Source: "Lesley Stahl, Candice Bergen, Liz Smith and the wOw Women Hail Their Favorite First Ladies." Wowowow.com
Kathlyn Hendricks: “Not only does [Barack Obama] love his wife, he respects her,” said Hendricks. “The model of harmony, shared humor and easy communication that the Obamas reveal really is a new model — if ordinary citizens practiced this each day, our world would transform very quickly in positive directions ... The Obamas’ body language, expressions and gestures all match. That's an indication of harmony rather than conflict. When Michelle came out on election evening, she and Barack spoke and touched as if they were alone. Then they turned to the audience. If they can communicate that way in public in front of hundreds of thousands of people, their bod is very solid and real.”
Source: Vidya Rao. "Barack and Michelle: A more perfect union?" Msnbc.com. 11/29/08.
Lani Guinier on the Obama effect on marriages: “She [Michelle] and her husband [Barack] embody a very healthy relationship. That in itself is quite a public and political statement.”
Source: DeNeen L. Brown, Richard Leiby. "The Very Image of Affirmation." WashingtonPost.com. 11/21/2008.
Gil Troy: “The Obama marriage is a modern partnership between equals; they are a working couple just like the Clintons. But, unlike the Clintons — and more like the Bushes — the Obamas appear to be a solid couple, devoted to each other, with no fidelity questions hovering overhead.”
Source: Vidya Rao. "Barack and Michelle: A more perfect union?" Msnbc.com. 11/29/08.
Barack: "If I ever thought this was ruining my family, I wouldn't do it."
Source: Sandra Sobieraj Westfall, "The Obamas Get Personal", People, August 4, 2008, page 57.
Michelle: "Time and love and sacrifice and struggles make you stronger."
Source: Sandra Sobieraj Westfall, "The Obamas Get Personal", People, August 4, 2008, page 57.
Michelle, on being a political wife: “It’s hard and that’s why Barack is such a grateful man.”
Source: The New Yorker
NYT quoting Michelle about their marriage, April 2007: "... she [Michelle] wants to keep her marriage 'sort of stress-free, free of the discussion, free of the analysis, free of the assessment.'"
Source: NYT.com
Gaby Wood: "Together, they present the most collaborative, romantic, intelligent and relaxed couple that has ever been anywhere near the White House ... she is not competitive with him. As a couple they are, one campaign worker has said, 'almost telepathic', and certainly such public displays of private affection as they have offered have not existed in politics for decades ... The Obamas have the devotion of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, and the glamour of the Kennedys."
Source: Gaby Wood. "Barack and Michelle: a Chicago love story." Guardian.co.uk. 11/9/2008.
