THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the First Lady
For Immediate Release December 24, 2012
REMARKS BY THE FIRST LADY
TO CHILDREN ON THE NORAD SANTA TRACKER CALL
Via Telephone
12:04 P.M. HAST
MRS. OBAMA: Hello?
CHILD: Hello!
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, this is Michelle Obama, the First Lady. Who am I talking to?
JAKE: Jake and Ryan and Kyle Schaack from –
CHILD: From Rocklin, California.
MRS. OBAMA: Oh, wow. Are you guys excited that’s it’s Christmas Eve?
CHILDREN: Yeah!
MRS. OBAMA: It’s very exciting, isn’t it, huh?
CHILDREN: Yeah!
MRS. OBAMA: Well, thanks for calling, because I’m here working and looking — keeping track of where Santa is on satellite. And I know you guys are calling to find out where Santa and his sleigh are right now, aren’t you?
CHILD: Yes! We’re on the computer right now.
MRS. OBAMA: Well, do you see that he was last spotted in Chad? And now he’s headed for
Libya right now. And they can track his sleigh. He’s moving pretty fast. That’s pretty exciting, isn’t it?
KYLE: He’s going like 100 miles an hour.
CHILD: Way more than that, Kyle.
KYLE: Or like 10,000 miles an hour.
CHILD: Okay, so thanks for talking to us!
MRS. OBAMA: Okay, thanks for calling. You guys go to sleep soon now so that he’ll come to your house, all right?
CHILD: Okay.
MRS. OBAMA: Okay, have a merry Christmas, okay?
CHILDREN: You, too!
MRS. OBAMA: Bye!
CHILDREN: Bye!
* * * *
FISCHER: Hello?
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, who am I speaking to?
FISCHER: Fischer.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, Fischer. This is Michelle Obama, the First Lady. How are you?
FISCHER: Good.
MRS. OBAMA: Where are you calling from? Where do you live?
FISCHER: North Carolina.
MRS. OBAMA: You live in North Carolina? Are you excited about Christmas Eve?
FISCHER: Yes, ma’am.
MRS. OBAMA: Yeah? How old are you?
FISCHER: Five.
MRS. OBAMA: You’re five? Well, you know what, do you need some help? Do you want to know where Santa is right now — where Santa and his sleigh is?
FISCHER: Yes, ma’am.
MRS. OBAMA: Well, I’m looking at the computer now. The satellite — there’s a satellite that tracks him and it says that he was last spotted in Libya, which is all the way near Africa, in the Middle East. But he’s headed for — he’s going to be in Libya for another five or so seconds, and then he’s moving on. And you know how many gifts he’s delivered already?
FISCHER: No, ma’am.
Notice she didnt mention the murdered ambassador to Libya?
MRS. OBAMA: More than 3 billion gifts he’s already delivered. Isn’t that something?
FISCHER: Yes, ma’am.
Michelle wishes it was food Stamps or EBT Credits)
MRS. OBAMA: Have you been a good boy this year?
FISCHER: Yes, ma’am.
MRS. OBAMA: And what’s the one thing you want for Christmas?
FISCHER: A four-wheeler.
MRS. OBAMA: What’s that?
FISCHER: A four-wheeler.
MRS. OBAMA: Yeah? All right, well, make sure you go to bed on time. Don’t stay up too late so that Santa will make it to your house, okay?
FISCHER: Yes, ma’am.
MRS. OBAMA: All right, have a merry Christmas, sweetie. Okay?
FISCHER: Merry Christmas.
MRS. OBAMA: Okay, bye-bye.
FISCHER: Bye.
* * * * *
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, is this Lilliana, Abigail and Kyle?
MRS. THOMAS: Yes, it is, and this is Mom. We’re so excited to talk to you.
(We obviously donated to your husband's campaign)
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, Mom. How are you? It’s great to talk to you guys.
MRS. THOMAS: We had to pull ourselves together. (Laughter.)
MRS. OBAMA: Where are you all calling from?
MRS. THOMAS: We’re in Winona, New Jersey.
MRS. OBAMA: Oh, exciting. It must be just –
MRS. THOMAS: Yes, and it just started snowing.
MRS. OBAMA: Oh, that’s perfect.
MRS. THOMAS: Yes, and the children are so excited they had to collect themselves before they talked to you. (Laughter.)
MRS. OBAMA: (Laughter.) What time is it there?
MRS. THOMAS: It’s 5:13 p.m.
MRS. OBAMA: Oh, so you got a little while — a whole evening full of excitement before bedtime, right?
MRS. THOMAS: Yes, they’re just — look, this just made their whole, like, life. (Laughter.) They’re pretty excited now if they weren’t already.
