Michelle Nixed Hillary as Veep: New Book

Michelle's political influence; couple's marriage struggles revealed in new book

Michelle Obama nixed Hillary Clinton as vice president, pushed her husband to adopt his trademark "Yes We Can" campaign slogan and bristled at women who hit on him on the campaign trail, according to an explosive new book about the First Couple's marriage.

 "Barack and Michelle: Portrait of an American Marriage," tells the inside story of the Obamas' 16-year marriage, from Obama's reluctant proposal to the 2008 campaign trail. Author Christopher Andersen claims that Michelle pushed for Joe Biden over Hillary Clinton as her husband's running mate, saying "Do you really want Bill and Hillary just down the hall from you in the White House? Could you live with that?"

The book also touches on personal matters, including the couple's fertility issues and fears that their union wouldn't last.  Andersen writes that much of the friction in their marriage stemmed from the future president's political ambitions, writing that Michelle felt her husband was putting his career before his family.

Obama's first run for Senate in 2000 left the couple $60,000 in debt, prompting the future first lady to demand that he find a way to reconcile his ambitions with his duties as a husband or father or quit politics.

Then, on the 2008 campaign trail, Michelle seethed over the barrage of women pawing her husband and slipping him their phone numbers, Andersen writes, feeding her husband's ego. The book reports Michelle gave him the silent treatment, at one point muttering "He's loving it... He's a man, isn't he?"

Ultimately, however, the book is a testament to the couple's endurance and teamwork, concluding that America's 44th president achieved his utimate goal with the love and support of his wife.

Get More: New York Daily News, New York Post

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