Page All JJo rtla n b tf)bseruer October 14, 2009 Arts Platinum Fade S A L O N fSIIKIAISHIM IN Itll Portraitof the Obamas Author describes couple as ‘Rock-solid’ As Barack and Michelle Obama cel­ ebrate their 17th anniversary this month - their First as President and First Lady, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Chris­ topher Andersen claims they are "the most real, d o w n -to -earth , q u in tessen tially American First Couple we've ever had in the White House. Whatever your politics, it's almost impossible not to admire them on a personal level." Andersen should know. Among his 29 books and 13 New York Times bestsellers are three books about presidential mar­ riages: Jack and Jackie, Bill and Hillary, and George and Laura. In Barack and Michelle: Portrait of an American Marriage, Andersen draws on important sources-som e speaking for the first tim e-to paint a glowing picture of the Obamas as two people who have come through rough times early in their marriage to form an enduring personal and political partnership. "It's a real love story, no doubt about it," says Andersen, "and it differs from other presidential marriages because there ÄND V H E LLE PORTRAIT OF AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE CHRISTOPHER ANDERSEN r il t U N L W V O R K li.M tS B lS T S fc lL IN G A l D IO R is no tension simmering beneath the sur­ face. They are not rivals for power, like Bill and Hillary Clinton were. There is no sense that one is eclipsing or smothering the other. They are equal partners in this, and their friends tell me that their marriage has gotten even stronger since they moved into the White House." Things were not always so rosy. Both the President and First Lady have spoken openly about the days when he was in the Illinois Senate and spending four nights a week away from home, leaving Michelle alone to take care of their two small daugh­ ters Malia and Sasha. Andersen points to the night in Sep­ tember 2001 when the Obama's younger daughter Sasha, then just three months old, was stricken with spinal meningitis, as a "pivotal moment in their marriage. They stayed at her bedside in the hospital for 72 hours straight until she was out of danger. Michelle said it was a nightmare, but the experience brought them close to­ gether than they had ever been." In Barack and Michelle, Andersen also credits Michelle with convincing her hus­ band to adopt the "Yes We Can" slogan, which he initially rejected, and having a major say in picking Joe Biden over Hillary Clinton as his running mate. "Do you re­ ally want Bill and Hillary down the hall from you in the White House?" the book quotes M ichelle as saying to Barack. "Could you live with that?" Says Andersen, "The President has said she is his chief counsel and advisor, that he wouldn't make a big decision without first asking her opinion. M ichelle's no H illary-she doesn't want to be 'co-presi­ dent'—but she does have major say in the White House." County Museum Hosts Swank Affair With OSU coach Robinson We have the Best Barber & hair Stylist in Portland and we do Razor Line Cuts, Weaves, Relaxers and Cuts Barbers & H airstylist W anted - 1 m onth free 5010 NE 9th Unit A, Portland, O regon 97221 503-284-2989 Hours o f operation: M-F 9 am - 6 pm Sat 8 am - 9 pm Sun 11 a m - 6 pm '-\ New Prices Effective May 1,2007 Martin Cleaning Service 1, Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Residential & Commercial Services I ' $45.00 Minimum Service CHG. 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