MRS. OBAMA: (Laughter.) Well, it’s pretty exciting around here, too.
MRS. THOMAS: I bet it is. All right, well, Abby, she’s the littlest one and she had something that she would like to say to you. Is that good?
MRS. OBAMA: Okay, that sounds good.
ABIGAIL: What’s your favorite Christmas song?
MRS. OBAMA: My favorite Christmas song? That’s a good question, Abby. I like “Jingle Bells,” because everybody can sing “Jingle Bells.” What’s your favorite song?
MRS. THOMAS: What’s yours?
ABIGAIL: Mmm, I like “Silver Bells.”
MRS. OBAMA: Oh, “Silver Bells” — that’s a good one. That’s a good one.
MRS. THOMAS: Okay, so here we have Abby’s twin brother, Kyle.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, Kyle!
KYLE: Hi.
MRS. OBAMA: Do you have a question for me?
KYLE: Yes.
MRS. THOMAS: You do? Is it a good one? (Laughter.)
MRS. OBAMA: Okay.
Does your husband still snort cocaine?
KYLE: What was your favorite present when you were little?
MRS. OBAMA: What was my favorite what?
KYLE: Present.
MRS. THOMAS: What was your favorite present when you were little?
MRS. OBAMA: Oh, when I was little. I loved Barbie dolls. I was a big Barbie doll kid, and every Christmas I got a new Barbie. One year I got the Barbie townhouse and the camper. It was very exciting. I liked everything Barbie. What do you –
(I thought Michelle grew up poor? )
KYLE: We have a whole closet.
MRS. OBAMA: You do?
MRS. THOMAS: We have a whole closet full of Barbie dolls.
MRS. OBAMA: Oh, my goodness. Well, you’re just like me when I was little. I loved Barbie.
MRS. THOMAS: There’s just one here.
MRS. OBAMA: Just one?
MRS. THOMAS: All right. Well, next, Lilli (sp) is just dying to talk to you. All right, Lilli, speak.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, Lilli!
LILLIANA: Hi.
MRS. OBAMA: How old are you, Lilli?
LILLIANA: Huh?
MRS. OBAMA: How old are you?
LILLIANA: Eleven.
MRS. OBAMA: Eleven, yeah. You sound like the mature one in the group.
LILLIANA: No. (Laughter.)
MRS. OBAMA: Okay, what’s your question?
LILLIANA: I saw the TV show when everybody was decorating the White House. About how many Christmas trees do you think that there are around the whole White House?
MRS. OBAMA: Around the entire White House we have 54 Christmas trees this year.
LILLIANA: Wow.
MRS. OBAMA: A lot, yeah. We had a lot of Christmas trees. And it’s a pretty big house, and they have trees in every part of the White House. There is a tree in the Oval Office where the President works. And there’s trees outlining all the entrances of the White House. So we have a lot of trees, so it’s very exciting. One day you have to come and visit us during the Christmas holidays because the house is really pretty. You think you could do that one year?
MRS. THOMAS: She would love — yes, she would love that.
ABIGAIL: I would, too!
MRS. OBAMA: Well, you all should come. So do you want to know where Santa is? Because I’m working with — I’m looking at the satellite right now and they told me that when they last spotted Santa he was over Italy. So now he’s in Europe, in Italy. And he’s going to be in Palermo for a few seconds, but then he’s heading to Naples, Italy. And right now, according to my sources, he’s delivered more than
3 billion gifts already. Can you believe that?
ABIGAIL: Wow! I looked at it and the numbers were rising like every millisecond.
MRS. OBAMA: They are moving so fast. It’s amazing, but that’s how fast Santa Claus is. I mean, it’s like magic what he can do. Well, you know what, guys, I hope you all have a very merry Christmas, okay? Because I can tell you guys have been good this year, haven’t you?
MRS. THOMAS: They try. (Laughter.)
MRS. OBAMA: Trying counts, right?
(Like 2+2 = 5)
MRS. THOMAS: Yes, it does.
MRS. OBAMA: Trying counts.
LILLIANA: Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. Bye!
MRS. OBAMA: Oh, it was great talking to you guys. Try to get to bed early, okay? I know it’s hard, but try to close your eyes and get some rest.
LILLIANA: Okay, thank you!
MRS. OBAMA: All right, you guys have a merry Christmas. It was great talking to you.
CHILDREN: And a happy new year! (Laughter.)
* * * *
MRS. OBAMA: Hello?
MRS. KUMF: Hello?
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, it’s Michelle Obama, how are you?
MRS. KUMF: I’m good. Can I put you on speakerphone for the kids?
MRS. OBAMA: Absolutely.
