Interview With 'Obama's Girlfriend' | All In | MSNBC

MSNBC

22 Oct 201405:17

Summary

TLDRIn a lighthearted moment at a Chicago polling place, a man jokingly tells the President not to touch his girlfriend while voting. The President responds humorously, easing the tension and leading to a friendly exchange. The couple, AA Cooper and Michael Jones, later discuss the incident on a news show, sharing their surprise and delight at the unexpected interaction, which quickly became a viral video.

Takeaways

😅 A humorous incident occurred at a polling place where a man jokingly told the president not to touch his girlfriend.
🏆 The president was at the polling place in Chicago, voting early, which drew a lot of attention.
🔍 The Drudge Report initially gave the impression of a scandal with its headline, but the story was actually a light-hearted moment.
🗳️ The woman in question was voting next to the president, and her boyfriend made the joke to ease her nerves.
😳 The woman was initially embarrassed and nervous about the president's response, fearing a security reaction.
🤝 The president handled the situation gracefully, reassuring the woman and turning the moment into a positive one.
📺 The incident was captured on video and became a topic of discussion on local news and social media.
💬 The couple, A'A Cooper and Michael Jones, later appeared on a show to discuss the incident and share their experience.
😄 Michael Jones explained that his comment was intended to ease the tension and make his girlfriend laugh.
🏠 The president's response and the subsequent conversation with the couple became a memorable moment for them.

Q & A

What initially appeared to be a scandal involving the president turned out to be?
-A humorous incident where a man jokingly told the president not to touch his girlfriend while voting.
What was the actual event that took place at the polling place in Chicago?
-The president was voting early, and a man jokingly told him not to touch his girlfriend who was voting next to him.
How did the president respond to the man's joke?
-The president responded in a gracious manner, easing the situation and making light of the comment.
What was the man's intention behind making the joke?
-The man wanted to ease the nervousness of his girlfriend who was voting next to the president.
How did the girlfriend feel about the incident?
-She was initially nervous and mortified but found the situation amusing afterward.
What was the public reaction to the video of the incident?
-The video became popular, with friends, family, and local news reaching out to the couple.
Did the couple appreciate the president's response during the interaction?
-Yes, the couple appreciated the president's gracious response, which helped to alleviate the tension.
What was the man's personality trait that led him to make the joke?
-The man described himself as spontaneous and someone who often puts his girlfriend in humorous situations to make her laugh.
Was the girlfriend able to focus on voting despite the incident?
-Yes, she was able to vote for her intended candidate despite the unexpected interaction.
Did the incident affect the couple's relationship with the president?
-No, the incident did not negatively affect their relationship with the president; in fact, it led to a memorable interaction.
Were there any reports suggesting the couple was engaged?
-Yes, there were news reports suggesting they were engaged, but the couple clarified they were not.

Outlines

00:00

😄 Hilarious Voting Booth Encounter with the President

The first paragraph of the video script recounts a humorous incident at a polling station during the midterm elections. A man jokingly tells the President not to touch his girlfriend while voting, leading to a light-hearted exchange. The President's gracious response eases the tension and turns a potentially embarrassing moment into a memorable one. The video script includes an interview with the couple, AA Cooper and Michael Jones, who discuss the incident and their reactions. The man explains his spontaneous nature and the woman shares her surprise and relief at the President's friendly demeanor. The segment highlights the human side of political events and the potential for humor amidst the seriousness of elections.

05:01

📰 Passing of a Journalism Legend: Ben Bradlee

The second paragraph of the video script delivers a somber piece of breaking news. It announces the death of Ben Bradlee, the former editor of the Washington Post, who was instrumental in the publication of both the Watergate coverage and the Pentagon Papers. Bradlee's death marks the end of an era in journalism, as he was a pivotal figure in uncovering significant political scandals and shaping the narrative of American journalism. The paragraph serves as a tribute to his legacy and impact on the field.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Midterm Elections

Midterm Elections refer to elections that occur halfway through a president's four-year term in the United States. They are significant as they can shift the balance of power in Congress, impacting the president's ability to pass legislation. In the context of the video, the mention of midterm elections sets the political backdrop, suggesting that any scandal could sway voter sentiment and election outcomes.

