Barack Obama…Soccer Dad?
EmailABC News’ Sunlen Miller Reports: Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama took a little break from the campaign trail to be a soccer dad.
Carrying a folding "Sports Authority" lawn chair slung over his shoulder, Sen. Obama, D-Ill., arrived at the soccer field on the Chicago campus of the University of Illlinois with his family to watch his older daughter’s soccer game.
Watch video from the game HERE.
The Senator set up his chair on the sidelines and watched as his 9-year-old, clad in a red soccer jersey, ran up and down the field in the game. He flashed Malia a thumbs up, and jumped out of his seat, along with his wife, in unison, as she took control of the ball during one play in the game.
Obama is known for his competitive sports spirit – and tried his hand at coaching her during halftime – mimicking a proper kick multiple times in the grass as she stood beside him.
Obama had spent the day campaigning in Ohio, and the rigors of a busy schedule were apparent: Obama indulged in six huge yawns throughout the course of the thirty-four minute game.
Before the conclusion of the game, Obama left his family early – leaving them at the field to attend meetings at his campaign’s Chicago headquarters.
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To Ann: The meaning of having elections is all about making choices.
If McCain is your choice, thats fine. My choice is Obama and the rest who has put him where he is now ( Dem Nominee).
Posted by: Peace | July 2, 2008, 7:55 am 7:55 am
Ann Mr.Obama as done nothing to take away Mr.McCain service to this country
however since the hold swift boat issue of 2004 why is is record any different than say a John Kerry. John McCain as also smear Obama but you should to see past that.Service to this country is no only serving in the armed services which I did but working in areas of service to this country to make it a Better place which I am doing how.
Posted by: Ken Pittsburgh | July 2, 2008, 8:02 am 8:02 am
nn…again you all are blaming Obama for something someone els has said. Although I believe what the general said, being a war hero does not necessaryily prepare you to be president.If that were true we’d have lot more people running to be president. If I read between your lines you are also saying anyone who doesn’t serve our country in the military,REALLY hasn’t served our country. On that one you are totally wrong. Ask Obama who worked in the projects for $10,000 a year after he graduated from Law School.
Posted by: militarymom | July 2, 2008, 8:03 am 8:03 am
We need to leave religion out of the political game.
Posted by: WhyMe | July 2, 2008, 8:10 am 8:10 am
truth,
So ?
Posted by: WhyMe | July 2, 2008, 8:23 am 8:23 am
Hillary,
The press just reports on anything they think will get attention. I do agree with you though.
Posted by: WhyMe | July 2, 2008, 8:24 am 8:24 am
to trettione:
Is Charlie Black a member of McCain’s campaign, John McCain didn’t control him well now did he. Or Bill Cunningham or the South Carolina GOP…I think they both will have overzealous supportors who will have less the favorable things to say…
However, John McCain’s Campaign went almost bankrupt after Iowa, he has retooled his message serveral times. The Green Screen was a disaster. He can’t seem to find time to practice with a teleprompter. He has to restaff and reorganize his campaign several times. He has been through this before…He has experience. Why does it seem he is making these type of Rookie mistakes if he is the man of experience. I supported John McCain in 2000…where has he gone.
Posted by: Marie | July 2, 2008, 8:27 am 8:27 am
“If there is a war, if we have civil unrest, if there is fighting and turmoil in our country whom do you want at the helm?”
I want someone that will stop the war that the republicans started, not another republican. You use the same rhetoric as Bush did when he was running for his second term. Something along the lines of “We’re in a war, and I’m a wartime president. Vote for me because I started this war.”
Posted by: Pete | July 2, 2008, 8:42 am 8:42 am
To Hillary @ 8:23. I loved the article, I love to see a dad involved with his children’s summertime lives.
But in answer to your question, for JOBS one thing he wants to do is get federal funding to expand research into broadband technology so businesses can invest in that field, which could create high-paying (and secure) jobs.
For Healthcare, he wants to immediately cover all of the currently uninsured children. That’s 9 million children! And he wants to help people purchase private coverage, and to reform the insurance market.
I’m not sure what he’ll do with the gas prices, sorry, but on the Economy one thing he says is he wants to change the tax code. He usually says, “restore fairness” which I think means going back to to the Clinton tax code. He’ll also work for fair trade agreements that create jobs here.
