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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)
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What, no complaints from Republicans about how this portrait is a slippery slope to socialism?
The Green Room? What, Airforce one wasn't available or other ways to blow through more tax payer dollars? While they may be a wonderful family, he is hardly doing a good job as President. Too bad his children will be paying for his decisions, both monitarily and socially, for years to come.
Notice how the doors are open in the background...an intentional subtlety of how they conduct affairs both privately and publicly.
Great picture, but he's tearing our country apart. I pray for our country and for him.
Awesome! Natural and genuine
beautiful and lovely family god bless you all and god bless America.
This is a beautiful family.
God Bless you
This is an absolutely wonderful photo, unpretentious.
Betty from Ohio, how one word can change my view of you, it is the word "again". Regardless of what what you think of government, our foreign policy, or our president we should ALWAYS be proud to be American.
HAHAHA, This country is going to go to hell thanks to this family.
The photo says it all. Great Job!! We are Americans!!!!
Great Portrait. The little girls always look so happy! I'm sure Barack and Michelle are great parents!
It's a shame Mr. Obama can't accomplish things as President as well as he takes pictures.
Really? Always? Even during lynchings, Jim Crow, the beatings, water hoses and police dogs attacks of the Civil Rights Era? The Tuskegee Experiment? When our gov. took less time to get to Tsunami victims across the globe then they took getting to Katrina victims? As long as I have people that I can see and touch that were witnesses and or victims themselves of "American History" you can't tell me to "Get over it." If we never acknowledge the problems, we can't work together to make things better for "all of us" not just some of us.
Oh they almost human… almost like us
What a beautiful smile …. I will print it and paste it on my wall
Absolutely beautiful. An amazing family. I'm very proud of them.
It's just a picture for crying out loud. All they did was sit for it as every other president and their family has done. Nothing special about this at all.
What a beautiful family portrait.
God bless our President and his family
Fabulous picture. It is so nice to be proud to be an American again. Having lived through the turbulent hate and fear-filled 60s, I am still amazed we actually achieved this goal in my liifetime. We ARE in a great country!
The Obama's are beautiful, intelligent and classy Americans. He has only been President for less than a year- how in the world can people expect him to fix in a few months what Bush messed up in 8 years ? The Republicans are doing everything they can to hinder the good plans Obama has for this country but God is with him. He overcame them before- he will overcome them again. Any person looking at this beautiful family cannot deny that the Presidents motives are pure because he has a personal stake in the outcome of the decisions he makes- his own beautiful children. I see a loving family, strong marriage and well brought up children. Such things cannot be hidden. It is in their eyes. They are truly happy together.
lovely picture!! Where is the dog? Great to be American!
Beautiful family portrait and no matter how much right there is about the Obamas, there are people who will negate them especially bitter Republicans. It saddens me to see who divided our country is and stands for the major reason of our downfall.
We need to stop blaming the democrats and republicans and pull together as a nation to save our country and support our President regardless of who it is. The haters are making things worse for our nation.
These are the reasons for the 1st time in 8 years I will be visiting the US for a holiday. It just didn't feel right before, even my friends from the UK stopped visiting your beautiful country.
It is like fresh, clean air has once again swept though the US and God is blessing you so much more than in recent years. Joy! Love! Peace!
Happy Thanksgiving Day Obamas!
P.S. – Very stunning family photo!
May the Lord bless this beautiful family. May they continue to always be happy and together. God bless America.
Simply Beautiful – what family should be! Instead of trying to bring something so positive to a negative – why dont we all be proud of the great job he is doing behind the last president. Had he not stepped in our "world" was bout to take a turn for the worse and he is dedicated to the people no matter what any one says or thinks! Mr. President keep up the great work – and disregard the naysayers – they wont all have your back!
Puke
absolutely wonderful
This is such a beautiful family. America has really come a very long way.
Fabulous! My new screen saver.....Go OBAMA"S!!!!!!!!
What a beautiful (inside and out) family.
Why is this news?
Where is Bo? He must have been sad not to be included.
Such a beautiful family
Portrait....yeah. Usually you DRESS UP and wear a SUIT when it comes to presidential portraits of any kind. Looks more like a picture you send to your grandparents for Christmas. Come on people.
CHEESE!
Very natural, simple, real, genuine picture!
How beautiful this picture is!
To GWB;
"...have always been proud to be an American. We live in the greatest country in world."
Shrubh, patriotism, as one famous person said, is the last refuge of a scoundrel. Being part of one's country doesn't mean we can't criticize when we do something wrong, i.e. torture, invade sovereign nations. Furthermore, based on world rankings, the U.S. is hardly the "greatest country in the world." We are, however, rank very high in the use of the death penalty, right up there with those other "great" countries of Saudi Arabia and China.
