Michelle Obama and the Evil of Sound Bites

I have a lot to say about this whole nutty media freak-out over Michelle Obama saying ". . .for the first time in my adult life, I'm proud of this country. . ." People are condemning her after reading this sound bite like she's a big America-hater, and Bill O'Reilly couldn't help himself from uttering the term "lynching party."

But I will refrain. I'd just like to post her actual words before the statement:



Now for the actual words (and note the blipped out 'really' just for the record, if that really matters):



Now, please watch the beginning of this statement in an interview about what she said. If you read the soundbite they've been printing today, she sounds defensive and lame. But watch this and see 0% defensiveness. Listen to her words that have no pretense, unlike Some People.



If you want to quote this, I transcribed it since I couldn't find the text anywhere at all.

Reporter: Is there any clarification that needs to be made?

Michelle: I think the clarification has been made. What I was clearly talking about was that I'm proud in how Americans are engaging in the political process. I mean, everyone has said what I've said, which is "We haven't seen these record numbers of turnouts, people who are paying attention, going to rallies, watching the debates." For the first time in my lifetime, I'm seeing people rolling up their sleeves in a way that I haven't seen [before] and really trying to figure this out. And that's the source of pride that I was talking about.

Reporter: So then you hear Senator Clinton and Mrs. McCain saying, "Well, I've always been proud of America." Have you always been proud of America?

Michelle: Absolutely. I mean, you don't...

Reporter [FYI: he's white]: When we abandon the people in Rwanda? When there's disparity between the rich and poor is growing...

Michelle: Well let me tell you--I wouldn't be here if it weren't for the possibilities of America. And I've talked about that. My father was a city worker. I went to Princeton and Harvard with scholarships and loan support. Barack and I wouldn't be here if it weren't for the greatness of this country. That doesn't mean that we don't have challenges. That doesn't mean that we can't work for change and that any talk of change is unpatriotic. You don't run for president of the United States and put yourself and your family through this if you don't feel some level of deep pride, and possibility for your country. I love my country. I wouldn't be in this if I didn't care deeply and didn't believe that every possibility that I had as a kid should be available to every single child.