First Lady Michelle Obama Gets AARP Cover, Ahead of President Obama

First Lady Michelle Obama graces Sept/Oct, 2011 AARP magazine.

As President Obama was on the brink of turning 50 eariler this month, he joked that he would soon be getting his AARP card. 

"I’ve said that means testing on Medicare, meaning people like myself, I’m going to be turning 50 in a week -- so, I’m starting to think a little bit more about Medicare eligibility.   Yes, I’m going to get my AARP card soon -- and the discounts, the president said during a press conference in the East Room of the White House where he was asked questions about cutting the deficit and whether social services would be affected as a result.

How ironic, however, that instead of the president gracing the September/October, 2011 issue of AARP/The Magazine, after having turned 50, and holding a tele-town hall on health care reform at AARP headquarters in July, we find First Lady Michelle Obama instead.

Both The First Lady, and Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden were interviewed by AARP's Marilyn Milloy (daughter of Washington Post veteran journalist, Courtland Milloy) on a number of topics ranging from the capture of Osama bin Laden, working with military families, and their individual roles as First and Second Lady of the United States.

On bin Laden, the First Lady, when asked if they she about the mission to capture bin Laden said, "I knew something was happening, but when it gets down to that level of secrecy,, there's just a small number of people who know anything."

Dr. Biden admitted she "didn't have a clue".  Biden, a professor at Northen Virginia Community College, said she was "at home watching TV and grading papers".

The two were also asked about their efforts to support U.S. military families, and their recent effort - appropriately titled - called Joining Forces.

As we approach the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the president has asked that Americans commerate the day by doing volunteer work, especially helping out military families.

Said First Lady Michelle, "...you don't have to wait until 9/11 [to volunteer].  We've got military families who are in need today, and our Joining Forces call to action is a way to use that wonderful time and energy and direct it toward some of those families".

The interview took place on July 25, 2011, but you can find out more about what the dynamic pair revealed online at www.aarp.org/magazine.

We should also mention, and to be fair to the president, AARP did interview him on his 50th birthday.  But nothing beats getting the cover.

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The President and First Lady continue to vacation at Martha's Vineyard.