The military community and the issues that affect us are on the forefront of the presidential candidates’ minds. While opinions on the war vary widely, public opinion about our troops and their families has never been more supportive. Even outspoken opponents of Operation Iraqi Freedom and other conflicts go out of their way to say they stand behind military families. There is nation-wide recognition that being in the military means sacrifice, and the families of war-fighters share in this sacrifice.

Michelle Obama has been at the center of the Obama campaign’s efforts to win over the traditionally conservative military vote. I interviewed her recently about military families and about her own family. We also talked about her husband’s vision for the future…and her secret vice.

Q. In recent history, the military vote has been generally Republican. Is this because of spin or substance, and what can the Democrats do to change the trend?
A: The broken politics in Washington have left our troops and their families without many of the resources that they deserve. People are tired of it. Too many military families feel as though they’re struggling alone. I think that what our servicemen and women and their families are asking for is for a leader who understands their sacrifices and will make it a priority to honor America’s sacred trust with our troops.

That’s the idea at the core of Barack’s campaign — that we’re all in this together. That when our nation goes to war, our entire nation is at war, not just the military.
People in the armed forces aren’t asking for much. They’re just asking for a country that understands the burden on their families and the many challenges that they face as part of their extraordinary commitment to the nation.

I think as people become acquainted with Barack, they see how much he cares about military families, and how deep his commitment is to serving them better. We now have a chance to elect a leader who is truly committed to upholding the pact that we’ve made with our troops — to look out for their families while they’re overseas looking out for us.

Q. Sacrifice is a big theme for military families. As a working mother, what sort of sacrifices have you had to make for your children, or your husband? What sacrifices has he had to make for you?
A: I do not want to compare my experience to the extraordinary sacrifices our military families make. As every working mother understands, there will always be hard choices that must be made to keep our families happy and whole. But I don't see these choices as sacrifices. I'm happy to make them. Someone has to be focusing on the kids, making them feel safe and grounded, and that's me. And I love that job.

Everything that Barack and I do, all the choices we make, are for the benefit of our two little girls. Barack spends the majority of his time away from his family, on the road, because he is determined to change Washington, so that instead of just talking about family values, we actually implement policies that value families.

He is working every day so that our children — and all of our country’s children — will grow up healthy and safe, in a world where they can pursue their dreams without anything standing in their way.

Q. You have mentioned before “I think that the American people… are ready to have somebody that they can believe in and that they can connect to.” How do you feel military families will connect to you and your husband?
A: I think that military families will connect to the genuine respect and concern that Barack and I have for our servicemen and women and their families. If Barack has the honor of serving as our next President of the United States, he is committed to fighting for military families. That commitment is the key to establishing a real trust and partnership between the people in the military and the country that they serve every day. As his First Lady, I will continue to hold the roundtable discussions with military spouses that I’ve been having during the campaign. Because the Commander-in-Chief doesn’t just need to know how to lead the military — he also needs to understand what war does to military families.

Q. What is the thing you wish the media would focus on?
A: I wish that the media wouldn’t get distracted by the petty campaign back-and-forth and negative attacks. I’d rather they pay more attention to the issues that matter most to hard-working Americans, like skyrocketing gas and food prices, access to quality and affordable health care, bringing the war in Iraq to a responsible end, creating great schools, and policies that help parents figure out the work/life balance.

The second part of this interview will be published next week.