Michelle Obama: ‘I’m Done’

By Jeff Zeleny

The Democratic and Republican conventions have stirred considerable talk – and endless images – about political families. Each of the candidates have come to their respective party gatherings with their expansive families in tow.

One family that is done expanding, apparently, is the Obama family.

In an interview to air Monday on the season premiere of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” Michelle Obama was asked whether she and her husband were planning to have a third child.

“I think I’m done,” Ms. Obama told Ms. DeGeneres. “I think our third child is this campaign.”

Comments are no longer being accepted.

Kelly Smith September 4, 2008 · 7:44 pm

Okay. We are glad to know that. I really don’t understand this fascination with the intimate lives of people. I myself want to know where she buys some of her dresses from, not if she’s going to have more kids!!

Jeff September 4, 2008 · 7:54 pm

Of course at 44, it would be unlikely that she could be able to conceive another without the help of fertility drugs anyway.

Kel September 4, 2008 · 7:57 pm

I guess we all know her breaking point now. Two girls are too much with a campaign??? She’s done……another child would be too much for her plate? What will happen if a terrorist attack took place in our nation? If two girls and a campaign is too much to the point she is done. How is she going to handle supporting her husband as president?

Harry September 4, 2008 · 8:00 pm

Great. We don’t need any more Obamas

United We Stand September 4, 2008 · 8:01 pm

See the wonderful thing is she can choose to be done with children. But under the Palin plan then the only way to prevent a pregnancy is by being abstinent.

Rosie The Boxer September 4, 2008 · 8:07 pm

posted at 8:07

To Kel
That may be the most unintelligent thing I’ve read today. Why would you see that exchange as personal attack on Palin thus demonstrating why this republican pitbull approach is so very unproductive when trying to have a respectful dialogue.

Audrey September 4, 2008 · 8:09 pm

That comment is a little far fetched…

What Michelle said is in no way a reflection of Obama’s governing. If anything, Palin’s pregnant and unmarried teen is more of an issue in regard to family issues and political stance on sex education.

Kym B. September 4, 2008 · 8:12 pm

Kel-

I know you are kidding right??? Hypocrisy is an ugly thing.

moved on September 4, 2008 · 8:14 pm

I really don’t give a flying flip about the family planning of any candidate.

Debra September 4, 2008 · 8:17 pm

Same you you Harry…What an incredibly insentive thing to write. Wait, you speak Republico…

Hillary September 4, 2008 · 8:17 pm

Forgive me, but I don’t see why this is news, much less on this page for commentary. So she has made a decision to not have more children.
… And? It’s her right!
The only purpose that publishing this on a blog could possibly serve has already happened … silly comments by people assuming that it’s yet another ‘elite’ or ‘uppity’ attitude of hers, and other comments that really don’t make any sense, regarding abstinence and fertility drugs (Palin didn’t seem to need any pharmacutical assistance to have her 5th!).
The bottom line is that the Obama’s family planning is no one’s business but theirs.
I, for one, am glad that they decided to not have any more children, if that’s what they want. It’ll give Barack more time to run this country and get us out of the hole Bush dug and pushed us into.

Jasper September 4, 2008 · 8:25 pm

I guess we all know her breaking point now. Two girls are too much with a campaign??? She’s done……another child would be too much for her plate? What will happen if a terrorist attack took place in our nation? If two girls and a campaign is too much to the point she is done. How is she going to handle supporting her husband as president?
— Kel

What is this about terrorist attacks and the number of children you think you should raise under your current circumstances? How do those things connect to each other in any way?

She’s not overwhelmed. She’s being responsible. Because she does plan to support her husband as president, not just as a stay-at-home wife. But at the same time, she’ll have time for both her children. Make no mistake, they can adopt or have plenty more children to be raised by hired staff of the white house. They just want to put as much care as they can into their two.

Vickery September 4, 2008 · 8:38 pm

Why the attack on Mrs. Obama by the first 3 obviously male posters? She answered a question off the cuff and managed to sound mindful in the process without getting into a Sarah Palin TMI moment. This is undeserving of dissection and ridicule.

S Neal September 4, 2008 · 8:46 pm

Harry,

Just the sort of mean spirited comment that I have come to expect from republicans. Personal attack dogs seems to be what your party stands for now. Palin said it well, ‘pit bulls with lipstick”. Is this the new republicanism? Since the GOP can’t balance the budget in Washington and is driving our economy into the ground, I suppose personal attacks is all that’s left for them to do?

