Obama’s Mother-in-Law to Move in To the White House
EmailABC News’ Sunlen Miller Reports:
President-elect Barack Obama’s mother-in-law will be moving into the White House with the future first family when the Obamas move into their new digs later this month.
The move to “the people’s house” by Marian Robinson — the 71-year-old mother of Michelle Obama — will be temporary … at least for now.
“Mrs. Robinson will be coming with the family to help the girls get acclimated, and she will determine in the coming months whether or not she wants to stay in D.C. permanently,” said Katie McCormick Lelyveld, a spokeswoman for the future first lady.
Malia and Sasha Obama’s grandmother is in Washington already — primarily to help the kids get settled and provide support for the family during its transition. During Obama’s campaign, Robinson regularly took care of the Obama daughters while their parents were busy criss-crossing the country for campaign events.
In an interview with “60 Minutes” shortly after the election, President-elect Obama said that he’s all for his mother-in-law moving in permanently.
“She sure can if she wants,” he said. “I think it’s fair to say that Marian Robinson is one of the unsung heroes of this campaign. We couldn’t have done it without her. ‘Cause she retired, looked after the girls, gave Michelle confidence that somebody was gonna be there when Michelle was on the road.”
Aides said Robinson has not decided about living in the White House or in Washington in the long term just yet because it is such a big change for her. She has lived in the same house on the South Side of Chicago for 50 years — the same house that Michelle grew up in — and has a very solid group of girlfriends in Chicago that she would be leaving behind if she were to decide to make Washington her permanent home.
Her primary focus in Washington for the time being will be to continue to help with the girls and all of their activities — as it was in Chicago. In addition to spending time with her granddaughters, Robinson loves yoga and going on long walks.
President-elect Obama has called his mother-in-law a “no-fuss type of person” who values her own space.
“And, like it or not, there’s some fuss in the White House,” he said. “But we hope that she comes.”
–Sunlen Miller
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I think those girls need their grandma. Better than hiring a nanny!
Posted by: AnaB | January 9, 2009, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
Hmmmmm!
Posted by: anonymous | January 9, 2009, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm
How many more obaba family members
will be moving in for the tax payers
to support? Guess the $12 dollar a
year brother will be next.
Posted by: Monette | January 9, 2009, 4:33 pm 4:33 pm
Maybe Granny could take care of National Health. It’s interesting that she WOULDN’T live with them in the Rezko mansion even when she was doing all the child care for their corporate climbing and campaigning.
Posted by: Belle Starr | January 9, 2009, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm
With a governor like Rod Blagojevich, don’t blame Mrs. Robinson moving out of Illinois…
Posted by: Emily | January 9, 2009, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm
I can see the jokes flying !!!
mother-in-law moves in the White House.
What about Barack’s brothers and sisters…they are not moving in??
Posted by: fred | January 9, 2009, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm
well its already started. first the mother-in-law and then the rest of the “hood”. while millions are losing their homes and savings, this family is truly “movin on up” as george jefferson would say.
Posted by: proud american | January 9, 2009, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm
What a lovely and loving family. This three-generational group is a wonderful example of how family members care for and support each other. I wish her the best, no matter how long she ultimately stays in the WH.
Posted by: debbie | January 9, 2009, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm
Hard to disparage a guy that(likes)says nice things about his
Mother-in-law.
Hope it works out for the entire family.
Posted by: smith | January 9, 2009, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm
I do agree the girls DO need their Gaurme (grandma)
Posted by: Jalee | January 9, 2009, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm
Just curious, how unusual is it for extended family members to move into the WH?
Posted by: samhiguchi | January 9, 2009, 4:48 pm 4:48 pm
No different than the other past presidents having family members living and/or visiting at the white house. Big deal. They need a normal life too.
Posted by: PS | January 9, 2009, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm
In addition to spending time with her granddaughters, Mrs. Robinson loves yoga and going on long walks.
