Making Michelle Who She Isn't -- Risky Obama Campaign Move

Many people, especially in politics, think the bad things that happened to the other guy (gal) aren't going to happen to them. "That was different," they reason. "That was then and this is now."

Well, politics is, as Michelle Obama has observed, "a game and a sport." And while there are new moves all the time, some tried and true ones are evident in every political campaign. One of those is about to happen to Michelle Obama unless she heeds her own counsel.

I've written about "slippery criteria" applied to women and minorities. Since they're often relatively new to high levels of organizations and less privy in most cases to how others got there, much of what goes on behind the scenes to block them is not accessible. Usually they're sent off on some wild goose chase seeking one additional accolade, one more element of proof that they're the best person for the job or promotion. And just when they achieve that goal, the game is changed -- new criteria emerge.

In an interview, Michelle Obama noted this about her husband's campaign. "The pundits said there was no way Barack could raise the money and that was the test -- raising the money -- until Barack raised the money and then that wasn't important." She described how they said "he couldn't build the political organization to outmatch opponents who'd been building theirs for years. He did and then that wasn't an issue."

Hillary Clinton tried to get ahead of constantly changing criteria. It cost her. Now Anderson Cooper (June 17) tells us that Michelle Obama is going to be remodeled. Based on what? According to whom? Not again!

I'm all for tweaking and even an occasional dramatic change in order to get where you want to go. We should all be constantly learning. But being someone other than who you are to please, especially media commentators, only displeases you. Besides, we are who we are, and our gestures and micro-expressions belie our lies. When we act as if we're someone other than who we are, we are on shaky ground and it's noticeable. It's also impossible to lead for long from such a precarious perch.

When women or men start reinventing themselves based on the latest "criteria" -- it's risky. Change is what Obama's campaign is largely about. But changing his wife shouldn't be -- not beyond recognition or even close to that. She has much to offer and has said she's looking forward to changing the lives of women for the better -- the women who don't have the back-ups she and Barack have, who work long hours for too little money and are just too tired to think. That will, in turn, change the lives of thousands of children at risk who are shamefully overlooked in our society.

I don't get the sense that Michelle Obama will sell her soul to help her husband become president. But she'll do some tweaking, learn to think even more before she speaks, reflect upon the various interpretations of her words, and, as she has said about big decisions, "go down every dark road" before doing or saying something potentially dangerous. That's just using political wisdom. But once they start trying to make her a composite of first ladies of the past -- a woman who looks lovingly spellbound at her man - perhaps someone who does cute, adorable things (to soften her image), then change will have gone too far.

Michelle has said about politics as a game: "We have to focus on not doing that. If you want to change it, you can't become part of it." Good words to remember. Very good words to remember when they start sending her off to become one more thing, then another -- to get it right.

More about "slippery criteria" at bardscove.com

Comments

[MariaHopeful]

So, Ms. Reardon, based on Anderson Cooper's "report" you have decided that some-one is trying to make-over Michelle? Anderson Cooper? It is remarkable how stories, misinformation and disinformation, grow legs and run and how fast such are gobbled up as gospel. The storyline is that Michelle went on the View to begin her make-over process - to soften her image.

This is what I understand: Michelle was slated to appear on The View as a guest around the time of the writer's strike. Her appearance was re-scheduled because she didn't want to cross the picket line. After Cindy McCain co-hosted The View (and around that time Laura Bush also co-hosted The Today Show), it was agreed that Michelle would also be asked to co-host rather than just be a guest. And that is what happened. Now this is being sold as some grandiose plan to remake Michelle. If we could just get our stories straight! But then again, if we did, a lot of people wouldn't have anything to write about.

[uheardme]

She is not getting a "makeover". She's getting a staff to coach and counsel her on political matters. No big.

[ohiomark]

Trying to package a radical into moderate clothing will not work.

Her far left views are already out there on paper and on tape.

The Obama's may be "nice" people, but America will see through their far left leanings.

[MichaelDeane]

"The Obama's may be "nice" people, but America will see through their far left leanings."

And your stupidity. I bet you think Michelle Obama actually did have "whitey" video. We're still waiting for it...

[wintermute1]

Sure. And you will see past the fact that you are a bigot.

Not likely.

[RepublicanHacksaw]

Suggest that they change her into "The Invisible Woman", because once our Liberal-Seeking Sidewinder Attack Rockets lock onto a target brash enough to opine in public on behalf of their better half, there's just no place to hide.

[S1m0n]

We must have watched very different races; Hillary Clinton was the one constantly changing the criteria, not the one doing the chasing.

She had a new reason every couple of days, about what she had to do or die, and then it would happen and she'd die, (South Carolina: Must Win! Texas: must win! .... Iowa: Must Win!) You get the picture.

[barbaraw60]

All these comments seem to be so tolerant... how about that? Must be Obamatrons. Hmmm likely this post won't make the blogosphere, but I shall try anyway.

Michelle has been changed already. She is not the same person she was. Anyway, she will change because her husband has and so many times has changed his position on a number of items.

Remember, he loved Rev. Wright like his own grandmother, but well for political expediency or the typical politician that he is, he denounced Rev. Wright and left the church.

She will be made over and well... all who think not are very naive.

