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Obama Doc Rehashes Election, Explodes Ovaries
NYT Magazine: How Can A Marriage Be Equal When One Of You Is President?

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sybann
11/05/09

In reply to Obama Doc Rehashes Election, Explodes Ovaries
I don't have HBO either (cheap cheap cheap birdie) but I DO have a rockin' boss who burned me a DVD and I watched most of it. Before falling asleep...

It is uplifting. And it IS tempting to blame the POTUS for what he hasn't yet done that he's promised but keep in mind - he's a pragmatist and saddled with disasters unforseen. And despite accusations from across the aisle I believe he is trying like hell to be fair and bipartisan. #bythepeopledocumentary
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JinxyMcDeath
11/04/09

In reply to Obama Doc Rehashes Election, Explodes Ovaries
Owning a somewhat cozy condo is not the same as worrying about whether you can make rent next month. Struggling to save is not struggling to live. This has always been my problem with Obama, and every other politician who tries to win votes by pretending he's just an average guy — i.e., all of them...

With all due respect, most people are not struggling to live... #bythepeopledocumentary
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Keep it cool
11/04/09

@JinxyMcDeath: In the US? Or in the middle class? Because I see plenty of people struggling to live everyday. #bythepeopledocumentary
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JinxyMcDeath
11/04/09

@Keep it cool: My point is that most people are not struggling to live in the U.S. MOST. They are struggling to save. Again, MOST. I'm not saying that we don't have a portion of our population struggling to live, but it's certainly not in the majority. We are not a nation of poor people just trying to make it day-by-day. We are also not a nation of rich people. We are a nation of mostly middle-class who are struggling to save. Just because you see "plenty of people struggling to live" doesn't mean you aren't exposed to a dispropotionate amounts due to geography or socio-economic class.

Again, before people start bugging out about how we have poverty and a lower class and you live in a studio in Bed-Sty with 5 people, my point is that MOST Americans are not struggling to live. #bythepeopledocumentary
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Keep it cool
11/04/09

@JinxyMcDeath: Ah, I see your point more clearly now. I agree, we do not have a population that consists of people living on 1$ a day, but we do have a population of people who can't pay rent. I mean, I'd rather be homeless here than in Africa, that's for damn sure. #bythepeopledocumentary
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lalaland13
11/04/09

In reply to Obama Doc Rehashes Election, Explodes Ovaries
It's so bizarre to me that the First Family has been together consistently for the first time in years because Barack won the presidency. He still travels a lot, but they're all under the same roof. I like that Michelle acknowledges how it's kind of weird, but there it is and she's happy for it.

The kids are adorable. I'm wondering how the re-election will go, when Malia is a teen and Sasha is close. I might have just been a bratty and unhappy teen, but it's hard for me to think I wouldn't have resented my family a little. But at least the next cycle would be shorter, since presumably no one will challenge the sitting president as the Democratic nominee. #bythepeopledocumentary
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limber
11/05/09

@lalaland13: It'll probably cramp things, but Michelle seems like the sort who would note behaviour changes fast and lock it down. That and there's a grandmother and an aunt also in DC with them, and a halo of their mom's friends -- never underestimate the power of a matriarchy on teen girls. Dad can seem a pushover compared to an incensed aunt. #bythepeopledocumentary
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phoblog
11/04/09

In reply to Obama Doc Rehashes Election, Explodes Ovaries
Though it's easy to say "oh, well, Harvard, sure" I still feel better - and closer to my President - when I recall how recently he paid off his student loans. Lots of people have student loans - and loans are loans whether they come from Harvard or Community College. #bythepeopledocumentary
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Lymed
11/04/09

In reply to Obama Doc Rehashes Election, Explodes Ovaries
He may not be paying chemo debt, but he had to battle with insurance companies over coverage for his mother's cancer. I do believe he understands struggles with health care in a different way than George W. Bush or John McCain. #bythepeopledocumentary
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Maggita
11/04/09

In reply to Obama Doc Rehashes Election, Explodes Ovaries
"We are now running for President."

I'm glad Michelle used 'we' instead of 'my husband' because it's an enormous group effort no matter the candidate, and the spouses are often over-looked. #bythepeopledocumentary
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BearDownCBears
11/04/09

In reply to Obama Doc Rehashes Election, Explodes Ovaries
Yeah, well, he had to spin the whole "regular guy" gig because he had to make sure he won 4 or so decisive states in the Midwest. Kerry states plus Ohio, and you win.

