American Morning
Tune in at 6am Eastern for all the news you need to start your day.
October 23rd, 2009
07:10 AM ET
White House releases portrait of first family
The White House unveiled this portrait of the first family this morning. It's the first official White House portrait of the Obamas. The picture was taken by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz.
President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters, Sasha and Malia, sit for a family portrait in the Green Room of the White House, Sept. 1, 2009. (Official White House Photo)
About this Show
Welcome to the American Morning blog where you can get daily news updates from American Morning's reporters and producers. Join us for "the most news in the morning," weekdays from 6-9 a.m. ET, only on CNN.
On Twitter
RT @EarlyStart: Ten people, including a police officer, were killed Monday after a gunman opened fire in a grocery store in Boulder, Colora…
RT @calebsilver: On the @Investopedia Express podcast this week, my pal and former colleague, @ChristineRomans from @CNNBusiness and @CNN j…
This is amazing for us, Meredith! twitter.com/mbennettsmith/…
Derek Chauvin's trial is a chance for the justice system to prove it can actually work msnbc.com/opinion/derek-…
RT @ConstitutionCtr: #WomensHistoryMonth is a time to reflect on the women who have shaped America’s story.@RosenJeffreyey an@MSNBCBC's @Al…
RT @centralbanks_: The Exchange | Conversations for a Better Future One-on-one conversation with IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva and Micros…
Well at least we can be assured that our tax dollars are going to superfluous White House expenses, like professional photographer salaries.
This is a pretty bad photograph. Off-centered, middle-of-the-room, very busy background without bokeh, clear flash imbalance, bizarre portrait angle, moire pattern on the wall. Clearly a well-lit snapshot.
I am proud that we have finally have a President that would like to see us as a part of the world rather than apart from the world.
A beautiful family that we can all enjoy.
One recommendation – less face time for this kind of thing, stay off Letterman, Leno and the rest. Your advisors are leading you wrong. We want to see our president getting the job done, not just appearing here, there and everywhere.
I am so proud to have them in the White House. They have so much dignity and respect. We are lucky to have such a wonderful family leading our country. Thank you for your committment and service.
What a beautiful portrait of a beautiful first family. Every American should be proud of our first family.
Where is the mother in law? Nice picture but the background is a little too busy.
Great picture! God's blessings.
Beautiful picture....Am so proud of being an american and having the Obama's represent the face of America...God Bless
Cute picture, cute girls, yes, let's all agree they are so cute! But to all of you that say they are wholesome? OMG. Gag. Obama ranks right there with the other slimy politicians Republican OR Democrat. What has he done?? Please give me a break. Just because he is half black does not mean he gets a free hall pass. He has to actually do something to garner my kudos. I hope he does, we are all waiting anxiously for him to do something, anything!
Such a great looking family. And they are wonderful caring people.
Great picture – I am proud he is representing our country! Thank you for taking such a hard job.
wow! amazing!
Precious moment. I pray that these young ladies live their lives to the fullest. It's difficult to be under everyone's eyes not to mention the constant criticisms they have to put up with. GIRLS ENJOY. JUST MAKE SURE YOUR HOME TO GIVE DADDY A HUG WHEN HE WALKS THROUGH THAT DOOR. HE NEEDS YOU.
Proud to be living in the US although I am just a foreign student... you guys have such a nice leader and his family.
I can't wait to hear Fox criticize the picture though!
What a Beautiful family. God Bless the Obama's.
People better recognize that 'Our' President didn't get to the White House by mistake. Devine Intervention is all I have to say and yes, I am Proud to be an American with the Obama's guiding and leading the way.
Beautiful. Simply Beautiful. The love between them is so noticeable that it instantly tugs on your heart strings.
What a nice looking family.!!
Enjoy the picture when it lasts because he will not be there in 2012
What a beautiful First Family portrait!!!!! Sooooo natural!!!
Really? This photo makes you proud to be an american? How about our troops fighting overseas, the volunteers at every corner of our country, the way we rally around each other in times of crisis. Yes, it is a nice photo, but I can find many more reasons to be a proud American than a first family portrait.
Awesome!!!
A great photo of a great, happy family.
If this isn't an elegant display of grace under pressure, I don't know what is. Kudos to the photographer as well, for a great capture.
As Betty From Ohio said, what "a beautiful family, both inside and out!" As to some of the ugly remarks ... we have to accept that no matter who was our President or what the circmstances, some people are never happy with anything! I guess ignorance is bliss! Me and my family feel so blessed to have the Obamas leading our country out of the dirty mess it's been in for the last 8 years.
very egotistical and elitist. . . not proud to have them in the white house. . .hasn't done anything. . . how is your hope and change coming along?
BEAUTIFUL, LOVE YOU PREZ & YOUR FAMILY...GOBAMA!
