Obama: Daughters ‘Won’t Be Heartbroken’ Over November Loss
EmailABC News’ Nitya Venkataraman Reports: If Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama doesn’t win the White House in November, his daughters’ might be rejoicing alongside his Republican presidential rival. "They have a wonderful life in Chicago," the Illinois senator tells PEOPLE magazine in their latest issue hitting newsstands on Friday. "So I’m sure there’s a part of them that won’t be heartbroken if things don’t work out." In the PEOPLE exclusive, Obama and his wife Michelle say they’re trying to create a life of stability for their two daughters amidst the chaos of a presidential campaign. Obama’s half-sister Maya Soetero-Ng told PEOPLE routine was something she and Obama missed out on during their younger years. "Our childhood was constant moving and adventure but little stability," says Soetoro-Ng. "Barack wants for his girls a rootedness and community that he didn’t have." The Obamas outline orderly days for their daughters, Malia, 10 and Sasha, 7: the girls earn a $1/week from their father for doing chores that include setting and clearing the dinner table, making their beds, cleaning their toy closet and abiding by an 8:30 bedtime. The apples seem not to fall too far from the trees either in the Obama household. "Our girls love to talk," Michelle Obama says, "They feel confident in their own opinions because we value them even if they’re silly or wrong or a little off." It’s a life of limits, too, for the Obama girls who receive no Christmas or birthday presents from their parents who "strive to teach some limits". Says Mrs. Obama, "Malia says, ‘I know there is a Santa because there’s no way you’d buy me all that stuff.’" While the young Obamas are not untouched by the constant media coverage, Obama tells PEOPLE the sometimes bruising race for the presidency has seemed to roll off his daughters, "I’ve been really happy by how nonplussed they’ve been by the whole thing," he says. "When some folks were attacking Michelle, Malia just asked, ‘What was that all about?’ And we talked it through," he says. Fortunately, he adds "She’s completely confident about her mommy’s wonderfulness." Ultimately, the Obamas believe the experience will be a rewarding one for their children. Obama says, ""If I ever thought this was ruining my family, I wouldn’t do it."
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Another toally non-issue
Posted by: BigDeal? | July 23, 2008, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm
“They have a wonderful life in Chicago,” the Illinois senator tells PEOPLE magazine in their latest issue hitting newsstands on Friday.” So I guess things aren’t so “broken” or “bad” in America after all!
Posted by: Ann | July 23, 2008, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm
I am never amazed by how the media seems to focus on everything except the issues (economy,housing market,safety,health care,…). These are young girls; let their parents take care of them and everyone else focus on what is really important during this election year.
Posted by: Wilbert | July 23, 2008, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm
Obama said, “I’ve been really happy by how nonplussed they (his daughters) have been by the whole thing.”……He needs to look up the word “nonplussed.”
Adj. 1. nonplussed – filled with bewilderment; “at a loss to understand those remarks”;
at a loss, nonplussed, puzzled
Posted by: Charlie35 | July 23, 2008, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm
I want to see a nice cover and story about MY candidate on People too! I hope they have one in progress on the McCains. I am sooo tired of seeing pious praying pictures of Obama every where. It’s getting nauseating.
Posted by: teri | July 23, 2008, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm
Obamamama and Angie,
Actually the Obamas can be downright sorry people. I’m sick and tired of their anti american friends, their anti american pastors and mentors, their terrorist friends and Michelle always cutting down America.
These people don’t belong in this country if it’s so terrible MUCH LESS belong in the White House!
Glad they never will be. They’re frauds and phonies and I’m sick of their demeaning America any time they can.
You lose. Next.
Posted by: Jo | July 23, 2008, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm
Another medic cover for BO, when is the other candidate going to get a fair share. I refuse to be sucked up by Hollywood and the liberal press. Vote for him and get read to hold onto to your empty wallets folks.
Posted by: Linda SAT | July 23, 2008, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm
We don’t even know what McCains chidren Look like, their names or what they do for a living. How about some real news!
Posted by: Linda SAT | July 23, 2008, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm
a few of mccain’s sons are in the military, one i know is serving in either iraq or afghanistan
Posted by: chris | July 23, 2008, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm
Looks like Senator Obama is using his children for political gain again. Did he not learn his lesson?
Posted by: Mary | July 23, 2008, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm
Obama’s hyped international trip has become a circus.
Posted by: amy | July 23, 2008, 1:46 pm 1:46 pm
Obama’s mother’s original Social Security Number Application
at: webofdeception
Posted by: Robert Lewis | July 23, 2008, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
The McCains are multi-millionaires, hace 15 personal mansions across the country.They never speak of their children or have been seen anywhere in public over the years.