This is why the electoral college sucks. #bythepeopledocumentary
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FatLynn
11/04/09

In reply to Obama Doc Rehashes Election, Explodes Ovaries
Th n tht lks lk Mchll s s mch ctr thn th n wh lks lk Brk. #bythppldcmntry</s
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didntmeanto
11/04/09

In reply to Obama Doc Rehashes Election, Explodes Ovaries
I agree that struggling to save is not the same as struggling to live but if debt means something to you, which it should to everyone, it is scary to think of getting behind on any payments and people can relate to that. Paying off law school loans may not be exactly the same as paying off chemo but my payments are something close to $800.00 a month and I graduated around 13 years ago. #bythepeopledocumentary
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la.donna.pietra
11/04/09

@didntmeanto: The simple fact that we have a president who understands what it's like to pay off student loans is an improvement. #bythepeopledocumentary
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yvanehtnioj
11/04/09

@didntmeanto: Try closer to $1500/month. It's gotten more expensive. #bythepeopledocumentary
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didntmeanto
11/04/09

@yvanehtnioj: Good Lord! Can it possibly be worth that? Sorry, I'm a disgrunteld ex-lawyer. I guess yeah, I remember my total loan balance was something like 120,000 by the time I graduated? Its probably about 60-80 grand more than that by now. Jeez! #bythepeopledocumentary
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Dictator for Life
11/04/09

@yvanehtnioj: Mine are $1500 a month. I graduated almost two years ago, have failed two bars, and am still unemployed. My deferments are up. I've never been as close to disliking Obama as when he said that law school loans are different from other loans and that he can see goverment help for other school loans, but lawyers can manage their payments. That still sticks in my craw. #bythepeopledocumentary
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girlzilla
11/04/09

@Dictator for Life: well to his credit, he did say 'lawyers' could manage their payments. not people who fail the bar exam twice are therefore not lawyers.

just sayin' #bythepeopledocumentary
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Dictator for Life
11/04/09

@girlzilla: I graduated law school, therefore I am a lawyer. I haven't passed the bar, therefore I am not an attorney.

@no I said no I won't no: Well damn, that was uncalled for. I'm pretty sure I'm not the first person who has gone to law school and then found out they can't make it as a lawyer, nor will I be the last. I just don't see where the animosity in your comment is warranted. And as for fraud and negligence . . . are you a lawyer? Do you even know what those terms mean? Do you know how many actual practicing attorneys have been fired in the past year? #bythepeopledocumentary
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didntmeanto
11/04/09

@la.donna.pietra: Exactly! #bythepeopledocumentary
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andBegorrah
11/04/09

In reply to Obama Doc Rehashes Election, Explodes Ovaries
Saying "Daddy, I had to eat a lot of chocolate today" in a very serious and grown-up tone is going to be My Thing from now on.
(DON'T NOBODY TAKE MY IDEA.) #bythepeopledocumentary
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lastsinglestanding
11/04/09

In reply to Obama Doc Rehashes Election, Explodes Ovaries
Sasha: Malia, can I have a lick? Can I? Have a lick?Malia? Can I have a lick?

Malia: Mmmmmm ice cream! Can't hear you! #bythepeopledocumentary
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stacyinbean
11/04/09

@lastsinglestanding: That is such a sister moment, love it! #bythepeopledocumentary
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lastsinglestanding
11/04/09

@stacyinbean: They are both so adorable. And their sisterly relationship is too. It never fails to remind me of my sisters and to make me laugh at what a pain in the butt they can be :-) #bythepeopledocumentary
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clockwise contemplates going counter
11/04/09

@lastsinglestanding: I did that too many times to my little sister. Sorry sis! #bythepeopledocumentary
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lastsinglestanding
11/04/09

@clockwise is a asexual vampire: I STILL do that to my little sister!

What? Sorry? Are you talking to me? The sugar and the cream - makes me deaf! Can't hear you! #bythepeopledocumentary
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limber
11/05/09

@lastsinglestanding: A common side-effect of brain freeze is not being able to hear your younger sister. 100% true. #bythepeopledocumentary
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T_Bee
11/04/09

In reply to Obama Doc Rehashes Election, Explodes Ovaries
"Paying off Harvard Law School loans is not quite like paying off chemo."That is a powerful comparison, but it's also unfair. First of all, as someone considering law school, the average law student, regardless of where your law schools is ranked, is looking to acrue somewhere between $150,000-$200,000 in debt!

