Happy birthday, Malia Obama

Short diary to thank Malia Obama, 10, for sharing her birthday with so many others in Butte, Mont.

I'm the father of a 10 year old girl myself. I know how important birthdays are.

Here's my birthday wishes for you. I'll be going to my father in law's later today for a cookout. You and he share a birth date with this country. Born on the 4th of July. And I'm going to be talking to him about you and your father. I hope both you and my father in law have wonderful birthdays.

The Montana crowd where the Obamas hosted a 4th of July picnic sang "Happy birthday" to her.

Obama in Montana today with the Birthday Girl.

Please joining me in wishing Malia a very happy birthday.

The Beatles and Fritz Lang together celebrate your birthday:

Update [2008-7-4 20:43:23 by Carnacki]: Barack Obama's speech at the July 4 picnic

•  Tip

  Mmmm...cake.

  by Carnacki on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 01:20:03 PM PDT

  •  Mmmm...cake

    

    by John Campanelli on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 01:47:59 PM PDT

  •  I want a piece

    

    by LoLoLaLa on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 03:07:34 PM PDT

  •  Happy Birthday Malia!

    and thanks for sharing your Dad:0)!

    by aj2k on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 04:12:51 PM PDT

•  Young children

  It's not a reason to vote for someone, but I love the idea of children the same age as my own in the White House.

  by Carnacki on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 01:21:28 PM PDT

  •  ...role models for the next generation. :o)

    by FundaMental Transformation on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 01:58:25 PM PDT

    •  They are the

      Next generation and how beautiful they are!!!

      A new generation family in the White House--

      what a total joy it will be!

      by Wary on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 07:50:48 PM PDT

      •  I can hardly wait...

        ... and I wish I didn't have to.

        by FundaMental Transformation on Sat Jul 05, 2008 at 09:50:27 AM PDT

  •  my kids are so excited about that!

    and my daughter lusts after sasha's  and malia's dresses.  

    by jlms qkw on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 02:04:36 PM PDT

    •  Elitest dresses!

      by Loli on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 02:39:09 PM PDT

      •  And doesn't Michelle look

        terrific?!

        I love her fashion sense. Nothing contrived. Natural and elegant.

        by Vicky on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 02:52:21 PM PDT

        •  Agreed, but I prefer seeing her hair down.

          But then, I think most women look more attractive with their hair down.

          by Kimball Cross on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 02:53:44 PM PDT

    •  I'm 30

      and I want the shirt Malia wore today. I wonder if they make it in "chubby grown-up" sizes. LOL!

      by paintitblue on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 10:32:41 PM PDT

  •  Young children...YES!

    I would also absolutely love to see a baby born in the White House.  I thought about it the other night as I rocked our new grandson back to sleep.

    That might make the repub's time in the desert even longer.  ;)

    by imabluemerkin on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 03:12:43 PM PDT

    •  Speaking of a desert, won't it be nice not to

      see them drinking and whooping it up.

      by snackdoodle on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 08:41:23 PM PDT

  •  She's already more qualified than GHWB's children

    ...seriously.

    If you're an Obama kid, you've probably got common sense, intelligence and compassion galore, stock.

    The rest is just staff.

    by Peace JD on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 03:37:35 PM PDT

•  This is the best 4th of July

  I've had in a LONG time . . . just knowing that a year from now we will be able to be proud of our country again! (Yes, I am an America-hating commie librul.)

  Thanks for the diary!

  by oscarsmom on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 01:24:55 PM PDT

•  Garrison Keillor: For the 10-year-old girls

  Here's Prairie Home Companion host Garrison Keillor, writing for Salon.com, expressing hope on behalf of a 10-year-old girl playing on a swing:

  I'm 65 and have a good life and can't claim that the Current Occupant has done me much harm at all. It's when I think about 10-year-old girls I start to get hot under the collar. This clueless man has dug a deep hole for them and doesn't seem vaguely aware of it. He has spent us deep in a hole, gotten us into a disastrous war, blithely ignored the long-term best interests of the country, and when you think of the 4,000 kids who now lie in cemeteries, and for what? -- you start to grind your teeth. For the sake of the girl with the beautiful swing, I hope we get a better president than the disgusting incompetent we've wasted eight years of our national life on. Think twice about who you put your arm around, Sen. McCain.

