DNC Diary: Michelle, Michelle, Michelle

Michelle's speech was a home run. Emotional, heartfelt, and very authentic. On a night where Ted Kennedy passed the Democratic Party's moral baton, Michelle picked it up and ran with it -- evoking RFK's famous evocation of George Bernard Shaw ("Some men see things as they are...") by talking about the world as it is vs the world as it should be. The cutest, laden with meta-meaning line of the night, however, came from Michelle's brother who revealed that even though, as children, they were only allowed to watch one hour of television a night Michelle had still managed to memorize every episode of that iconic rendering of American family life, The Brady Bunch. Lucky for Team Obama that the show she memorized wasn't Gilligan's Island or Green Acres. Michelle, Michelle, Michelle...

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Comments

[Zeroes]

Women are backing Women in this one.

[Frenchy9]

Michelle is exquisite. (no wonder she has a French first name... sorry).

Only being the family they have the two of them built with cheer hard work against so difficult odds, they are an inspiration for all American people (and in the world) to try to match them. Not to become President or top lawyers, but good husband and wife and good father and mom to bring the kids love, security, happiness, and certainly very high moral principles of honesty and hard work.

When I read that Barack's mother woke up at 4:00 am to wake up her son to study (even he was still very little), it made me regret I had not done the same for my son, and decided I will do it in the future.
I also decided to spend less hours reading the news of this election (which fascinate me for the first time because of Obama inner strength shown in his eyes and smile and genuine kindness), and do more work to save more money for my son's future studies.

And on the field of pure politics, I think the Dems do not exploit enough the political treasure that this role model family represents, and use it to give some lessons to the Reps who seem to "own" family values as their private domain. The family story of the Obamas is much more compelling than that of the McCains, and the biggest moral failure of MacCain fundamental character.

[MyThought]

Pick on Bill and Hillary - ya right..........but face it, they revved up the Dems. They did not interfere with Michelle's night nor Barrack's night.

The first night was a total bore......­.....then, bingo, bango - the crowds got unified.

[way out left in san francisco]

Michelle Obama will make a great first lady. I am awed by her intelligence and humanity. She makes those of us with a similar lower middle class birth proud.

[marinebluesoul]

Michelle didn't dummy down her background; she came off to me, a 60-year-old college educated white woman, as a smart, professional woman who has managed to do it all. She offered herself as a role model and a terrific one at that. There are those who will criticize her no matter what she says or does. Since I have always been an Obama supporter, she was preaching to the choir, but I was thrilled to see on the stage, a woman I would be proud say is our First Lady. After all the nasty backbiting by Republicans, we had a chance to see who Michelle Obama really is; a loving mother and wife. There was a genuine love that came through, a love that cannot be fabricated merely for primetime edification. And those two delightful children; all you have to do is look and listen to them to know that these are little girls who are truly loved. They are the product of the type of parent we all wish we were or aspire to be.

[ibsteve2u]

I would say this: Michelle strikes me as somebody who it would be tough to lie to - not because she would intimidate any of our nation's professional liars, but because she would see through them.

And man, does America ever need that talent now...

[gogginscm]

Michelle Obama tried way to hard to convince us that she was something that she or her husband are not: regular people. The Obamas are elitists. They look down on regular working class people and snub them with their Harvard degrees. They reject Hillary Clinton and good democrats and embrace the far left and radicals like Bill Ayers. They look down on those that "have religion or cling to their guns." They also want to silence those that disagree with their politics much the way that they criticize Bush as having done for 8 years. They may have been born into middle class families but they live the life of limousine liberals now. The polls show that people are finally waking up and Democrats will reject this fantasy as Bill Clinton said.

[ibsteve2u]

"They reject Hillary Clinton and good democrats"

lolllll...what makes me think that your definition of "good democrats" are the ones who do what you want them to do?

I.e., your concept of diversity is bounded by your wants and desires?

Are you sure you wouldn't be more comfortable as a Republican?

[jp5472]

Are you for real? The Obamas came from working class/poor families that struggled daily to give their children a better life! Obama himself came from a broken home! You must have meant Mr McCain and his mega-millionaire mistress/wife who don't even know how many homes they own, think they have to pay taxes on them, and think anyone not making at least $5 million are common folk losers....and also had career opportunity given only because daddy and granddaddy were in a position to do just that from their ranks within the US Navy. Talk about elitist (and looking it up in the dictionary), after the Bush family as definition no. 1, McCain will be there in definition no.2. Bush once claimed his base is the "Haves and the Have Mores" and McCain is certainly picking up right where ole Georgie W boy will leave off.

The Obamas only got out of debt from sales of his book. That means they sat around budgeting their money just like the majority of Americans have to...nothing elitist there!!

[pkafin]

"The Obamas are elitists. They look down on regular working class people and snub them with their Harvard degrees."

That's just silly, Plain and simple.

