OPRAH WINFREY interviews the Obamas and the Romneys for the November publication of “O,” The Oprah Magazine.
The excerpts reveal the personal side of the political marketing campaign of both candidates, with softer interviews a mainstay of this year’s presidential election cycle.
The argument raged when President Obama chose the “The View,” with Michelle Obama by his side, instead of meeting with world leaders during the U.N. General Assembly. Softer settings give the candidates a chance to reach voters well beyond the political world. The respite it offers, as well as the viral aspect, makes it an easy choice instead of interviews that press candidates on issues that can alienate the audience and provide no win situations.
The photo below of the Romneys and Oprah Winfrey is worthy of a caption contest. Looking at Ms. Winfrey’s face, something just happened, but what?
On what they like about their opponent:
Barack Obama: I really like the healthcare bill that he passed in Massachusetts. It was great.
Mitt Romney: Well, I’m glad he got Osama bin Laden, that’s one. A man’s been in office three and a half years, he does hundreds of things. I’m sure there are a few that are fine.
On their visions for the world:
BO: Michelle accuses me of being a congenital optimist, but it’s true. I think people are capable of great evil but are fundamentally good. I want America to continue to be on the side of expanding justice and freedom and opportunity.
MR: More liberty. More freedom. Opportunity. And hope.
On how the President draws joy from his family:
BO: I already loved [my family] so much, but when you’re under all of these pressures, to come home every single night – at least when I’m in town – and have Michelle and the girls there… They are my balance and keep me grounded, and that’s truer now than it’s ever been.
On what Mitt Romney wanted to be when he was growing up:
MR: I never imagined being the president in my youth. As a little boy, I wanted to be a policeman.
On what they have to say to their critics:
BO: To my critics I say, I’m not done yet.
MR: Just you wait and see.
Michelle Obama on not sweating the small stuff:
I might want to talk to him about an issue I have with what he said the other day, but you know what, it’s not really that important. I’m stockpiling a list of issues that I’d like to discuss with him in 2016 though.
Ann Romney on how she felt when Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen criticized her for not having a job outside the home:
Frankly, it was rather humorous to me. Because it was like, maybe she should visit my house once and see what it’s like. Raising children is the hardest job that there is on the face of the Earth. There’s no question about it and I think that Mitt would agree.
Favorite Food:
Mitt Romney: “Ann makes these little meatloaf cakes with sweat sauce on top. Meatloaf cakes and mashed potatoes. Best thing in the world.”
Barack Obama: “Pizza nights around the White House are pretty great.”
Favorite Song:
MR: “Roy Orbison. ‘In Dreams,’ ‘Pretty Woman,’ ‘Crying.’
BO: “Anything by Stevie Wonder. ‘Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing,’ because I can sing the whole thing verbatim.”
Household Chore:
MR: “Painting. I’ve painted rooms, stained floors. Oftentimes I don’t even need to put down a drop cloth. I’m good enough at it.”
BO: “Shoveling snow. You try chipping some ice off some windshields when it’s five below at six in the morning.”
Published with the permission of Hearst Magazines.
i enjoy seeing these guys in different settings. though i doubt the informal ones provide anything consequential. perhaps we’ll get a better side of ann. ‘on the
trail’ she seems to be a whiner and a little irratating. the obamas win the likability
factor, easily.
Caption: So Mr. Romney, who’s in charge, who’s the boss in the Romney household?
A different perspective. The way Mrs. Romney comes off (with a harder edge), is like a women that raised 5 boys.
Reminds me of a story in the news a couple years ago about this women (in her 70′s) who was home alone and there was an intruder in her kitchen. She literally took a frying pan and whacked him good.
So then after the fact, the reporter asked her if she was scared; being alone in the house, with this stranger. Her reply was: ‘I raised five boys, men don’t scare me.’
“A different perspective. The way Mrs. Romney comes off (with a harder edge), is like a women that raised 5 boys.”
BWAHAHAHAHA! The Nannies, the Maids, the Housekeepers raised Queen Ann’s 5 boys. The stay at Mansion Mom was to busy with her doped up dancing horses to be bothered with that.
Kind of expected this. It’s just a different view, that’s all. For me, these spouses are just that; spouses. Never said anything bad about ANY political spouse and don’t plan on it. That’s for other people to do.
Thanks guyski for your politeness. I find Sec’s attacks on Mrs. Romney offensive.
I wish the right wing found attacks on Mrs. Obama offensive, too.
WORD!
I am not right wing and perhaps did not clarify myself. I specifically find attacks on this board of political spouses. Sec is particularly abusive and out of line often. Just my take.
Meant ” I find attacks on this board of political spouses offensive” … I think there is a big difference between criticizing what a political spouse does related to a campaign or their decisions while in office that might be perceived as a bit endulgent…and what SEC does often, such as refer to Mrs. Romney as Queen Ann, stay-at-home mansion mom, and imply that he has any knowledge of her participation in raising her sons.
Actually, Sec never implies knowledge of any kind. His schtick is to spout the same crude bumper stickers in every post, and end with what what I guess is supposed to be insane laughter. I’ve generally given up doing more than skimming his nonsense, and I’m sure I’m missing absolutely nothing.