Have a great summer!
Posted by: Wren | July 2, 2008, 8:47 am 8:47 am
actually no he’s right
he does support a bill that allows religious groups to hire based on religion,however that makes total sense i mean i’m not anti-semitic but if i was a catholic i wouldn’t want a hindu piano playor, a jewish choir, and a budhist… idk what else there is working at my church
Posted by: Steve | July 2, 2008, 8:53 am 8:53 am
Why is it that the news media (ABC, USATODAY, CNN,NBC,….) is always covering Barack and never giving attention to John McCain, unless there is negative information. There is such a bias towards Barack as seen during the Democratic primaries when Hillary got the same treatment. The media is definitely trying to get Barack elected.
This is one of many reasons why I will vote for McCain to make it ‘FAIR and Balanced’!!!!
Posted by: de | July 2, 2008, 8:59 am 8:59 am
Washington31,
I don’t support McSame by any means. I’m leaning more toward Obama. I’m just saying everyone beleives something different about religion and I think we should agree to disagree about that subject on here.
Posted by: WhyMe | July 2, 2008, 9:04 am 9:04 am
I think what W. Clark said was right. It does not disrespect McCain’s experience – just points out it does not add to his ability to be president. I have thought this from day one of the campaign.
Posted by: this election counts | July 2, 2008, 9:05 am 9:05 am
matt:
Additionally, Cindy McCain doesn’t trust John with her money and insisted on a pre-nuptial agreement. Why would America trust McCain with our money and the lives or our sons and daughters?
Posted by: Common Sense | July 2, 2008, 9:07 am 9:07 am
Ann,
Now I really know that “Common Sense Isn’t Common To All”.
Love him or hate him, the General made an indisputable point!
Is McCain the only one to have ever experienced horrific things in the time of war? I bet there are other ex-servicemen (or women) out there that went through a lot more. But THE legitimate question is: DOES THAT MERIT THEM FOR THE OVAL OFFICE?
Ann, respond.
Posted by: JoeMB | July 2, 2008, 9:07 am 9:07 am
Look what has happend to this country since the Democrats have taken control if I were one one I sure would not want it known to the world. ( Drill Now )
Posted by: Don | July 2, 2008, 9:17 am 9:17 am
If memory serves me right ,didn’t Bill Clinton Fire So called General Clark ?? Guess he is another Democrat with no credentials.
Posted by: DonIf Memory seves me right | July 2, 2008, 9:22 am 9:22 am
No one is going to read any of these comments and think, “Wow, he (or she) is right! I think I’ll vote for the other guy after all.” The most useful activity is to see where each candidate stands on all the issues, prioritize the issues that matter to you most (with real thought about why they matter) and then vote for the person who agrees with you most. If your guy wins, celebrate, but don’t stop there–read real news articles to know if the promises you cared about are being upheld. If not, let your president know you hold him accountable. We can drop the gossip session and focus on real policies.
Posted by: Think, people! | July 2, 2008, 9:27 am 9:27 am
“Barack believes that religions that hire people should be allowed to discriminate.
he’s garbage”
Actually, the opposite is true. He believes that religious programs that receive federal money shouldn’t be allowed to discriminate against potential hires based on their own religion.
Posted by: Ken | July 2, 2008, 9:29 am 9:29 am
As the mom of a soccer player, I know that my efforts at ‘coaching’ during the half time would no more be appreciated than being lectured by Obama about faith issues.
I suppose that we shouldn’t be surprised that he couldn’t devote time to be there for the entire game – or suppress those yawns. This from a guy who’s largely MIA with his own family.
Posted by: bromfield22 | July 2, 2008, 9:36 am 9:36 am
YOu guys are funny. McCain was a POW, and he served his country. He’s no more a hereo than I or anyone else whom are presently in the military and took an oath to defend this country. You have to look at this country and it’s history. Blacks were not allowed to fight or serve initially, women were not allowed in combat the list goes on. The General states that being a POW does not give you an ordained right to be President, nor does it qualify you any more or less..same as being first lady..did she serve in the military? did Obama? Hell, Reagan was an actor turned governor turned President..so all the moaning and griping about qualifications are mute to me.
