Barack: Michelle's The Real Change Agent — Not You!

I'm beginning to wonder if the only Obama in the White House who's serious about "getting real" and trying to improve the economic lives of average Americans is the First Lady. The President may talk the talk, making speeches about capping executive pay and telling Wall Street and banking execs that this is a new era of responsibility, but is he actually going to walk the walk?

Small as they may be, changes in typical First Lady behavior are sending the right message to the American public. Michelle is redecorating the White House, using Pottery Barn and Anthropologie, two affordable and accessible retailers. She's famously sported reasonably-priced clothing choices from J Crew and White House/Black Market — remember the pretty $148 black and white sundress she wore on "The View?" She's even publicly re-worn her inaugural day teal Jimmy Choo pumps.

Her actions are saying to the American people that yes, the Obama family, as presidential as it is, is just like you. They know the value of a dollar and will not be splurging on fancy furnishings or outfits that they will only wear once. Even when Michelle has dolled up in designer dresses, she has chosen fresh fashion faces, outside the mainstream of the fashion establishment. Isabel Toledo, Jason Wu and Narcisco Rodriguez have replaced such 7th Ave royalty, favored by former First ladies, like Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren and Adolfo. In doing so, she's throwing her economic weight behind newer talents with businesses that have a long way yet to grow.

But her husband, who was overwhelmingly elected on the platform of change, is instead appearing more and more, same old, same old. Here's what I'm wondering — first off: why is he wasting time trying to convince those GOPers who told us to eat trickle-down cake, that they should vote for his stimulus package? Those guys haven't cared about the "little people" i.e. regular American folks earning less than half a mil for the last eight years, why would they start now?

Here's my point, Obama was voted in with a clear consensus already: fix the economy for everyday folks! He doesn't need to get bi-partisan agreement to do it.

And then, if he's so committed to change, why does he have all those same old guys on his economic team that got us into this mess? My personal favorite is Larry Summers, who was a huge proponent of cutting corporate and capital gains taxes, and deregulating derivatives, as main ways to juice economic growth. If those were such great ideas, why didn't most Americans experience real increases in their wages or career opportunities in the past eight years? Why did most American families have to have both parents working to support their families? Why did people resort to credit to try and improve their living standards? And why do we have a subprime disaster?

Then Larry is also the guy who got kicked out of his President of Harvard job because he believes women have a lesser aptitude than men for high levels of math and science. Considering that in these dire economic times, women now make up more of the workforce than men, is Summers really the right person to envision the path to growth and opportunity for that work force?

My second personal favorite is James S. Rubin, an economic headhunter for the Obama team. Frank Rich pointed out in his Feb 8 New York Times op ed, that Rubin is the son of Robert Rubin, the former Clinton Treasury Secretary and Citigroup bank board member. My question is: does James Rubin have incredible credentials on his own to play this role or is a large part of his resume, the fact that he is his well-connected wealthy father's son?

As such, he's just another same old same old political insider like Larry Summers. And if he lives in the world of wealth, he is another one who will never understand the pressures of having to make ends meet, like average Americans. And that's part of the problem.

So where are the Isabel Toledos and Jason Wus in Barack Obama's economic team? He himself doesn't come from a background of privilege and inherited money. He and Michelle are self-made people. Wonderful examples that with hard work , determination and some new ideas and creative thinking you can still make it in America. And you can get the opportunity to change America.

Barack, before it gets too late, get some fresh faces and out-of-the-box thinking about the economy around you. Think Dave's accountant in the movie by Kevin Kline — an ordinary accountants' perspective. Think Harry Markopolos, who tried repeatedly to blow the whistle on Bernie Madoff to the SEC. He's smart, brave and honest and not a proponent of economic theories that proved disastrous. Hire someone who DID foresee the subprime mess. And put someone on your team who has actually created lots of jobs, like Steve Jobs, Larry Page, and Sergey Brin.

It's time to follow your wife's example, and start walking the walk ASAP!

Follow Bonnie on Twitter at twitter.com/bonniefuller.

Comments

[Imago]

Ms. Fuller, like other readers, I was really taken aback by your opening paragraphs in this piece.

I did manage to get through the whole article, and wondering about how Barack Obama might bring outsiders to the table is a legitimate question.

I have a question for you -- what, exactly, is the "celebrity lens school of journalism" that, according to your bio, you've invented? The only other mention I found of it was on your entry in Wikipedia, which is remarkably similar to your bio here.

If nothing else, you're a he.ll of a self-promoter!

