Politics

Obama on Not Reaching Across the Aisle: At 6:30 ‘We Want to Be at the Dinner Table With Our Kids’

Obama Says Dinner With Family More Important Than Relationships With Congressional Lawmakers

President Barack Obama and his daughters Malia Obama and Sasha Obama walk across the South Lawn before boarding Marine One and departing the White House June 15, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Getty Images)

President Obama is receiving a mixture of praise and scorn for his recent interview with CNN’s Jessica Yellin, where he explained that his failure to develop relationships with congressional lawmakers is partially because he would rather be “at the dinner table” with his children.

Breitbart’s Tony Lee wrote an article titled, “Obama Blames Washington Gridlock, Partisanship on Family, Daughters,” and one Twitter user implied the president’s family is becoming the latest excuse after “Bush, ATM’s, tsunami, Wall Street…”

The president told Yellin:

“Sometimes Michelle and I not doing the circuit, going out to dinners with folks is perceived as us being cool — it actually has more to do with us being parents.  When we’re in town here in Washington, in the evenings, 6:30 we want to be at the dinner table with our kids, and I want to be helping with the homework and I think that’s sometimes interpreted as me not wanting to be out there slapping backs and wheeling and dealing.

“It really just has more to do with just the stage we are in our lives.”

Watch his remarks, via CNN, below:

Rather than point out how many private sector employees have a hard time being home at 6:30 for dinner and homework-help, or how it is somewhat peculiar that the president of the United States seems to desire “banker’s hours,” Yellin asked Obama whether he would behave similarly in his second term.

Responding to the joke that his girls are getting older and may not always want to spend their evenings with “mom and dad,” Obama said: “My hope is that getting past this election, people will have an opportunity to maybe step back and say… ‘the differences that divide us aren’t as important as the common bonds we have as Americans,’ and some of that I’m sure will require additional effort on my part.”

He added: “Hopefully we’ll see more on the other side as well.”

CNN will air the full interview, titled “Obama Revealed: The Man, The President,” on Monday night.

(H/T: Weasel Zippers)

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Comments (259)

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  • cassandra
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:59pm

    Now obama is blaming his kid’s and family ? I can’t believe this guy, It‘s Bush’s fault, It’s the earthquake in Japan, it‘s the fire’s in the west, it‘s the weather he sounds like he’s 5 yr’s old . who you gonna blame next aliens from outer space

    Report Post »  
    • mercenary4freedom
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 1:02am

      You forgot “Its the ATM’s fault”

      Report Post » mercenary4freedom  
    • db321
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 9:51am

      The Obama’s have to get that Evening Muslim Prayer in.

      Report Post » db321  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 10:19am

      Does he ever actually do any work ?

      Report Post »  
    • muffythetuffy
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 10:36am

      He ships his girls off to summer camp. He has as much concern for his girls as any Muslim father does for all women. Obama would not even let his girls go to the once in a lifetime trip to the Olympics. Obama is an evil monster. People who voted for Obama are Evil Worshipers.

      Report Post »  
    • sophillyjimmy
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 11:15am

      Paperboy, hopefully he will be making license plates in prison someday if just one person in the federal government has the ****** to go after him for all of the crimes he committed in the last four years but short of that no he never does work unless you consider his trying to change our government from being a Democracy into Comunism.

      Report Post »  
    • artistskeptic
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 11:56am

      If this guys priorities are such that his kids homework are more important than the nations security and welfare then he should have stayed in Chicago because he is not a competent president.

      Report Post »  
    • seresmary
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 5:52pm

      It’s amazing did this guy forget that he gets paid to be the President, that’s his job…
      We would all like to be at the dinner table with our kids at night, doctors would, firemen would, nurses would, policemen would but they are paid to do a job just like Obama is…. if the job is too great to be on duty then I suggest you resign and then you can have all the time in the world to sit down and have dinner with your girls… MaryS

      Report Post »  
    • SELECT
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 7:47pm

      He has advocated his entire presidency to Pelosi, Reid and Jarrett while blaming the conservative congress for doing nothing to help him. He is a do-nothing thug and fraud. He is not capable of leading this country or a lemonade stand for that matter. He doesn’t have cabinet meetings or does he meet with his jobs council. All he has done is divide Americans on race and income. oh yeah, and campaign.

      Report Post »  
  • The Infidel Alliance
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:59pm

    Obama like the trappings of the presidency, but he really doesn’t like the job of president. His work ethic is pathetic.

    Even though Obama gives the appearance of running for reelection, he actually wants to lose. He knows he can make more money and be a more effective Islamo-fascist agitator once he is out of office without having to do any real work.

    ~ The Infidel Alliance

    Report Post »  
    • muffythetuffy
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 10:37am

      HANDS ON DAD?

      What the hell does that mean. Does he molest his girls?