Posted by: Rowdy | July 2, 2008, 9:44 am 9:44 am
I just read two articles in the elections section, one about how Obama would be a better BBQ guest, and the other about how he watched his kid play soccer. C’mon, is there really nothing else to report on?
Posted by: James | July 2, 2008, 9:56 am 9:56 am
I could never vote for a president who had divorced. Family and marriage are in my opinion some of the greatest tests of character that a person can undertake.
McCain failed miserably. Because I value family, and hate the way families are falling apart in America, I will vote for Obama.
Posted by: RM | July 2, 2008, 10:02 am 10:02 am
@ Steve, it matters because we choose presidents to make decisions. If a president doesn’t have the moral fiber or strength of character to manage his personal and family lives how can we entrust him with the wellbeing of the entire country?
When things get tough, is McCain going to divorce us and go campaign in the UK?
Posted by: rm | July 2, 2008, 10:23 am 10:23 am
Unless I’m mistaken, McCain didn’t shoot a gun…he was shot at.
There is a reason why the air force doesn’t teach people how to get shot down, it’s not a skill and it shouldn’t be celebrated.
I respect McCain for his sacrifice, but I recognize that it didn’t come from leadership skill or battle readiness.
Posted by: rm | July 2, 2008, 10:31 am 10:31 am
EMOTIONAL JOHN MCCAIN
Posted by: jayjay | July 2, 2008, 10:51 am 10:51 am
A great Dad would have stuck to his wife after waiting faithfully and praying for him while he was in combat. Instead the first thing he did when he came back is to divorce his wife and marry an heiress.SYMPATHYLESS JOHN MCCAIN
Posted by: jayjay | July 2, 2008, 10:57 am 10:57 am
mccain going off to columbia and mexico on this independece week selling out the american people more jobs gone well seeing john mccain doesnt know much about the economy here i dont think he is qualified to be president i and alot others want someone with knowledge of our us economy not someone who is just gonna continue the last 7 yrs well looks like im voting for obama!!!!
Posted by: ANGIE | July 2, 2008, 11:21 am 11:21 am
Yet another pointless article by the media trying to portray Obama as perfect. I really don’t care that he went to his kid’s soccer game. What I do care about is how he plans on delivering all this “Change” we hear about. So many people are in love with him because he’s going to “change America”, yet he’s never done anything of significance in the Senate and he has yet to explain how he’s going to change anything.
Posted by: JT | July 2, 2008, 11:22 am 11:22 am
Don… I have found that those who use the phrase ‘greatest generation’ to describe themselves are desperately in need of praise… while those who are truly worthy of the praise don’t go around asking for it. Real heroes don’t need to advertise the fact; others will do it for them. Same goes for true Christians.
I still doubt that you are a WWII vet… I suspect that you are a GOP troll trying to influence the sons & daughters of WWII vets.
Either way, please take some time here to explain why (if you are a vet or care about vets) you will vote for Sen. McCain even though he wishes to destroy the futures of our soldiers by gutting the GI Bill. Please, enlighten us…
Posted by: Champ | July 2, 2008, 11:30 am 11:30 am
It’s amazing how a simple article about Obama taking time out of the presidential campaign to watch his daughter play soccer, could ignite a firestorm of such hatred.
The media could post a story of how Obama helped an old lady across the street and the Obama haters would even try to twist that story around!!
Posted by: Jennifer | July 2, 2008, 11:37 am 11:37 am
I Agree with “The General”. There is no glory in being shot down and making propaganda films for the enemy. Old Songbird McCain will try to put a stop to this because it makes people look at his record(and believe me, he doesn’t want people to look that had). I would think that the american public would trust a GENERAL over a senator that was almost last in his class in the Academey and had wrecked MULTIPLE fighter jets before getting shot down.
Wake up People.
I may not believe in everything Obama is for but I have nightmares about the stuff McCain would get this country into.
McCain is not a moral person. I look forward to the debates were McCain will loose his temper and his chances to be our next president.
Posted by: nate | July 2, 2008, 11:55 am 11:55 am
These PUMA people will find any excuse to bash Obama. It doesn’t matter what the article is about. They skip past the content of the article, and just scroll down and post their hatred!!
Posted by: Jennifer | July 2, 2008, 12:59 pm 12:59 pm
I have been to many games for my kid and never do I see someone come dressed as he did unless they came straight from work. He can not even let his hair down for his family, but I do commend him for being there….
