“The Obamas’ Marriage”

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November 3, 2009 11:32 AM EST by John Stossel

"The Obamas' Marriage"

I found Sunday’s New York Times Magazine story "The Obamas' Marriage" kind of interesting.

But Roger Simon writes that he couldn’t finish it. And it was crammed with sycophantic lines like:

Almost 10 months ago, they swept into Washington with inauguration festivities that struck distinctly wedding-like notes: he strode down an aisle and took a vow, she wore a long white dress, the youthful-looking couple swayed to a love song in a ceremonial first dance and then settled into a new house.

Okay, it made my eyes roll too. But much of the article was revealing. Unlike portraits of previous presidential marriages that suggest some sort of plastic perfection, this couple has work/marriage conflicts that are similar to mine. Simon says that’s not relevant or interesting.

I’m not really interested in Obama as a man (or as a husband). I’m interested in what he does. And most of that, of late, he has done in secret. We know more about his marriage than about how the healthcare legislation was drafted or how its contents are being negotiated.

The MSM certainly treat the Obamas differently from the Bushs. They even make breaking news out of Michelle Obama's shorts.

In what was supposed to be the most open and transparent administration in history, Simon sees the Times providing "a form of distraction" so the President can avoid scrutiny of his programs.

What the Times is giving us then in their Couples Hagiography is a form of distraction that is probably deliberate. If you love the people, you won't care what they are doing. Trust them – they’re nice folks. Well, okay, but the reaction of someone like me is that I trust them less. Sure, you could say that I am already an Obama skeptic, but I suspect I am not alone in recoiling at this public relations flackery.

8 Comments

EdwardATeller

John, Congratulations on the new gig. Hope it goes well. I'm not sure I'd be able to put up with the amount of attacks you will receive from liberals, but you are probably a better man than me. I don't really understand why liberals are so intolerant of other viewpoints. Maybe you could do a show about the subject. I hope it will be available online since I don't get FBC on my cable lineup. Ed

November 6, 2009 at 10:25 am

pques

So wait, John Stossel is using his position at Fox Business to complain about a weekly fluff magazine's fluff piece on the Obama marriage? Seems like the NYT Magazine's more appropriate to the publication than this one. But hey, anything to take a stab at the devil, eh?

November 5, 2009 at 4:49 pm

Rick S

For years I have enjoyed Mr. Stossels level headed approach to life. I quoted your work for many years now in public speaking and teaching. I have hungered for more of him on 20/20 and was disappointed they gave such genius such a small segment . I hope Fox will now give you (Mr. Stossel) an open venue to produce even more common sense. Thank you for your work! Now on to the above! This administration transparent? What made any one think a liberal Politician open & honist/transparent

November 4, 2009 at 8:42 pm

mindy

who cares about the Obama marriage? we just want our country, our freedoms, our liberties back! we are crossing state lines working in other states to make sure Republicans win....we do not want socialist medicine, socialist banking, socialist auto industry, socialist food regulation, socialist energy...and those are just a few of the socialist issues both of the Obama's stand for!

November 4, 2009 at 8:29 am

Michael J. Baisden

John, I/ve read our blogs, this commet however concerns not your blog but your continuing and unwavering conservatism that i see: My comment: Congratulations and thank you. Keep up the good work. I hope that in the coming months that you and those like you can sway some journalist that carrying the water for the Obama administration is both demeaning of thier calling and self destructive in the long run. Freedom of the press is one thing freedom to twist the news is quite another Thank you

November 3, 2009 at 11:53 pm

UWS36

My husband and I saw you on O'Reilly tonight and are looking forward to watching your new show. We always enjoyed watching you on 20/20. Don't listen to Bill about leaving NYC. We live on the UWS and are happy to know the city isn't completely full of die-hard liberals as long as you're still here.

November 3, 2009 at 9:54 pm

DOBBER

Good work John, keep revealing the secrets of magicians and maybe the american public will see through the fakery of our current leaders.

November 3, 2009 at 12:54 pm

FoxInSocks

"Public relations flackery". EXACTLY!!! It does invite mistrust. The MSM is (deliberately or ignorantly) a disgrace.

November 3, 2009 at 12:05 pm

About this Web Site

John Stossel joined FOX Business and FOX News in October 2009. His show, Stossel, airs on the Fox Business Network on Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET

He is the New York Times best-selling author of Give Me A Break and Myths, Lies and Downright Stupidity. His "Give Me a Break" commentaries take a skeptical look at a wide array of issues, such as education, the economy, parenting, and more.
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"The Obamas' Marriage"