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Michelle Obama And The First Ladies Club
NORFOLK, Va. -- Although it was ninetysome degrees and thick with humidity, Michelle Obama appeared at a roundtable for military spouses here Wednesday in a black cardigan and leggings.
"She's cuter than I expected," said one pastor. He'd been among the dozen or so faith leaders who'd met with Ms. Obama before the roundtable. She'd also visited an early childhood center and read a book aloud to some kids. Except for the layered clothes, which suggested less a pre-packaged outfit and more a self-styled ensemble, the topics she would address and the itinerary she would follow -- focused on women, children, and church -- were classic First Lady. If the Obama campaign's strategy is partly to have Barack Obama simply act presidential -- visiting foreign heads of state; unveiling an energy policy -- then his spouse appears to be doing her part.
Of course, who knows what's really going on inside Ms. Obama's head. In an auditorium at Old Dominion in front of roughly 300 community members and 40 journalists, Michelle Obama read a speech about the importance of military families. Whereas her husband's speeches have the feel of an extemporaneous performance, Ms. Obama's eyes kept returning to the page. She recited key Obama platform items designed to improve the lives of military families:
• predictable deployments
• expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act to cover Reserve families
• improved veterans' services, to include counseling, mental health care, and employment assistance
• a "21st century V.A." that treats more than combat injuries, but also those sustained in training and other areas
• increased chances for veterans returning home to afford a college education and for service members to share their education benefits with family members
The audience received these points as sincerely as they were delivered, occasionally applauding (especially at the line on affordable education), but little seemed to punch through the fourth wall. Occasionally, a glimmer of what seemed to be Ms. Obama's own personality flashed on stage. When she began discussing the policy pamphlet she was drawing from for her talk, she held up the slick blue paper and said "See? Isn't it pretty? And it's for Virginia, too!" Was that a jab at the obsessive marketing of presidential campaigns?
When it was time to take questions, she seized on the person who had raised his hand first. "First outta the block," she said. One had the sense that fairness matters to her. Later, when she selected other audience members to speak, she let her hand hover in the air as if above a box of assorted chocolates. "I'm trying to balance it out," she said.
If these observations are only small hints at her character, it is because there's little else to grab. As a potential first lady, Michelle Obama is being measured against previous first ladies, within the long-established parameters that place a premium on her appearance and personality. She's not in a position to break news, but to offer herself as a national symbol and a conduit to her husband. In fact, the bulk of the talking at the event was done by other people. Seven military spouses -- all women -- detailed their particular concerns. A breast cancer survivor worried over what she would do about insurance when her husband retired from the service; the "proud wife" of a Marine Lieutenant Colonel wanted to be able to hand-carry her child's medical records. It was unclear what Barack Obama -- let alone Michelle Obama -- was expected to do about these problems; indeed, the concerns were so idiosyncratic that one speaker even introduced her remarks with, "My issue is..."
For the most part, Ms. Obama simply listened. Twice she took the microphone to respond, offering a larger perspective. Universal healthcare, she said, was Barack's top priority. The "universal" seemed deliberate, as the candidate has drawn criticism for a plan that isn't mandatory and therefore may allow some Americans to remain uninsured. Universal healthcare is a must, Ms. Obama insisted, to serve as a safety net for Americans who don't fit neatly into the system.
Later, she said that there was nothing to be embarrassed about in raising concerns. Throughout her travels, she explained, what she'd heard from most military spouses -- and many Americans -- was that they felt "blessed." Of course we are blessed, Ms. Obama said. Still, "sometimes things still aren't right, and we should be able to talk about it." The fear of complaining, she said, risked getting in the way of making our country better.
Again, the remark seemed both personal and political -- Mrs. Obama has been accused of being critical of the U.S., and she appeared to be trying to set the record straight. As is often true with campaign events, the subtext proved more meaty than the text.
Campaign events can also provide unexpected social commentary. As the military wives took turns speaking, a theme emerged around their need to balance the entire domestic load -- including sick and aging parents, spotty public education, children with special needs, children with regular needs, birth, death, illness, trauma, loneliness, fear, depression, and real estate. Often, they had to manage their family's affairs alone, with not enough money and caught in a web of red tape.
"I always say the U.S. Marine Corps has the best bargain in the world," said one woman. "They get two for one. The spouse is expected to serve alongside the solider as a volunteer."
Although most wives acknowledged they'd willingly given up their careers for a life of public service, the lack of power and authority they experienced as dependents seemed to be getting in the way of making the contributions they believed they could make. Although they were turning to Ms. Obama for help, her position seemed not much different than theirs. If her husband is elected, she will become a volunteer public servant whose work will be largely in support of her husband's career and bound by the constraints of popular opinion.
"I'm gonna keep taking these conversations to my husband," she promised in her speech. In one of the few slips of the tongue I heard, she referred to the privilege he might have of being "your president" and she as "his first lady."
The switch in pronoun was minor but telling. Along with a 21st-century V.A., isn't it time we have a 21st-century first spouse, who belongs either to the country or to herself, but who serves some purpose other than whispering in the ear of the powerful to plead on behalf of the weak?
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Hmmmm.... Were we at the same event? Hold it. Were you actually there or did you just watch video?
Perhaps you weren't moved by Michelle Obama's remarks b/c it wasn't personal to you. To those of us who are part of military families, it was incredibly heartening to have someone at least *listen* to our concerns. There were audience members crying at times.
Ms. Obama's speech was not directed to the 4th Estate, but to the families affected personally. We got the message, even if the press didn't.
