May 3, 2008 6:00pm

In Indiana, It’s an Obama Family Affair

ABC News’ Sunlen Miller reports: Shouts of "Faster, faster," rang out during Barack Obama’s speech today in Nelsonville Park in Nelsonville, Ind.

Hecklers? Chilly park patrons on the overcast day?

Nope. It was Barack Obama’s daughters, who couldn’t have cared less about their father’s stump speech, and were more preoccupied with increasing their speed on a merry-go-round of sorts in a playground in nearby.

Malia, 9, and 6-year-old sister, Sasha, ran around playing tag and hide-and-go-seek with about 30 newfound playground friends. They pushed each other on swings and climbed a 15-foot tall slide, barrelling down as their parents spoke to a crowd of about 300 Indiana voters.

"We wanted to have a family day because our hope is that when we get into the White House … the White House will be a place where children and family become the core of everything that happens out of that building," Michelle Obama said. "But before we can get to the White House, we have to get through the primary right here in this state."

The Obamas will be campaigning as a family throughout Indiana for the weekend leading up to the primary on Tuesday. The family will attend an ice cream party at a rollerskating rink and a potluck dinner later this evening.

Sen. Obama, speaking about the how long the nomination contest has been, used his oldest daugher as a barometer.

"Michelle and I were looking at what Malia and Sasha looked like at the start of this race, and what they look like now and I think Malia’s about a foot taller," he said laughing. "So you know this has been a long contest, a long race."

User Comments

Great, family is the most important asset in anybody’s life. We have seen you and Michelle together day and night trying to move us with you and lead us, you have been successful and continue that way because America and the world are waiting for your leadership. God bless America and God bless the family Obama. Great American family.

Posted by: BKMC | May 3, 2008, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm

sandy in PA
3 words…….”IN TOO DEEP”

Posted by: in too deep | May 3, 2008, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm

Isn’t it strange that after all this time not one person can put Obama in a pew at the time of Wright’s worst diatribes. All his enemies “know” he was there with his children but not a single person can prove it.
Seems to me they’re writing checks they can’t cash. If you have the proof, bring it. Otherwise it’s just the same old dirty politics.
Posted by: DaCoach | May 3, 2008 6:33:53 PM
Um, WRight baptized Obama’s daughters…you think they weren’t a regular fixture in the guys church?
The same ol’ dirty politics is Obama giving a race speech repeating things we all, already know, without giving suggestions on how to fix them.
The same ol’ dirty politics is Obama giving a race speech and saying he still stands by Wright, then Wright goes on tv and says the same crap he says in his video, and then suddenly Obama is “outraged”? What changed?
you’re a naive guy.
Good luck with that…Obama=Bush2.0

Posted by: Destardi | May 3, 2008, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm

again for all those using the “20 years of hate” argument. wright preached over 2000 sermons. less than 5 have been found that are “hate”. and for none of the 5 was obama present. it is ridiculous to think that obama’s entire character should be judged by .02% of what someone else said. i wonder how all of us would be judged on .02% of the things we’ve said over our lifetime. peace be unto you!

Posted by: gammaraygus | May 3, 2008, 6:55 pm 6:55 pm

Beautiful american first family. I pray that it is the Will of God that the Obama family be this country’s first family. Given the chance I think he will be a great president in spite of his race,and I agree with John Kerry maybe because of it.
Obama 08!
Yes We Can!

Posted by: merle7 | May 3, 2008, 7:01 pm 7:01 pm

While Michelle and Barack talked a lot of their family roots (and mostly I feel they are seeking sympathy), they are enjoying a life most of Americans can not afford.
Michelle worries about how to spend $14,000 a year for their kids to go to various kinds of classes, and their two kids go to private schools, and Barack? who wouldn’t pick up a sock on the floor or put away butter from table (see Michelle’s quotes in recent Newsweek).

Posted by: Amy | May 3, 2008, 7:04 pm 7:04 pm

Obama is a fine man and will be a fine president. He is being attacked about his attendance at church and that is pathetic. You go to church to worship and have fellowship with others. Judging what Obama experienced there is definitely being republicanized to the same degree that John Kerry was smeared. Obama is not Wright and Obama is not going to be any more influenced by his church attendance than anyone else. Obama became a christian and so did his entire family. That is so wonderful and is being made ugly. Shame on you who will roll over for the republican back stabbing of a good candidate again and again. Think about what you are doing to the country. We need Obama who is smart and well liked by those he works with in the Senate. Hillary is not so well liked. Who do you think will get more done. It will be Obama who has negotiated with differing sides and made compromises that satisfied everyone. That is what we need so desperately after Bush and Cheney’s abuse of our government.

