Michelle Obama: Democrats Roll Out the OS X Leopard of First Ladies

Last night I thought sleepily: If Michelle Obama is going to speak to the women of America, she better darn well do it before 10 pm [ET]. As 10 p.m. came and went, I grappled for the remote and was about to turn off the television when her bio video began to air. Okay, maybe I could last a few more minutes, see the top of the speech, get the feel of it, and go to sleep -- because really, how interesting ever are these canned, cynical speeches by candidates wives? (The eccentric Teresa Heinz Kerry aside: I thought our country missed out on a highly entertaining First Lady by rejecting her husband).

But from the moment Michelle Obama began to speak, I realized we were witnessing something historic -- and unrelated to the fact she is an African American. Michelle Obama is the first woman to embrace/embody a post-feminist view of a presidential spouse.

Think of it this way: When was the last time a nominee's wife stepped forward to assert her children and her marriage were more important and satisfying to her than her career? Indeed, to speak of the necessity of putting her career aside for her husband's political ambition--and to do so without a whiff of resentment? Heck, when was the last time you saw a candidate's wife- -any politician's wife! -- proclaim her love for her husband without that husband having been caught cheating on her first? And to do all this without driving the media into a hissy fit: "OMG she's setting women's rights back a generation!"

For neither is Michelle Obama some retro caricature of a "desperate housewife." How could she be, with her pumped figure, her confident, outspoken manner, and the way she sometimes looks, when goaded, like she's chewing on marbles? This is not a woman to be messed with. This is not a woman who feels inferior to her husband. This is not a woman without ambition or dreams. But she seems to possess the modern understanding that women's ambitions and dreams aren't always realized on a straight trajectory; that marriage and family are as much a part of those ambitions and dreams as a promotion or job title; and that when a husband succeeds politically, it does not negate her importance but amplifies it.

It was refreshing, too, to see a woman on the convention's stage wearing a soft, sexy dress. This is more post-feminism. Call it the "Sex and the City" effect. I've been struck by how many young career women today eschew the boxy suits and sensible heels of their female bosses for fitted dresses, high heels, and low necklines. There seems to be no contradiction in their minds that they can be effective at what they do in their public lives, but still be feminine and unabashedly open about attracting male attention.

Thus one of the most striking aspects of Michelle Obama is seemingly the most superficial: the sundresses she's worn throughout the campaign. I was simply transfixed by the sight of her in that girlish, black-and-white number she wore on "The View" -- girlish except for the powerful, trim triceps poking through the armholes. It was like looking at a lioness wearing something Paris Hilton would put on her chihuahua.

We hear often of women shattering glass ceilings, but Michelle Obama has shattered a plaster mold: the mold that casts all female public figures -- and potential First Ladies -- into either/or figures. You are EITHER an independent career woman in your own right (Hillary Clinton) OR a traditionally minded woman in the background of an ambitious man, the shadow in pearls (Cindy McCain; Laura Bush). You are NOT this hot, buff mother at a lectern moving a crowd to tears with your force and passion.

I'm not trying to idealize Michelle Obama. The speech was carefully crafted. It of course had a political agenda. And as with any political family, we have no idea what goes on in the Obama household or private life. We have no idea what she's really thinking when she closes her eyes at night.

Still, it's the public image that interests me. And Michelle Obama has just upgraded that image into one we GenExers can identify with and admire.

Comments

[realityczech4u]

She looked great in her dress. Strong, assertive. her own woman. No need for a pantsuit for Michelle. She doesn't look like she stepped out of the pages of a K Mart ad flyer from the Sunday paper.

[CitizenInformed]

Great article and description of a post-feminist woman that Michelle exemplifies. You're right, she did pull all that off in her speech.

[karela]

You said it! A lioness with a perfectly exercised and maintained body in feminine dresses and with little girls attached to the ends of her arms and tears in her eyes when she talks about her Mama, her Dad, her brother, her kids or her man. Because one thing is very apparent about Michelle. To her, Barack Obama is first and foremost---all man. And nobody could get those kids to act like they did if they didn't feel it. When Malia took the mic and leaned toward the screen as though to get closer to Barack and said "I love you Daddy", that was another one of those genuine moments. They all love each other very dearly and it's very nice to see isn't it. And with all that, it was a magnificent speech too!!!!

[Chillinout]

Great article and right on point! She is a very classy lady.

[kellygrrrl]

Real Women of America unite with Michelle Obama!!!!!

[isis]

I love your title and Michelle looks stunning in green doesn't she?

[orianna]

I see a reemergence of Eleanor Roosevelt in Michelle... a new Eleanor.