It is a nice family portrait. I, though, have always been proud to be an American. We live in the greatest country in world. I don't need the Obamas to make me proud to be an American.
******************
THANK YOU FOR SAYING WHAT MOST AMERICANS ARE FEELING! Nobody could say that they aren't a nice family, but for those that make make a political statement out of it are insulting the Obama and his family. This is a family portrait of a normal family. No different than any other first family and shouldn't be put on a pedestal – no family should.
A truly lovely picture of a truly lovely family. If they can avoid being discouraged by all the "nonesense" in Washington the President and First Lady may be defined in history as exceptional.
Finally proud to be an American?
Just askin'
I am speechless.
They are beautiful!
Beautiful picture
I love how the girls are physically all over Mom. That's what family is like. 🙂 They love Dad, they are happy to be with him, they are proud of him, but they must not let go of Mom.
Must be a slow news day...who cares? Just a smokescreen to hide what an ineffective & indecisive fool he really is.
I'd be more interested to know when he plans on making a decision about Afghanistan – our brave men & women are being killed as this jerk weighs his options. The next [3] years can't be over soon enough if you ask me – he's a one termer...Can you say Jimmy Carter?
Very Nice!! Beautiful Family!
Great photo of the First Family, however to bad the father will be handing down a lifetime worth of debt to his children, and all of us other younger Americans.
they should have all been wearing tacky sweaters....
Larry S.... You are the ignorant one!
The First Family gives me faith in the exixtance of functional black relationships when I often have little in my own participation in them.
Great picture!!!
What a good looking First Family! The girls are gorgeous!
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!!!,
The Obamas are truly a beautiful family, but I would've expected better work from Annie. I mean, shouldn't someone be nude and rolling in mud or something?
I'm with Betty from Ohio. I'm a proud American and I love my country. But, I was ashamed of our leadership during the Bush/Cheney era. I'm proud and pleased that we've elected a president with intelligence, common sense, and true, world-class leadership ability.
Betty, I agree with you and living in a foreign country these days–I get a lot of great positive comments about our America–did'nt here that before now.
Such a great portrait. Reflects what is important with family without all the lavish trappings. An "as we are" picture instead of the usual overly formal, stuffy type (painful) looking portrait. All my family's portraits are in this same manner. It's who we all are, everyday people, comfortable with each other.
Great-looking family! And they've brought some real family values to the White House. Along with personal honesty, accountability, and integrity. What a nice change! Thank you!
I love the body language, one for all and all for one. A beautiful family.
What is the big deal about a family pic for crying out loud...? Oh geez, sigh! A family picture.. I'm fainting dead away! Sigh..
A really nice picture, very natural. Hope he is elected for a second term and we can see some more of these.
It's nice that they have the portrait but the background is too busy. I have taken better shots than that.
The family seems to be split there should not be the gap between them. Is it that way in real life... Is there a gap in the family?
The photographer only poses and shoots the photo..the family selects the photo that best depicts them.
They are a warm, compassionate, beautiful family; I'm so proud to have the Obama's as our First Family.
Looks nice, talks nice, acts nice.....no results!
Nice picture, yes.
For all the moonbats, keep chugging the magic koolaid. He has accomplished nothing as President. He is all smoke and mirrors.
Obama makes me feel different about my neighbours, my community and country in general. I am not even from the USA, his words are motivational and his family is the picture perfect portrate of how we all should strive to be. I wish that a Canadian Obama esc leader would step up and fix Canada!!
I love our first family, the Obama's make me so proud! God bless them.
Nice picture. They make a beautiful family. Betty, I've always been proud to be an American, the Obama's have nothing to do with it. Pathetic statement.
What a beautiful picture? For once I see an almost
unanimous feeling among Americans about this picture.
It is tme to be political but this has nothing to do with politics.
This is a fantastic picture of an American family. The Obama's are an outstanding role model for bringing balance to one's life, even when busy demanding work schedules must be met. While I disagree with some of President Obama's policies I am proud to have a well balanced reasonable person as our President.
good smart hardworking people. i agree with betty. (in my opinion) there hasnt been a presidential family that really represents the best of american aspirations like this one. portrait is also very endearing.
Everything has been said and black is hot!
Peace+Love
My heart swells with pride for our Amazing first Family. America is back!!!
AWESOME! I LOVE IT! So proud to see a African American family in the White House....we came a long way. God Bless you and your family OBAMA! God definitely has a plan! Definitely look like a loving family...I wish people would leave them alone and let them be....the real family they are...STOP HATIN close minded people! God Bless!
I could not disagree more with Obama's stance on the issues, but a great portrait nonetheless – they've always been a fine example of a loving and wholesome family.
Sorry folks, I was a proud American long before the Obama's came in the WH. I find it highly disturbing how many people are defining themselves by this man. We should all have respect for the presidency...but not necessarily the person holding it.
