Michelle Obama's War Against the W(B)itchhunters

Michelle, I've got news for you. When you get dressed, there's a new accessory that you've got to add to your wardrobe and this time, it's not your handsome husband. Along with that purple sheath dress, you need to layer on some armor. The attacks are about to begin. As Maureen Dowd pointed out in the New York Times last week, now that Alpha Female #1 Hillary Clinton is out of the Presidential race, all the sexist misogynists who see big benefits in demonizing democratic women, will turn their viciousness on you.

And I've got more news for you Michelle, you're the perfect target for this type that sees a powerful woman as a terrifying prospect in the White House. Especially one with a metrosexual-seeming husband who might actually be sensitive to the less fortunate in society. Who knows what strong influences a powerful, articulate wife like Michelle might have on such a man?

I believe that GOP right wingers figure if they can scare voters off Michelle, they can make voting for her husband a nonstarter. Labeling her Obama's "baby mama" and calling her jubilant fist jab a "terrorist fist jab," is only the beginning of the nastiness. "She's going to be targeted like crazy," believes Marie Wilson, founder and president of the White House Project, an organization dedicated to advancing women in leadership roles in both the public and private sectors.

"The right wing has no shame against making any sort of attacks against candidates on the Democratic side," agrees Matthew Traub, a managing director of Dan Klores Communications and a former Democratic adviser.

So what antidotes can Michelle use to inoculate herself and the American public against the anti-Michelle machine?

"She needs to continue to be the very intelligent, poised, dynamic figure she has been so far," counsels Traub. "She musn't take the bait when she's attacked. If she remains dignified and true to the ethos of the campaign, the public will see through the attacks and embrace her."

Glamour editor-in-chief Cindi Leive warns Michelle against refuting rumors like the false accusation that she had used the word "whitey." "The more you refute them, the more you repeat them." On the other hand she says that when the Obamas are freely affectionate in public with each other it's a powerful weapon working for them. "Barack Obama obviously adores his wife and that's an incredibly appealing thing — it makes them deeply likable. As much as the Obamas can telegraph that they have a genuinely happy marriage — with no obvious PDAs — it will serve them both well well."

Wilson of the White House Project believes that Obama needs to take on the sexist attacks but use surrogates to do it. "She needs to ask other women to speak up about sexism for their own sakes and the sakes of their daughters." A lot of women should be willing to do it because they've been surprised and frightened by the blatant sexist language that they've heard.

Her other suggestions to Obama: encourage young women to get involved in the campaign and beyond that, in ongoing public life. "And thank older women, especially Clinton supporters, whose hard work overcoming sexism in the past has made it possible for women like Michelle to be successful as professional women and mothers."

Michelle needs to stand up to the bullies and keep being herself, asserts Atoosa Rubenstein, former editor-in-chief of Seventeen and now creator of Alpha Kitty, the viral digital movement devoted to empowering young women. "I like that she doesn't look like a Barbie doll or sound like a Stepford wife."

Speaking of looks, celebrity stylist Robert Verdi thinks that her 1950s power style — refreshing bright colors, knee-length skirts and strands of beads around her neck hit the perfect note of approachability and stylishness, and he tells her to stick with it. "Together the Obamas convey a youthfulness that restores the idea that we're still a nation that is growing, progressing, and full of hope."

However, Houston Chronicle newspaper columnist Whitney Casey believes that in the south, Michelle Obama's bold upright stance and choice of bold colors may turn off voters, who could be frightened by her directness.

To win over this part of the country, "she could be a little more demure, toss out the feminine mystique and use her feminine wiles. I know this sounds silly and sexist," admits Casey, "but she should do it so she can be who she is when the time is right."

Casey's suggestions for Michelle: "Keep your arms open, not crossed or on your hips when you stand. Soften your shoulders, maybe with sweaters, switch to softer colors — powder blue, yellow, soft lilac — wear lower heels, loosen up your hair, and switch from structured to looser, flowing skirts."

Michelle may find this hard to swallow, and what female sympathizer can blame her. After all, as businesswoman and supporter Millie Becker points out, "The problem's not with her, it's with society," or some parts of it.

She's attractive, she's accomplished, she was a practicing attorney, she's Ivy League, she's a beloved wife and mother. Says Becker, "as we say in the hood, 'she's got it going on.'"

Yes Michelle, it's precisely because you've got it going on that your and your husband's enemies will work so relentlessly to make it appear that you don't. The most backward elements of American society have had some big successes with employing the b and the w words when it comes to strong women. So take all this advice and take out an invisible Teflon suit and get ready for target practice. You can prevail!

