If you've followed this site for any period of time, you know that Michelle Obama and I didn't get off to the best of starts. I thought some of her initial remarks when the campaign was just getting underway were a bit "extra". Her "keepin' it real" style of oratory, which includes lots of playful barbs at her husband, is something most married black folks can relate to, but doesn't necessarily play well on the campaign trail. Like it or not, America likes it's First Ladies quiet and (preferably medically) sedated. Botox Barbie McCain fits the mold. Nancy Reagan invented the mold. Laura Bush is a keeper of the mold. Michelle Obama more or less breaks the mold into a million pieces.
Over time, I've grown love her style. It's genuine, personable, and dare I say, Real. Her frankness and occasional lack of tact is the perfect compliment for her husband's sometimes overly polished persona. This has sometimes landed her in trouble. She's dropped mangled soundbites that the Right Wingers have pieced together to paint her and her husband as unpatriotic America-haters. This is of course a crock of bull. Michelle-O doesn't talk any differently that AverageSis, AverageSisterInLaw, AverageMom, or any of the other dozens of black women I know. In fact, if you really peep her backstory, you'd agree that she's the embodiment of the truest attainment of the American Dream, perhaps even moreso than her equally talented husband. And my homegirl The Black Snob says she "dresses so sharp, she could cut a b*tch" [1]
Seriously, what's not to like?
Needless to say, not all the country shares my fond opinion. Middle America just isn't used to a seeing a highly educated, confident, proud black woman who speaks with intelligence (not to be confused with sass) and has accomplished far more than many people can only imagine. The "elitist" tag her husband gets slapped with is often applied to her as well. Some think her "Barack at home" tales effectively emasculate her husband, rather than humanize him. Her Princeton essay on racial issues on campus will surely be trotted out come the Fall.[2] And that "really proud of my country" speech may be taken out of context, but don't bother telling that to conservative talking monkeys like Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity. Michelle Obama really, really hates her country, and she should just move back to Africa. Or so they say.
I like peeping foreign newspapers from time to time, since they tend to cover US issues from a completely different PoV. Witness some snippets from this recent UK Times article, discussing whether or not Michelle-O is a plus or minus to her husband's Presidential ambitions.
Michelle Obama would be not only the first black First Lady in history, but the youngest (at 44) and the tallest (at nearly 6ft, she has at least an inch on her husband). In one other, crucial respect she is also different from any previous First Lady: she says exactly what she thinks, when she thinks it, with a caustic sense of humour that is both very amusing and very dangerous.The article is an intriguing read that's a bit flawed in places[3], but interesting nonetheless. Peep it if you get a moment.
For while Mrs Obama is her husband's greatest asset, she could also, potentially, become his biggest liability.
She was accused of being unpatriotic when, in an unguarded moment, she declared: “For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country ... because I think people are hungry for change.” Even more damaging, when asked whether she would support Hillary Clinton if her husband's opponent eventually wins the nomination, she could not hide her antipathy: “I'd have to think about that - I'd have to think about her policies, her approach, her tone.”
Perhaps most controversially of all, she has gone out of her way to put a little homemade tarnish on the halo over her husband's head. She has spoken of his snoring, his bad breath in the morning, how he fails to put the butter back in the fridge or replace the plastic grip on the bread packet to keep it fresh.
To many, this may sound like the normal joshing of a happy couple, but coming from a potential First Lady the remarks were seen as positively risqué, even disrespectful. First Ladies tend to fall into one of two categories - policymaker or home-maker: either they are political operatives in their own right (as Hillary Clinton was), or they are expected to look pleasant, back some worthy causes and avoid saying anything either controversial or interesting (in the manner of Laura Bush). First Ladies are not expected to hold forth on the subject of their husbands' smelly breath.
Question: Do you see Michelle Obama as an asset or liability to her husband's campaign? Should spouses be off limits when it comes to political smear campaigns or are they fair game?
Michelle Obama: asset or liability? [UK TimesOnline]
[1] Her words, not mine.
[2] Which means Botox Barbie McCain's drug issues should also be fair game. I'm just sayin'.
[3] Even they misquote the "really" proud speech. Sheez, where's the ombudsman?
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Well, at least you've shown some sort of growth. (I was waiting on that.) A long leap from you stamping your feet and demanding that someone "put a muzzle" on the future First Lady.
I'm glad Michelle can be someone who won't be a brainless bimbo Barbie who just follows routine. She can set examples. If she can be the First Lady, I hope that she can be remembered for more than fireside chats or failing to keep her husband sexually satisfied.
As for talking about Barack's habits at home...well he's HUMAN isn't he? Good Lord, it's nice to see that someone will talk about some of the off-center times in her spouse's life. Looking deeper, those are actually love taps from a wife! Married men should know what I'm talking about.
