Obama's Tabloid TV family debut

By Stone Martindale Jul 9, 2008, 13:49 GMT

U.S. Senator and Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama responds to questions at a press availability in the Weston Hotel in Chicago, Illinois, USA 25 June 2008. Obama was asked about a variety of issues ranging from the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the death penalty to economic issues. EPA/TANNEN MAURY

In a strange move, Barack Obama agreed to have his family interviewed on tabloid TV show Access Hollywood in an exclusive interview.

Senator Barack Obama and his wife Michelle, along with daughters Malia, 10 and Sasha, 7 talked about rules, what it is like for friends to meet dad, communicating on the trail, potential plans for moving into the White House and more.

The four-part interview will air on Access Hollywood, Tuesday, July 8th,Wednesday, July 9th and Thursday, July 10th.

Access Hollywood’s Maria Menounos interviewed the Obama family on the campaign trail in Butte, Montana to celebrate Malia’s 10th birthday and Independence Day.

Michelle reveals: “Barack is home at least once a week. We’re really doing family stuff. We are going on bike rides, going swimming and playing tennis.”

Daughter Malia recalls telling her dad, “You really don’t shake kids’ hands that much…You just wave or say hi.”

While Sen. Obama knows the girls are trying to keep their dad young and hip, he says, “She (Malia) basically avoids me embarrassing her by giving me these tips. Especially when I am around her friends.”

The family talks about shopping and outings.

Michelle tells Menounos, “We have gotten used to be being able to communicate pretty well over the phone.” Michelle adds that she keeps the romance alive by telling her husband that she is proud of him and that the girls like it when “mommy and daddy hold hands.” “Sometimes people think it is embarrassing,” says Malia. “I like it.”

Barack Obama now has had a change of heart regarding the revealing interview, and regrets the decision, according to CNN this morning.