The first lady helped clue children in on where Santa was heading last night and assured everyone that, yes, her husband does believe in St. Nick.
Michelle Obama was participating in the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s “Santa Tracker,” which began in 1955 when a child dialed a misprinted phone number in a newspaper and asked for the jolly fellow’s whereabouts. The tracker’s presence has grown with the Internet, and now 1,200 volunteers handle calls from all over the world.
It was Obama’s fifth year participating. One inquisitive youngster asked whether President Obama believed in Santa.
“The President believes in Santa very much, yes,” she told 8-year-old Sara Rusk, according to a transcript.
At the time of the calls, Santa was zooming through Europe — Italy, Croatia, Poland. Obama confirmed with the children that they understood Santa would only arrive as soon as they were fast asleep.
“He can be anywhere in the world at the speed of light. But he doesn’t come to your house until you’re asleep. So tonight is the night where you’ve got to settle your excitement and go to bed when your parents tell you to go to bed. Okay?” she told 7-year-old Caroline.
“Okay, will do. Will you tell Mr. Obama I said merry Christmas?” she responded.
The First Lady replied: “I sure will, sweetie. And you tell your family that we wish you guys all a really merry Christmas and a happy new year, okay?”