Coming from Michelle, that should demonstrate that for all of the pedestals that we put Barack on, there is always a strong woman to hold him up and put him in check even over the little things.
Barack has a good backbone in his wife, and you can tell that when he stands next to her.
Personally, I appreciate my wifey even *more* after that article.
EG
I think she's considered an asset by Obama supporters.
Those conservatives that have issues with her love taps, her so-called lack of patriotism, sarcasm, and her education wouldn't have voted for Barack anyway. You can't win over idiots, xenophobes, chauvinists, and bigots.
They're looking to find the worst things about him and they can't. Obama doesn't fit the mold of any negative Black stereotype and that's why they've resorted to niggerizing and fanatical Islamizing him. Ann Coulter's accusing Obama, a sitting US senator, of being a terrorist --- where's the rage? These bigots are showing their true colors as they are scared that this Black man actually has a chance.
And when the right wing's ready to use her Princeton essay against Obama, I know that they will strategically leave out the fact that her first college roommate didn't want to live with a negro. That same roommate is now regretful that she'd done that and wish that she'd gotten to know her.
First off,
Middle America just isn't used to a seeing a highly educated, confident, proud black woman who speaks with intelligence (not to be confused with sass) and has accomplished far more than many people can only imagine."
Well, how the hell are they supposed to get used to seeing one unless one is actually presented to them? And being First Lady is the perfect vehicle.
Secondly,
"Like it or not, America likes it's First Ladies quiet and (preferably medically) sedated."
Eleanor Roosevelt? And really, don't you think America needs and wants another Eleanor Roosevelt? Most of the country is too young to remember Roosevelt, as am I. But by most historical accounts she was a force in her husband's White House as well as being a doer and driver on the social issues of the day.
There will be people who will never like MO in the same way that Right Wingers hated (and still hate) HRC. She became a lightning rod for Bill, and I think that marked the point at which candidate's wives became fair game. Laura was remarkably untouched, thanks to the press's hands-off approach, but I don't need to remind anyone of how Teresa Heinz Kerry was treated.
And I can't wait until poor little rich girl Cindy McCain comes into the crosshairs. There's campaign gold there, I'm sure.
BTW, the Times article says MO'd be the youngest First Lady. Not even close. Jackie-O was 33 when she moved into the White House.
I think she is an asset. Not to mention the fact that she is definitely going to be an asset to the young females in the black community. John McCain is so clueless, he didn't even know that his wife was taking pilot lessons. In addition, Michelle Obama is real. I like my women real. No one want's fembots or stepford wives in the White House. Well at least I don't. :)
I think she will be an asset. It's nice to have the hope of a Black first lady who is also intelligent, out spoken, loving, an involved mother and from all appearances, a caring wife. I think it's great. I also believe that it will be good to once again to have a first family with young children, hopefully increasing the attention paid to the plight of the young child in our country.
I was waiting for someone to mention Eleanor Roosevelt, the groudbreaking 1st lady that none of the current possibilities will ever really be able to approach in stature, poise, brains, strength, or presence. I have a completely different take on all this hype over Michelle:
It's bullshit. Let me explain.
It's part of the media changeyness hype. Michelle breaks the mold! OMG wow! Look how different she is! And by extension, how different he is... but it's all hype. Apparently, we've forgotten Betty Ford, who very publicly beat alcohol addiction and founded a clinic that has saved thousands of others... how much more candid could you be? Dolly Madison was a crucial foreign policy mediator for both Jefferson and later her husband James. Ladybird Johnson was a savvy political backroom dealer who helped LBJ run good cop/bad cop routines on his opponents. Edith Wilson actually ran the country to hide Woodrow's debilitation from a stroke and prevent his VP from taking power.
And we have to mention Eleanor Roosevelt again... easily one of the most influential people of the 20th century.
Who knows, maybe Mrs. Obama will use the position to become something great, if she gets it. So far, she's not in the same league as these women who rose far above the traditional First Lady role. The media talk surrounding her as a new kind of First Lady is just ignorance, and frankly it ought to be insulting to the woman who are cheering her on! All this talk sweeps aside the very real contributions and triumphs previous woman have had, in favor of stereotypes and false perceptions that reduce to mere self-serving political bullshit.
It's a damn shame the conservative here has got to remind all you leftwing women of the history of Democratic First Ladies! Of that quick list, only Betty Ford was a Republican.
Liability.
She needs to learn when to just shut her mouth and wave. She is giving the right wing ammunition every time she says something they can spin as being unpatriotic. She keeps digging herself and the campaign deeper in the whole.
HO SIT DOWN!!!!
AB, you had it right the first time.
@spool;
It's an assumption to think that because I speak favorably about Michelle Obama, that I somehow am unaware or unappreciative of the First Ladies before her who have made major contributions to our society. I do not feel insulted to see her acknowledged in a positive manner by any media forum there will be no mercy given when she makes what the media and others considers to be grave mistakes!