  Maybe, with the help of his 10-year-old girl, and keeping her future in mind, President Obama can begin to fix up the Bush administration's mess and move America forward. It's time to turn the page.

  by abundance on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 01:25:55 PM PDT

  •  I love Keillor

    I tried reading his book "Lake Wobegon" when we lived in AZ, but I couldn't get through it. I didn't get the jokes. When we moved to WI, I picked up the book again after a few years in the Midwest. I loved it as I finally understood the mindset. And yes, I now am the proud owner of gnomes, pixies and a fairy in my garden.

    by MadMs on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 01:58:04 PM PDT

    •  I love his

      "Young Lutheran's Guide To The Orchestra" -- as a recovering Lutheran, I got the jokes immediately. :)

      by Cali Scribe on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 04:29:41 PM PDT

    •  Have you read

      Homegrown Democrat? Absolutely charming, heartwarming and inspirational.

      -5.88, -6.82

      by Debby on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 07:48:16 PM PDT

    •  I can understand MadMs.

      He really talks to and about the pure midwestern way of life - the Lutherans and the Scandinavians and their foibles and gentle ways and their lutefisk.  Being of Swedish/Norwegian roots myself and from his general neighborhood, his books were an absolute treat for me to be able to relate to his characters totally.

      by vernonbc on Sat Jul 05, 2008 at 04:06:18 PM PDT

      •  I'm half German, half Swedish decent

        so I thought I'd understand him better. The extra part to understanding Keillor was living in the midwest. I'm a NY'er misplaced in WI (after 17 yrs in AZ and 2 in CA) for the last 18 yrs.

        by MadMs on Sat Jul 05, 2008 at 06:34:16 PM PDT

  •  We go to the show at least once a year.

    We absolutely love it!

    by Vicky on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 02:53:09 PM PDT

•  She will always remember this birthday

  because she will still be 10 when her father becomes President.  What a wonderful 10 for her.  I wish her the best.

  by dammit girl on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 01:25:57 PM PDT

•  Malia Obama & Friend

  

  Malia Obama, daughter of Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama, stops to pet a dog at the start of the Labor Day parade in Milford, New Hampshire September 3, 2007. REUTERS / Neal Hamberg

  by Scarce on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 01:32:03 PM PDT

  •  The Obama Girls want a dog after the election

    Hopefully, they'll get to play with it on the White House lawn.

    Happy 10th Birthday Malia

    enjoy

    happy birthday

    http://www.youtube.com/...

    by Pam from Calif on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 01:37:38 PM PDT

    •  I hope they get one

      They should make a pact with Dad that if he wins the general election (as he will! :) that they get the dog of their choice. :)

      by lirtydies on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 01:49:19 PM PDT

      •  That's actually the pact lirty

        But Obama whispered, they'd give em one anyway, win or lose. But it would certainly be great publicity, if Obama won, and the dog.

        by Excelscior1 on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 01:59:53 PM PDT

        •  Awwwww....

          Good for them for not being like my parents who reneged on their promise to let me have a pootie in 5th grade if I made all 100's on my report card. (Not that I'm bitter about that or anything. ;)

          We'll certainly do all that we can to make sure that Obama gets both the win and the dog!

          by lirtydies on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 02:34:06 PM PDT

          •  Yeah Lirty! My parents gave me a pup, then took

            it away, and told me it died.

            Can you believe that.

            Cause they thought I (and I guess themselves) were to young/not ready to have one.

            by Excelscior1 on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 02:43:10 PM PDT

            •  Oh my!!

              That's - that's just wrong!!! :( How old were you when they finally told you the truth?!

              by lirtydies on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 02:44:44 PM PDT

              •  A teenager, they gave it, and took it away when

                I was about 7-8.

                But even then as a teenager, I still had to ask. They didn't just tell me. Lol.

