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

[ndngrrl71]

Work hard for yourself and your family and you will know what success feels like. Michelle spoke about it and she embodies it. THe woman has class; the first thing out of our mouths when she walked out was ooohhh like her dress, four women over 35 but under 40.
PLEASE leave the pantsuits to women over 50. But then again if I look like Kim Cattrell at 50 I'm still saying no to the pantsuit.
After last night's speech, I find myself relating to her even more. She's dedicated to her kids first and I truly believe that she would never allow her husband to embarass her.

[BabsfromKansas]

This old granny and mother of two wonderful daughters thinks this piece is spot on. All three of us deeply admire Michelle - her principles, her accomplishments, her vision, her love.

I also appreciate reading the intelligent and thoughtful posts here - quite a refreshing change from the usual rancor, sarcasm, and one-oneupmanship that I, myself, usually resort to on Hfpo.

[Iamfedup]

I guess you missed the part about her being a working mother, who when she is not home has the support of her mother and other family members to watch her children. Does she know the price of a loaf of bread? You bet she does.
They just paid off their school loans from the proceeds of his books, so I'm pretty sure she knows the price of bread, the price of gas, and how much her mortgage is.

[BlueZoo]

Michelle Obama's speech was over a month in the making by Obama's ghosts. She did well but I still want to know if she can tell me the price of a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk! Until she can, she does not inspire me one iota. I'm still voting for her husband but I certainly do not idealize his wife or any other political wife. The wives who inspire me are the ones who slog it out everyday trying to keep hearth and home together while having to watch every dime in the budget!

[Danigirl65]

Trust me, Michelle Obama can tell you the price of a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk. I doubt you will hear the same from the McCain's. As far as your last sentence "the wives who inspire me are the ones who slog it out everyday trying to keep hearth and home together while having to watch every dime in the budget" really was a silly one considering, until Barrack's book sold big, the Obama's were still paying off student loans. Trust me, Michelle also knows how to operate a budget.

[BlueZoo]

A million dollar home and designer clothes doesn't play in the heartland! ...and I stil believe she doesn't have a clue as to the price of staples today.

[Texdude]

How do you know who wrote Mrs. Obama's speech and when? Are you aware he writes HIS own stuff? In longhand?

[BlueZoo]

I am definitely aware Obama writes his own speeches, as it has been reported time and again. Michelle's speech was an entirely different story and was designed to cater to the female members of the party, as well as to include HRC as a sop to her PUMAs. The writing of Mrs. Obama's speech being over a month in the making by ghosts, as well as Senator Obama himself, was well-reported on CNN, NBC and MSNBC.

[justShareandbeNice]

Didn't you read the article about how she DID write the speech. She was the primary writer. She drafted the first draft. She was in on the final editing, word for word. She had things she wanted to say. Her speech writers were impressed and said she is a great writer.

[snarkopolitan]

I can tell you the price of a loaf of bread: $2.79 for a 24 oz loaf of Pepperidge Farm. And I love hanging out and drinking a cold beer. And we shop on Senior citizen discount day----that's it! Me for President! I don't know anything about foreign policy, or economics, but I work hard at a low-paying job!!! I'll wreck the country, but I'm obviously the just plain folks the country wants!

BTW, speechwriters commonly work on all campaigns----the smarter candidates work closely with them. Sen. O is a real rarity: a genuine writer.

Peggy Noonan wrote Ronald Reagan's speeches. Reagan did write good love letters to Nancy, but not much more than that. And David Frum wrote Bush's "Axis of Evil" speech.

[xargaw]

With Barack and Michelle we have the opportunity to get two for one. A wise pragmatic President and an equally smart sounding board and analyst. Obama offers a chance for the middle class, health care, and structural improvement at home. McCain offers bluster and War and more suppression in every area of American life. How can anyone even say there is a choice. I hope the Democrats start making the arguments about the differences because so far they have not been very effective.