————–
Sorry just saw this sentence and it struck me as funny…are you looking for a date for her? Sounds like something you would read on match.com LOL
Posted by: samhiguchi | January 9, 2009, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm
In addition to spending time with her granddaughters, Mrs. Robinson loves yoga and going on long walks.
————–
Sorry just saw this sentence and it struck me as funny…are you looking for a date for her? Sounds like something you would read on match.com LOL
_______________________________
What about her pet peeves? LOL Sorry too, but a little humor on a Friday afternoon never hurts.
Posted by: AnaB | January 9, 2009, 5:04 pm 5:04 pm
Sam – The part about the walks and yoga actually reveal a lot about the grandmother’s personality and temperament. It sounds to me like the girls will have a grandmother with a calm and gentle temperament to care for them.
Posted by: kat | January 9, 2009, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm
Sam- thats what I thought when I saw the ‘long walks’ thing.
““no fuss type of person”” is probably code for she wears colorful velor track suits around everywhere.
Should be excellent fodder for Comedy Centrals Obama sitcom.
Posted by: BertieW | January 9, 2009, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm
I need a room, you think Obama will hook me up. I am an American who lost her job today.
Posted by: becky (the real one) | January 9, 2009, 5:11 pm 5:11 pm
They are not asking permission. They are going to live as it suits them. 4 years, 8 years it is solely their wish.
Posted by: Rita | January 9, 2009, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm
Wow. Some really intelligent comments on here.
/stay classy america
Posted by: kyle | January 9, 2009, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm
Is this stuff going to be headline news for the next 4 years? Between what she wears and what the kids eat for lunch. Get a life and a real journalism job.
Posted by: JInChicago | January 9, 2009, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm
“Sorry just saw this sentence and it struck me as funny…are you looking for a date for her? Sounds like something you would read on match.com LOL”
That was funny.
Posted by: Ryan C | January 9, 2009, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm
Solid family values – makes me proud to be a Democrat (ex Republican). Grandmothers trully are the unsung heroes – my own was an angel until she passed away. Meant the life to me, too.
Posted by: Robin from Colorado | January 9, 2009, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm
There will be in and out movement of family and friends as long as Hussein and his family occupy the White House. Wright will be coming soon, he will suddenly have a religious experience, be forgiven for all the hate he has for the US and take up permanent residence as Hussein’s spiritual advisor, again!
Posted by: Evelyn | January 9, 2009, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
Time to dust off the mother-in-law jokes. rofl.
Posted by: jan | January 9, 2009, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
Well thats nice if she is willing to do that for them, but doesnt her son have children too that need their granny?
Posted by: rachel | January 9, 2009, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
Well…with the rest of the Chicago mob moving in there goes the neighborhood!
Posted by: EaglesDominion | January 9, 2009, 5:39 pm 5:39 pm
I agree that taxpayer money should not be used to support an extended family member living in the white house. She or they should have to pay room and board money for her while she is there.
Posted by: Amy | January 9, 2009, 5:41 pm 5:41 pm
Sounds like the making of a new reality show!! lol
Posted by: Michelle | January 9, 2009, 5:43 pm 5:43 pm
Yeah I was going to say…the tax payers won’t have to pay for a nanny if she is around. Though I don’t think tax payers should pay for her to live there either.
Posted by: ScorpRedhead | January 9, 2009, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
Are the tax payers obliged to pay for her to. Why can’t she get her own apartment and pay for it like everyone else.
Posted by: mimi362 | January 9, 2009, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
Michele needs support?!?! She’s going to have everybody there taking care of her family! Plus the woman only has 2 kids!!!
Me thinks the grandma wants to be in on the action.
Posted by: Anna | January 9, 2009, 5:50 pm 5:50 pm
Oh enough of this will the taxpayers pay for it crap. This is the Obama’s home while he’s in office. Of course the tax payers should pay for it. There is plenty of precedent with past President’s extended family living in the the White House you cheapskates.