Susannah

SeeAlice September 4, 2008 · 8:50 pm

When the moment is right, will Sarah Palin be ready to take over the presidency? I do not think so. She is not qualified. She is an empty dress. She is a quota VP, mother of all affirmative action.

monalisa2 September 4, 2008 · 8:53 pm

Okay, I’m a female to #ll can’t dismiss my comments on that basis — although no doubt he/she/it will. Don’t know what the sounding mindful is a reference to, but the “two is enough” is the classic upper middle class careerist attitude. (BTW who’s looking after her kids while she’s busy pulling in hundreds of thousands a year representing the not so little people.) Whats much more disturbing is the sneers and smears directed at Palin who dared to have more than the liberal elite’s approved number and even worse, dared to hold down a man’s job while doing it. And these people consider themselves liberals.

I’m not and never have been a Republican supporter.

Linnie from Garment Center September 4, 2008 · 8:55 pm

Is Ms. Palin planning to have another fake pregnancy? Ms. Palin already has four or five children and is such a great Mom and role model that Bristol decided to have a baby too. Just think what you republicans would say if Obama’s daughter was 17 and pregnant. I can see you all embracing her and her highschool drop-out boyfriend. At least Britney Spears was married when she started her family. However, people complained about Britney’s Mom parenting skills when Jamie Spears became an unwed mother.

Harry September 4, 2008 · 8:55 pm

Debra,
You want to see insensitive comments? Just check out the vicious attacks on Sarah Palin by all your fellow liberal bloggers the last few days.
My comment was benign compared to all that venom.

Chris September 4, 2008 · 8:57 pm

Oh c’mon! References to “growing” or “expanding” families are clear swipes at the Palin family, and particularly their 17 year-old daughter who finds herself in a difficult situation.

I’m an Obama supporter but please . . . there is NO NEWS in this comment from Michelle Obama, except to remind readers that the Republican VP nominee has a pregnant teenage daughter.

Shame on you, Jeff Zeleny. Shame on you, New York Times. This is disgusting.

Beverly in Chicago September 4, 2008 · 8:59 pm

Sarah Palin exploits her children to advance her middle American Values. I’ve worked as a mom, cooked, cleaned, did homework, etc. Somehow I don’t see her any different, and don’t see her talking to me.

Where were other ethnic groups during the RNC convention?

Sarah Palin, is nothing but a tool of more of the same. So Sarah smiles; even when we know her smile is as fake as Giuliani’s big white false teeth, devious, untruthful, and acidic.

Enough!
No way
No how
No McCain/Palin
Nobody but Obama

In November our smiles will be sweet.

Btw: Obama raised 10 million since last night. Apparently negative lipstick pit-bull remarks go unappreciated. I give to his campaign and text-messaged cash donation to the Red Cross; which Obama organized.

BDCal September 4, 2008 · 9:00 pm

Thank you Hillary (#9). I agree with everything in your post except for the hoped for outcome in this election. Even as a long time republican (in the McCain and Schwartznegger mold), I agree that we need someone who can help us out of the hole George W. Bush has dug for us.

Francisco September 4, 2008 · 9:02 pm

So she doesn’t want to have any further children. That is HER choice. It is no reflection whatsoever on whether she can be a good first lady or whether Obama can be a good president.

Oh and by the way…Sarah Palin is a complete joke. I was and am still a died hard Hillary supporter, however Obama is getting my vote. I just cannot stand the notion of having two people who are complete and utter jokes (McCain and Palin) become president and vice president of this country.

Vicki September 4, 2008 · 10:42 pm

As stated, it is Ms. Obama’s decision. It also has nothing to do with McCain/Palin or their policies. All they want is personal responsibility versus abortion. Abortion is NOT birth control. People should not consider it to be birth control. If you think BHO is about freedom you are not paying attention. He is a socialist. I for one do not want to live in a socialist country. If you do then I’m sure you can catch a flight out any time you are packed and ready to go. Don’t let the door hit you in the butt on your way out!

Ruth September 4, 2008 · 10:50 pm

Yeah she is done, but so is her hubby. He will have to go back to being a “community organizer”. He is gonna lose this one. People are beginning to see thru this guy and he is one scary dude.