      Report Post »  
    • sophillyjimmy
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 11:08am

      Muffy, Obama is one of the lowest forms of life, he is a liar, a criminal, a Communist, bisexual, the most corrupt man that ever resided in the White House, he hates America, hates whitey that is why he doesn‘t associate with Congress and even a absent father since when he should be with his kids he prefers to be on the golf course which is exactly what his father was but his father wasn’t chasing golf balls he was chasing ho’s, even making the gesture that he is molesting his daughters is way out of bounds, and just like you I dislike this man but I would never accuse him of touching his daughters in a pererted way.

      Report Post »  
    • schmetz
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 11:13pm

      I couldn’t disagree more. He will move heaven and earth to keep his job. He wants to enslave America. He hates Capitalism and the free market though he benifits greatly from it. He is a lost soul that can never be found. He loves the job so long as he works on his terms. Expect to see rioting as the election approaches. This is all part of Obama’s master plan for control.

      Report Post »  
  • cookcountypatriot
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:54pm

    my god this man is pathitic…..

    Report Post » cookcountypatriot  
    • edcoil
      Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:57pm

      A kid is a baby billy goat – human beings have children.

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 9:34am

      Maybe he should find one of those wonderful part time $8.50 an hour jobs he created. Plenty of time for the children.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • sophillyjimmy
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 11:12am

      Ed, if you are an American you know that the term kid also refers to children so stop acting like a jerk off. If you have something intelligent to say please say it but to nit pick, you should just stop making comments, you sound like a realk *******.

      Report Post »  
  • pwcarr11
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:53pm

    Btw, as humbled man that has served my country; can someone let him know his “Salute back” when he comes off AF1 and Marine1 require dire work!

    Report Post »  
  • Palmer1943
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:52pm

    Things The Dictator does well.
    01. Fund Raising. He started in 2007 and has never stopped.
    02. 17 incredible vacations that have cost American tax payers approximately $5,000,000.00 and counting
    03. Having dinner with the family

    What he does not do well is being “The President of the United States.

    Report Post »  
    • KHM
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 1:47am

      @Palmer1943, Do you, or any of the other commenters, actually believe that this man is a hands-on father (who sits down with his wife and daughters for dinner at 6:30PM)? Or helps the girls with their homework? Yeah right. The only time that I know of when he had a dinner “en famille” was when he dissed Israel’s Netanyahu. I‘d say he’s pathetic, except his policies are very dangerous to all of us.

      Report Post »  
    • boyd9
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 1:02pm

      You forgot Golf, he has played more games of Golf than any president in history, probably more that the rest of the Presidents combined. Maybe there is some correlation between the number of golf games and the size of the Federal Deficit.

      If we had 5% unemployment and a balanced federal budget, then time with his kids instead of meetings with congress would be an admirable thing. You can in fact do both, it is just that in order to accomplish multiple objects a person actually has to be effective and competent.

      Report Post »  
  • pwcarr11
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:51pm

    I am putting out an old empty suit stacked on the empty chair!

    Report Post »  
  • ChristmanWalking
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:45pm

    WE are his Boss, let’s change his hours… TO ZERO! Romney/Ryan 2012 Landslide!!!!! Why, cause Pride Comes Before The Fall! This is maybe the most prideful thing he has every said. I mean, is that why he walked out on Netanyahu, can’t keep the Belle waiting. UnBeLievAble!

    Report Post »  
  • dovndce
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:44pm

    Really? Is anyone surprised? This entity takes a vacation every other week that is when he not off playing golf of taking a steam with his “bodyman” Reggie Love at notorious Chicago (is that “racist”?) bath-house Man’s Country. The idiots who voted for this pathetic failure should be made to pay for his crimes against the USA, they’ve set this great nation back a decade.

    Report Post »  
    • pwcarr11
      Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:50pm

      Are you Kidding!? How bout set back a century!

      Report Post »  
    • dovndce
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 12:22am

      A fair amount of the Marxist Messiah’s decrees can be reversed by a stroke of the pen on 1/20/2013 but you’re right. I was being generous, we can’t hold HIS “kind” to the same standards as previous Presidents with the EEOC/Affirmative Action rules it just wouldn’t be fair.

      Report Post »  
    • dovndce
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 12:32am

      After all Barry/Barack Hussein Marshall-Davis/Soetoro/Obama is NOT a U.S. patriot and American hero Rep. Allen West or a self-made man like Herman Cain. Obama is what he is, a FAILURE, we have his Marxist mother Stanley-Ann, Black Separatist father Frank Marshall-Davis and Communist grandparents to thank for creating the monster that now occupies The White House terrorizing this great nation and it’s inhabitants. Remember “it’s NOT his fault”, like ALL Liberals/Leftists everyone else is to blame for his pitiful performance as President

      Report Post »  
  • NancyBee
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:44pm

    Wow…….America can do better!

    Report Post » NancyBee  
  • MrDog
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:43pm

    Or sending them on vacation to Mexico on tax payer dime!

    Report Post » MrDog  
  • DawgBreath
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:42pm

    “when we’re in town here with the kids” really means when I‘m not out campaigning or Michelle and the kids aren’t ******* away taxpayer money on vacations all over the globe.
    B.S. artist extraordinairre

    Report Post » DawgBreath  
  • grayling646
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:39pm

    He can use that in his concession speech, “It’s my daughters fault”.
    Sounds like he’s given up hope of re-election.