That means that between Michelle and Barack that was about $300,000-$400,000, and that's not including interest and their undergradaute loans. Rather than seeing that line as a disingenous ploy to win "realness points" I was rather inspired that even the President of the United States has had to grapple with paying back overwhlemingly large loans.

Maybe his problems seem bourgeois to some, but to me it was kind of a relief knowing that despite their mutual success they were still trying to figure it all out financially even in their early forties. I definitely relate to the whole, I can pay my bills but I feel like I am barely squeeking by.
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HereComesMyBaby
11/04/09

@T_Bee: Hey, bourgeois problems are still more relatable than upper class problems. #bythepeopledocumentary
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Penny
11/04/09

In reply to Obama Doc Rehashes Election, Explodes Ovaries
Speaking of cocktails with Michelle, I have started watching The West Wing, and I almost died when Mary Louise Parker said "the first lady wants me to get boozy with her." Then I spent a good 10 minutes fantasizing about a drunken girls night in with MO. #bythepeopledocumentary
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BetteD
11/04/09

@Penny: How I envy you! My bf and I just finished watching the whole series a month ago (it took us like 2 yrs. to get through all the DVDs) and I am now searching for an alternate reason to live. Did you know that Josh's character is based on Rahm Emanuel? #bythepeopledocumentary
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guria25
11/04/09

@Penny: And she starts looking around for note taking equipment! I die... #bythepeopledocumentary
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curiousgeorgiana
11/04/09

@BetteD: Yes, and they are both sexy as hell.

Mary Louise Parker had the be one of the greatest part-time cast members of that show. Great chemistry. #bythepeopledocumentary
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limber
11/05/09

@BetteD: And, from what I hear, Matt Santos was partially based on Obama. Spoooooky... #bythepeopledocumentary
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Penny
11/04/09

In reply to Obama Doc Rehashes Election, Explodes Ovaries
He's at least a lot CLOSER to understanding how Americans live. Which is cool by me. #bythepeopledocumentary
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colbyjackcheese23
11/04/09

@Penny: And there's no denying that you need to be in a certain position, financially and mentally, to make a run for the presidency. So out of that sub-group of ambitious, educated*, party-supported, politically-savvy individuals who choose to run for office, the Obamas are pretty damn "normal".

(*based on historical evidence, this is an optional characteristic) #bythepeopledocumentary
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PennyFarthing
11/04/09

@colbyjackcheese23: Agree. It's not likely a person running for President is going to have a few years of living in a boxcar in their past. His rise seems attainable to most people in ways that Bush and McCain's were not. #bythepeopledocumentary
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Barbed Ire
10/29/09

In reply to NYT Magazine: How Can A Marriage Be Equal When One Of You Is President?
Pardon me for not being up on my US politics, but is it illegal for the spouse of your president to have a paying job out side of the Whitehouse? #barackandmichelleobama
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hfree
10/29/09

@Barbed Ire: If you ever saw the West Wing (which while fiction, is regarded as being fairly accurate in many things), they depicted a first lady who was a doctor and wanted to keep her practice. The struggle between being a career woman and being first lady is handled nicely in the early seasons. (it gets a little muddled in later seasons). #barackandmichelleobama
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solaana
10/29/09

@hfree: And it probably doesn't help that Michelle's a lawyer, and was working in healthcare before she had to quit her job. That shit would get politicized immediately, and...wow, I can feel myself getting angry about an imaginary situation that will never exist. But yeah - it seems to me that if she were a teacher (read: something that the establishment/society views as a traditionally female job) it might be ok (see Jill Biden), but I can't imagine that Michelle trying to practice any sort of law anywhere would be viewed favorably, or that she would be left alone to do so. ARRRRRRRRRG. #barackandmichelleobama
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hfree
10/29/09

@solaana: Jill Biden has a doctorate in her own right (in education). She used to be a high school teacher and is now a college professor. She's also the first wife of a VP to have a paying job while her husband is in office. I think if she was teaching at a higher profile institution it may have been an issue. #barackandmichelleobama
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