The picture is nice, but nothing to gawk at by any means.
nice snap shot but it is not a Portrait, there is stuff in the background.
The election acceptance picture is the best pic so far. The photographer can do much better.
This is what i'm talking about – a classy First Family that makes all Americans proud.
How lovely for the President and his wife, Michelle! How fortunate is our country that we have a first family for which we can be proud. Beautiful family. Beautiful portrait.
I agree with Betty. I am proud to be an American- now. With Bush- not so much. He dameged our American image- world wide. This President has resotred the faith of the world at large. And the debt- thank Bush/Cheney for screwing up the economy by putting us into two wars. Someone had to clean up the mess. Takes money to make money- any conservative could tell you that-duh!!
What a beautiful family..But where is Bo?
Beautiful Photo!
Hey Tim...Nice job spelling Republicans, it is tough I know! You'll get there, keep trying.
I think I am going to puke from some of these comments. The ignorance of the liberal base continues and show the lack of intelligence.
Beautiful.....just beautiful!!!
Beautiful Family and very proud of them. Keep up the great job. love to get a copy.
So?
This first family portrait of the Obamas look so beautifully taken with pride and closeness. Michelle's lean body cut put her well in the outfit with a neat hairdo and the girls are so charmingly dressed.
Barack as usual very neat with a healthy smile but awaits for the healthcare.
I wish to get a glimpse of Michelle & Barack Ob in Spore for the Apec Summit next month
This is a beautiful family, and you can see the love and see that family matters. I hope some of the rest of us will take a lesson from this family and come together as a true family. I think one of our countries problem is family, it does not seem to mean a thing. Family is the glue to each community. It seems as if everyone is for themselves, when a community use to care about each other, especially our children, now a days you are scared to correct your own children let alone someone eles's child.
I name the pic "The Obamas"... Its a beautiful pic... Forget the "First Lady".. I can also call it the "First Honourable Family"
Ahhhh, Tim, I'm one of those Republican haters as you called us and I think this portrait is very nice. Possibly your comment was made prior to your meds kicking in this AM?
This is certainly not the image of African Americans Rush wants us to see.
I think we did the right thing last Nov.
This is a portrait of real beauty. What an intellient and classy family. We are proud of our President and first family. They are such role models for the american people. May God continue to poor out his many blessings to the Obama Family while keeping them safe.
Beauty
Beautiful smiles. It's a thankless job. Thank you for all you do for this country!
Beauty is synonymous with the Obama family!
I think this is a lovely picture of the first family and they look great.
However, I am a republican and resent being called "mean spirited" and designated as "a party of haters". Perhaps you should examine yourself and not be so quick to pass judgement on people you do not know.
Is that an Urn on the mantle?
Who cares. Maybe CNN should focus more on the stories that matter and report not just the leftist views. While I am glad the other news channels stood up to the white house by saying they would not participate in interviews if foxnews was not involved as well, the "prez" has been getting way too much of a honeymoon for way too long. Report the negative as well as the positive CNN, MSNBC, CBS. Chicago style bullying tactics are coming to an end America. Wake up. Prez needs to make some hard decisions that he is shying away from and leaving the rest of the world to think we are pansies. You can't silence the stories that you don't agree with.... Report both sides.
Tim and Dennis, shut up.
I am a Republican and I think the photo is nice, casual, in good taste, and very well done. They are a good looking family.
I don't think this is very newsworthy, however.
What a great portrait. Sasha has such a wonderful smile in this picture. We are blessed to live in such historical times.
I am an amateur photographer and could have done a better job. It is not an ideal room for a presidential photo (poor lighting and too many distractions in the room).
Such a BEAUTIFUL family! It's so nice to see a family in the White House again. Family Values are what this country needs!
God Bless this awesome family!!!
Absolutely gorgeous! Betty from Ohio said it best.
I'm a Republican and against Obama's policies, and I think that's a really nice picture. No hate here.
Beautiful picture! Looks natural.....not like they are posing. They really represent the America family for me. I'm so proud to have them as the First Family!
Phenomenal photo. I was always proud to be an American, and this photo of our first family is most certainly in keeping with that tradition. Bravo!
Nice All American family picture!
I name the pic "The Obamas"... Its a beautiful pic... Forget the first lady.. i can also call the First Family 🙂
the younger daughter looks like her dad and older one like her mom
Beautiful portrait by Annie. The Obama's are a lovely family! Michelle just keeps getting more beautiful every day!
For the person who asks WHY? This is an official family photo. Think of how many photos there were of the Kennedy family that are part of our American history.
Absolutely lovely picture of the First Family. And like Dennis said, I'm sure that Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh will find something anti-American to say about it. Probably that the girls arms should not be showing.....