MRS. KUMF: Okay, hold on one minute.
MRS. OBAMA: This is Michelle Obama. How are you guys doing?
MRS. KUMF: Say hi!
CHILD: Hi!
MRS. OBAMA: Merry Christmas! All right, who do I have on the line? Tell me your name and your age.
NICOLAS: I’m Nicolas and I’m 12 years old.
MRS. OBAMA: Ah, Nicolas, you sound like a grown man. Are you as tall as your voice is low? (Laughter.)
NICOLAS: Yes.
ELI: I’m Eli and I’m eight years old.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, Eli. Nice to hear your voice. Who else is there?
RAQUEL: I’m Raquel.
MRS. KUMF: And you’re seven.
RAQUEL: I’m seven.
MRS. OBAMA: Oh, what a young lady.
RAQUEL: And I play the flute.
MRS. OBAMA: You play the flute?
RAQUEL: Yeah!
MRS. OBAMA: You know Malia used to play the flute. She stopped taking lessons, though.
RAQUEL: I can play it really well.
MRS. OBAMA: Really? Well, I hope you keep taking lessons.
MRS. KUMF: And we also have Ava. She will be two in January.
MRS. OBAMA: Oh, Ava. I know she’s very excited, huh?
MRS. KUMF: Yes, Santa, huh? (Laughter.)
MRS. OBAMA: Well, where are you all calling from?
MRS. KUMF: We’re in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
MRS. OBAMA: In Pittsburgh. Is it snowing there?
MRS. KUMF: Yeah, it snowed a little bit yesterday but it’s not right now.
MRS. OBAMA: Yeah, well, it’s an exciting time. You want to know where the satellite tracker has spotted Santa?
MRS. KUMF: Yes. You guys want to know where they spotted Santa?
MRS. OBAMA: I am looking at the tracker and he was last spotted over Rome, Italy. He is now in Europe. In a few minutes he’s going to be heading over Venice, in Italy. So he’s in Europe right now.
MRS. KUMF: Wow. Do you want to say anything else to our First Lady?
NICOLAS: Merry Christmas!
MRS. OBAMA: Merry Christmas you guys! I know you guys are going to have an amazing Christmas because my sources tell me that you guys have been great kids.
NDAA
MRS. KUMF: How about that? Okay, thank you very much.
MRS. OBAMA: All right, you guys, take care. Merry Christmas.
MRS. KUMF: Merry Christmas, bye-bye.
* * * *
MRS. OBAMA: Hello? Hi, this is Michelle Obama. How are you?
MRS. SCANSELL: Good, how are you?
MRS. OBAMA: Good. I hear that Abigail is on the line, too.
MRS. SCANSELL: Yes, ma’am.
MRS. OBAMA: Are you there, Abigail?
ABIGAIL: Mm-hmm.
MRS. OBAMA: How old are you, sweetie?
ABIGAIL: Six.
MRS. OBAMA: You are six? Oh, my goodness. What a big girl you are. Where are you calling from? Where do you live?
ABIGAIL: (Inaudible), Georgia.
(Notice Moochelle gets turned off-- its a Red State)
MRS. OBAMA: Yeah? Are you excited about Christmas tomorrow?
ABIGAIL: Yes, ma’am.
MRS. OBAMA: Yes? Well, you know what? I can help you by letting you know where they’ve last seen Santa and his sleigh. Do you want to know where they’ve seen him last?
ABIGAIL: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: Right now they’ve last spotted him flying over Rome, Italy. So he’s all the way in Europe right now. And in a few seconds he’s headed for Venice, in Italy. So right now he’s in Europe and they see him, they see the sleigh. They can see a little red nose, so it looks like Rudolph is with him. And he’s going to be heading your way pretty soon. Doesn’t that sound great?
ABIGAIL: Yes.
MRS. OBAMA: Yes? But that means you got to get to bed early, okay?
ABIGAIL: Okay.
MRS. OBAMA: Because he’s not going to come until you’re fast asleep, all right?
ABIGAIL: Okay.
MRS. OBAMA: All right, well, you sound like you’ve been a really good girl this year. Have you?
ABIGAIL: Yes, ma’am.
MRS. OBAMA: Okay. Well, you get a good night’s sleep, and when you wake up, you have a very merry Christmas. Okay?
ABIGAIL: Okay.
MRS. OBAMA: All right, have fun tomorrow.
MRS. SCANSELL: Say have a good Christmas.
ABIGAIL: Have a good Christmas.
MRS. OBAMA: Thanks for calling. Bye-bye.
ABIGAIL: Bye-bye.
* * * * *
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, how are you all doing? Is Kayla there?
KAYLA: Hi.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, Kayla. How old are you?