[gifu]

Just back from Mars? "People are finally waking up and Democrats will reject this fantasy as Bill Clinton said.".....What fantasy are you referencing and from when?

[oldcitizen]

Horse "do-do!" You wouldn't recognize or understand a "good Democrat" if one hit you in the mouth! Trying to project all of the weaknesses, faults and failures of the Bush/Cheney administration, including the sad, tired efforts of John McCain to continue all of the failed "elitist" neo-con policies, onto the Obama family and campaign is scum bag Republican smear politics and nothintg else. If what you say is true that "People are finally waking up," then hang on "my friend" because the real "elitists" are about to be throroughly exposed. Hint: they don't and never have belonged to the middle or lower classes and they fly about Arizona, the nation and world in their private jets to however many "homes" they have, associate only with other members of their ultra-rich, privileged, "elite" class, and they haven't got a clue about the needs and concerns of average Americans.

[Quinty]

Michelle was fine but I've seen her much better. She has a direct, intelligent manner which I at least find appealing.

It's too bad, though, that the level of political discourse in this country has come down to stooping to prove you are "plain folks." Hell, most Princeton and Harvard Law grads won't let you forget it. (Well, not entirely.) But in politics you have to avoid the "elitist" smear. Which means that any display of brains becomes suspect. And the demeaning emphasis on her "humble" background last night weakened Michelle's speech for me. Turning it into theatrics.

So what are the current "great" issues preoccupying us? McCain's inability to tell a journalist how many houses he has. Whether Michelle loves America or not. Will Bill or Hillary throw a bomb at the convention? Is a Barack a Muslim? (12% of Americans apparently think so.)

Lofty, huh? Considering the problems we have.

[Prism]

A good speech but totally pat, slick uber-rehearsed and totally disingenuous. Not an authentic moment. And a bizarre warping of reality. The Obamas are wealthy and should own it. They are millionaires with rarified, ivy league educations. Good for them. But own it. She called America mean. She went to an angry socialist church for 20 years. Own it. Her mother basically raised her kids. Own it. When she can do that fully, unapopologetically she'll be authentic. What we saw was plastic, contrived and phony. A step removed from a mega-church sermon filled with fuzzy images designed to deflect her anger. Ain't buyin'.

[MozKrew211]

Hey, Prism. What if she is being genuine? What could she possibly have done to win you over? Never mind, I know the answer to my own question.

[KammyJ]

We shouldn't be voting based on personality and charisma anyway... didn't we already do that in 2000? Oop, yep, and look what happened...

[freeizm]

You are too uninformed about the Obamas for your post to be taken seriously. Own it.

[belief08]

freeizm;

Don't you get it; these people don't want to know them or anyone like them. Their preconceived minds are already made up and they are happy to continue hiding behind their veil of excuses and complaints about people that don't fit their so called perfect mold.

Prism is so willing to list all the ReThug talking points about Obama, but is willing to list the talking points about McSame's marital daliances and his Keating5 scandal, that effected so many working class people that lost their shirts. It's so amazing how these right wing conservatives are willing to overlook his adulterous and swinfling behavior.

[CaptainVideo]

The McCain's are a lot richer that the Obamas. And Obama earned his wealth out of royalties for the books he wrote. Cindy McCain did not do anything to earn her wealth except pick the right father. McCain married into wealth. Neither is wealthy as a result of their own efforts.

[pkafin]

How confused are you. Are they embarrassingly wealthy or are they socialist sympathizers. The two really don't go together very well.

[BowZam03]

Prism, what an appropriate handle for someone who refracts and distorts an image to fit your own biases.

Let's see, in one paragraph you rail against the Obamas for getting a good education, working hard and being successful, having faith, and not being a dutiful housewife. Then you seem to have psychic powers that can read their hearts and see inside their home to know how they raise their children.

It seems like you, My Friend (TM), are the angry one. I can't wait to read your take on McCain if you think Michelle Obama is phony.

(My Friend TM is a registered trademark of the John McCain camp-pain for president.)

[mypov123]

Two thumbs up for Michelle! She did a phenomenal job last night with her speech! The Republicans know it and they're scared because they don't want Americas who may be "unsure" about the Obamas to start believing that they may not be so "scary" after all, that maybe they're just like the average American family in many ways, because they are. Michelle is someone that not only Black women, but all women young and old can admire for her intelligence, grace, confidence, and strength.

[obamanation31]

I had tears in my eyes. She connected with me.

[batmanindy]

Arrianna -- Are you kidding? A homerun?

Day one was watsed. Obama is falling in the polls daily. We need Hillary. It is all on her shoulders.

I trust she will deliver but willit be enough. Obama is getting trounced right now.

[KammyJ]

Says who? Some poll that involves 1000 people in LA speaking for the entire population? Don't let polls sway your opinion, they're inaccurate.

[TrevorAlan]

MO will be, mark my words, one of the more amazing first ladies. Maybe not Elenor Roosevelt, but few people live at that sort of huge historic Nexus. Still, I'll make myself Obama boy and sing her praises while everyone else is looking at that big-eared guy.

