Michelle Obama reveals how her brother changed her mind about Barack Obama's 'crazy' presidential run
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Michelle Obama has revealed that she was initially against her husband, Barack Obama, running for president, believing the idea was too ambitious and disruptive to their family life.
However, during the debut episode of her new podcast, 'IMO', released on Wednesday, March 12, the former first lady credited her older brother, Craig Robinson, with persuading her to change her mind.
Michelle Obama's initial resistance to Barack Obama’s presidential ambitions
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During their conversation on the show, Michelle told Robinson, “You talked me into supporting his run.”
She explained that Barack was aware he needed Craig’s approval to have a chance at convincing her.
“My reaction was: ‘Nope. No way. This is crazy. We’ve done enough crazy stuff,’” she recalled.
Craig Robinson’s role in convincing Michelle Obama
Craig Robinson reflected on his sister’s hesitance, explaining that Michelle Obama had grown up valuing the stability their father, Fraser Robinson, provided.
“You wanted your girls to have sort of a similar upbringing with a father who would come home from work and play catch and take them to the park and do all these things,” he said.
When Barack Obama realized he could not persuade Michelle alone, he turned to Craig.
“And Barack came to me and he’s like, ‘I can’t convince your sister to go along with this,’” Robinson recounted.
“And I’m like, ‘Whoa, whoa, go along with what?’ And he’s like, ‘I think I’m gonna run for president,’” he added.
Strategic approach to gaining family support for Barack Obama
Craig Robinson recalled that he gave Barack Obama some strategic advice, “I said: ‘Listen, what you have to do is, first of all, let me talk to her—you don’t talk to her, let me talk to her!’”
He also knew that convincing their mother, Marian Robinson, was key.
“If I could get mom on board, then there was a chance of getting Michelle to agree to it as well,” he explained.
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“That’s when I came and talked to you and just gave you your advice that you had given me back pretty much about following your passion and doing the things you love,” Robinson said.
“But I think the thing that pushed it over the top was, I convinced you to not penalize him for being really good at what he does,” he shared.
Craig Robinson's basketball analogy seals the deal
As a former basketball executive and coach, Craig Robinson used a sports analogy to make his case.
He compared Barack Obama's situation to a talented basketball player making it to the NBA, only to have his wife object because of the demanding travel schedule.
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“I talked to you and mom at the same time, and both of you sat there reasonably mad and said I was right,” Robinson joked, eliciting laughter from Michelle Obama, according to Daily Beast.
Barack Obama launched his first presidential campaign in February 2007, ultimately securing the Democratic nomination and defeating Republican candidate John McCain in the 2008 election.