WHATS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?
Posted by: watching | July 23, 2008, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
Thankfully, this is a non-issue since Senator Obama WILL win in November!
And I’m sure that McSame will be totally nonplussed by the experience! Maybe he’ll think he was running for president of Czechoslovakia!!!
Obama 08
Posted by: jackt51 | July 23, 2008, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm
Cute girls, knew Obama was cheap 1 dollar a week?
Posted by: rachel | July 23, 2008, 2:22 pm 2:22 pm
I forgot to add enough with the hollywood stuff, people, instyle, access hollywood ENOUGH.
Posted by: rachel | July 23, 2008, 2:28 pm 2:28 pm
How much more BS can we take??
Posted by: bombem | July 23, 2008, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
How much more BS can we take??
Posted by: bombem | July 23, 2008, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
To Jake Tapper:
Obama today said he was on the senate banking committee.
Only problem is he isn’t.
You haven’t posted on this. Why won’t you post on this HUGE gaffe.
If McCain said this you liberal reporters would have all gone to your battle stations.
Posted by: Steve | July 23, 2008, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
quote….Jo, your quote is wrong about Michelle.
For the first time in my adult lifetime, I’m really proud of my country.
Really is the word that the Obama haters keep leaving out……
It really doesn’t make much difference if you do! If she found nothing to be really proud of until her husband got a bunch of votes, mostly from blacks, then maybe she’d be happier in a different one. And for what it’s worth, I don’t “hate” either of them. I don’t consider them worth my hate. I also don’t consider him worth my vote.
Posted by: Charlie35 | July 23, 2008, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm
But wait! I thought Ms. Michelle said that children would be killed if Obama isn’t elected.
Posted by: Tony | July 23, 2008, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm
I didn’t think Obama was going to let his daughters do another interview. Another flip-flop! However, I think he has wonderful kids and I agree, they should stay out of the limelight. The kids can’t help the fact that their dad, Barack, continually lies and flip-flops during this campaign.
Posted by: david from texas | July 23, 2008, 3:09 pm 3:09 pm
teri, unfortunately PEOPLE magazine is not interested in your candidate McBush, because they cannot make money out of old McSame and lemon Cindy. God bless America and God bless Obama. OBAMA08.
Posted by: BKMC | July 23, 2008, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
Jo at 12:27 is dead on….THOUGHT THE OBAMASSIAN WASN’T GOING TO USE HIS GIRLS ANYMORE FOR ATTENTION? You don’t see McCain trotting out his two sons in the service his college grad daughter and their adopted daughter Mother Theresa handed to Cindy with a cleft palate years ago.
I’m just glad they finally get what a detriment Michelle is and pushed her to the back with her lack of pride in her country, mean ol America hating self!
Their Rezko manse keeps them pretty happy, I’m sure…..let’s hope that’s the only white house the Obamas ever live in.
Posted by: Debra | July 23, 2008, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm
Some of the positively absurd assertions that you haters of Obama “dream up” would have long since been revealed as truth if they actually were. Don’t you think the main stream media or some newspaper (particularly conservative ones) would investigate as much as possible to get some factual, concrete evidence of any unethical,unlawful, illegal, illicit, immoral or whatever other type of deeds you accuse the Obamas of, if there were even a slight chance that it was true, since that is what media is supposed to do? They would not be showing Obama in a positive light if in fact he was guilty of all the “made-up” accusations you constantly hurl at him. Even the so-called “liberal” press would uncover anything that was based in fact, and would reveal it, because getting at the truth is their JOB. Nothing has come to light because nothing exists – except in your small minds. You want to believe all the corruption crap – that’s your problem. You just CANNOT AND WILL NOT accept the fact that a black man could possibly be our next President, regardless of how intelligent and qualified he may be.
Posted by: geecee | July 23, 2008, 3:54 pm 3:54 pm
Ok…some people really do not think before they write…The Obamas did this interview LAST month, as most magazines are compiled an entire month before the issue goes to press…Duh!
Posted by: Cass | July 23, 2008, 6:47 pm 6:47 pm
They have a wonderful life? Hmmmm! I wonder how wonderful are the little children lives in the 13th ward???
Hmmmmmmm!
Posted by: disgusted in Illinois | July 23, 2008, 8:05 pm 8:05 pm
Didn’t he just say after the July 4th interview that he wasn’t going to use his family again? Lasted 2 weeks on that one. At least it appears that Michelle was air brushed and I don’t see a halo around his head. That helps.