Posted by: Eric | January 9, 2009, 5:52 pm 5:52 pm
So we get to pay for her gourmet meals, heat, air conditioning , electric, laundry, cleaning and such….. Maybe the other relatives from Kenya now can move in too.. everyone else is getting bailed out on the back of tax payers….DISCUSTING!
Posted by: Daisy | January 9, 2009, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm
Even Barack’s mother-in-law is better than Hillary living in the White House again. By the way, his nominating her for SOS will knock off her chances for a White House move in 4 years too. Great thinking, Barack!
Posted by: Mihann | January 9, 2009, 5:54 pm 5:54 pm
It shocks me all of you are so worried about the $$ to clean a 71 year old woman’s clothes who is helping take care of her grandchildren. Grandparents that age benefit children. It would do alot of families benefit to take example from the closeness of the Obamas.
For all the racist comments, I am disgusted.
How about we worry about unemployement and everything out there?
Posted by: American | January 9, 2009, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm
“Sorry just saw this sentence and it struck me as funny…are you looking for a date for her? Sounds like something you would read on match.com LOL”
****************************************************
Ryan et al – It’s not an uncommon writing technique to allow for a description to help carry along a piece. In school curriculum even 2nd graders are expected to infer character traits and other information based on the description of a person. In this case, some factual information was given about Marian Robinson for us to come to our own conclusions, which turned out from what I’ve read to be mockery of both the grandmother and the writer.
Posted by: kat | January 9, 2009, 5:58 pm 5:58 pm
What about, Zeituni Onyango, Obama’s aunt. Will she be joining the them?
Posted by: flopez | January 9, 2009, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm
Mrs. Robinson will not be the first mother-in-law to live in the White House, and she may not be there permanently. I might also point out that the Kennedys had a professional nanny for their two children. How much better to have a grandmother to keep an eye on the children when the Obamas are traveling or involved with their various duties.
And Michelle Obama will have duties, make no mistake. We expect a great deal of our First Ladies, and we don’t pay them a salary in return.
Posted by: Eleonora27 | January 9, 2009, 6:09 pm 6:09 pm
“which turned out from what I’ve read to be mockery of both the grandmother and the writer.”
You cant make Mother-in-law jokes any more?
Posted by: BertieW | January 9, 2009, 6:09 pm 6:09 pm
However, I think it is best to take the high road.
Posted by: Chippyarm
Yes, the high tax road.
Posted by: flopez | January 9, 2009, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm
jan, i know you get a kick out of saying “Hussein.” I hope your post made you feel better. Read John 3:16
Posted by: Chippyarm | January 9, 2009, 6:12 pm 6:12 pm
jan, i know you get a kick out of saying “Hussein.” I hope your post made you feel better. Read John 3:16
Posted by: Chippyarm | January 9, 2009, 6:13 pm 6:13 pm
Poor Michele. she’ll be waited on hand and foot and she needs her mommie to help with 2 kids! Give me a break!
Posted by: Anna | January 9, 2009, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm
every comment I have read appears that you have nothing good to say. That is your President and you cannot change a damn thing what is about to take place in the BIG HOUSE.
Posted by: lil bit | January 9, 2009, 6:16 pm 6:16 pm
…Andrew Jackson’s family (not just mother in-law), U.S. Grant’s mother in-law, Bess Truman’s mother, shall we continue? This certainly won’t cost as much as any contemporary war situation, will it flopez? Another thing, Mr. Flopez, I really don’t mind paying taxes, although the cost for this “visitor” to the White House will be almost nothing. I feel fortunate that I am in the tax bracket I am. It means that I am making some money. So yes, Mr. Flopez, the high tax road it is.
Posted by: Chippyarm | January 9, 2009, 6:25 pm 6:25 pm
Anyone else already growing weary of hearing about them? Can we say, “Overexposed?”
Posted by: Lisa Again | January 9, 2009, 6:25 pm 6:25 pm
lil bit, George Bush is our current President. Barak Obama is our President-elect. We must wish both of them well, as they are our current and future leaders. Let’s focus on function versus form. We, as a nation, must maintain hope in whomever leads us. It is not about them. It is about us, and our futures. George Bush led as he believed he should. Obama will lead as he believes he should. You may not have faith, but I believe all of us can have hope.