[SimonNZ]

The reasons why you're 100% right about the Obamas are the same reasons there's a good chance we'll end with President McBush. Sigh...........

[CessnaDriver]

It took me a while, but I finally figured out what M.O. was doing in her speech last night: A jury summation! It makes sense, as she is a lawyer, and it's what they do. Moreover, she had to make the case for her family, that they were just as American as any other family-same problems, same joys as anyone. She didn't just hit a homer, it was a Grand Slam.

[BabsfromKansas]

Good analogy!

[YunekFlava]

The Obama family success story is the American story.
It is the story that immigrants want when they come here.
It is the story we want for our children.
It is the story we have been told we should strive for.
It is an American as apple pie, baseball and hot dogs, even if they don't eat it.
They are Christians, they are a good hard-working family , they give back to their community,
they are education-driven, they care about their families health and fitness and want us to have a fit nation.

So what's wrong with them again?

[Muchistested]

Absolutely nothing if you have sense enough to see through the spin and slander....

[patriotic008]

Wow Michelle!!
Don't listen to the haters!
Your speech was so moving. And beautifully written

[patrickgarret]

It continues to amaze me at the BLIND Hate for this amazing family. No PROVEN scandal. No interns under the desk. Just hard work. What a sad country we've become.

[dutchess2]

I am in love with Michelle Obama's father...

When he became slower, and his illness claimed more, he just got up earlier to dress himself,
and used two canes to get across the floor to kiss his wife.

With never a complaint...happy and proud of his children.

That's the ideal father in this country.

[Veronica]

I know! The stuff about her dad really got to me, too. I had a tear in my eye. Such a great speech.

[nk007]

Bravo Patrick! It is really so discouraging to see the vile hatred of the Obamas. I don't mind people disagreeing with them on the issues such as FISA. What I don't get is the despicable effort of trying to find them guilty, not of what they have done themselves, but, of what some of the people they associated with did. In spite of all the attacks, some below the belt, that they have endured both Michelle and Barak continue to carry themselves with class and grace. Obviously Obama is a human being, and if elected President he probably won't solve all the monumental problems facing this country. I do believe, however, that through his wisdom and ability to communicate, he will be able to inspire the people, especially young people, to begin the task of repairing this badly bruised country. I have also come to the conclusion that if Obama is not elected President, the looser will be the country and not Obama.

[AdvancedDegree]

As an American and a Black man, I was proud to see the American dream be broadcast. I was moved by the crowd's response to her speech, and I was happy to see America understand that the American family cuts across identity politics.

[utleftie]

Yes, there are no examples of the American dream before the Obamas came into national prominence...

[magicmary]

The "More American Than Thou" crowd would have us believe the Obama's are "foreign". It's shameful and needed to be put down in no uncertain terms.

Go Bamas!! Michelle, you rock woman!

[patrickgarret]

She's simply amazing. Sad the Clinton people are trying to destroy it all. Why do they HATE AMERICA? Do you FOOLS really believe a McCain victory and the loss of a woman's right to choose is going to BENEFIT Hillary? You are sadly misinformed individuals and you will be held directly responsible.

[Naturebabe77]

For the first time in a long time, I am finally proud to be an American, thanks to the Obama's

[Livvy]

She is one impressive woman. Best of all she strikes me as real.

I was a part of the women's movement in my youth. Michelle Obama makes me proud.

[libbygirl]

This is the woman I would be very proud to have in our White House.

[Dailyfare]

What I don't get is why this black woman is such a mystery to some people. She bleeds, she pees, she cries, and she loves just like the rest of us.

She's not a wallflower, and her talent and intelligence demand that we not ask her to be.

[dutchess2]

"We don't know her" is code for "She's black."

[jerseywolf]

Yes. I'm convinced that you're translation is accurate. It's damn sad and frustrating.

[mphalen]

Excuse me, but what does the "the OS X Leopard" mean?

[treklady]

Mac computer - operating system OS X Leopard, pretty much known as the best OS.