[RRonin]

I remember Nancy Reagan gazing at her doddering husband with adoration,and, although I don't doubt she loved the man, I don't believe for a minute that she worshiped him. It was merely acting for the rubes who DID worship him. Michelle Obama doesn't have to "re-make" herself because the original is just fine. What she DOES need to do is to show Americans she is a multi-dimensional person and NOT allow her husband's opponents to define her.

[barbaraw60]

LOL......... made over Michelle..... how funny is that? Maybe she will continue to be proud of America now...she gets a new look!!!!

[MichaelDeane]

Multiple posts from either a frustrated Clintonista or a stealth McCain supporter.

Get over it already.

[evgolightly]

The headline of this article does not match the content.

It's not a big deal. Nobody's try Miching to turn Michele Obama into Nancy Reagan.

She's being "introduced", which is pretty standard stuff. She's also probably learned on her own that she has to be a little less strident, and a little more careful. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.

She screwed up a little, and A LOT was made out of it, so it's better if she doesn't screw up again.

Sean Hannity will just have to run the old footage for the next 5 months.

[karela]

I think people have it wrong on Michelle. It isn't Barack's idea to tweek Michelle. It's Michelle's idea to get a little coaching. She has said that she never wants the story to be about her because she wants attention focused on the issues that Barack is working to change. She's never been in the national spotlight before. Who wouldn't like a little coaching in that arena? Anyone with an open heart and mind can see that Michelle Obama is a wonderful human being. Unfortunately, there are those who spend all their time searching every word she says for snippets they can take out of context and use to do harm. If your heart is clean, you don't see the bombs coming. That's why it's helpful to have help from someone who has walked this mine field before. No one will be "changing" Michelle Obama. No one could. She is a strong and intelligent woman and her husband is obviously and exceedingly proud of her. If she'd feel more comfortable with a little extra guidance in the world of national politics, it's her right. I will be so proud to have her as First Lady of the United States.

[gigi09]

Nice post...I agree! Obama 08!

[olivia]

Michelle should not listen to anyone who tries to tell her how to act, what to say, how to dress, or whom to appear with.

She is loved by most and feared by others because she is intelligent, deeply caring, and REAL.

Please don't turn her into a First Ladybot.

[Pamela1961]

They tend to do this to first ladies. The most vicious attacks have been against Hillary and people still believe the hatred. Just because she said she couldn't see herself cooking cookies all the time, and because she's brilliant. Michelle is brilliant too and I guess it scares some people.

[Beverly]

I met Mrs. Obama in Dec 2007 and I was very impressed by her. She is warm and a caring mother, and I don't feel they are remaking her, but trying yo show the true Michele.

[todayspeaker]

The campaign should use more videos of Michelle Obama leading the L.A. rally in front of the Kennedys and Maria Shriver. She was extremely effective and likable in keeping the talk afloat until Maria Shriver arrived. She is also impressive and likable in the speeches in which she shares with the audience how she and Barack had to persevere in becoming competent and paying off their college loans.

I love listening to her!

[curioustorquemada]

I understand why Mrs Obama may not have been proud of America until recently.
It has little to do with her husband doing well in the Democratic primaries.
She grew up on the south side of Chicago. There are a lot of mean ugly people there who do mean ugly things to others.
Then she goes off to Princeton and Harvard. Surely you can count the times on one hand that she was exposed to anything positive about the US in an Ivy League college.
Then she returns to Chicago and becomes a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ where she is inculcated with Reverend Wright's view of America.
She learns that to advance in Chicago politics she and her husband must seek the blessings of ex(?) terrorist Bill Ayers.
When her husband runs for POTUS she then begins to venture into fly over country and learns that we don't have tails, horns or carry a pitch fork. Except for throwing hay and manure.
I believe she learned that even people like me who disagree with her politics may actually be decent people.
Perhaps America has made a lot of changes and she has only now noticed.
I'm willing to give her the benefit of a doubt

[Dustee]

Hannity, is that you?!

[snarkopolitan]

CuriousT, everybody in Chicago, on the left and the right, knows Bill Ayres. He retreated to the bosom of his highly influential family and is as ubiquitous in Chicago as gum on the sidewalk.

Glad to see you are giving Michelle the benefit of that doubt. She has had to dodge a lot of pitchforksful of manure.

[Choicelady]

If I were a Black woman in America, I'd not be all that proud of this nation until now either. The hypocrisy and bigotry are present and denied. Until we face our bad side as well as extol our good, those who are hurt by our smug self-righteousness and blind indifference to others' plights have no real reason to be proud. That does not mean she's not a good American. She's just an honest one.

[curioustorquemada]

I forgot to mention the HIP HOP culture. Surely some of the men in her life (pre BHO) have been influenced by this lifestyle that degrades women and treats them as objects.
Does it burden your imagination to believe that she might have some anger issues because of those people in her life who influenced her the most?

[hcbuck]

The statement of Michelle Obama being remodeled is false. She was never remodeled. SHe was properly introduced to America, which is such a great difference.

She came across as a graceful, intelligent, caring and strong woman. For those who heard one misstated sentence and judged her, they were given the chance to see her as she truly was.

Those of us who were smart enough to see beyond the rhetoric already knew how wonderful and inspiring she is.

[Stew118]

Lol more pack mentality-style journalism. "MIchelle's Makeover" is an alliteration and rolls of the tongue so it's the headline on all cable news shows. This is why we are going to miss Russert- we need people who can cut through the BS.