Posted by: Chippyarm | January 9, 2009, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm
i’m confused. even jackie kennedy didn’t have her mother move in. there is a FULL staff there to wait on all of them hand and foot 24/7. why does grandma need to move in? i’m thinking obama couldn’t be too excited about this but what’s he gonna do? he’s gotta go with it. i do like how it’s now a “temporary stay”. oh god.
Posted by: emma | January 9, 2009, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm
How long before they change the “Peoples’ House” into a refugee zone
so the whole fam is living high on the hog? At the “People” expense? When they run out of room inside they can pitch tents and shantys in the Rose Garden with burn barrels. Seriously…I thiught it was the parents job to help their children? Just what is the over worked poor Michele doing during all of this? Standing guard with the Marines?
Posted by: commrat72 | January 9, 2009, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm
“If the Republican base wasn’t so hateful and threatening…then maybe the Obama Girls could attend public school.”
I dont recall someone trying to burn down Obama’s church with people inside, or hacking his email account, or questioning if the kids are really his.
Posted by: BertieW | January 9, 2009, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm
…Andrew Jackson’s family (not just mother in-law), U.S. Grant’s mother in-law, Bess Truman’s mother, shall we continue? This certainly won’t cost as much as any contemporary war situation, will it flopez? Another thing, Mr. Flopez, I really don’t mind paying taxes, although the cost for this “visitor” to the White House will be almost nothing. I feel fortunate that I am in the tax bracket I am. It means that I am making some money. So yes, Mr. Flopez, the high tax road it is.
Posted by: Chippyarm
It would be most virtuous if you throw in a few bucks for Zeituni Onyango too.
Posted by: flopez | January 9, 2009, 6:37 pm 6:37 pm
Appease this:
The Rev. Wright is what? A lover of America? NOPE!! As far as you can see at the tip of your nose is all you can see. Too easy to call the race card but please go ahead and throw your card if you must. Simple fact is not all of us bite the sandwich thats being past around. Even you can see that this is not “CHANGE”. It is a rehashing of the Clinton Administration…..look at all the croonies being dusted off and polished for”HOPE AND CHANGE”. I want what is right for this nation…..you can keep the change!!
Posted by: commrat72 | January 9, 2009, 6:41 pm 6:41 pm
kat,
Among the many nasty things said on this thread, samguichi’s comment about match.com was funny and not meant to be vicious.
Posted by: Ryan C | January 9, 2009, 6:44 pm 6:44 pm
God Bless the Obama Family…Grandma is a welcome addition. Finally some class in the White House. Intelligence, competence, and honesty has returned to our government. Can’t wait until 20 January at 12PM.
Posted by: RML | January 9, 2009, 6:53 pm 6:53 pm
I say “let her stay” so Harry Reid doesn’t include her with the stinking tourists.
Posted by: SC Girl | January 9, 2009, 6:56 pm 6:56 pm
“”And, according to the New York Times, he was a domestic terrorist and part of a group that, quote, ‘launched a campaign of bombings that would target the Pentagon and our U.S. Capitol,’” she continued.
“Boooo!” the crowd repeated.
“Kill him!” proposed one man in the audience. ”
The reference for ‘he’ is William Ayres.
Therefor the reference for ‘him’ is William Ayres. Not Obama.
I know its not as much fun to be accurate
Posted by: BertieW | January 9, 2009, 7:06 pm 7:06 pm
If you find what I said upsetting Chippyarm, then I suggest you brace yourself for the soon to be onslaught from the comedians and late night talk show hosts who are even now dusting off their mother-in-law jokes.
Sheesh. What is it about you Obama “supporters” that you can’t read what I posted without mistakenly ascribing it to racism. I bet even Obama and Michelle have laughed at mother-in-law jokes.