Posted by: RL in Illinois | July 23, 2008, 11:23 pm 11:23 pm
Here is the biggest load of crap on these comments:The McCains are multi-millionaires, hace 15 personal mansions across the country.They never speak of their children or have been seen anywhere in public over the years.
WHATS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?
MY God PEOPLE, I live in Arizona and know for a fact this is crap. Don’t type lies on comment sections, IT AIN’T right.
HEY, PEOPLE get with PUMA.
Posted by: bpower | July 24, 2008, 12:23 am 12:23 am
Yup, the phony knew he will lose in November. Why not just quit and give someone else a sure win? Isn’t this another boneheaded mistake like he has been making daily?
Posted by: fact check | July 24, 2008, 12:29 am 12:29 am
I am by far NOT an Obama fan… far far far from it. however, they do seem to have a nice family. Eventhough I think he and his friends are elitists and way too arrogant… most young and all wealthy. Definitely the American Dream… no where else can we get the opportunities like we do in America… so no idea about the “America is a down right mean place”.
Any way, I think it’s nice that they only get $1/wk. Kids have no need for money any way, they should just be kids and enjoy the innocence of life. Further, we don’t give our kids X-mas presents and B-Day presents either… they have Santa, aunts, uncles… kids who have the essentials don’t need too much gifts… they need to learn to appreciate what they have. So, I say great for the Obama’s for giving their children some education on the value of money.
Posted by: K | July 24, 2008, 12:35 am 12:35 am
I hope none of voters vote for him because don’t want to break his children’s hearts.
Posted by: catleya | July 24, 2008, 12:47 am 12:47 am
None of media cover McCain’s sons who both of them serve in Military.
Why?
Posted by: catleya | July 24, 2008, 12:49 am 12:49 am
catleya,
First because McCain only has one son in Iraq. Second because McCain doesn’t want this covered, because he is worried about his boy being targeted – you dumb-ass!
Posted by: Davis | July 24, 2008, 2:30 am 2:30 am
FOR ALL HILLARY PUMAS AND SORE LOSERS ON THIS BLOG…
I know that you are all here, some more vocal than others, most now in the disguise of McBush supporters now. For the life of me I can’t figure out what the problem is.
If you are over 65 then I get it, you are the typical dried up die hard Hillary supporter. Other than that there is no excuse for your constant bashing of Barack. He is a good guy and cares about womens issues, the country, the military and our standing as Americans in the world.
Hillary and the PUMA’s do not have 18 million supporters, that is just a lie… If you don’t believe it just go here and see.
http://pewresearch.org/pubs/902/should-women-worry-obama
It would be nice if you were all blogging for us, instead of pining for something that will never happen. Hillary probably won’t be VP either (because of Bill and other reasons), so it is time to move on and support the Democrat Party.
Just face the facts, do you think Hillary would have been been recieved on a trip overseas like Obama was this week? Probably not, but maybe. Regardless though everyone in the Dem party must face the fact that Obama is our nominee – that is a fact.
So come and help us blog against this idiot McSenile that will only continue the pain we are all feeling in the country now, Thanks for your support!
Obama ’08!
Posted by: Davis | July 24, 2008, 2:31 am 2:31 am
This change is the change we’ve been waiting to change. That’s been my position all along.
Posted by: Jim | July 24, 2008, 7:54 am 7:54 am
This change is the change we’ve been waiting to change. That’s been my position all along.
Posted by: Jim | July 24, 2008, 7:55 am 7:55 am
I am beginning to think the Comments section of the internet will be this country’s downfall. It is destroying the myth that we are a country of intelligent, tolerant people.
Posted by: msgijoe | July 24, 2008, 7:55 am 7:55 am
The Obama’s are so KEEEEEEUUUUTTTE!
The best reason to make him president!
Posted by: Texas Lil | July 24, 2008, 9:22 am 9:22 am
Obama is the elephant in this circus.
He’s been a distraction for the Democratic party.
The media is the only ones loving him.
Americans feel quite differently.
He’s too cocky and acts as if he already is the president.
Democrats are totally embarrassed in my community.
Posted by: Al from NJ | July 24, 2008, 9:34 am 9:34 am
Why does Obama keep putting his family in the media.
Doesn’t he have enough decency to protect them.
Posted by: Rick from Pa | July 24, 2008, 9:41 am 9:41 am
Ha.
Ha-ha.
Ha.
Sincerely,
The Democrats of ’08
P.S. Ha!
