PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The wife of Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama sought Wednesday to clarify her comment that for the first time she’s really proud of her country.
On Monday, Michelle Obama told an audience in Milwaukee, “For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country. Not just because Barack is doing well, but I think people are hungry for change.”
Cindy McCain, wife of Republican John McCain, later sought to capitalize on the remark, saying, “I have, and always will be, proud of my country.”
Asked Wednesday by a Rhode Island television station if she would like to clarify her remark, Michelle Obama said: “What I was clearly talking about was that I’m proud in how Americans are engaging in the political process,” she said. “For the first time in my lifetime, I’m seeing people rolling up their sleeves in a way that I haven’t seen and really trying to figure this out — and that’s the source of pride that I was talking about.” Asked if she had always been proud of her country, she replied “absolutely” and said she and her husband wouldn’t be where they are if not for the opportunities of America.
