Michelle Obama On Running For President: 'If I Was Interested, I'd Say It'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- When Oprah Winfrey sat down with First Lady Michelle Obama Monday night on CBS, neither held back, asking and answering questions with candor. "Would you ever run for office?" asked Oprah.
"No, no. Look, that's one thing I don't do. I don't make stuff up. I'm not coy. I'm pretty direct. If I was interested, I'd say it," replied Obama.
The interview continued to showcase the First Lady's frankness, including her thoughts on President Elect Trump's victory and where things stand now. "This past election was challenging for me as a citizen, to watch and experience it was painful," explained Obama.
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Oprah continued, "Your husband's administration…everything, the election, all about hope. Do you think this administration achieved that?"
"Yes, I do," said Obama without hesitation. "We feel the difference now. See…now, we are feeling what not having hope feels like."
It was a portion of the interview that sparked debate in whether or not she chose her words wisely.
"I think she does have the right to say that as the first lady and as a woman," said Courtney Bergey of Harleysville.
Another passerby told Eyewitness News she disagreed.
"Absolutely not, we should always have hope."
Yet another person added, "These days and times, people just say what's on their minds."
Obama admits she isn't one to wear a plastered smile and for that, she's endured personal attacks.
"When you were labeled that angry black woman, was that one of the things that knocked you back?" asked Oprah.
Obama replied, "You think, that is so not me! But, then you sort of think, well, this isn't about me. This is about the person or the people who write it."
Oprah also asked what so many of us have wondered, as the transition of power takes place. "What was it like when the Trump's came to visit?"
"It was very pleasant, very pleasant. It was a wonderful visit," Obama replied. "We will do whatever they need to help them succeed. My door is open and that was really the nature of the meeting."
Open doors and open sets made way for a cameo from the President and more questions for Oprah.
"What surprised even you about how she took on this mantle of first ladyism?"
President Obama replied, "The way in which she blended purpose with policy and fun, so she was able to reach beyond Washington was masterful."
