January 13, 2009
Posted: January 13th, 2009 05:30 PM ET

(CNN) – At a Tuesday news conference, Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell accidentally gave the future first lady an unexpected administration assignment:

MORRELL: Good afternoon. Pleasure to see you all today.

I have just a few announcements, and then I'll gladly take your questions.

First, Secretary Gates very much appreciates the Senate Armed Services Committee quickly arranging hearings this Thursday for the first four people nominated to serve in this department under President Obama.

As you know, last week the president-elect nominated Bill Lynn to be the deputy defense secretary; Michelle Obama for undersecretary of defense for policy...

(CROSSTALK)

MORRELL: Excuse me. Thank you for...

(LAUGHTER)

Thank you for correcting me. Talk about an - talk about an active first lady.

Filed under: Michelle Obama


The brutal truth   January 13th, 2009 11:43 pm ET

See that whats wrong with certain (simple minded) people in America today, so quick to downplay a person's abilities and thinking he/she knows every doggon thing. Not qualified, overqualified crap, that really makes my teeth itch badly! Everybody can do any and everything in this life if we put our minds to it including Michelle. So stop playing with yourselves and take a moment to look at YOU!

mike   January 13th, 2009 10:04 pm ET

Yes bcause appointing your wife to a field where she has no expierence is the sort of change we want. Ussually they just apoint close friends but instead we are going to appoint family. She may have a Law degree but Military policy is much different then civilian or business law. Now don't be confussed I'm sure she would be able to handle the job just pretty sure that there is someone else more qualified.

Soccer Nana   January 13th, 2009 10:03 pm ET

"Obamanationugh!!! January 13th, 2009 8:46 pm ET

Well I for one will be glad to say "I TOLD YOU SO", when this stupid attempt at a new welfare state collapses on itself in failure. I will not my money to pay for the lazy liberal socialist state!"

And what has Dubya done lately?

Contrary to what your feeble mind may believe, you are not the only person with a job in America and pay taxes. Get over yourself.

she can do it!   January 13th, 2009 9:52 pm ET

Got my vote! Nothing but respect for the woman.

No Hillary = No Obama   January 13th, 2009 8:50 pm ET

Why not? The woman has a law degree from Harvard while her husband spent all his time devoted to capturing the White House while she played the dutiful wife role. She impresses as more substantive than Mr. Sloganeer.

Obamanationugh!!!   January 13th, 2009 8:46 pm ET

Well I for one will be glad to say "I TOLD YOU SO", when this stupid attempt at a new welfare state collapses on itself in failure. I will not my money to pay for the lazy liberal socialist state!

Erik in Real Pennsylvania   January 13th, 2009 6:59 pm ET

The right wing sore losers can't PROVE it, but they can SAY it.

tee   January 13th, 2009 6:59 pm ET

MICHELLE COULD HANDLE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NO DOUBT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ula Nejad Sacramento, Ca   January 13th, 2009 6:59 pm ET

ha ha ha ha aha ha aha ha aha ha
Kidding right? What to protect her confused husband from his brothers in crime and terrorists? They should have given her post alongside Panetta. The woman will be the first black lady to be bashed day in and day out. No respect for these racists.

tee   January 13th, 2009 6:55 pm ET

MD

BE FOR REAL, HILLARY WILL ANWSER TO HER BOSS(OBAMA)
SHE HAS NO MORE EXPERIENCE THEN HE DOES, UNLESS YOU COUNT BEING MARRIED TO A PRESIDENT. PLEASE DON'T GET IT TWISTED.

Mike, Syracuse NY   January 13th, 2009 6:45 pm ET

Oh,pleeease Obama supporters. Micjhelle Obama would not do a good job at this. You people are just insane.

Matt   January 13th, 2009 6:38 pm ET

Interesting....and Rick, sour grapes make sour wine

Mari   January 13th, 2009 6:35 pm ET

Aaaah.... the far-right-nay-sayers! Boy, will I LOVE the silence from the far-right when Obama SUCCEEDS!

Prepare the BBQ crow for the hate-mongers!!