    Report Post »  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:39pm

    So, do you hear that girls? Your daddy blames YOU for HIS failures. What kind of father does that?

    Report Post » Tri-ox  
  • Joey Joe Joe
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:38pm

    Funny, don’t you think? That CNN all of a sudden is asking BO questions about family. Why now? Maybe because the RNC showcased Romney and his loving family extraordinarily well, and they know O needs help keeping pace. Nah, that can’t be it.

    Report Post »  
    • cassandra
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 12:02am

      JOE JOE JOE you are spot on !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • allonline
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 1:06am

      Joe, I agree with Cassandra! I think you got it figured out!

      Report Post » allonline  
    • taxpro4u03
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 7:12am

      Because the main stream media knows it’s got NOTHING — the intelligent people (the vast majority of Americans of EVERY stripe) are suffering a bit of illness and fatigue at the utter idiocy of the talking head ‘pundits.‘ They sound as NUTZ as the gaffes that spew from the mouths of everyone wanting a lil ’air time.’ — ‘give them some vitriol…’ “If it bleeds it leads.” — Just ONCE I‘d like to hear an ’intelligent’ person take them out with… “Your facts are based on a false premise to start with… Shut up, Stupid…”

      Report Post »  
  • SVPinCA
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:36pm

    Liar.

    Report Post »  
  • Exrepublisheep
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:36pm

    Please. Reaching across the aisle only means bitten fingers. Repubs have 1 purpose. Make Obama a 1 term president. Intentional gridlock.

    Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
  • jp2feminist
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:34pm

    He’s not only lazy, he’s a liar. Can’t wait until November. What are the odds that Michelle will kick his sorry butt out of the house after he loses and cannot provide her with taxpayer funded trips around the world. My hunch is she is already preparing for her new TV career telling people what to eat?

    Report Post » jp2feminist  
  • Maxim Crux
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:32pm

    Always making excuses why he can’t do his job. He is a real compassionate, family man that only cares for himself.

    Report Post »  
  • nonliberal
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:32pm

    If thats his stage in life and wants to spend more time with his kids, Great!! Quit your job and let America try to start recovering.

    Report Post »  
  • jp54
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:31pm

    I don’t recall, who said “you lost we won, live with it” that wasn’t reaching across the isle. Also he could have reached across the isle on bankers hours and chose not to.

    Report Post » jp54  
    • Palrak
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 11:13am

      Obama said it to John McCain during the healthcare summit. It went something like this: “The election is over, John, and I [maybe it was we] won.” It was so unpresidential.

      Report Post »  
  • yiska8
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:29pm

    The worst economic depression since 1929 built by this man-child. Someone needs to tell him he’s the President. Because of his deliberate actions, there are many men and women and even grandparents caring for their kids and grandkids under the same roof. And not all of them get to sit down at 6:30 with their kids. They have to go to their second job or show up for a much needed extra shift. So now, PARENTHOOD is his excuse for not reaching across the aisle in order to do his job??? Well, Barry, what’s is like to never make a mistake and be totally blameless for every action committed during your reign as Prez? Most of us make a mistake or numerous mistakes at out jobs and we get FIRED. Come November 6, America, it’s time to tell King Barry, HE’S FIRED. Then he can be a stay- at- home Dad be and have as many meals with his kids as he wants.

    Report Post » yiska8  
    • DebGal
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 1:54pm

      Still on OUR tax dollars, though! Ugh!

      Report Post » DebGal  
  • golfmax13
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:25pm

    They’ll blame the Republicans for hiding the job description.

    Report Post »  
  • For my Liberty!
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:23pm

    *sigh* right…..excuses, excuses….What do you do at 6:30 when you are on the campaign trail?? Your kids aren’t there….YOUR LYING AGAIN!

    Report Post » For my Liberty!  
    • inblack
      Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:31pm

      I love how the media buys his crap and then promises the audience that Oblahma will do it in the second term – cause the kids are older now – bullcrap.

      Report Post »  
    • Popp40
      Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:31pm

      Or what if he is on the Golf coarse?

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:37pm

      The only way those girls will see Barry is if they take up golf.

      Report Post »  
    • pissantno.10
      Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:37pm

      i was wonder the same thing when the hell has he every been home at 6:30

      Report Post »  
  • BJC
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:20pm

    He’s such a LIAR!!!

    Report Post »  
  • copper107
    Posted on September 2, 2012 at 11:19pm

    BULLCRAP, I haven’t had dinner with my children in 4 FNG years!

    Report Post » copper107  
    • Quiata
      Posted on September 3, 2012 at 7:38am

      Exactly. Now our POTUS is literally taking cover behind his own children under the pretence that he’s “family first”…

      How many of our military families, just for instance, have to part with a parent for weeks or months on end in the name of duty and sacrifice when there’s important WORK to be done?

      Report Post »  
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