Photos: AP

Follow Bonnie Fuller on Twitter: www.twitter.com/bonniefuller

Comments

[MBFLA]

Every person in America wishes their daughter/s­ister/niec­e/granddau­ghter/cous­in had turned out to be as fabulously successful as Michelle Obama. A Harvard Law grad with a loving marriage, a great career and two adorable daughters. What in the world is ghetto about Michelle? She will make all citizens proud but not by being a Stepford First Lady. I can't wait!

[meanguy]

no we don't...wh­en my daughters are grown and successful, the LAST thing i want for them is to be as miserable, resentful, defensive, and downright angry as MO

[chi]

Meanguy?Sounds more like insecure guy!

[HaveANiceDay]

meanguy : If you don't want your daughters to be "miserable, resentful, defensive and downright angry" maybe you should take a look in the mirror.

[MYQUEEN7]

I love this article. Michelle Obama is a professional and she will no doubt handle the naysayers. It is always easier to refute rumor and inuendo when you are true to yourself. She appears to be REAL!!

We will continue to pray for the safety and salvation of the Obama family.
We will also pray for a change of heart of the hateful bigots living amongst us.
To God be the glory!

[Celliott]

I love this article and glad women are recognizing that Michele is a target. One thing that I agree with is that feminist supporters like Hillary Clinton made it easier for her to be where she is today and this is true. But, do not forget that both black, white and poor folks (both black and white) who marched and protested during the civil rights movement also made it easier for her to be where she is today as well. These folks died for equal rights for all people, including people of color. It is true that Michele has gotten double support from feminist women, black and whites who fought for equality and freedom. As a professional African-American woman myself, I never forget that I"m standing on the backs of my black ancestors, white freedom fighters and feminist women.

[wyntka]

And you know, Michelle was stealing prescription drugs from the health organization she was working with!!!!

Oh, no, wait...

...that was Cindy.

[4wehttam]

Sure was. Where's all that slander being bandied about.....­........ye­ah, nowhere.

[JoyceBains]

Was that before or after she was the mistress of a married Vietnam POW?

[clevelandchick]

The GOP is frightened to death of intelligent, independent, successful women. They only like to use them for show yet give them no real power in the party. Unlike the Democrats who elected the first female speaker of the House and have very powerful female Senators heading up several major committees (Boxer, Harman, Feinstein) and ran the first female POTUS contender.

The author is right, there should be a huge outreach to all women by the Dems - not just the ones with families but single women which are a HUGE untapped voting block. And part of that outreach should be ads enumerating all of the sexist things the right-wing chauvinists have been saying about Michelle, Hillary, women's reproductive rights, issues of domestic violence & rape etc.

I disagree with trying to force Michelle into some frilly frumpy clothing and having her act "demure" (aka dead-eyed with a fake smile plastered on) like the Stepford heiress her husband's opponent is married to. Michelle's style is young yet professional and classic. When I hear her speak, I am as inspired as when I hear her husband.

And when someone brings up the "whitey" rumor, there is no need to repeat the gist of it, you simply say 'that is a lie, it never happened".

[rcozad]

Actually the proper response is: "that's ANOTHER lie"!

[janinius]

The reality is if people are going to be frightened from Obama because of Michelle (where they should be frightened of Cindy!), we are in some serious trouble. With the country in the shape that it is, with the obvious betrayal of the oath of office taken by this administration, with the suppressions of basic freedoms and happinesses perpetuated by the republican party and John McSame marching right in line behind the hellacious status quo over the last 8 years, if voters worry more about MICHELLE Obama than an extension of a deceiptful, aggressive, constitution eroding, justice evading, corrupt administration, wow, there are no words. I simply do not know what to say.

[Julie02]

Michelle is so beautiful and classy. Love the orange dress on her.

[marthlois]

I love it when she wears bright colors. AND if I had Michelle's arms and shoulders.­....I sure wouldn't
throw a sweater over them:)!

[Filegirl]

The attacks are ABOUT to begin? Guess what! They have been happening for MONTHS. Its just that the so called "feminists" couldn't be bothered to speak up because their only priority is Hillary.

[docpooh]

So true, Filegirl!

I really think that Hillary's hardcore "feminist" supporters will be reluctant to stand up for Michelle.
They only recognize/oppose sexism directed towards Hillary or her supporters. Apparently, women not agreeing with their views/politics are themselves sexist!

[TRYKER]

...well they meant to say "white women" like Hillary. Silly, whoever would think of defending a black woman?