Arts: The Obamas

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The Book Club The Obamas The Obamas: They're just like us! By Deborah Needleman Posted Friday, Jan 13, 2012, at 06:09 PM ET Hi Sweetie, Much to discuss. First, the anecdote you describe is thematically very much the idea at the heart of the book. Jodi refers to a time during Obama's campaign for the Senate when Michelle told a reporter, "It might not be so bad if he lost." It's the kind of thing a political wife doesn't say, but a real wife thinks: He'd be home more, and we could be a real family, and we wouldn't be open for political judgment or out hawking our wares for the public. The book traces the evolution of that basic tension between her great belief in his abilities and willingness to make personal sacrifices and her disdain for politics and Washington. Over time you see how she comes to understand her role in Washington and the absolute futility of trying to resist it, and starts to try to work within that world. I can totally relate. Thank god you've never tried to go into politics, because I would have precisely the struggles she does, except I'd suck at being a political wife. (Until maybe I got used to it, and then I'd kick into high gear, and try to rock it, as she does.) Reading the book, I kept being reminded of those Us Weekly headlines plastered over photo spreads of celebrities drinking Starbucks in their sweats: "They're Just Like Us!" I don't even mean you and me so much as any normal ... To continue reading, click here. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate Weisberg on The Obamas: We Still Don't Understand Their Marriage Who Makes the Most Money: Rabbis, Priests, or Imams? Contraband: Mark Wahlberg Is the Most Genuinely Masculine Actor of His Generation	Advertisement
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