later revealed that Obama said he hadn’t read her whole book, but an excerpt. She told one pool reporter:

“[I have] all the respect in the world for the office of the president. I thought we probably would’ve talked about the things that were important to him and important to me, helping one another. Our country is upside down. Arizona was upside down. But we have turned it around,” Brewer said. “I know again that he loves this country and I love this country.”

This video isn’t the most exposing footage – basically all of the juicy action takes place behind a presidential limo – but it’s basically the most revealing clip anybody shot:

Jan Brewer and Barack Obama in Heated Exchange on Runway [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

After President Obama spent most of his hour long State of the Union Address talking about fixing the economy for the future GOP Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels chimed in with the GOP response to President Obama’s message, calling the President “pro-poverty” and claiming that his State of the Union Message was too upbeat while saying:

“When President Obama claims that the state of our union is anything but grave, he must know in his heart that this is not true.”

At the heart of Mitch Daniels response he says the President has done everything in his power to hurt the economy and stifle job creation:

“The extremism that stifles the development of homegrown energy, or cancels a perfectly safe pipeline that would employ tens of thousands, or jacks up consumer utility bills for no improvement in either human health or world temperature, is a pro-poverty policy. It must be replaced by a passionate pro-growth approach that breaks all ties and calls all close ones in favor of private sector jobs that restore opportunity for all and generate the public revenues to pay our bills.”

Daniels then goes on to explain how the GOP would fix all of the nation’s problems through taxation policies and less control over regulations:

“That means a dramatically simpler tax system of fewer loopholes and lower rates. A pause in the mindless piling on of expensive new regulations that devour dollars that otherwise could be used to hire somebody. It means maximizing on the new domestic energy technologies that are the best break our economy has gotten in years.”

Daniels then comments on the state of partisan support in the United States, claiming that President Obama has acted to divide Republicans and Democrats:

“No feature of the Obama presidency has been sadder than its constant efforts to divide us, to curry favor with some Americans by castigating others.”

Pulling a message from the President Obama’s own playbook after trillions of dollars was wasted under the Bush administration Mitch Daniels added:

“In three short years, an unprecedented explosion of spending, with borrowed money, has added trillions to an already unaffordable national debt. And yet, the president has put us on a course to make it radically worse in the years ahead.”

Here’s the full State of the Union Address response from GOP Governor Mitch Daniels:

Do you agree with President Obama’s State of the Union Address or do you think Mitch Daniels hit the nail squarely on the head?

GOP Governor Mitch Daniels Offers SOTU Response, Says Obama Is “Pro-Poverty” [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

President Obama wants millionaires to pay higher tax levels and despite potential tax loopholes the President wants those taxes to be at least 30% of a millionaires earned income.

If that number sounds familiar it may be because it has come to be known as the Buffett rule after billionaire Warren Buffett proposed that anyone making more than $1 million per year should be taxed at at least 30% of their overall pay. Buffett proposed that payment structure after his own secretary Debbie Bosanek pointed out that the billionaire is taxed in a lower bracket then her.

In his speech Obama noted:

“Tax reform should follow the Buffett rule,” and “If you make more than $1 million a year, you should not pay less than 30% in taxes.”

Further attacking the low tax structure of many millionaires Obama attacked the Washington establishment that has made those payment so low by stating that Washington should stop ”subsidizing millionaires,” and that tax subsidies and deductions should be stopped for anyone making $1 million or more per year.

The President then shifted his attention to those Americans making under $250,000 per year:

“On the other hand, if you make under $250,000 a year, like 98% of American families, your taxes shouldn’t go up,” he added. “Now, you can call this class warfare all you want. But asking a billionaire to pay at least as much as his secretary in taxes? Most Americans would call that common sense.”

That part of his speech was part of a greater State of the Union message that focused on building a long lasting economy that returns manufacturing jobs to the United States by giving incentives to company’s that bring jobs back to the U.S.

What do you think of Obama’s message to millionaires and the working class?

