Cindy McCain, wife of Senator John McCain, took a dig at Michelle Obama today. She said, “I am proud of my country. I don’t know about you? If you heard those words earlier, I am very proud of my country” making reference to Mrs. Obama who said yesterday that for the first time in her adult life she was “really proud” of her country.

Later Mrs. McCain was asked if the statement was a swipe at Mrs. Obama. She responded “I just wanted to make the statement that I have and always will be proud of my country.”

You can see video here.

Update: From the McCain campaign:

McCain spokesperson Jill Hazelbaker: “As she often does, Mrs. McCain introduced the Senator at an event, and she thought it was a good occasion to talk about how proud she is to be an American and how much she loves this country.”

I commented in the forum about how Michelle has been hovering close to Teresa Heinz Kerry territory in previous comments. Mark Halperin made a similar comparison.

Remember the fight isn’t always about what you say but how what you said can be interpreted. The left has done a great job of jabbing the right, often using the cry of racism and sexism, to denounce and condemn speakers by interpreting context for political gain and the Obama camp has been more than happy to allow everyone around them to interpret the sentiment of Bill Clinton’s words. It works both ways.

It is tuff being the frontrunner and especially tuff to be the spouse of one.