Michelle Obama keys on working families

WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- Michelle Obama says as first lady she would focus on helping people balance work and family, and particularly the struggles of U.S. military families.

Obama, 44, the wife of likely Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., told USA Today she would also expand the concept of national service, something she says is "near and dear" to her heart, because she once ran a service program.

Obama also commented on the furor caused by her remark, "For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country." Conservatives seized on that and other remarks she has made, saying they show her to be negative and unpatriotic. She told the newspaper she viewed the attacks on her as strategy rather than as anything personal.

"It was taken out of context. Obviously I am proud of my country," she said. "I've had to clarify points that were misconstrued. But they're usually the same couple of points. I'm no different from Hillary (Rodham Clinton) or anyone else who has been a political target. There is strategy involved. It's not personal."

Obama has mostly talked with voters about economic issues such as jobs and health care.