President Obama Attacks Tax Structure, Uses 30% Minimum Tax Rule Suggested By Warren Buffett is a post from: The Inquisitr

President Obama on Tuesday spoke to the nation in his State of the Union address and the President’s agenda for 2012 was to “focus on the mission at hand” which the President clearly stated was to create an economy that’s “built to last.”

In his speech Obama called the “defining issue of our time” the hope of keeping the “American dream” alive.

Obama said of the economic debate:

“No challenge is more urgent. No debate is more important. We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by. Or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share and everyone plays by the same set of rules.”

“What’s at stake are not Democratic values or Republican values, but American values. We have to reclaim them,” he said.

Obama also took a stab at the very banking system he helped save (along with President Bush) when he noted that the “house of card” fell in 2008 after banks gave loans to people ”who couldn’t afford or understand them.”  He then said banks were going to make money either way because federal regulators looked the other way and did nothing to stop bad behavior.

Responding to the uneven playing field led by bankers and other higher level executives Obama noted:

“We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share and everyone plays by the same set of rules.”

Obama acknowledged that in order for our economy to get better workers need better training, tax reform must be at the forefront of our efforts and manufacturing must once again be a focus on American soil.

President Obama even borrowed from GOP candidate Rick Santorum’s playbook in calling for American companies to move back to the U.S. through incentivize based programs.  In his call to company’s the President said:

“Ask yourselves what you can do to bring back jobs to your country and your country will do everything it can to help you succeed.”

While the President underscored the assassination of Osama bin Laden he did talk about the redistribution of the “peace dividend.” Obama said he would like to take $200 billion from that fund as he ends American’s participation in Afghanistan and Iraq and distribute those funds over the next 6 years in an effort to fix American’s failing infrastructure of roads, bridges, rail lines and other areas critical to the countries future successes.

What was your reaction to President Obama’s State of the Union address?

President Obama’s State Of The Union Message? We Need An Economy That’s “Built To Last” is a post from: The Inquisitr

President Barack Obama invited the Boston Bruins over to the White House recently to honor them for their Stanley Cup championship, but Tim Thomas, the team’s goalie, was a no-show.

Apparently, his absence was not at all accidental; Thomas decided to use his invitation to the White House as an opportunity to voice his disdain for the government. While it may come off as if he isn’t exactly a fan of Obama, in a post on his Facebook he says that his decision wasn’t in protest of one political party or another–it was in protest of the government as a whole.

Here’s what Thomas had to say on his Facebook:

I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People. This is being done at the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers vision for the Federal government.

Because I believe this, today I exercised my right as a Free Citizen, and did not visit the White House. This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country. This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL.

This is the only public statement I will be making on this topic. TT

Thomas may be insisting that his decision has nothing to do with the party that President Obama is affiliated with, but his actions were nonetheless enough to spark a bit of a political firestorm.

“My advice to him is to stick to hockey,” said Phil Johnston, a top state Democrat who served under President Clinton. “I think Bruins players are taken seriously for their hockey, not for their politics.”

What do you think of Tim Thomas’ decision to back out of the White House Stanley Cup ceremony?

[Image credit: AP]

Tim Thomas skips out on White House ceremony honoring Boston Bruins is a post from: The Inquisitr

Earlier in the day our very own Jon Harris posted a video of President Barack Obama singing “Let’s Stay Together” by the Reverend Al Green and it turns out the Reverend is a fan of the President’s singing.

After hearing the song Green said it was “terrific” and “he nailed it.”

President Obama sung just a short part of the song at the Apollo Theater in Harlem then proclaimed “and the Sandman didn’t come out.”

When talking about the mention given to him by President Obama Green said:

“I was thrilled that the President even mentioned my name, and if the President can get the economy going again and get everything going that he wants to, then we’ll all be together.”

It’s only a short clip but whether you like President Obama or not it’s still pretty special, here’s the video:

Apparently President Obama wanted to sing a bit of Al Green before he even came on the stage, noting afterwards while looking off stage at his staff:

“Those guys didn’t think I would do it. I told you I was gonna do it.”

What do you think of President Obama’s vocal chops from what you could hear from the short clip?