Posted by: jan | January 9, 2009, 7:18 pm 7:18 pm
American,
Republicans don’t actually care about family and therefore don’t see the benefit of cleaning the babysitters clothes. Not sure why they promote “life” when they hate caring for the living. They eat their own unless she’s profitable in monetary value. The real question of the day is: Did Indians get snowed by Republicans when it comes to family values or did the Republicans get snowed by India? H1B is a good lookup on Google.
Posted by: Common Sense | January 9, 2009, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
JEALOUS-JEALOUS-JEALOUS. I’d be jealous also if I had nothing to do in life, but sit and comment on silly articles ALL DAY LONG.
Posted by: Houston | January 9, 2009, 7:45 pm 7:45 pm
“The reference for ‘he’ is William Ayres.
Therefor the reference for ‘him’ is William Ayres. Not Obama.
I know its not as much fun to be accurate”
Based on what?
The assertions of right wingers desperate to avoid one of their own getting caught showing their true colors and calling for the killing of a candidate?
A few posts ago you swore it never happened.
Posted by: Ryan C | January 9, 2009, 7:53 pm 7:53 pm
Emma, as I pointed out, Jackie Kennedy had a full-time professional nanny to care for her two children. Her name was Maude Shaw.
I’m continually amazed by the tendency of people to post here without bothering to read previous posts and without much in the way of historical knowledge.
Posted by: Eleonora27 | January 9, 2009, 7:59 pm 7:59 pm
Emma, as I pointed out, Jackie Kennedy had a full-time professional nanny to care for her two children. Her name was Maude Shaw.
I’m continually amazed by the tendency of people to post here without bothering to read previous posts and without much in the way of historical knowledge.
Posted by: Eleonora27
Was she employed and paid by the Kennedys, or was she a Federal employee?
Posted by: flopez | January 9, 2009, 8:05 pm 8:05 pm
“A few posts ago you swore it never happened. ”
What are you talking about!?
I just gave you the quote. Someone said “Kill him!” about the terrorist William Ayres. As in that serial bomber William Ayres ought to have been punished for his leading a terrorist organization like Timothy McVeigh was.
No one ever shouted “Kill him” about Obama. Where is that quote? Oh there are plenty of post in the left wing blogosphere (read nytimes website) but that never happened.
Posted by: BertieW | January 9, 2009, 8:09 pm 8:09 pm
“…he’s all for his mother-in-law moving in permanently.”
Permanently? I don’t think so. There is no permanence in the White House. Four years, eight years, gone.
And it’s incredibly dim to say “Republicans don’t take care of their families.” I’d wager that if a study was done on multigenerational homes, you’d find that political leanings have NOTHING to do with choosing to have extended family members living together. But you will label people, won’t you?
And before you start foaming, I live in a multigenerational house, supporting my child and my parent, and my parent provides child care. It works well for us.
Posted by: Laughing Cynic | January 9, 2009, 8:15 pm 8:15 pm
It just does not sound right. BTW, I am not a Republican.
Posted by: yy | January 9, 2009, 8:32 pm 8:32 pm
I loved my Grandmama and I love my Grandkids. Up with Grandmas and especially the new First-Granny-elect. (OK, guys, I suppose Grandpas are great, too!)
Posted by: Shockolit | January 9, 2009, 8:36 pm 8:36 pm
Using tax payer dollars to keep the Grandma up? Gimme a break! Sure she wants a little piece of the pie and she will milk it for every dollars worth. Mechelle..and I mispelled it on purpose..what does she do? Besides running off at the mouth? The true colors are showing oh so fast but don’t take my word for it lol! I’m already counting down til 2012. Enjoy it while it lasts!
Posted by: Republican Princess | January 9, 2009, 8:52 pm 8:52 pm
Flopez, Mrs. Shaw’s salary was paid by the Kennedys. However, as a resident of the White House, she enjoyed meals, electricity, hot water, maid/janitorial/laundry service, and so forth, paid for by the U.S. taxpayers.
