Michelle Obama on the View: A Gold Mine of Potential Headlines

Yesterday, Michelle Obama was on "The View," putting her best First Lady-face forward and talking with the ladies about life on the campaign trail, family, fashion, what she has in common with Elisabeth Hasselbeck and why she prefers bare legs. NY's Daily Intelligencer live-blogged it and concluded that it was a solid performance but "wasn't necessarily headline-making." We disagreed, because all sorts of potential headlines kept jumping out at us as the conversation evolved. Here are a few of them:

Politics:

"Michelle Obama Fist Bumps With View Ladies" (this is actually what HuffPo went with) (Related story: "Fist Bump Goes Mainstream With Older Ladies!")

"Michelle Obama: Yes, I Can (Be Proud Of My Country)"

"Michelle Obama Reaches Out To 'Funny, Great Mom' Elisabeth Hasselbeck: 'This Girl Is Solid'"
(possible offshoot down the line: "Is Elisabeth Hasselbeck an Obamicon?")

Return To Camelot? "View" Ladies Compare Michy O. To Jackie O.

"Michelle Obama's Olive Branch To Hillary? Thanks Her For Those '18 Million Cracks'"

Michelle Obama on Sexism In Media: 'People Aren't Used To Strong Women'"

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Michelle Sidesteps Hillary V.P. Question: "I Have Nothing To Do With That!"

Pro-Obama headline: "Michelle Obama Proud of America: "Nowhere but in America could my story be possible!'"

Anti-Obama headline: "Angry Michelle Obama Is 'Taking Some Cues' From 'Calm, Rational' Laura Bush (But Don't Call It A Makeover!)"

Race Relations:

"Michelle Obama: One Black Person Does Not Mean Diversity"

"Michelle Obama: Sexism And Racism In The Campaign"

"Whoopi: Michelle Obama Is Helping To Change Perceptions Of Black Women" (cheeky blog version: "Whoopi To Michelle: Thank God You've Got All Your Teeth")

Fashion:

"Michelle Obama: Sleeveless!" (or "Get Michelle Obama's Toned, Tight Arms!")

"MIchelle Obama's Flower Power! How To Get Her Look"

"Michelle Obama: 'It's Fun To Look Pretty'"

"Michelle Obama Doesn't Wear Pantyhose" (runner up: "Michelle Obama Takes Feminist Stand Against 'Painful' Pantyhose") (also, "Media Sexism Alert! ABC Lingers On Michelle Obama's Legs on The View)

Lifestyle:

"Michelle Obama On Family Breakfast: 'We're Bacon People'"

"Michelle Obama: My Mom Won $17,000 In Vegas!"

(or, from the religious right: "Michelle Obama's Den of Sin: Encourages Gambling, Bare Legs")

Parenting:

"Elisabeth Hasselbeck's Detailed Baby List: Is She Neurotic Or Are You A Bad Mother?"

"Matthew Broderick's Son Endorses Barack Obama! (He's Five)"

- or, the more awkward version -

"Matthew Broderick's Sexist Son: 'He Likes The Man To Beat The Lady'"

Comments

[schicklett3]

Michelle Obama showed just what a classy lady she truly is - classy, smart, intelligent, a hard working woman who wasn't born into riches or fame, an excellent wife and mother, and a background in helping others that far exceeds anything Elisabeth Hasselbeck has ever done.
I think Elisabeth is jealous of Michelle, is judgemental, unforgiving, can't see anyone's side of things but her own, also that Elisabeth is a little racist. Elisabeth reminds me of Cindy McCain.
Michelle Obama will be a very good first lady.

[janvoght]

michelle is an engaging, charismatic, polished, well educated, well raised woman, who obviously loves her husband and family...she is one of us...in the 21st century, worried about today's issues, and how her girls will find peace and prosperity, and knows her husband has a chance to make a change in the way america does leadership! i would thank her and her husband, for being willing to sacrifice for the good of the country and for a brighter future.... :-)

obama '08

[IntelligentAmerican01]

I agree with you. She is a positive role model and will be a great first lady.

[BigSid]

I like when she reached out to bury the hatchet with Hasselbeck...seemed like Elisabeth wasn't really feeling her. I guess we could twist that and act as if it's a defect on Hasselbeck's part...or was it just to presumptuous of Michelle to think it would be that easy?

[Janskats]

I don't know..all Elizabeth's remarks seemed very positive about Michelle. In fact, today she talked about how they discussed their children and E started to cry because she was going to have to go on the road soon and would miss them, and Michelle was very comforting.

[BigSid]

I thought it looked a little awkward.

Later the same day Hasselbeck was on Hannity & Colmes and she didn't have much nice to say about Michelle Obama. Hasselbeck said she was so cordial on "The View" because that was the respect she would show any guest or guest-host. She really didn't seem to like or respect Mrs. Obama very much and I bet the feeling is mutual.

[sophiekeats]

And yet the BBC went with:
"Barack Obama's wife clarifies "pathetic" TV comment
Barack Obama's wife insists she did not call her husband "pathetic" in a live television interview."

Sad, really.

[cynara]

:sigh: irresponsible journalism at its finest....

[MariaHopeful]

This is the "americanization" of BBC. They are taking their cues from the American media as to how to talk about the Obamas.