Michele Obama tells ‘View’ klatch she’s ‘taking cues’ from first lady

WASHINGTON » Michelle Obama said yesterday that she was "touched" when first lady Laura Bush came to her defense after she was harshly criticized by Republicans for her February comment that for the first time in her adult life she was proud of the United States.

Obama, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, later clarified her remarks, saying she had always been proud of her country but was particularly proud to see so many people involved in the political process.

Cindy McCain, wife of Republican contender John McCain, sought to capitalize on the remark, saying, "I have, and always will be, proud of my country." But Bush, in an interview last week, said, "I think she probably meant 'I'm more proud,' you know, is what she really meant." She said comments in a campaign can be misconstrued.

Obama told the women of ABC's "The View" that she was touched by Bush's comments. "And you know, I'm taking some cues. I mean, there's a balance. There's a reason why people like her. It's because she doesn't, sort of, you know, fuel the fire."

Michelle Obama, a guest host on the talk show, walked onto the set arms linked with co-host Barbara Walters, then gave the other cast members fist bumps.

Earlier this month, a Fox News analyst suggested that her onstage knuckle bump with her husband, on the night he locked up the Democratic presidential nomination, might have been a "terrorist's fist jab."

"It is now my signature bump," Obama said. "But let me tell you, I'm not that hip. I got this from the young staff. That's the new high-five."