Posted by: Vicki | May 3, 2008, 7:06 pm 7:06 pm

“…That is so wonderful and is being made ugly. Shame on you who will roll over for the republican back stabbing of a good candidate again and again. Think about what you are doing to the country. We need Obama who is smart and well liked by those he works with in the Senate. Hillary is not so well liked.”
Well said, Vicki! And those Republicans who have distanced themselves from Bush’s politics see a real opportunity for positive change w/ Obama. For example, Ron Paul prefers Obama’s foreign policy over McCain’s.

Posted by: ecm | May 3, 2008, 7:20 pm 7:20 pm

WOw 300 people including families, not exactly a huge crowd for Mr Obama in Indiana. His staff and out of state volunteers probably made up most of the crowd. Not a great sign for Tuesday.

Posted by: s.b. | May 3, 2008, 7:23 pm 7:23 pm

All you Obama people are just mad because you thought this “puff” piece about the Obama family would work – kind of fill in the pieces so to speak about a guy we know too little about!
I definitely understand your frustration – you know how I know you’re frustrated? All the gutter words and attacks.
Emily, you Go Girl!!!!!

Posted by: s. valenti | May 3, 2008, 7:46 pm 7:46 pm

Another word about family Obama.
Obama/Axelrod made a serious miscalculation about introducing the girls.
Every voter now gets to wonder anew “How on earth did he expose those two beautiful girls to the rants of that anti-american, racist minister. Some people might even equate this with child neglect or abuse.
If Obama is smart, he’ll get them back to Chicago as quickly as possible.

Posted by: s. valenti | May 3, 2008, 7:49 pm 7:49 pm

gammara…… Any churchgoer knows that even if you don’t appear regularly, people talk about the minister/priest and his homilies. A church community is not so large that people don’t share with one another note worthy remarks.
I don’t go to church regularly but I know that our priest is an operator, highly political and I know in detail his views on a host of social issues.
If my priest said 1/10 of what Wright is on record as saying, I would have found a new parish.
Face it, Obama is a hustler.

Posted by: s. valenti | May 3, 2008, 7:56 pm 7:56 pm

Obama is shameless to have his kids nearby while he campaigns!?!? Doesn’t Hillary have Chelsea campaigning for her? Know what my kids were doing after yesterday’s Obama rally? Campaining for him! I must be shameless too. Again, Obama is being held to a higher standard.

Posted by: MCKINNEY704 | May 3, 2008, 8:07 pm 8:07 pm

Talk about pandering a family pinic yeah sure

Posted by: Bishop | May 3, 2008, 8:08 pm 8:08 pm

“Use the kids…” I am sure some campaign consultant must have suggested. Sounds like Obama campaign has run out of ideas for video footage for TV news. Most things about Sen. Obama is completely manufactured for the sake of consumption and for the sake of manipulation! Sen. Obama campaign is running on empty, clueless; they’ve lost primary after another, specially having not won any of the major battleground states; they have no idea what to do. There’s a good chance that Sen. Hillary Clinton might pull of a surprise win in North Carolina as well; thanks to Bill Clinton’s tireless efforts in rural areas. It is well known Bill Clinton has very persuasive argument why Hillary Clinton should be the next President. He has been consistantly drawn crowds in neglected areas in rural America. Besides, Sen. Obama’s performance has been rather lackluster on the stump. He’s often tired, constantly repeating himself, more so for an average candidate. Lately, Sen. Obama looked so frazzled, confused, irritated, upset and even depressed. Isn’t it obvious that Sen. Obama is having a hard time. He doesn’t seem to have the stamina that Sen. Hillary Clinton does. He doesn’t know what adversity means. How can he be a good leader? Could be even worse than George Bush if elected? I hope he’s not going to take up smoking again! He used to be a heavy smoker for years; As a father Sen. Obama should set a better example for his two young children.

Posted by: charleychaplin | May 3, 2008, 8:11 pm 8:11 pm

The ONLY American politician who can impact gas prices RIGHT NOW is BUSH; and he will not; because Bush DOES CANNOT CARE about the plight of ordinary Americans!
No candidate for Presidency can impact gas tax now!
So McCain & Hilary are again just PANDERING TO THE LOWEST IN AMERICANS!
Hilary & McCain are just playing politics as usual’!
1. Bush can tap into the OIL RESERVE; since we do have an emergency.
2. And Bush can appeal to his oil buddies to ROLL BACK GAS PRICES as a PATRIOTIC DUTY!
The Special Interest Congress WILL NEVER pass a windfall tax.
And the BUSH WILL NEVER SIGN a windfall tax on oil executives!
Now is the time for the PRUDENT Presidential candidate to AGAIN remind Americans to CONSERVE, and of the NEED FOR AN EFFECTIVE ENERGY POLICY!
SUPPLY OF OIL IS LOW!
So prices WILL go up even more if we do not conserve!