"I don't need the Obamas to make me proud to be an American."
No, you just probably need a Bush.
"...shouldn't be put on a pedestal – no family should."
Did you make the same comments regarding the Bush family portrait.? Tell us, what's the real motivation behind your asinine dismissal of this president and his family?
where's Bo??!
What an excellent photo!
WOW. Our 1st family is phenomial.
I can't believe people are so blind to what is going on around you..of course the Bible says it's so, but I still cannot understand the ignorance.
The Obama family is beautiful, they represent the glue that America is so in need of. Makes you proude.
@ altas shrugged, you got to be kidding me. Is that the only thing you see in this beautiful photo. Maybe the photographer posed him that way. It saddens me that some "Americans" won't accept the fact that we have a black president in office. He can't do any worst than what has been done by those before him.
I love our president and his family! I'm PROUD to be a African American!
He's the only one disconnected from his family in this photo - just like he's disconnected from America. I don't see him touching anyone in this photo - just like America, just like me. And hey, Obama, stop posing for photos, and get us back on track!
The Obama's are a nice looking family. They make the picture work. The photographer's skill on this picture has a lot to be desired. Lucky for her the Obama's are very photogenic.
Keep steering us clear of this mess we're in Mr President. We're depending upon you.
I am not liking the girls arms drapped on michelle...looks like she is being given a piggy back ride.
A beautiful photograph of a beautiful family. The Green Room provides such a nice background. The Obamas make us proud as Americans! Thank you.
It is a nice picture, but would be a lot warmer if the President was making contact with the rest of the family. Everyone else in the family is touching another family member, except him. Beautiful family none-the-less
Good to see that the white house is occupied by a normal down to earth good person, rather than an ignorant, corrupt, upper class, white republican buisnessman.
Beautiful American family! I like how he removed his jacket, makes the shot more normal. Keep working hard for our country President Obama, you have to clean up from the Bush Administration.
It sure has some color to it. Beautiful
It is my recollection that EVERY President has an official family portrait and that every portrait gets an official release. I don't believe this is special treatment, it is standard operating procedure . . . . .I am disgusted that we are not treating our President with the respect that is due to the office. What sort of level of incivility have we come to?
I do wish that everyone would give this man a chance. He walked into a nightmare that had been created over years. The economy, the war . . . he has his hands full with things that were not of his doing and we are so quick to judge him for dealing with things cautiously – or making a misstep. Does anyone recall "Mission Accomplished"???
What a warm, loving portrait. They look so happy. They look like they have fun as a family, too. Lots of closeness in the picture. Good job!
all of you who are just now proud to be americans make me sick – go to canada. i am not an obama supporter at all and disagree with his socialist ways HOWEVER – i am proud to be american. This is the greatest place on earth. You liberals need to get a grip.
I've always been proud to be an American and didn't need this picture to feel that way! God Bless America.
What an amazing picture and what an amazing family. I am so proud to have this family leading our nation. Thank you President Obama for all you've done for this nation.
Betty from Ohio...you should always feel proud to be an american.
This is a good picture. They are a beautiful family.
A fine family and a good, but not an excellent picture. However, we knew that when President Obama was elected. It is a plus to have such a family in the White House. However, we didn't elect the family, but the President. His accomplishments are distancing themselves from his rhetoric and his campaign promises. I think that he has to become more focused and do less but achieve more. I think that Hillary Clinton was right when she said that he was unprepared for the complexities of the White House and governing this nation.
What a great picture of real American family. I am proud of my country proud of my president and hopefully for the future. For the few negative comments: James/Rumpkin/amd the others: U are sore loser and not respecting the man and his family that holds the highest office in the land you are distastful and unamerican.
Beautiful picture.
I wonder how FoxNews will link this picture to a "failing national security" issue, poor economic recovery, etc, etc... blah, blah, blah.
May not agree with all his policies, but sure am glad he is representing us as an American family.
The Obama's are beautiful, intelligent and classy Americans. He has only been President for less than a year- how in the world can people expect him to fix in a few months what Bush messed up in 8 years ? The Republicans are doing everything they can to hinder the good plans Obama has for this country but God is with him. He overcame them before- he will overcome them again. Any person looking at this beautiful family cannot deny that the Presidents motives are pure because he has a personal stake in the outcome of the decisions he makes- his own beautiful children. I see a loving family, strong marriage and well brought up children. Such things cannot be hidden. It is in their eyes. They are truly happy together.
What a wonderful and refreshing portrait of the First Family – Their inner beauty radiates into their outer presence. God has truely blessed this country with providing such a wonderful example of what a family looks like – Father, Mother and children.