                Obama's a brilliant man. His daugher as for a Puppy, and he says, "Okay, I'll give you one when I become President. What incentive, and targeting on his part. Lol.

                by Excelscior1 on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 02:50:05 PM PDT

            •  mine were not pet people but they did

              let me have a puppy from the litter my grandmother's dog had. Grandma gave the puppy to me. But about 10 years later, they took the dog to the SPCA. They said the dog needed to run more in a more open space or whatever. So then my grandmother gave me a rabbit which was great until the poor rabbit died.

              My parents were just not pet people but they tried and finally ended up giving in to us having fish who were forever dying as fish do.

              by wishingwell on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 03:07:11 PM PDT

              •  oh and the dog was not sick

                at all. It was just my dad said with 2 jobs, he did not have to train the dog so it had to be tied up outside too much and he was barking more and more which dogs do when they are bored. My mother should have stepped up and together with we little kids, trained the dog. But she was not a animal person at all and she absolutely was terrified of cats.

                by wishingwell on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 03:09:44 PM PDT

                •  Yeah

                  My mom's not an animal person at all (which is why I never got the pootie). My dad loves animals, which is probably where I get it from, but he tends to defer to my mom in such matters. Sigh.

                  by lirtydies on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 03:12:26 PM PDT

                  •  wow same here, dad liked dogs, cats, horses,

                    all animals but he always worked hard and usually had 2 jobs. But he would loved it if we could had a dog, cat and more. But MOm was not an animal person.

                    They were wonderful, kind, caring parents and I could not have asked for better parents. They put us through college and both of us received Masters Degrees without one cent of college debt. They wanted us to have a fresh start ( we worked while in college too to help) ..but still..very, very generous unselfish parents.
                    But they would get us pets. But I forgave them when I went off to college and realized I had excellent parents while so many of my friends did not.

                    by wishingwell on Sat Jul 05, 2008 at 08:36:26 AM PDT

              •  Ah, fish

                The longest-living fish I had was a striped fish of some sort that lived a year. (After it'd killed the other 3 fish that shared its tank! :( )

                by lirtydies on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 03:11:16 PM PDT

                •  as an adult, we had fish that lived for years

                  We had one fish that lived for over 5 years which is pretty darn good for fish.

                  by wishingwell on Sat Jul 05, 2008 at 08:38:40 AM PDT

              •  Better you then me wishing well. lol.

                by Excelscior1 on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 03:55:38 PM PDT

                •  I will say this, my parents cried with me

                  when the rabbit died as they did get close to Petey the Rabbit.

                  by wishingwell on Sat Jul 05, 2008 at 08:40:00 AM PDT

    •  hopefully the dog will

      soil anything having to do with w.  

      by jlms qkw on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 02:05:40 PM PDT

    •  Fun diary earlier to suggest a dog breed...

      luvsathoroughbred wrote a blissfully unstressful diary here as to what kind of dog the Obama's might consider. Caveat: evidently the girls have allergy considerations.

      Hard core dog lovers had fun with this diary, me included. I came down on the side of a shelter adoption, but after learning about allergies, think that perhaps a standard poodle (with a short clip) might be good if they get a pedigreed dog. Lots of comments about "poodles," as you can imagine. Still, various breeds have rescue organizations too.

      by DorothyT on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 02:08:19 PM PDT

      •  Great diary!

        And great link to the post about the AKC's suggestions for potential canine pets. (Although I've never heard of half of those breeds! I'm more of a German Shepherd/Husky/Lab/Golden/Border Collie-type wozzle lover. :)

        by lirtydies on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 02:17:49 PM PDT

        •  Problem with some of those hypo-allergenic

          dogs I saw (I hope their some bigger ones), is that theier too small, and I can already hear the subdued the cries of "elitism" (I do recall seeing the Clinton and other Presidents with small "auxilliary" dogs.

          by Excelscior1 on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 02:55:53 PM PDT

          •  There are big poodles too

            I love standard poodles. Big fuzzballs! They might be a good fit.

            by paintitblue on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 10:26:14 PM PDT

      •  Newfoundland

        

        Although bigger than a Lab they're exceptionally docile and good with children. They're also bred to be very protective.

        by Scarce on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 02:26:38 PM PDT

        •  what an adorable face...