Posted by: Jack | July 2, 2008, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm
Yawned six times? Did ever doze off or pick at the seat of his pants?
Is this news?
Posted by: straightman | July 2, 2008, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm
Jack wrote:
I have been to many games for my kid and never do I see someone come dressed as he did unless they came straight from work.
**********
Um….how many of the other parents at YOUR kids soccer games are also running for POTUS?
I will venture a guess and say NONE!
Your post is nonsense.
Posted by: SERIOUSLY! | July 2, 2008, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm
I agree that this news is trivial and the reporters need to let Obama alone during family time. His family has the right to get together without having news about how many times he yawned all over the internet. To Ann, Obama did not say that and he even defended McCain’s service. However, McCain, appeared very petty when he kept insisting that Obama had a hand in it. Now you sound as petty or you haven’t read the news updates. I believe in Obama, that he is the man of the hour. He is the visionary leader who can set things right and take us into a new era. He is the new American of mixed heritage. He is educated and uses the new media to excellent effect. He knows and understands. VOTE FOR OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!! Go to WhyObama08.org!!!
Posted by: Aiken Blue | July 2, 2008, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm
I’d have to agree that there is some real hate steaming off of this story. Soccer. Ain’t that some sort of commie sport?
I think some of you folks need to get out in the sunlight. Maybe make a run to the drugstore to replenish your supply of Depends.
Posted by: straightman | July 2, 2008, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm
Obama absolutely does not support a bill that allows religious entities to discriminate on the basis of religion in hiring.
Entries from Emile, Ken, Steve on this website stating the opposite are smears and should be flagged and reported as such.
Posted by: ella street | July 2, 2008, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
Gee, I think we’d all like to know what Obama had for dinner last night. Did he eat his vegetables? Does he use one pillow or two at night? What is his shoe size? Does Michelle wear pantyhose on hot days? Do they let their daughters eat Cheetos? Did he sign children’s drawings in crayons, or were those actually signals to Muslim terrorists?
Please, cram more useless information down our throats, while neglecting to report on anything of substance!
Posted by: loovill | July 2, 2008, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm
Senator Obama’s watching his daughter play soccer is the one thing I approve of. He should be proud of his daughters and happy they are healthy, smart and beautiful.
Posted by: Mary | July 2, 2008, 3:40 pm 3:40 pm
Obama has a cute butt. What a cutie pie! We’re going to have a hottie in the White House, woooooohooooo!
Posted by: Lydia | July 2, 2008, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm
Having a ‘”cute butt” makes Obama presidential material is the last straw. Where are the brains of the Obama supporters? GEEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Posted by: Mary | July 2, 2008, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm
Sunlen, this is the best you can come up with? You spend your days following the senator around, and you can’t find something more substantive to write? Pretty sad
Posted by: dan | July 2, 2008, 9:20 pm 9:20 pm
Of course nobody dresses like this for a kid’s soccer game. It was a photo op and he knew it. Of course he sent Gen. Clark out to knock McCain. Because even if the Gen. is right, does only serving 2 terms in the state legislature and not even 1 in the Senate qualify someone for POTUS? Barry doesn’t have a clue about economics or foreign policy. All he knows is raise taxes (lib) and run from terrorists (coward). Raising taxes when the economy is depressed will only make it worse and turning tail on terrorist will only get us attacked again. Maybe he’s hoping that his ties to their community will save him.
Posted by: Tarmangani | July 4, 2008, 7:53 am 7:53 am
Obviously this is just a tactic to make this dangerous person seem like a normal American.
I mean he couldn’t really be one of us, could he.
Posted by: Miri NY | July 4, 2008, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
GADS How old are you people ??? How innature are these converstaions ? I read one from James who was Holier than thou and is voting for Barak because John McCain was married twice and his Obama wasn’t. Boy James you must not have very many friends if that is what you base yourself on.That is a really good reason to vote for someone.Then there are the liberal’s who cannot even spell or proofread for that matter. Most of these immature smurfs aren’t even old enough to vote. Mommy needs to program her computer to keep them out of the adult sites when she leaves her latchkeys home alone while she hits the bars.
Posted by: Raven | July 4, 2008, 7:54 pm 7:54 pm