[Newt Globaldisorder]

Hello! Obama who has a small hat size like Bush, is in way over his head like a Caesar surrounded by Brutuses. In a perfect world, the GOP would be a memory after the last 8 years. But history tells us that Dems who try to do the right thing in politics wind up like the Kennedys. So BO will settle for an Uncle Tom Presidency to survive the new global order. He's just another puppet of color and not a messiah.

[buggedabouttheus]

What a waste of my time! Never again.

[KillBillV2]

This is coming from the lady who wrote a story here about Michelle Obama being Pregnant?


Give it up, you don't know what you are talking about.

[notthistime]

"Michelle is redecorating the White House, using Pottery Barn and Anthropologie, two affordable and accessible retailers. She's famously sported reasonably-priced clothing choices from J Crew and White House/Black Market — remember the pretty $148 black and white sundress she wore on "The View?" She's even publicly re-worn her inaugural day teal Jimmy Choo pumps."

Bonnie - this is the most ridiculous tripe I have read to date. How can you compare publicly re-wearing shoes to balancing the financial crisis, managing the wars, healthcare issues, and running the country?

Utter garbage.

[BigMike75]

Bonnie your post lost all credibility with me the minute you started comparing Michelle redecorating the White House using affordable retailers, to that of the daunting task the President faces. What new faces did you want? Would a wet behind the ear Harvard MBA do?

[zola77]

I second your comment, bigmike75...I stopped reading around the same time as you.

Talk about unequal comparisons!!

[AnotherMcIntosh]

Bonnie,

You asked Obama, "Where are your fresh faces and ideas?"

Pre-capitulation is a fresh idea.


For more see Marty Kaplan's post,
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marty-kaplan/patriotic-extortion_b_165312.html

[EgyptianMysterySchool]

The Republicans kept the story alive through out the election that people were treating Obama like a messiah, calling him "The One", etc. and I'm wondering if they weren't telling the truth.

How much change do you expect him to make in 3 weeks?????

He said very plainly that power doesn't accept change w/out resistance and that change comes from the bottom up. So the question is what have you done to make "change" a reality? Besides complaining?

You don't want him to court Republicans for a bipartisan consensus - is that change or is that Bush/ Clinton style?

That's the problem w/ political ideology whether you're on the left and the right you get tunnel vision and think your way is the only way. Pres. Obama is smart enough to know that good ideas can come from both sides. If the Repubs don't change 50 years of divisive politics in 3 weeks, I think we can cut "The One" some slack and give it some time.

Write a letter to your local congressman or pick up the phone and call one of them. Be the change you want to see. The helping hand you're looking for is at the end of your own arm.

[notthistime]

"He said very plainly that power doesn't accept change w/out resistance and that change comes from the bottom up. So the question is what have you done to make "change" a reality? Besides complaining?"

Excellent response. I would have simply said STHU.

[EgyptianMysterySchool]

I've been accused of being long winded.

I like your answer, sometimes the simplest answer is the best.

[december30]

Bonnie: where were you and the rest of your republican friends during the last 8 years. To refresh your memory, President Obama found the mess we are in at the oval office waiting for him. Chill girl.

[toypiano]

O is partially crafting his response to the economy with an eye to reelection in 2012 -- another reason he's not about to inject fresh perspective or new players into this situation. He wants the credit it if succeeds but not the blame if it fails. Best to keep as many old-school players in place and avoid the appearance of responsibility for something as massive as saving the economy.

Yeah, not exactly change.

[nomobull]

det thee to the oval office and dig us out of this mess since you obviously believe you can do better.

[Mum]

To the Bonnie Fullers of the world, I have only one question: Where have you been the last eight years?

I will put my leftist credentials up against those of anyone else, but I have been paying serious attention to what has been happening to this country for the past 25+ years (since Reagan, as it happens).

Throughout his campaign Obama emphasized that he wants to work toward a bipartisan consensus-building governing style, with input into his decision-making from a variety of people, whose diverse opinions and recommendations he welcomes. He made it plain during the campaign that he would select people for his cabinet and other positions that would represent diversity of opinion and philosophy and party. It is clear from the way he managed his campaign that Obama knows what he is doing. He is a shrewd and astute politician. Having read his books and articles and listened to his speeches and commentaries and watched his interaction with his family and his others, it is obvious to me that he is a man of hefty intellect and heart and integrity, all of which have been missing from the White House for a great many years.

I admire Michelle Obama and look forward to the good work she will do as First Lady. But she is not the president.

I'm with BlackJAC, watchingwaiting and Riekang on this one. Let's give him the chance that our country deserves.