          I just love it. One of my favorite spots in the net is DailyPuppy. Today's is the most adorable Australian Sheperd calley Zoey.  

          http://www.dailypuppy.com/

          by Pam from Calif on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 02:52:20 PM PDT

        •  Cute dog pic Scarce (I see you got a few of em)

          by Excelscior1 on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 03:13:57 PM PDT

        •  cute dog!

          such a cute face.

          Here is my hubby with our neice, a beloved Sheltie.
          We sure miss her as she lives hundreds of miles away.

          

          by wishingwell on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 03:20:01 PM PDT

        •  I love Newfies.

          A friend of mine has one. She's SO HUGE and a complete sweetie. Makes my Rottweiler mix look small.

          by paintitblue on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 10:27:07 PM PDT

      •  Actually some national dog society is actually

        having a contest (with dog selections you can choose) on the internet.

        They started with "hypo-allergenic" dogs, because they stated that Sasha (I think it's her) is allergic to dog fur (so needs a hairless dog). I hope not (on hairless dog requirement), but I guess their some pretty fur-less dogs.

        You can check Jinnie Moos's (did I spell that right) video on CNN.com

        by Excelscior1 on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 02:46:41 PM PDT

        •  Sorry, I meant to say "fur-less" dog initially

          by Excelscior1 on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 02:51:11 PM PDT

        •  AKC "contest" for hypo-allergenic dog breeds

          Here's the link.

          As former comment worried, some of these breeds are too small. Certainly not the Wheaton terrier, the Kerry Blue, the Standard Poodle (the largest of the 3 poodles), etc.

          Many AKC breeds have their own rescue groups for the purebreds who need homes for all the reasons we know too well.

          by DorothyT on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 03:20:28 PM PDT

          •  We had a Kerry Blue

            she was an orphan and we took her. She was the best dog we ever had. Friendly but watchful, looked after my 2 sons who were very young at the time, so loving. We think she may have been saved from an abusive owner. It took some time to get her to love us. I miss her.

            by MadMs on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 03:37:54 PM PDT

          •  I like this line

            for the Wheaten Terrier:

            The Wheaten is a happy, steady dog and shows himself gaily with an air of self-confidence. He is alert and exhibits interest in his surroundings; exhibits less aggressiveness than is sometimes encouraged in other terriers.

            Sounds like the perfect Presidential dog. I'll have to watch closely for one of those next year when watching the Westminister dog show...

            by Cali Scribe on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 04:38:48 PM PDT

      •  my sister has severe allergies but can have

        a dog but never a cat. My sister is even allergic to grass! She was literally born with allergies.
        She suffered a lot in the 60s and 70s living in Central PA. She has done considerably better living in the south as an adult.

        by wishingwell on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 03:11:41 PM PDT

      •  They've already chosen their breed of choice

        Michelle and Barack Obama's oldest daughter Malia suffers from asthma, and they do everything they can to keep their house dust-free and dander-free. When the Obama family decided to enter the Presidential race, they made a deal that their daughters could get a dog. After some research, the parents opted for a hypoallergenic dog - a soft-coated, Wheaten terrier - that does not trigger Malia's asthma.

        http://www.enewspf.com/...

        by LoLoLaLa on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 03:26:34 PM PDT

        •  How sweet!

          The Wheaton was my second choice after the Bichon Frise. I wonder what they'll decide to name it?

          by lirtydies on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 03:37:06 PM PDT

        •  Temperament of a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

          Here's a link to the Wheaton Terrier. Sounds like a good choice. There are a lot of them in my neighborhood in the Upper West Side of New York. I've never seen one that is a problem on leash or at the dog park. And they are quite cute.

          Temperament:

          The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is an alert and happy animal - graceful, strong and well-coordinated. A playful and friendly terrier. They make great watch dogs and bark at the arrival of guests. They are usually very loving with children and get along reasonably well with other dogs (provided they are socialized when they are young). They do not get along well with cats. All it takes is some fast movement on the part of the cat, and the dog's instincts will take over and he will attack. They have a puppy attitude that remains with it throughout its life. Sweet-tempered, easy-going and self-confident. This breed needs to be taught when it's young what is  and is not acceptable behavior. It is very intelligent, so it will generally grasp quickly what is required of them. They have a straightforward nature and need to be handled in a straightforward manner. Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers bond extremely closely with their family. They seldom bark unnecessarily. Though not as aggressive as many other terriers, males may be combative with other male dogs if challenged. The Soft Coated Wheaten should be well socialized with other dogs while they are young puppies. This breed is increasing in popularity and is known in most areas of the United States, but it may still require some calling around to find a breeder.

          by DorothyT on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 03:45:54 PM PDT

          •  Wheaties are awesome dogs.