I love me some MIchelle Obama, but she needs to know when to fall back and keep her mouth hushed. An art we know is difficult for the avg Black woman, let alone one so damn accomplished and sassylicious as Michelle's amazing self.
In private most Blacks I speak to all say: "I hope Michelle doesnt Reverane Wright this ish up cuz you know she is a REAL sista. she doesnt play." We all know it to be true.
Im going to need Michele to play the background on this one, and keep it down a bit. Give the opposition nothing to work with please!
.... she could get it though.
The opposition doesn't need to have MO - or anyone - say something for them to work with. They will - and have - just made shit up, and will again and again.
Keeping shut up and hoping the wingers don't come after you hasn't worked time after time. It's time to take a different tack. Smack 'em down when they open their traps!
@ POOPYMAN -yeahhhhh.. let me know how that works out. Because its worked so well in past Black presidential campaigns hasnt it...
Michelle is fair game. If/When Obama wins she will get her own staff, her own office, her own place on the government website. Of course, they can get at her. It's all at how she reacts and acts on what ever they throw her way.
After reading this post I'm more into her than ever. Great read.
I love Michelle and don't see her as a liability. She's had to adjust to the glare of the spotlight just like her husband.
He's made his share of mistakes and we still support him. Let's give her the same respect.
She will do what she needs to help her husband win including dialing her candor back when needed. I have no doubts about her.
One thing she could do to help her husband win is remind him that there are only 50 states...
Heh.
There are 50 states and a number of territories, though I don't think it comes to 57. Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Democrats Abroad brings the count to 54.
Michelle is most certainly an asset. As an highly educated, confident, proud black woman who speaks with intelligence (not to be confused with sass) and has accomplished far more than many people can only imagine, Michelle makes me proud.
I only hope that the MSM will stop taking her comments out of context, and trying to pull a Teresa Heinz-Kerry ("they want four more years of hell")on her.
(After all has been said and done, looks like ole' Teresa was right.)
As far as that "Like it or not, America likes it's First Ladies quiet and (preferably medically) sedated" comment,Hillary must not have gotten that memo when she was first lady.
And since in Hillary's opinion, first lady experience counts in a bid for a presidential run....
Michelle Obama 2012!
I truly feel sorry for Michelle because as an intelligent, confident black woman she is damned if she does, damned if she doesn't. Anything she says or does is going to be automatically distorted by conservative whites, insecure black men and some self-hating black women as an attempt to emasculate and domineer over her husband. Then if she says or does nothing at all these same groups will brand her as snobbish, aloof and unsupportive.
Michelle Obama is not only an asset, she's a breath of fresh air. I am excited about the prospect of having her in the White House. Even if the Obamas don't make it there, just being introduced to Michelle through the campaign has been great. She's inspirational as an intelligent, forthright, opinionated, and beautiful attorney/mother/wife.
Her playful jabs at Barack, in my opinion, humanize the couple. I like them because they are real to me. Michelle seems like someone I could have grown up with. She is part of the reason I will vote for Barack. The way they raise their children is real to me. I think she has played a great role as his partner.
Anyone really offended by what she is putting out there just has a problem with strong women in general, I think.
As someone mentioned, Eleanor Roosevelt wasn't a wallflower. Nor was Jackie O.
Difference between other first ladies with personality and Michelle Obama is that Michelle is a black woman and has to battle Mammy, Geraldine, Shenehneh Jenkins, and even Condi Rice to be seen as her own person. Assertiveness in us is not necessarily correctly pegged by mainstream America, and if she's going to be an asset to her husband's campaign, she's got to play it just right. In my opinion, she could help bring some of the feminist Hillary supporters over to Barack's side.
"Like it or not, America likes it's First Ladies quiet and (preferably medically) sedated. Botox Barbie McCain fits the mold. Nancy Reagan invented the mold. Laura Bush is a keeper of the mold."
Truer words were never spoken, Bro.
i can't wait for Michelle Obama to be First Lady! For once, as a Black Woman, I will be interested in the First Lady. What's she doing? What's she wearing? I will point to her as an example of a sista who is doing it all, while standing by her man. Condi and Oprah are doing it as well, but the fact that Michelle is a married mother just gives her that 'extra' in my eyes.
I bet there will be more 'michelles' than 'keishas' in a few years.
michelle obama comes from a different cloth concerning whats been idealistic for centuries. michelle is and will cintinue to be a strong driving force to and for her husband.i highly respect her shes real shes not phoney shes not your averaged programed first lady and atleast shes still having a romamantic love affair with her husband. most americans arent use to dealins with truths denile has been there cup of coffee for many years and i feel a lot of people are intimintated by mrs. obama sharpness as well as her intellect.like it or not she deserves all the credit in the world.her and her husband has my support.god blees the both of them and there two beautiful daughters.
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