Obama's Wife Can't Hide From Public Scrutiny

Back when the snows were falling on the fields of Iowa, Barack Obama seemed more like a starry-eyed innocent whose fresh approach to a “new politics” was as welcome as a day of spring sunshine.

But now, almost five months later, the thaw has brought a much rougher edge to the Obama candidacy, something that may have been conditioned on the streets of South Chicago. On a network morning show this week, Obama became heated over a Republican Internet ad aired during the Kentucky primary campaign, and he warned that “these folks should lay off my wife.”

The problem is that Michelle Obama has become part of her husband’s campaign tour, and she has no more immunity from the political dialogue than anyone else.

She has made speeches on the campaign trail, granted numerous media interviews and even had her say Monday - on the same TV program where Obama issued his warning - about Democrat rival Hillary Clinton.

That kind of active participation in a presidential campaign doesn’t earn points in a plea for protection. The Internet ad, particularly, focuses on Michelle Obama’s comment two months ago that “for the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country.”

Her husband’s admonition this week seemed to invoke some special rule for his wife, compared to others on the campaign trail. “The GOP, should I be the (Democrat) nominee, I think can say whatever they want to say about me, my track record. I’ve been in public life for 20 years. I expect them to pore through everything I’ve said, every utterance, every statement. And to paint it in the most undesirable light possible. That’s what they do.

“But I do want to say this to the GOP. If they think that they’re going to make Michelle an issue in this campaign, they should be careful, because that I find unacceptable.”

Here’s the problem: It wasn’t the GOP or the media that has made Michelle “an issue in this campaign.” She did that herself.

Can you imagine what political storm would have developed had Nancy Reagan, or Roslyn Carter or Barbara Bush had made a statement similar to Mrs. Obama’s? It would have whipped the pundits and rival party into Category 5 frenzy.

But Obama appears to want to change the rules as they have applied to other candidates’ wives, including their finances, their medical records and their political views.

Cindy McCain, wife of Obama’s opponent in the November election if both secure their party’s nomination, already has had her past addiction to narcotics exposed - an addiction resulting from medication from painful back injuries sustained in an accident. She also is under pressure from Obama’s party to reveal her personal financial records.

McCain has issued no corresponding ultimatum for the Democrats or the media to “lay off my wife.” He knows, and his wife knows, it goes with the territory - and the terrain of that territory can’t be changed for one candidate and not another.

Obama tried Monday to put his objections in a wider context, which might be considered admirable. “I think that the American people also would like to see some restoration of decency to this process. And when you start attacking family members, there’s a lack of decency there.”

It was a lame attempt, however.

There is no lack of decency in questioning a person’s insistent statement of having a life-long lack of pride in America - especially when the speaker seems to have enjoyed many of the benefits of a free and generous society.

Where does such bitterness come from, and how durable is it? That hardly seems to be an indecent concern.

The Obamas need to adjust, particularly considering the serious nature of Michelle Obama’s self-confessed lack of respect for America. That’s in a category separate from which designer’s dresses she might prefer.

If Michelle insists on sharing the platform, she has to accept the sometimes harsh glare of the spotlight.