💡Democratic Scandal

A 'Democratic Scandal' in this script refers to a potentially damaging event or revelation involving members of the Democratic Party. The video implies that such a scandal could influence the outcome of the elections in favor of the opposing Republicans, highlighting the high stakes and sensitivity around political conduct during election periods.

💡Drudge Report

The Drudge Report is an American news aggregation website known for its conservative leanings and for breaking significant political stories. In the video, the Drudge Report is mentioned as a source that initially seemed to imply a scandal involving the president, which turned out to be a non-scandal, illustrating the role of media in shaping public perception.

💡Voting Early

Voting early refers to the act of casting one's vote before the official Election Day. It is a practice that allows for greater flexibility and can increase voter participation. In the video, the president is shown voting early, which is a normal civic activity but is made extraordinary by the unexpected interaction that follows.

💡Polling Place

A polling place is a location where voters go to cast their ballots in an election. The script describes the president voting at his polling place in Chicago, setting the scene for the humorous interaction that takes place, emphasizing the accessibility of voting and the potential for ordinary citizens to encounter public figures in everyday settings.

💡Jokingly

The term 'jokingly' is used to describe the light-hearted and humorous manner in which the boyfriend of a woman voting next to the president made a comment. It sets the tone for the interaction, indicating that it was not meant to be taken seriously and was intended to ease the tension in an otherwise formal and serious environment.

💡Embarrassing

Embarrassing in this context refers to the feeling of self-consciousness or awkwardness that arises from being the center of attention in an uncomfortable situation. The woman in the video feels embarrassed by her boyfriend's comment, which is a relatable human emotion that adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative.

💡Conversation

A conversation in the video refers to the dialogue that takes place between the president and the couple after the boyfriend's comment. It is a key element of the story, showcasing the president's ability to engage with citizens in a personal and humorous way, which can humanize political figures.

💡Surreal

Surreal describes a situation that feels dreamlike or fantastical, often because it is unexpected or extraordinary. The woman uses this term to describe her experience of having a conversation with the president, indicating the unusual nature of the encounter and its impact on her perception of reality.

💡Engaged

In the video, 'engaged' refers to the question of whether the couple is planning to get married. It is a common assumption made by the interviewer, reflecting societal expectations and the personal interest often shown in the private lives of public figures, even when it is not directly related to the main event.

💡Breaking News

Breaking News is a term used by media outlets to announce an urgent and recent event. In the video, it is used to transition from the light-hearted story to a more somber announcement about the death of a former editor of the Washington Post, demonstrating the dynamic nature of news and the contrast between different stories.

Highlights

Midterm elections are reaching their final stretch, and any Democratic scandal could sway the balance in favor of Republicans.

Initial reports suggested a scandal involving the President, but it turned out to be a humorous incident at a polling place.

The President was at a polling place in Chicago, where a man jokingly told him not to touch his girlfriend.

The President responded graciously to the joke, easing the tension and making light of the situation.

The woman, AA Cooper, was surprised and embarrassed by her boyfriend's comment but found the President's reaction comforting.

The President's response was seen as an example of his ability to handle unexpected situations with humor and grace.

The couple, AA Cooper and Michael Jones, were invited to discuss the incident on a news program.

Michael Jones explained that he made the joke to ease his girlfriend's nerves and to add some levity to the situation.

AA Cooper confirmed that she was indeed nervous voting next to the President but appreciated her boyfriend's attempt to lighten the mood.

The incident became a viral moment, with many people reaching out to the couple after seeing it on local news.

The couple clarified that they are not engaged, despite some news reports suggesting otherwise.

The President's interaction with the couple humanized him and showed a different side of his personality.

The incident at the polling place became a memorable moment in the midst of the tense midterm election season.

The Drudge Report's initial headline created a sense of intrigue that was quickly dispelled by the actual content of the story.

The President's early voting at his polling place in Chicago was an opportunity for a candid and unexpected interaction with voters.

The news program's interview with the couple provided insight into the personalities and dynamics of the individuals involved in the viral moment.

The incident highlighted the importance of humor and grace in political interactions, especially during high-stakes events like elections.