By the way, as I recall, Mrs. Shaw was British. Just as Jackie Kennedy was hung up on the supposed superiority of French culture, she also believed that a British nanny was better than an American. To be fair, this was a general view of upper-class Americans at the time. Certainly, Mrs. Kennedy’s own mother would never have deigned to move into the White House in order to look after her grandchildren. Janet Norton Lee Bouvier Auchincloss Morris was the sort of person who hired servants to look after children. She didn’t do it herself.
Posted by: Eleonora27 | January 9, 2009, 9:03 pm 9:03 pm
Classy. classy,classy.. What are Grandmothers for…to support and love unconditional. Ms. Robinson, and the Obama family has values that is Family Values. The girls will still be around something that are routines in their lives. Good.
Posted by: sara wilson | January 9, 2009, 9:04 pm 9:04 pm
I like it that Grandma is coming to help it is the natural thing to happen and it will help the family, they are a lovely family and will be happy I hope and if the grandmother wants to come to the whitehouse and be with the family I am happy to hear it.
Posted by: Liz diess | January 9, 2009, 9:35 pm 9:35 pm
Cannot believe the comments made by so many uninformed folks. FYI presidents pay for their own food for family from their personal finances. Large dinner affairs are another story. I have never heard or read so many mean spirited comments and suggest that if you had children, would you wish to leave them with a stranger or your mother? Judging from the remarks, the intelligence level here is at at new low. Negativism breeds negativism.
Posted by: rosella | January 9, 2009, 9:52 pm 9:52 pm
I do not want this woman moving in to our nation’s White House on our dime…if she wants to follow her family here fine, but if she wants to move into the White House the Obamas need to pay some kind of surcharge. This is ridiculous. The kids are a convenient excuse.
Posted by: Cmarsh | January 9, 2009, 11:00 pm 11:00 pm
Tisk tisk tisk, The Note has a story about about the Obama USAService web site promoting a “Obama Celebration and Bush Shoe Toss.”
You guys are the hatingest haters that ever hated.
Posted by: BertieW | January 9, 2009, 11:01 pm 11:01 pm
Not a prudent way to use tax payers dollars,who’s gona protect Obama’s mother in-law.Do we need more secret service for her.Please no more than Michelle and the girls,grandma can stay in chicaco were she belongs and visit often.
Posted by: anonymous | January 10, 2009, 1:20 am 1:20 am
The White House – The world’s #1 most watched sitcom since 1963.
Posted by: SteveinSD | January 10, 2009, 2:47 am 2:47 am
Heaven’s above we wouldn’t want real people or a real family in the White House now would we … .
Nay saying toads.
Posted by: pefros | January 10, 2009, 3:04 am 3:04 am
How wonderful for Malia and Sasha that they will have the familiarity of their loving grandmother as they acclimate to their new home, and that Michelle will have her mother with her as she settles her family into their new surroundings.
And, as Rosella previously stated, all you people talking about “tax dollars” really should get a clue before posting. Do you think the sitting president just banks his salary and lives totally at the taxpayers expense while he’s in the White House? If so, you need to get educated.
Yes, Mrs. Robinson will be using some hot water when she takes a shower or a bath. But so would a hired nanny. It costs no more to heat or air condition the White House with her in it as it would without her. If she accompanies Malia and Sasha to school, the same Secret Service agents that guard Malia and Sasha will be in charge of protecting her as well. I, personally, don’t see Mrs. Robinson spending all day out shopping and doing the “ladies who lunch” routine in Washington, so I don’t really think she’s going to need her own phalanx of Secret Service agents following her around all day.
The Obama family is giving up *a lot* for us, in order that Mr Obama can serve as our president. I don’t think it’s asking too much for us to be understanding and reasonable in accommodating Mrs. Robinson in the White House for as long as she decides to stay.
