The Dark Side of Politics

The Dark Side of Politics
If there is one apparent difference between Michelle and Barack, it's how they handle confrontations and personal attacks: Barack has the amazing ability to roll with the punches, while Michelle finds it difficult to brush off someone's hurtful remark.
In their life together so far, this difference hadn't been much of an issue.
But when you enter politics, you're essentially opening the door to personal attacks and baseless accusations – and this can be a difficult thing to get used to, especially if you're someone like Michelle.
One of the first incidents to really affect Michelle came in late 1999, when Barack was in the middle of a primary campaign for a seat in the House of Representatives.
His opponents were fellow Democrats Bobby Rush and Donne Trotter.
Things quickly escalated during the middle of the holiday break, when the Illinois Senate suddenly announced an emergency vote on a hotly debated gun-control bill.
At the time, Barack and Michelle were in Hawaii visiting relatives, and their newborn daughter, Malia, had come down with an ear infection.
Michelle's first pregnancy had been difficult and the couple chose to use in vitro fertilization, so Malia's illness was especially troubling.
As Malia couldn't fly in her condition, Barack stayed by her side in Hawaii, rather than returning home.
He'd fought hard for this bill, and now he wouldn't be voting on it.
It was a difficult decision, though he had no doubt that putting family first was the right choice.
Nevertheless, an avalanche of attacks on Barack's character quickly followed.
One editorial in a local paper called anyone who missed the vote “gutless sheep.”
But Barack's primary opponents got far more personal in their attacks.
Bobby Rush questioned Barack's professionalism and called him an “educated fool.”
Donne Trotter accused him of “using his child as an excuse not to go to work,” adding that he was “a white man in blackface.”
You could say that Barack's decision was bound to be used as political ammo, but Michelle was deeply hurt.
The attacks were so venomous and so untrue.
While Barack ended up losing the primary, he continued to serve in the state senate.
But more importantly, in June of 2001, the family's second girl arrived: Natasha Marian Obama. More commonly known as Sasha.
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The Dark Side of Politics If there is one apparent difference between Michelle and Barack, it's how they handle confrontations and personal attacks: Barack has the amazing ability to roll with the punches, while Michelle finds it difficult to brush off someone's hurtful remark. In their life together so far, this difference hadn't been much of an issue. But when you enter politics, you're essentially opening the door to personal attacks and baseless accusations – and this can be a difficult thing to get used to, especially if you're someone like Michelle. One of the first incidents to really affect Michelle came in late 1999, when Barack was in the middle of a primary campaign for a seat in the House of Representatives. His opponents were fellow Democrats Bobby Rush and Donne Trotter. Things quickly escalated during the middle of the holiday break, when the Illinois Senate suddenly announced an emergency vote on a hotly debated gun-control bill. At the time, Barack and Michelle were in Hawaii visiting relatives, and their newborn daughter, Malia, had come down with an ear infection. Michelle's first pregnancy had been difficult and the couple chose to use in vitro fertilization, so Malia's illness was especially troubling. As Malia couldn't fly in her condition, Barack stayed by her side in Hawaii, rather than returning home. He'd fought hard for this bill, and now he wouldn't be voting on it. It was a difficult decision, though he had no doubt that putting family first was the right choice. Nevertheless, an avalanche of attacks on Barack's character quickly followed. One editorial in a local paper called anyone who missed the vote “gutless sheep.” But Barack's primary opponents got far more personal in their attacks. Bobby Rush questioned Barack's professionalism and called him an “educated fool.” Donne Trotter accused him of “using his child as an excuse not to go to work,” adding that he was “a white man in blackface.” You could say that Barack's decision was bound to be used as political ammo, but Michelle was deeply hurt. The attacks were so venomous and so untrue. While Barack ended up losing the primary, he continued to serve in the state senate. But more importantly, in June of 2001, the family's second girl arrived: Natasha Marian Obama. More commonly known as Sasha.