Al Green Praises President Obama’s Version Of “Let’s Stay Together” is a post from: The Inquisitr

Giving the pre-planned game away, Obama said:

“Those guys didn’t think I would do it. I told you I was gonna do it.”

And he certainly did. Watch the video below to see and hear for yourself.

Source: TheFABlife

Obama Sings ‘Let’s Stay Together’ [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

The role of First Lady of the United States has once again come into the spotlight with the election of Barack Obama to the Presidency. Over the years, most first ladies were expected to be good hostesses and to remain largely silent and out of sight when it came to the running of the country. As America approached the 21st Century, the role of the First Lady began to evolve into one of more involvement in public life and a more active role in public policy. As is often the case with change, this has lead to a certain amount of both criticism and controversy. Let’s take a look at the style and substance of two remarkable First Ladies; Barbara Pierce Bush and Michelle Obama.

Barbara Bush, wife of the 41st. President of the United States, George Herbert Walker Bush, is a rather interesting woman. She married young at 19 years old and moved with her Navel Pilot husband from base to base during the dark days of World War Two. When the war ended, she accompanied her husband to Connecticut, where the future President attended Yale University. As a young wife and mother, she settled into the then traditional role of homemaker, until tragedy struck with the death of their three year old daughter, Robin Bush, to Leukemia. The additional difficulties of their son, Neils’ diagnosis as dyslexic, may have been the catalyst that lead to a life time of service by Barbara Bush, especially in the area of child literacy.

It was during the Presidency of her husband that the Barbara Bush, that so many have come to respect and admire, came into her own. According to her biography, “Early in the administration, Barbara founded the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, a private organization that solicited grants from public and private institutions to support literacy programs. “I’m talking about the big, bouncy kind [of family], the single parent, extended families, divorced, homeless and migrant,” she clarified. At the time of her tenure, statistics showed that 35 million adults could not read above the eight-grade level and that 23 million were not beyond a fourth-grade level.”

From that moment forward, Mrs. Bush has dedicated her life to teaching children to read. Mrs. Bush is fully aware that an educated, literate youth is the key to the future strength and success of the great American Experiment. In 2009, Mrs. Bush contributed a guest editorial to Newsweek, in which she commented on the film Precious. “Mrs. Bush praised the film Precious for its depiction of triumph experienced by an illiterate and abused young African-American woman. As she wrote, “After 30 years promoting literacy, I’ve never felt more energized. Watching this movie, I was reminded why it’s important that we keep working so hard.”"

Michelle Obama, wife of the 44th. President of the United States, Barack Obama, is certainly a contrast in style to Barbara Bush. As a product of a more modern era, she is probably the most outspoken and politically involved First Lady that America has seen to date. Michelle Obama is a true child of the 1960′s, having been born to a working class Chicago family in 1964. Educated in South Side Chicago public schools, Michelle Obama was accepted at Princeton due to her academic excellence. After receiving a Bachelors Degree in Sociology, Ms.Obama went on the attain her Law degree from Harvard University.

Ms.Obama met her future husband at Sidley & Austin Law firm in Chicago and after a 2 year courtship they were married in 1992. In addition to giving birth to two daughters, Michelle Obama held many important positions at Chicago law firms and in the Administration of the Mayor of Chicago. Prior to her husband’s election to the White House, she worked as Executive Director for community affairs at the University of Chicago Hospitals (2002-2005) and Executive Vice President for community and external affairs (2005-2008).

From the very first moment of her husband’s Presidential campaign, Michelle Obama took an active role. Working tirelessly for her husband’s election, the American public was exposed to an unprecedented level of involvement by the spouse of a candidate in a Presidential Campaign. She stumped with her husband as well as giving many speeches on her own. She was vocal and outspoken in a way that the American people had not seen previously.

As a young woman who, unlike Barbara Bush, did not have a wealth of years of experience, Michelle Obama did perhaps make some missteps that have come back to haunt her. She made the now infamous comment,”“For the first time in my adult lifetime, I’m really proud of my country … not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change,” she said. “I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment.” This infuriated many voters who took it to mean that Michelle Obama was not a proud American. While in all probability, she was actually guilty of bad speech writing rather than dislike of her country, this single comment has been used repeatedly by her critics as an example of why they feel Michelle Obama isn’t as patriotic as they are.

