Senator Barack Obama has made clear that there was one target in the White House race he considered off limits to Republicans, declaring: “Lay off my wife.”

The Democratic senator was responding to an advertisement produced by the Republican party in Tennessee.

Republican activists had portrayed her as unpatriotic because she said in February: “For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country.”

Branding the advert as “low class”, Mr Obama told ABC News: “The GOP [Republican party], should I be the nominee, can say whatever they want to say about me, my track record. “If they think that they’re going to try to make Michelle an issue in this campaign, they should be careful because that I find unacceptable, the notion that you start attacking my wife or my family.”

He added: “These folks should lay off my wife.”

Mr. Obama - first of all - it was not the Republicans who said “Yes, by all means - let your wife stump for you and say things on your behalf.” Your wife has played a prominent role in your campaign - making stump speeches and campaign for you

In politics, the media and the “opposition” have been willing to abide by an unspoken pact - we will leave the “civilians” alone in politics… so long as they are indeed “civilians.” In the case of Presidents, the family (children) have been largely left alone when the President has not put them in the limelight. In the case of a dutiful and supportive spouse - they have been largely ignored if they are not center to the campaign. I doubt many people even knew who Elliot Spitzer’s wife, Silda, even was until his foray into sex, lies, and audiotape. Even after that - because she was not a public figure - she was left largely alone (except for that crazy loon Dr. Laura who blames her for Elliot’s inability to control himself).

The “civilians” exception relies on the fact that the spouse, family, etc., are not actively out there hawking policies, hawking the candidate, hawking the platform, essentially - running on behalf of the candidate. Ms. Obama’s “the first time I’ve been proud…” remark was made at a public campaign event. She spoke about policies, and platform, and “me and Barrack” and “Barrack and I” think… feel… believe.

If she is going to actively campaign for Barrack - then she is not a “civilian” under the informal compact. If she was doing closed door, private, invite-only, fund raising or campaign stop - then I would say the GOP is out of line. But that’s not what she’s doing. She’s out there - as a public figure - campaigning for her husband. She should not expect not to encounter the same “jostling”. As I said in a prior post - “Rubbin’s Racin.”

In response to the remarks - Ms. Obama returns to the mic and tried to clarify her remarks - remarks that were televised nationally:

I’m sorry, Senator, your wife is “fair game” for the remarks she makes on your behalf while she’s out stumping for you. Just like President Clinton was “fair game” and was hammered for his “race card” remarks. If your wife was not a prominent public figure - I would agree with your call to “lay off” your wife. However, she is a public figure - she is making statements on your behalf - she’s in the game. And I’ll say it again - “Rubbin’s racing.”