Posted by: Jaylah | January 10, 2009, 4:58 am 4:58 am
I just wonder if the Obama relative found to be an illegal immigrant living in a Boston apartment the week before the election will now be living in the White House, as well? And if that happens, will the MSM report on that, or will they squash that story like they failed to folow up on the original story of the illegal immigrant status, as well?
Posted by: MNResident | January 10, 2009, 8:28 am 8:28 am
“The Obama family is giving up *a lot* for us, in order that Mr Obama can serve as our president.”
Ah, their selfless sacrifice is just TOO great. Let’s just forget the whole thing, and send ‘em back to Chicago.
Posted by: Edgar Cayce | January 10, 2009, 10:39 am 10:39 am
All the settings for the first State Divorce!
Posted by: Todd | January 10, 2009, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm
Obvious who wears the pants in the Obama family, and it ain’t Barry.
Posted by: Obvious | January 10, 2009, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
Having Mrs. Robinson in the WH won’t cost the taxpayers one dime! The cost to heat, cool, clean and keep up the WH is the same regardless of it’s the first family consists of 1 person or 10!
FYI, the first family is responsible for their own personals: food, clothing, dry cleaning, toiletries, etc. So, Mrs. Robinson will have to support herself. The only thing she’s getting free is one of the dozens of empty rooms in the WH!
Posted by: Carolinagirl | January 10, 2009, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
I did not vote for Obama, but it is what it is. I think it’s great that the Grandmother is moving in. I would rather my Mom take caree of my kids than total strangers. The children need some sort of normalcy
Posted by: Patty | January 10, 2009, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm
Reading many of these insensitive comments makes me sick. I applaud Mr Obama for his constant caring and concern about his children and having their interest and well-being in mind. It will be easier for them to adjust to living in the White House if their grandmother continues to assist in their caretaking rather than strangers.I am proud that our next President has such wonderful family values.
Posted by: Cheryl | January 10, 2009, 8:48 pm 8:48 pm
I can not believe how many people do not see the bigger picture. How perfect is it to have a family member help in taking care of the kids. What a great role model. Maybe their actions will inspire others to make their families well being as high a priority. How smart to minimize the stresses the family (Michelle and the girls) will experience thru this transition. As a husband and father, any difficulties felt by them will be a concern and distraction for him. By getting all of his ducks in order by alleviating these types of concerns, he sets the stage which allows him to focus on the task at hand. Good Job Obama Family Good Job
Posted by: Cyn from Canada | January 10, 2009, 10:53 pm 10:53 pm
The Obamas are our First Family. They have, if nothing else, earned our respect – for their achievement, and their service.
Posted by: Susie in Oregon | January 10, 2009, 11:02 pm 11:02 pm
“The Obamas are our First Family. They have, if nothing else, earned our respect – for their achievement, and their service.”
What service?
Posted by: TEO | January 11, 2009, 3:48 am 3:48 am
Is his half brother George Obama who lives on a dollar a day in a shack in Kenya going to move into the White House also??
Posted by: smc341 | January 11, 2009, 4:46 am 4:46 am
What a kind grandma, to help the girls adjust to their new life by being there for them.
Posted by: Lydia | January 12, 2009, 8:56 am 8:56 am
Posted by: Republican Princess | Jan 9, 2009 8:52:53 PM
Using tax payer dollars to keep the Grandma up? Gimme a break! Sure she wants a little piece of the pie and she will milk it for every dollars worth. Mechelle..and I mispelled it on purpose..what does she do? Besides running off at the mouth? The true colors are showing oh so fast but don’t take my word for it lol! I’m already counting down til 2012. Enjoy it while it lasts!
________________________________________
Is your problem with grandmothers in gerneral? or the fact thatit is Michelle’s mother.If it had been Obamas mother,would that be ok with you?
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Posted by: fempharoh | January 12, 2009, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm
As the other commenters have pointed out, having one more person in the family quarters isn’t going to increase the costs to the taxpayers at all. Heat, security, etc. won’t be bumped at all. Oh, maybe she uses another 45 gallons of water a day, big deal. Have any of you ever seen how big the White House really is and how many people work in it? It’s a drop in the bucket even if the taxpayers did have to pay for all the family’s food, which we don’t.