[toypiano]

Makes me wonder if Michelle and Barack are really on the same wavelength at all. Too bad she doesn't have more influence on him, but then he is a man's man and seems much taken with the boys club atmosphere of presidential politics.

[OKRevmar]

Michelle has a lot more leeway than the President. He has to contend with congress and those
dour Republicans. I worked, supported, and voted for Obama -- and I adore Michelle.
One thing, however, will someone PLEASE tell her to wear brighter lipstick when she's on TV. She is so lovely, and without her lipstick, she looks sick, as she did today when she was speaking at the Dept. of Interior.

[BlackJAC]

This could be another one of those Nextel push-to-talk cellphone commercials. "What if gossip columnists ran the world?"

This is a bit more complex than you'd like, Ms. Fuller.

[djwfutbol]

Well, that's a bit patronizing, old son. Not your best comment.

However, I would take issue with the presumption in the article above, that because these learned folk were wrong in their understanding of the CDO and derivatives markets and were unable to predict the characteristics of a crash in those markets, they are necessarily unable to contribute to a resolution of the crises.

Fresh faces and opinions can be wonderful or they can be a complete waste of time. I would think, in this case, that someone who clearly understands the problems and the nuances of possible solutions would be better placed to contribute, even if they had been mistaken in their views, as were we all, prior to the crises.

I would agree wholeheartedly that the fellow who doggedly called out the Madoff thievery deserves to be offered a place at the SEC.

[BlackJAC]

It's my general annoyance with punditry on the whole: it's fun to mouth off and complain, but eventually you gotta start demonstrating you know what you're talking about or else you're no different than the homeless guy on the corner cussing out the pigeons.

[watchingwaiting]

You aren't really comparing Michelle's choosing affordable retailers to Barack's having to dig the economy out of a depression are you? I think Michelle is handling her First Lady status very well and I like her direction. But she has decidedly less pressure than the President. She wasn't elected and she can't be kicked out!

Obama DOES actually need bipartisan support. There aren't enough votes to prevent a filibuster in the senate and there are too many blue dogs and centrists voting with the right. And, if he wants to keep a democratic house and congress, he needs to make sure that people who didn't vote for him aren't scared by the ultra-liberals. Did you really think politics would change overnight?

Watch him surround himself with a team of fresh faces and ultra-left wingers and see how his presidency crumbles. He needs people who know about the stuff he doesn't and he likes to hear every opinion before making a decision - that's why his cabinet may not be so absolutely perfect.

We have no idea what Obama is capable of. We are all scared, and rightly so. But we have to be patient. He is going to make decisions that we don't all like. That doesn't mean he is a failure - it means he is doing what he thinks is best for the country.

[dwflyo]

The Senate Minority Leader has already said he wouldn't filibuster. Obama is just looking for some Republican cover when this ridiculous package doesn't accomplish what has been promised.

[toypiano]

Nope, repubs should be tossed to the curb asap and allowed to stew in their own juices while the grownups fix the mess. Repubs need a time out.

O is in way over his head, although it's early and I still have hope that he'll learn and evolve in time to actually save this country from additional republican malfeasance, instead of playing into their schemes and falling for their traps in a misguided notion of kumbaya. O's first big blunder was to place the highest priority on rewarding republican obstructionists who screwed up the economy, rather than having the actual economic recovery as the top priority. And it shows!

To Congress, O is still a junior senator from Illinois but with luck he will become presidential and understand that HE is the elected leader now, not the sucker-in-chief captive to the losing repubs. There is no such thing as bipartisan when only one side participates. He will have to learn that the hard way, apparently, while the economy continues to spiral down, and the poor get poorer while the rich get richer.

O is desperate to be liked and accepted by the big boys' club, to the exclusion of everything else, so I doubt we'll see actual fresh faces around him anytime soon. He would do well to see the example of Michelle making choices that actually are harbingers of change -- but that wouldn't make him popular with the big boys.

[december30]

where did you come from? He is desperate to help the american people (middle class) he is doing what he said during his campaign, reaching out. trust me, enough will be enough soon. keep in mind, our president is a brillant man.

[wanttruth]

Great post. I agree. President Obama promised to reach out to the other side and try to find some concenus. He isn't wrong for trying. The Republicans (in general) are wrong to try to undermine him and hold the country hostage while they try to assert themselves. The American people need help. Congress needs to get to work. President Obama has been consistent. He can't make the other co-equal branch of government do their jobs. Besides, he hasn't even been in office a full month and the Republicans are so desperate to make so-called political points, that they are piling on? Unbelieveable!!! LOL. Everyone needs to be do their homework on the facts. The mass media is looking for sensationalism