Posted by: David | July 24, 2008, 11:32 am 11:32 am
Many of us are more than tired of “all Obama all the time” – we get it! The media loves him and they’re trying to stuff him and his family down our throats.
It’s not working.
Posted by: bromfield22 | July 24, 2008, 11:49 am 11:49 am
Another flip flop for Obama…he said he wanted his family off limits to the press…except Access Hollywood, and People magazine???
Thats like saying your against porno, but love Playboy magazine…………
Posted by: ford | July 24, 2008, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm
You don’t hear much about McCain’s children because almost all of them are grown, and they are not publicity hounds.
McCain has 7 children, 3 are adopted and one was adopted from a Bangladesh orphanage, and is black.
Children with Carol:
Douglas, 49
Andrew, 46
Sidney, 42
The first two were his first wife’s children. McCain adopted them after he married her. The third they had together. All three are close with their father and helping with the campaign.
Carol and McCain are friends. She even has a McCain bumper sticker on her car.
Children with Cindy:
Jack (JSMIV), 21, attends the US Naval Academy
Jimmy, 19, a Marine stationed in Iraq
Meghan, 23 a blogger for her dad’s campaign:
Bridget, 16 is a high school student, and is black. Lovely Democrats insulted McCain and Cindy by insisting that Bridget was the result of an affair. She is not. In fact, it was Cindy who was on the mission, and brought Bridget back to the US.
Posted by: Amaryllis | July 24, 2008, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm
I’m glad they won’t be disappointed. I for one, am going to do my part to see that they remain in Chicago.
Posted by: Jaycee | July 24, 2008, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm
Obama’s kids won’t be sad to see their Dad lose because they are Republicans and reject Obama’s tax and spend policy.
Posted by: Joyce | July 24, 2008, 7:57 pm 7:57 pm
What a lovely little story……I must buy several more issues of PEOPLE magazine so all my friends can read more about the wonderful Obama family in their cozy little mansion chatting about all these lovely things going on in their perfect little setting.
Then get serious and elect John McCain!
Posted by: DonnaD | July 24, 2008, 8:01 pm 8:01 pm
reel games true adress
http://www.cocukoyunlari1.com
Posted by: oktay | July 25, 2008, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
oh that is soooooo lovely and real! omg I am so touched! The Obamas are so so so so heartwarming and surprisingly down-to-earth! They are such normal people who will make such a wonderful First Family. Anyone with two such cute little girls who gives such a wonderful People Magazine interview deserrrrrrves to be president. Congrats to the hard-hitting People Magazine super-reporter who got these facts out there for us, the people, to know about before we cast that crucial vote for WHO will be in our White House. Vote Obama yeah!
Posted by: arhooley | July 25, 2008, 9:25 pm 9:25 pm
Davis 2:30:19,
OMG,,,you don’t have to get upset like that to me.
What did I offend you to call me such that word?
I think you are the D*** A** and sore loser yourself.
Posted by: catleya | July 26, 2008, 12:41 am 12:41 am
Hmmm. At least they have that humbleness about them out in the open now to counteract the “elite” comments.
Posted by: Darla | July 26, 2008, 2:47 am 2:47 am
It’s sad that the DEMS are exploiting their nominee’s children for publicity. How shameful that his two girls are being abused in this manner!! I’m glad to see the McCain is above this behavior. It speaks to McCain’s credibility that he is campaigning on issues and his presidential platform and not on his children’s backs as his opponent is.
Posted by: Sherk | July 26, 2008, 11:20 pm 11:20 pm
In response to “Geecee.”
I am voting for John McCain and not Barack Hussein Obama! It has nothing to do with the tone of his skin. The reason is many but mainly that Obama is just not the right person for the job of president of the United States of America, based on his lack of experience. If you were doing your homework you would know that the media has been bought out. The media is not giving fair reporting. They have Obama running as if he is a rock star. As far as his daughters on the cover of People: I thought Obama admitted it was a mistake to have his children on access hollywood after he did the show with his daughters? Now they are on the cover of People Magazine? Just another flip-flop from Obama! He has been called a political animal and he will do anything to become president! At the expense of his children’s exposure (again) -shameful!
Posted by: McCain in '08! | July 31, 2008, 2:15 am 2:15 am
Obama is already president,it’s not like he can have everthing in the world.
Posted by: m&m | November 5, 2008, 10:56 pm 10:56 pm
PRESIDENT of ’08
Posted by: m&m | November 5, 2008, 10:59 pm 10:59 pm
What are we going to do about the people who vow to bomb our houses and shoot our new president?
Posted by: m&m | November 5, 2008, 11:05 pm 11:05 pm