Posted by: Patriot | May 3, 2008, 8:11 pm 8:11 pm

If people who served in Bill Clinton’s administration are now siding with Obama, what does that say about Hillary?
Well, I guess she’s banking on the fact that a lot of her supporters are not known to be critical thinkers.

Posted by: Justin | May 3, 2008, 8:19 pm 8:19 pm

The all American family, not! The sad part is what does all that anti-American, racist crap obama forced his children to listen to from wright doing to their thinking. The more I learn of this guy the more I have to question who in the world sent him to Washington to represent the people. As a proud American I admit we need change badly, just not his kind of change or thinking.

Posted by: rickyt | May 3, 2008, 8:30 pm 8:30 pm

wlw……Yeah right!!!!
Try to close everything down while Obama is in free fall?
I don’t think so.

Posted by: s. valenti | May 3, 2008, 9:04 pm 9:04 pm

All of what is being written about character and record doesn’t matter. Obama has the pledged delegate lead. The Democrats will not dare overturn that. They know Blacks and young people will leave the party.
Hillary Clinton will not will not be the nominee.
Period.

Posted by: undecided | May 3, 2008, 9:27 pm 9:27 pm

This is somewhat sad, a lot sad. Please excuse my ‘rural’ sense of humor.
Hillary, on the campaign trail the other day, said “bet on the filly”. Of coarse she meant it as a metaphor, about the Derby and her own race. BUT, did ya’ll see what happened?
Big Brown won the race. The filly came in second, broke BOTH her front legs and was killed on the spot…
Ya’ll just think about how that “pertains” to the Democratic race.
Big Brown 08

Posted by: oldwhiteguy | May 3, 2008, 9:59 pm 9:59 pm

Yeah, family affair. It is amazing that the Obama’s would also take those young daughters to hear Reverend Wright preach those sermons! Odds are that Michelle attended services many more times than Barack. She certainly heard, as did the daughters, much of what we were treated to from Wright at the NAACP dinner, and the National Press Club event.
Why doesn’t the media ask Michelle Obama if she heard Wright say the things that we have seen and heard on the church’s dvd’s?

Posted by: megan | May 3, 2008, 10:00 pm 10:00 pm

This is somewhat sad, a lot sad. Please excuse my ‘rural’ sense of humor.
Hillary, on the campaign trail the other day, said “bet on the filly”. Of coarse she meant it as a metaphor, about the Derby and her own race. BUT, did ya’ll see what happened?
Big Brown won the race. The filly came in second, broke BOTH her front legs and was killed on the spot…
Ya’ll just think about how that “pertains” to the Democratic race.
Big Brown 08

Posted by: oldwhiteguy | May 3, 2008, 10:03 pm 10:03 pm

Oprah did leave that church and Newsweek just released why she left:
***************************************
Yet she supports Obama.

Posted by: Thinking | May 3, 2008, 10:29 pm 10:29 pm

Why is the word ‘pimping’ so outrageous to Hillary? When that is exactly what she is doing with Chelsea.
If Michelle is the albatross around Obama’s neck, what is Bill around Hillary?
Btw, if obama really want to pender, he would have brought out his grandma. Isn’t she old, white and a woman?

Posted by: tango | May 3, 2008, 10:30 pm 10:30 pm

What’s American about Obama? Sounds to me he is anti-american. As an American, I am insulted by his behavior. I know my great grandfather (Union Army vet), my grandfather (WWI vet), my father (WWII & Korean vet) would be insulted by this, so in honor of them, I vote NO on Obama.
****************************************
And Scott, You?

Posted by: Thinking | May 3, 2008, 10:31 pm 10:31 pm

it seems to me these are not comments they are political attacks–why are progressives so upset by rev. wright? anyone upset must either be a republican or a democrat who want’s to be a republican–for example rev wright church is pro gay they even have a ministry also they are pro woman in the pulpit–they are supporters of hiv/aids–they help the poor and have prison ministries–okay so he say’s some crazy things but does anyone really take those comments seriously? i don’t think so we realize he is being provocative!

Posted by: william | May 3, 2008, 10:39 pm 10:39 pm

if you are a democrat realize that what is being done to obama is the same that was done to dukakis and kerry–wedge issues about patriotism–if you are a democrat please stand up against these republican attacks–obama is a patriot–anyone who was against this war is a patriot!!!!

Posted by: william | May 3, 2008, 10:41 pm 10:41 pm

This is a pretty accurate description of the event, but to be correct, the town is Noblesville, Indiana and the park is called Forest Park. We’re quite proud of it.
Lot of interesting comments on this thread.

Posted by: Nelson | May 3, 2008, 11:36 pm 11:36 pm

How come obama never heard anything in 20 years in that church. Was he wearing ear plugs???!!!