[FaceYourFears]

Please don't let Hillary hear that.....she talks to Eleanor daily. No, I'm serious google it.

[InofTouch]

So nice to know that women are now machines instead of meat :p

[MPeter]

Michelle is a gifted American we would be very blessed to have as a First Lady. She delivered her speech with such grace, it is easy to dismiss the depth and significance of it. She spoke about family, the dreams we have, sacrifices, humility, love and service to one's community. She exalted her parents and reminded us all, why dreaming and hoping, not fearmongering and wars, will renew this country again. Thanks Danielle for a great article. You hit the nail on the head.

[yako]

Whoever styled Michelle's hair and outfit should be congratualted also. I was so unhappy with the way she looked at the Saturday rally. Clavin Kein, Andre Leon Tally, or Anna Wintour please take charge of the first lady-to-be!

[theborg]

The woman has got brains. She doesn't need a stylist or a Prada on every corner. Give it a break.

[magicmary]

I think her authenticity really came across even though she was reading off the teleprompter and that to me is all I need!

[MeanGreenMachine]

Say hi to rush for us.

[magicmary]

Hey, I meant that as a compliment. It's hard to sound authentic when you're reading a speech! Her authenticity was really shining. and my mom and I were weeping through the whole thing.

Geeze! Maybe you meant to reply to someone elses post???

[YunekFlava]

Would you be able to remember such a long speech? If so...magicmary in 2012!

[nutty4tahoe]

We live in ruby red Kansas. My husband and I are vastly outnumbered here because we are liberals and support Obama. My husband's parents, both in their 70s, are white Democrats but, like many socially conservative rural midwesterners, have been reluctant to embrace Obama. I would not describe them as racists but the reason for their distrust is the same thing you hear everywhere around here: they don't understand his name, his background, his color. In other words, he's not just like them. Around here, if you're different that's not a good thing.

Last night, however, my husband's parents both sat down and watched Michelle Obama's speech. They found her to be smart, attractive and captivating. They were impressed with the way she used her education to enrich others rather than herself. She COMPLETELY won both of them over. They spent the day today raving about her speech, her family values, her beauty. I'm thinking that if she had that affect on them, certainly the same conversation is going on today in households throughout the midwest and yes, even in the south. For many older whites in the rural midwest, Michelle's speech may be the first glimpse of a REAL person of color with this level of intelligence and character. Up until now, the Huxtables may have been the next best thing.

Here's hoping that the same kind of conversation about the Obamas is playing out all over the U.S. and the world.

[teacheng]

I'll toast to that.

[Thron]

Very interesting comment....

[undercast]

Her speech was unforgettable as far as I am concerned. Wonderful article and follow-up posts , too. How can anyone not desire the election of these honest, competent, caring people? They're everything you can realistically hope for, I think. What are people afraid of? What do others see in this amazing man and woman to fear or dislike? Do they threaten people in some way I'm missing? I actually believe that this ticket's priority will be to do the best that can be done for everyone. I haven't felt that way since JFK and his brothers ran. That's a long dreary time for this white, 63 year old construction contractor who had gotten depressingly cynical. I cannot believe how fortunate we are to have candidates of this quality. I argue with my kids, 16, 26, & 32, about this idea of hope. They fear that too many people will be satisfied with hoping and never get to the doing. All I can say is that I actually feel this hope and I won't be satisfied until they are elected.

[YunekFlava]

I enjoyed reading your post "undercast". I too have a 16, 21, 26, 34, 36 and 39 year old and they all know that we do need more than hope, but hope inspires you to do something about the human condition. Whatever it is. Without hope, people settle for their lives as they are, people do just enough to get by. We deserve a better life than the ones we have had for the last 7 years, and with a little hope and a lot of effort, we can and will make the change we need for my family, yours and all the families in America.

[Veronica]

I look forward to Cindy McCain's heartwarming, eloquent speech about how she achieved success and prominence through sheer hard work...,.Oh, wait. LOL!

Seriously, could Cindy BE a more plastic, less appealing person? Her Barbie smile just makes Michelle Obama seem that much more authentic by comparison.

[Melissa]

Cindy McCain is now is Georgia helping out the children in that war torn land.
She has been doing charity work all her life. I could care less how rich she is and how many houses she has. I think she will make a great first lady.

[the964kid]

Great article Danielle!

You really nailed the center of what her speech represented last night. What an amazing speech, by the most modern potential first lady ever. Today Michelle admitted that the little girls didn't even know their dad was going to be on the TV screen last night. What a wonderfully warm and touching moment. You can't fake what a happy and loving family the Obamas are. I was so proud of Michelle last night, and proud of America.