            There are a few that come to the dog park where I take Barney.

            Yay for terriers!

            by Sister Havana on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 04:36:36 PM PDT

          •  Aw

            They do not get along well with cats.

            That might put a crimp in the abilities of supporters who want to get a presidential dog. Still, they still look and sound extremely cute!

            by lirtydies on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 07:19:47 PM PDT

          •  That's interesting.

            I had my cat Eli living with all types of dogs. He was comfortable and savvy with them. He loved my sweetheart Terrier mix Brandy when she came into our lives. They adored one another in the house.

            But outside, if Eli gave chase to a bug or other real or imagined plaything Brandy would go after him as if for blood.

            I always marveled that as soon as Eli was aware Brandy was in hot, maniacal pursuit he would simply sit down and face her. Brandy's response was to brake in a startled manner. "Oh shit, it's you. Sorry."

            Brandy was the only dog that saw Eli as a brother except if he were running. Fortunately, the cat knew what to do before I did.

            by platypus60 on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 07:47:21 PM PDT

        •  Get Onboard: Send a Wheaten to the WH n/t

          by DorothyT on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 04:31:08 PM PDT

        •  Well the Wheaten Terrier was the one I chose on

          the AKC site.

          The other dogs, would of just brought up the Pseudo elite carping from the far right and lazy media.

          by Excelscior1 on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 05:51:50 PM PDT

    •  Let's have dogstakes instead of veepstakes for

      a while. What breed will they get? Adopt a mixed breed from a shelter?
      Golden Retriver?
      Irish Setter (too Romney-esque)
      Scottish Terrier (too Bush-esque)
      Jack Russell?
      Australian Cattle Dog?
      Sheepdog?
      German Shepherd?
      Corgi?
      Australian Shepherd?
      Pug?
      Puggle?
      Beagle?
      Labrador? (too Clinton-esque?)
      Shiba Inu?
      Collie?

      by eXtina on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 03:34:38 PM PDT

      •  Rhodesian Ridgeback!

        Short hair/allergy friendly, bold, smart, elegant and loving. Ours is the apple of our eye.

        Oh yeay, and they originated in Africa ;)

        by speck tater on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 03:52:47 PM PDT

        •  Rhodesia = Zimbabwe

          The subtlety of wall-to-wall "see what happens when a black guy is in charge" Mugabe coverage got to you!

          by conlakappa on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 06:57:43 PM PDT

          •  Actually they did originate in South Africa.

            nonetheless our dog thoroughly disagrees with Mugabe's tactics!
            African Lion Hound

            by speck tater on Sat Jul 05, 2008 at 12:59:53 PM PDT

      •  Shelter dog all the way!

        by BrighidG on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 05:43:49 PM PDT

    •  lol. This is so sweet and funny too.

      I'll bet Malia would really enjoy it.

      by Jezreel on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 05:49:12 PM PDT

    •  Look at how much she's grown!

      In less than a year.  And the baby fat is gone.  She's all legs and 10-year-old-girl awkwardness.  I remember that age.  Except she actually has tall parents and will likely continue growing while I hit the plateau of 5'3".

      by conlakappa on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 06:43:01 PM PDT

      •  Heh

        Some of us could be so lucky to be 5'3. (5'1 at the most here! ;)

        by lirtydies on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 07:10:23 PM PDT

        •  But were you ever the tallest girl

          in your class?  Tallest child in the class even?  I was 5'0" at 9.  Sure, like, every other kid is that tall now.  It wasn't the case back in the 1970s.

          by conlakappa on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 07:30:33 PM PDT

          •  One of the taller ones

            And chubbier ones, until about high school. That was not fun!

            by lirty