More importantly, since the recession is forcing more Americans to bring extended families together under one roof again, what better family to set the example of living together than the president’s family? I mean, I suppose they could warehouse her in some assisted living or nursing home as she gets too old to live on her own in Chicago.
Some people really are so partisan and hateful that they just have to sit around digging for “problems.” I didn’t vote for Obama, so I feel no obligation to defend the guy, but this criticism of extra taxpayer expenses is just plain ignorant. Think “Waltons” people. Geeze.
Posted by: Steve B. | January 13, 2009, 11:44 pm 11:44 pm
Some of the comments on this blog is so outrageous and just plain stupid. Some people have so much hatred in them that they can not see beyond their small narrow thoughts…how sad. Me personally, I would do the exact same thing for my kids. Not everyone will send their kids off to some boarding school far away just so the parents don’t have to be parents. And some of us actually care about the well-being of our kids and don’t allow our kids to be parented by any and everybody meaning a white house nanny and staff. Some of us actually care enough about our kids to provide them with stability and surround them with people who genuinely love them not someone who’s watching over the kids for money. Some of you people need to get over it. President Obama and First Lady Michelle have an awesome and gorgeous family. You really can actually see that they have a lot of love in their family, they are not some arranged married couple who put on airs and be phony for the people which is what we have had for several hundred years.
Posted by: Tara | January 26, 2009, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm
I can understand people’s apprehension at the Obama’s mama’s mama moving in the white house, but then this is’nt all in The Family nor The Jefferson’s. This is a family who obviously still has family values intack. I wonder why there was;nt a bruhaha over who took care of Nixon’s kids, or Ike’s kids or Kennedy’s kids, or or the Bush’s kids. SOMEBODY had to do it! While i did not vote for him, I think having a family member, preferably a grandmother to watch my children while I traipse all over the country, world and my wife does her thing for the American people, whom I think she is going to be doing. I think Michelle Obama will be a force to reckon with regarding women’s rights! If Hilary could’nt be there to advocate for women, atleast we got a woman in there who is articulate, smart and knows her own mind. I am optimistic that she will do much for womans movement, education and medical insurance. So to You nay sayers, give’em a chance, I didnt vote for him ,but I am willing to give them a chance! Is’nt this democracy at work?
Posted by: Mona Estrada | February 25, 2009, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm
I THINK THIS IS KINDA LAUGHABLE, ALL THESE COMMENTS….WELL, HERE’S MINE.. I DONT HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH THE MOM’S MOM COMING TO THE WHITE HOUSE, EVEN THO IT WILL INCREASE THE SECRET SERVICE PEOPLE AND THEIR PAY, HOUSING ETC. WHAT I THINK’S KINDA FUNNY IS, ALL OF THIS WORSHIP OVER A WOMAN WHO’S A RACIST, YOUNG, AND OLD, AND, SHE WENT TO SCHOOL ON THE TAXPAYERS MONEY TOO, THE SAME MULTI-RACIAL TAXPAYERS WHO SHE CONDEMNS ALL THE TIME IN HER RACIST REMARKS, AND HER PREACHER’S RACIST REMARKS. YEAH I KNOW THE MAN ‘RETIRED’ TO HIS MULTI-MILLION $$ TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RETIREMENT HOME….LOL!! WHAT A TRIP. THEY WENT TO THAT FREAKING RACIST PLACE, CALLED A UNITED CH. OF CHRIST FOR 20 YEARS, & U BETTER BE SURE THEY KNEW WHAT A RACIST PLACE IT WAS EVERY YEAR THEY WERE THERE. THAT’S MY ONLY GRIPE, THEIR RACISM. AND THE FACT THAT HER MOM IS PROLLY JUST AS BIG A RACIST AS MICHELLE OBAMA IS.
Posted by: SARAHMAX | March 19, 2009, 5:27 am 5:27 am