[Furby]

You mean Eleanor Roosevelt?

[Zeroes]

I agree totally, I wonder why no one ever knew that. Could it be the press that is suppresively against Obama. Their not, oh...okay we hear the actual talking faces saying nice things, but the movers and shakers are with Hillary and Obama is going down.

[larmarch5]

It looks like the campaign organizers believe that White Americans are so afraid of Black Americans that they have to change who Michelle is. Can you imagine a football team showing up with all their best Black athletes dressed in waitor suits or trash collector attire instead of their gear so they wouldn't frighten their fans? Other than Ted Kennedy's gloriously courageous presence, the real democratic party just did not show up. Hopefully, tonight they'll burst forth from wherever they have been stashed and raise some hell. Warner thinks he won't get some applause? Come on delegates, give that RepugLight some APPLAUSE! Drown the sucker out if he can't man up to the challenges of being a real democrat. Teddy! Teddy! Teddy! Now that's a battle cry.

[Heavenhelpusall]

Change who she is? We saw who she is. We saw that she is not who the repugs wish us to believe she is. What we are seeing is there is no honorable road to the White House. We are seeing that Rovish distractions cloud American vision.

[thacher]

I like how she stresses she purposefully forwent a lucrative legal career so she could "give back to the community" by working at the U. of Chicago. Is working the soup kitchens? Yeah...Her 2006 salary: $275,000. With her Bd. of Director work she earned like 400K. What a phoney! Say no to Michelle.

[Heavenhelpusall]

I'm sure that was her starting salary right out of college.

You guys really do take pride in being ignorant.

[chitown8]

The University of Chicago Hospital while on the Chicago southside was not helping any of its neighbors.

MIchelle started with the First Children hospital that takes trauma children patients. University of Chicago and Where the Obama stays has a very high crime area.

So I take it that you don't stay in Chicago probably had never been to the heart of the city. You would be suprise to see what thing the city has to hide.

[princessk]

Yeah. You can barely afford one decent house on that amount.

[brooklyncitizen]

Well you certainly cant afford 7 houses...or is it 8? I forget hard to keep track.

[Furby]

We should be so lucky as to be able to turn down half million dollar a year jobs for those paltry quarter million dollar a year jobs.

[triplbee]

It's kind of sad that someone as impressive as Michelle Obama has to make reference to the Brady Bunch, to avoid being reduced to "an angry black woman." She was raised on the Southside of Chicago in less than ideal circumstances, yet still graduated with honors from Princeton and Harvard Law School. (Notably, she failed to mention the names of her alma maters in order to avoid being labeled an elitist. Imagine that, a working class girl from the Southside of Chicago running from an elitist label?!) She should be proud of the family in which she was raised and the family that she is raising. Truly, it saddens me that she has to bend over backwards to prove she is "normal" simply because she is black and successful.

[Heavenhelpusall]

Hey, I'm normal and loved the Brady Bunch. I Loved Lucy too, Partridge Family, Monkey's, Gilligan and Marianne. He simply made light of her capacity to make the most of her free time.

[November2008]

I am an African American female, 58 years old and I refused to allow my children to watch those TV show that made African American appear as minstrels, I refuse then and I refuse now with my grandchildren. So, I can understand watching the Brady Bunch, though that was not my choice for my children..

And as far as not mmentioning Princeton, I am not in her head nor do I have a reason to suggest as to why she did not mention it, but had she, maybe she would have been dammned which adds to the meaning of the phrase, damn if you do, damn if you don't...and that is what you have said. She can't win for loosing.

My daughter also atttended Princeton University.

[TrevorAlan]

Hey, there are huge htings she did that showed she is a superior person, and there are little things she did to show she was "just folks." We deserve to learn about both.

i thought it was a great speech, showing both those highs and "lows." I watched the Brady Bunch, I've thought she's ultra cool for a long time, and knowing we watched the same show did not dim my opinion.

[Quinty]

I agree with triplbee. Much of Michelle Obama's speech was intended to demonstrate her "plain folks" background. And that is sad.

It's okay, among the right, to be successful, so long as you flaunt your wealth, success, and sense of class entitlement. Reveal success as a liberal intellectual accomplishment then you become one of the latte drinking crowd of elitists in berkenstocks, as I heard Laura Ingraham (a Dartmouth grad) describe Barack Obama.

Michelle was dressed in a most simple manner last night. That, of course, is fine. Nor does it matter. But was her appearance contrived, perhaps just a little, so that she might appear like any other housewife on the supper market aisle?

[Brillig]

There is a time and a place for everything - including dressing. She has always looked like that to me...maybe YOU are changing???

[Zeroes]

Don't you get it. The press is really actually against Obama and his wife. How else would you say what you said. For years we enjoyed great press. Now that he slammed Hillary. Zilch! Hillary will not get elected in 2012 if Obama wins...plan and simple.