What a lovely family.
Nice picture.....now be on your way 😉
They are the real deal!
Great family ! Best president since JFK !
I am a Republican and I dont have anything rude to say much to the liberal's surprise. Only one question though, Where is Bo? Pets are Family too!!!
It is a very nice picture, but what is Betty from Ohio smoking and where can I get some?
Outstanding picture. Where do all the Presidents find the really nice ties? I guess I have to stop shopping at Kohl's.
Very nice. Americans should be proud of this family.
Great looking family...but is that really an urn on the mantle?
We should be proud Americans when we have people that are doing things for our Government and people that benefit the world. Starting wars in a country like Iraq that never had weapons of mass destruction and putting our troops in harms way for NO REASON, then we should not be proud of that. Nice picture by the way. We should all be proud that we realize our mistakes and do something to fix them... Go USA!
Wonderful family!
Beautiful. It's wonderful to see that after these last 10 months in the First Families' life that they can smile so beautifully! Keep up the Great Work Mr. President and Thanks for sharing a heart-felt moment with the rest of your American family!
******************
Absolutely – MILLION DOLLAR smiles! I'd be happy, too, if I was making millions. haaaa Dingbat.
This is a great portrait of our President and his family. I wish that we all loved and cared as they do. God has given us a great family to honor and no matter how you feel about President Obama you should always pray for him, love him and respect him because that is who God has chosen. We Love you President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and your beautiful girls!
I hope the military members in Afghanistan can have a family photo opportunity.
May God's grace surround them...It is a portrait of what is possible
How much did this picture cost us taxpayers? mmm a reconized photographer like Annie Leibovitz? i thought we were in a recession!!! wow!!!
Thank God for blessing us with such a gifted, beautiful, intelligent, and wonderful family representing us and this great nation in the White House...
I am still in aawh over this family! President Obama family portrait looks just like a family portrait in your close relative house. So, real and personable. Beautiful Portrait and May God Coninue to Bless America and keep Obama in his hands!
Also proud,
Nice try. We realize, however, that most people who bash the last prez, and praise this one, somehow, think "proud to be an American" is such a powerful phrase, they will exploit it to show their distain for a former president's policies. You are an individual, with your own opinion, and I respect that. But, my opinion in a President, should not deter the fact that I love this country, and served in it for what it represents, and the fact it has always been a free country, and a representation of the people. I am ALWAYS proud of her.
Casual.... just like the administration's attitude towards the country.
A very nice picture of a very nice family.
They are a reason for hope.
This guy must've failed Marketing 101.
Anyone remember what happenes when you over expose?
Chance are, the lemmings that believe Obama is the Messiah have less than a 9th grade education....or they're brain dead. Either way, one-in-the-same.
Perfect! I love this family
Nice picture. A beautiful Chicago family. I am a proud Chicagoan and more so because our President is from this city. There are some bad fish in Chicago politics but this city has a lot of heart and human values
Republican, Democrat, Independent, whatever you are....I think we can all agree that they are a beautiful family.
I am happy to be part of real America now. I salute the first Family and appreciate the work they tare doing to this country.
Definitely nice to have a loving family in the white house. I feel like they could be friends of ours, our neighbors, or even on the same cheer squad as my girls. It sure is refreshing to see some real people in the spotlight and not just barbie, mom and dad.
Beautiful
They are an inspiration at how closeness of a family reflects in everything you do in life. They make us feel like we're part of their family!
How much money was spent on this! Sure they look like a nice family but who cares, we need a President who knows how to run a country.
I'm not commenting on the family here at all. But this photograph is terrible. Poor composition, bad lighting, and horrible choice of background. They could have had an amateur take this picture with a disposable camera and saved a lot of money. Considering Annie Liebowitz's financial problems, I'm sure she didn't come cheap. I would expect a better photograph from her.
I love all the people on this blog who can turn a simple family portrait into a hate filled comment. Celebrate it for what it is. A simple family portrait. Nothing more. Quit whining. These are done for every president and published by every president.
Nice picture, they look just like the Bushes
Beautiful family!!
You know what would make this portrait even better, if Obama knew what he was doing in the White House.
I just LOVE this photograph. Those girls are just too cute! Reminds me of my family.
Now when Americans say they are "finally proud" it doesn't mean that they don't love this country. What it means is that we as a country(well at least our previous leaders) have brought us shame through their actions internationally. And when there is a leader amongst us that wants to work for the good of our country and make effort to mend relationships in the global community, well that is refreshing. So to those of you who question or get offended by this statement.....reflect on what it is you are doing and saying to bring honor to our nation.
God Bless America