FLgirl   January 13th, 2009 6:34 pm ET

Rick, what is your definition of competence then? These people he selected are pillars of their fields, well educated and experienced. God cannot run for office so we have to settle for the best humans we can find. Geez, give someone a break for once. I like that she could handle the job but chooses to be mommy in chief. That is respectable. :)

PA Girl   January 13th, 2009 6:31 pm ET

Reminds me of Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter all over again.

JoeP   January 13th, 2009 6:30 pm ET

Thank God it was a slip of the tongue, and not a real announcement of a position. Unlike others in this comment section, I want somebody with experience for the position and for people to state otherwise is pure carelessness.

Home of the Free   January 13th, 2009 6:30 pm ET

Rick January 13th, 2009 6:17 pm ET

She would fit right in with the rest of Obama's incompetent nominees.
___________________________________________________
Just another hateful republican, who couldn't do the job if you held a gun to his head. Complete Idiot.

Obama '09   January 13th, 2009 6:27 pm ET

If they were smart they would give her that position, she is more competant than the other fools they have in there...

Mike Philly   January 13th, 2009 6:27 pm ET

Uhh, Rick. Seems like you're outnumbered here. (Just like you were on Election Day!)

Keep on whining! You sound just like Huckabee and Palin! Even McCain has the smarts to shut the frack up already.

Ken in NC   January 13th, 2009 6:27 pm ET

Not a bad idea. Maybe after the girls are a bit older she will run for the office of President of the United States. She's got what it takes to be a tough President.

Nix to Rick   January 13th, 2009 6:22 pm ET

She would do a fine job, and Rick get a life.

Rick   January 13th, 2009 6:17 pm ET

She would fit right in with the rest of Obama's incompetent nominees.

Charlie in Maine   January 13th, 2009 6:17 pm ET

Michelle Obama can do whatever she sets her mind to. She probably didn't have that in mind though.

Here's a thought even if she were appointed by accident she would be better than most of Bush appointments.

MD   January 13th, 2009 6:16 pm ET

No way Hillary would allow Michelle any cabinet or sub-cabinet level position in her presidency (oops, I mean Barack's).

Meka   January 13th, 2009 6:15 pm ET

With Michelle's DISCIPLINED LIFESTYLE, I'll put my Money on Her!

kayla   January 13th, 2009 6:09 pm ET

I AGREE. SHE'S EVEN SMARTER THAN BUSH.

Amber   January 13th, 2009 6:07 pm ET

Thirded...

But with everything else going on, how did this slip of the tongue make it to the Ticker?

PJP   January 13th, 2009 6:05 pm ET

LOL!!!!

A Woman In California For Obama   January 13th, 2009 6:05 pm ET

Why not? She definitely was a plus during the campaign and unlike most of the others she is highly educated too. Although, I like the fact she knows she has young children and places them first in her life. Maybe in a few years when the children are older.

Gilbert   January 13th, 2009 6:04 pm ET

and the problem is?

Emmanuel Kesse, NJ   January 13th, 2009 6:04 pm ET

Senator John Kerry would have been a much much better choice for secretary of state. That man was built for foreign policy. Other interesting men would be Chuck Hagel and Colen Powel.

Michelle Rocks   January 13th, 2009 6:03 pm ET

She could handle herself, no doubt. She's all-around awesome.

Emmanuel Kesse, NJ   January 13th, 2009 5:59 pm ET

I don't see a problem with Michelle being the undersecretary of defense. She is more than qualified. I am, however, worried about Obama's choice for secretary of state, Hillary Clinton. It's not that she is incompetent, it's just that it is not a smart move to pick her.

REASON: The secretary of state for the next 4 to 8 years is going to have his or her hands full with Iran- a major supporter of terrorism around the world plus many other Muslim nations. In the Islamic culture, women aren't taken seriously at all. In fact, the Iranian president would not even shake the hands of a woman. How do you then send Hillary there for peace talks? Look at what Candelizza Rice went through. She was just doing merry-go-round till Bush's term was over.

The pick looks good for the paparazzi but not smart for US foreign policy.

Libs be dopes   January 13th, 2009 5:59 pm ET

She has the same qualifications as he does to be POTUS, why not?

james   January 13th, 2009 5:54 pm ET

i second that.....

Proud American   January 13th, 2009 5:47 pm ET

I'm sure she could handle the job.

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