Posted by: ilia | May 3, 2008, 11:58 pm 11:58 pm

How come obama never heard anything in 20 years in that church. Was he wearing ear plugs???!!!

Posted by: ilia | May 3, 2008, 11:58 pm 11:58 pm

Emily: Don’t forget that some of the terrorist groups in the Middle East are raising money for his campaign. I guess this is what he means when he says he can bring us together.

Posted by: George | May 4, 2008, 12:34 am 12:34 am

@ Ernest:
Amen to that. Well said. Still, I can’t help but feel discouraged, and even a bit bewildered that our party is falling a part. Perhaps, because of the likes of Howie “the scream” Dean, Kennedy, Kerry, and Pelosi, we do deserve this mess. They’ve certainly created the conditions for our immanent destruction. I just keep thinking that somehow the electorate, and the supers will wake up.

Posted by: Emily | May 4, 2008, 12:59 am 12:59 am

I have yet to see anyone show any example where Barack, Michelle or their children have ever shown any evidence of racism. Not one member of the Senate, Illinois legislature or any students at Harvard, Columbia… have ever come forward and said that Barack has exhibited racism. Even John McCain and Hillary say that they do not believe that Barack shares Wright’s opinions. Watch their children playing joyfully and comfortably with those other children with no hint of racism. Judge Barack by his own words and example, not by someone he knows. The only thing he was guilty of was showing compassion towards a man who has not gotten past the injustices he has experienced.

Posted by: Tane | May 4, 2008, 1:38 am 1:38 am

That’s better than listening to his pastor since they were babies.

Posted by: blue Irish | May 4, 2008, 2:18 am 2:18 am

Emily,
Good comments.

Posted by: blue Irish | May 4, 2008, 2:21 am 2:21 am

@Foodforthought,
Thanks for the information.
So,,Oprah just released she felt that way?
Why she did not say it long time ago?
I guess after Obama denounced his pastor , now Oprah just followed him.

Posted by: blue Irish | May 4, 2008, 2:27 am 2:27 am

“”We wanted to have a family day because our hope is that when we get into the White House … the White House will be a place where children and family become the core of everything that happens out of that building,” Michelle Obama said.”
O.M.G. Pander alert. Pander alert. That is some fake b.s. right there.

Posted by: Rachel | May 4, 2008, 5:38 am 5:38 am

what solutions does hilary offer….
30 cents a day relief on fools who will jump up and down and vote for her…she really knows her supporters!!!!

Posted by: nmt | May 4, 2008, 6:51 am 6:51 am

Rev.Wright’s radical sermons are well known in Chicago. Seems like Obama is the only one that didn’t know.
Obama looks foolish denying he didn’t know his pastor very well after a 20 year relationship. No wonder he wants to “move on”.

Posted by: cindy in nc | May 4, 2008, 12:01 pm 12:01 pm

Radical statements don’t equal racist statements. Look at all the “radical” statements from the much larger religious statements from the likes of Hagee and Robinson and many more TV preachers. Heck look at the religious doctrine of the Methodist Church of which Hillary belongs, about gays. Hillary doesn’t agree with it, but she sure isn’t denouncing her church over it. You all, supporting the belief that Barack was in total agreement with Wright are in denial, and are using the old “guilt by association” as a crutch for not having the back bone to vote for a change, that you all know is needed in how Washington operates. What a bunch of disassociated hacks.

Posted by: JustBuzz | May 4, 2008, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm

One now wonders what advice she would ignore as president…

Posted by: Robbie | May 4, 2008, 3:34 pm 3:34 pm

Senator Obama has a lovely family. I pray that this country will move beyond the ploy by the American media to conduct character assasination of the Senator by repeatedly playing these clips of Reverend Wright.
The chasm between rich and poor continues to grow and poor and middle class families are being fed the politics of racial polarization and division to prevent us from coming to solve the problems that face all Americans.
We won’t be able to solve these problems if we are constantly diverted from “real issues” with this increasingly bitter argument on race.

Posted by: Kaye Martin | May 4, 2008, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm

Hillary is smart. We need a smart president to lead the country. There are MORE smart and educated people in big states such as California, New York…. They have ability to recognize which candidate is smarter; They select a smart president for their lives and for the country. There are MORE farmers and uneducated people in small states. And young people are not matured enough. These people are easy to get “Brain washed” by Obama, a talker.
I was not born in US but I love this country not as Wright, a “family member of Obama”.

Posted by: Hellen | May 5, 2008, 12:11 am 12:11 am

All of this is being used for the good of Barack, so in Nov. those Reps. need to come up with new tactics, because it’ll be old news in a few weeks.
P.S. it doesn’t matter what the Reps. do, because people are tired of them, and they must go, MOST OF THEM ANYWAY!

Posted by: Steven D. Brown | May 5, 2008, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm

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