MRS. SCOFIELD: You’re four, tell her.
KAYLA: Four.
MRS. OBAMA: You’re four? Wow, you’re a big girl. Are you excited about Santa coming tonight?
KAYLA: Yes!
MRS. OBAMA: Yes, it’s very exciting. This is the most exciting night of the whole year, isn’t it? Do you want me to help you? I can let you know where they’ve last seen Santa and his sleigh. Do you want to know?
KAYLA: Yes, yes!
MRS. OBAMA: Yes, yes. They’ve last spotted him — he’s all the way in Italy. Can you imagine that? Santa and his reindeer. And look, I’m looking at the satellite and they can see a little red nose shining in the sky. Who do you think that is?
(Joe Biden?)
KAYLA: Rudolph the Reindeer.
MRS. OBAMA: Yeah! And he’s going to be heading to Croatia. That’s another country in Europe. But he’s heading your way, sweetie. But you’ve got to be fast asleep before he’ll make his way to your house, okay?
KAYLA: Okay.
MRS. OBAMA: So when mom and — when they tell you that it’s time for bed, you get snuggled up real comfy in your bed and go right to sleep, okay?
KAYLA: Okay.
MRS. OBAMA: All right. And then Santa will come and it’ll be a very merry Christmas in the morning. Won’t that be great?
KAYLA: Yes!
MRS. OBAMA: All right. Well, thanks for calling me, sweetie. And you have a merry Christmas and give your family big hugs for me, okay?
KAYLA: Okay. Merry Christmas.
MRS. OBAMA: Thank you, babe. Bye-bye.
KAYLA: Bye-bye.
* * * * *
MRS. OBAMA: Hello?
ANTHONY: Hello?
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, is Anthony there?
ANTHONY: Yeah.
MRS. OBAMA: Hi, Anthony, it’s Michelle Obama, the First Lady. How are you?
ANTHONY: Good.
MRS. OBAMA: How old are you, Anthony?
ANTHONY: Eleven.
MRS. OBAMA: You’re eleven? Where do you live?
ANTHONY: Texas.
MRS. OBAMA: Texas, nice. Well, have you been — are you calling to find out where Santa is right now?
ANTHONY: Yep.
MRS. OBAMA: Because I’m working with the people who track Santa by satellite, and I’m looking at the screen right now and they say that — it’s showing that he was last spotted in Italy — Venice, Italy. Can you imagine that? He’s all the way in Europe. And in about 20 seconds he’s going to be headed for Croatia. That’s another country in Europe. It’s one of the European countries. So it’s close to Italy and all that, but it’s still in Europe.
ANTHONY: Can you come visit me in Texas?
MRS. OBAMA: Yeah, he’s heading your way. He’s heading your way. But you know what, Santa doesn’t come until you’re fast asleep. You do know that, right?
ANTHONY: Yeah, I was talking about you trying to visit me.
MRS. OBAMA: Oh, me come to visit you. (Laughter.) Well, I don’t know if I’m going to be able to come and visit before Christmas tomorrow, but if ever I find myself in Texas next year — and I know I’m going to be coming to Texas one time next year — hopefully we can see each other then. How does that sound?
ANTHONY: Will you come to my house?
MRS. OBAMA: Yeah, I don’t know if I can come to your house. I might not be able to do that. But I’ll be keeping an eye on you, though.
NDAA
ANTHONY: How about my school?
MRS. OBAMA: Your school — maybe your school. What school do you go to?
ANTHONY: (Inaudible).
MRS. OBAMA: All right, well, I’m going to tell my assistant right now. What part of Texas are you from?
ANTHONY: Fort Worth.
MRS. OBAMA: You’re at Fort Worth? I was in Fort Worth last year. So maybe we can come back. But until then, I want you to have a merry Christmas, okay Anthony?
ANTHONY: Okay.
MRS. OBAMA: All right, you give your family my best — what did you say, babe?
ANTHONY: Can I talk to your husband?
MRS. OBAMA: He’s not here right now. (Laughter.) But you know what, I will tell him that you asked about him. Okay?
ANTHONY: Okay.
MRS. OBAMA: All right. You keep being a good kid. Work hard in school, okay?
ANTHONY: Okay. Tell your daughters I said Merry Christmas.
MRS. OBAMA: I sure will. Thank you so much. You give your family my best, okay? You give them all a Merry Christmas from all of the Obamas, okay?
ANTHONY: Okay. Thank you.
MRS. OBAMA: All right, bye-bye.
ANTHONY: Bye-bye.
* * * * *
The White House · 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW · Washington DC 20500 · 202-456-1111
http://gretawire.foxnewsinsider.com/2012...etawire%29