Since her husband’s election, Michelle Obama has continued to raise the ire of those who are opposed to Barack Obama’s policies. Her campaign against childhood obesity has been held under a negative spotlight by many critics who are all too happy to scream to the mountain tops every time Michelle Obama is seen eating a Big Mac. When she wears expensive dresses or goes on a vacation, she has been called the new Marie Antoinette. It seems that unlike any previous First Lady, no matter what Michelle Obama does, there are critics waiting in the wings to pounce on her.

The real question we must ask ourselves, is why is there such a remarkable difference between the reaction to Michelle Obama and Barbara Pierce Bush. Certainly there is a small percentage of cretins in America who are outright racists who will never forgive Michelle Obama for being black and successful. But among the saner members of our society, there may be several other reasons for the level of comments about her. Some are still traditionalists who are used to a quiet first lady who remains in the background and promotes literacy like Barbara Bush. Others may be reacting negatively to Michelle Obama because she is outspoken and strongly advocates for her husband’s policies. Many are passionately against her husband’s vision for America and see Ms.Obama as another voice for an America they totally reject. While voters have every right to oppose her or her husband’s political positions, outright racism is totally UN-American and is to be strongly criticized.

What do you think about this discussion? Do you prefer a more traditional First Lady like Barbara Bush or one who is outspoken and political like Michelle Obama? Do you feel Michelle Obama is a victim of racism or is she a target because she strongly advocates for her husbands policies? Let us know what you think on this interesting and important issue.

What Does America Expect From A First Lady is a post from: The Inquisitr

Also in the interview, Michelle Obama said that she one of Barack Obama’s “biggest confidants.” She also denied being too involved in sorting out conflicts: “If there’s communication that needs to happen, it’s between staffs. I don’t have conversations with my husband’s staff.” Regarding the upcoming campaign and Barack Obama’s presidency she said “This campaign is going to be about making sure people understand about what’s been accomplished, I think people are confused … about how much has been accomplished, but that’s what you do in a campaign.”

So there you have it. Michelle Obama, in trying to set the record straight shows herself to be a strong supporter of her husband, a strong-willed family woman and somebody who takes interest in her job. Moreover she hopes to be better understood and appreciated for who she is: “just trying to be me, and I just hope that over time, that people get to know me.”

Michelle Obama Says She Is Not “Some Kind Of Angry Black Woman” is a post from: The Inquisitr

William Daley is resigning his position as White House chief of staff, a title which will now pass to budget director Jack Lew as the Obama administration gears up for the 2012 election.

President Obama made the announcement today, saying that Daley had expressed his desire to step down from his position in order to spend more time with his family. Though Obama asked Daley to reconsider, he refused, citing a desire to return to Chicago.

Regarding the departure of Daley and subsequent appointment of Lew, President Obama had this to say:

“There is no question that I am going to deeply miss having Bill by my side in the White House, [...] Here in Washington I have every confidence that Jack won’t miss a beat.”

Jack Lew has served as budget director for Presidents Clinton and now Obama. His success under the Clinton administration is what got him the job from President Obama:

“If there was a Hall of Fame for budget directors, then Jack Lew surely would have earned a place for his service in that role under President Clinton, when he helped balance the federal budget after years of deficits,”

Lew was Daley’s personally suggested replacement, and the President took Daley’s advice. Though Daley’s departure is a bit of a surprise, he has pledged to remain with Obama through this year’s election:

“I made a commitment to the president through his reeelection, which I’m confident he will do, and then my wife and I will return to Chicago,”

Lew will be learning the ropes as Daley’s responsibilities narrow, and should President Obama see a second term, Lew will be the new go-to in Obama’s team.

Here’s the video story from our pals at Newsy:

Do you think this announcement comes at a bad time, or is Jack Lew a good replacement for William Daley?

William Daley Resigns as White House Chief of Staff, Obama Announces Replacement is a post from: The Inquisitr