Yes, I was really there. And as it happens, I'm a member of a military family. My dad was career Army and my brother's in the service, so I've spent most of my life living on bases and dealing with CHAMPUS, PCS moves, and all the rest that goes along with supporting the servicemember who in turn is serving the country through the military. I hear you. And a good deal of Michelle Obama's remarks hit me very personally.
What I thought was most striking, though, was how similar what the military wives were describing was to the role a first lady might play -- dedicating their considerable abilities to supporting their husband's careers, and handling all the domestic responsibilities and a few of the professional ones, too. All the while without getting paid and without a whole lot of authority or budget to make the changes and policies they thought should be enacted.
I'd love to know your take on that. What do you think?
But only Cindy McSame has mastered the art of the radioactive-pink lady suit!
There was some interesting information in an Army story about McCain in a story about Michelle's meeting with military women.
"Editor"s note: Military Times has a standing interview request with Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain of Arizona. To read a transcript from an earlier roundtable meeting between McCain and Military Times reporters and editors held last October, visit http://www.militarytimes.com/mccaininterview Oct. 16, 2007"
Compare the interviews given by Obama in July 2008 and McCain in October 2007. Obama gave an impressive interview.
The interviewer gave McCain a hard time about about being a Celebrity:
Q: Before we get started on the serious questions, I"ve got to get this out of the way ¦ you"ve been on the [Comedy Central] Daily Show 11 times.
McCain: More than " I think 12 " more than anybody, I think.
Q: And this is the first time you"ve been here.
McCain: Well, it shows I have my priorities straight. [Laughter.]
Q: Twelve times now.
McCain: I think 12. Yeah, it was on the bus.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/08/military_michelleobama_families_080608w/
Military Times editorial board meeting with Sen. Barack Obama
Jul 7, 2008 14:05:17 EDT http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/07/070708mt_obama_transcript
what a great relief it will be to have a Real Woman in the White House
I thought it very telling, that your first sentence of this article was about what our next "first lady" was wearing. Is that somehow reverse sexism? Please!
What is the reason for referring to her as "Ms. Obama." It is clear that she sees herself as "Mrs." Obama. There's nothing wrong with a married woman being a professional being a "Mrs."
This is a REAL First Lady!
I like Michelle Obama too. She is a role model for all Americans...just as Barack is a role model too.
I hope the country sees what a great First Family the Obamas's will make and vote for Barack Obama in November.
I want an intelligent leader in the White House and John McCain is neither intelligent or a leader.
Please help get out the vote by campaigning for Barack in your community. I am.
OBAMA 08
I LOVE HER!! Fashionable, regal, beautiful, smart, great Mom, great wife!
I'm so looking forward to her being OUR first lady!
Can we say landslide yet??
How are the polls today?
I think Obama is still 70 EV's ahead of McCain...
I didn't really like the way this article was written. I liked the content, but perhaps it was the sentence structure.
I watched Nightline last night, BECAUSE Michelle Obama was on the show. (Don't watch ordinarily). I just love her!! She is such a classy lady, & smart, too. A great Mom with a wonderful sense of humor. You can see what a great team she & Barack are together. When asked what her "pet name" was for Barack, she said, "I like to call him "pumpski". How cute.
I read your posting on Michelle Obamas loving pet name "Pumpski" for Barack. I saw that Nightline too. I taped it since I was busy at the time so when I heard the name Pumpski I rewinded it a couple times to really be clear on the name. And I was right it was Pumpski. Well you confirmed it. And you also spelled it as I did. You actually have the only mention of it on the internet. Google comes up with nothing on Obama Pumpski searches but this one posting. I thought their would be a few people talking about it. Maybe an article or two but so far it hasn't even caught anyone's attention. I think it is a fun sounding name and it gives us an intimate look at Michelle and Baracks relationship. Truly loving and affectionate.
I saw her in person...She comes across as totally genuine, heart felt and confident. Michelle O is a role model for every working mother in this country. Balancing marriage, career and kids...and looking FABULOUS in the process...GO MICHELLE!
She's definitely not going to be one of these stepford wives with that deer in headlights blank expressions.
I love her... and she's tall. we tall girls get a role model too, so many of us growning up have issues with self esteem! I can't wait to see more of her!
Laura Busch is a good first lady because she goes about her business quietly. I expect Michelle Obama to be somewhat like her in that regard, but I think Michelle will probably be more outspoken than Laura is. Therefore I expect Michelle Obama to be a great first lady, and certainly like none other we have ever had.
I am all for Barack and hope he and his wife and girls are the next occupants of the White House.
I like Laura Bush inspite of the family she married into. I think she is pretty decent. I also liked the way she came to Michelle Obama's defense. One thing about her though as far as speaking her mind, when she does, they always shut her down. She said that they should quit using 911 to scare people. Shutdown. That's what they do to her.
Michelle Obama is going to shatter more stereotypes than her husband. Unlike most previous First Ladies, she is woman used to speaking her own mind, and women sense they can count on her to speak up. I can't wait.
Have you forgotten that first lady, Hillary. She is the first really outspoken and active first lady since Eleanor.........oh I know the 0baminations have a very negative opinion of her............
Actually, she got the pronouns right. There is nothing in the Constitution about a "First Lady" or "Madame President" (orginal courtesy title) and I don't think anybody who has seen her speak on C-span could say that Michelle Obama does not belong to herself or lacks purpose. I think she is a classy, well educated woman who is still very in touch with the real world and would make us all proud of her as First Lady.
Great post. Michelle Obama is a great asset to her husband and family and will no doubt make an outstanding First Lady.
I worked for a fortune 500 company that had employee benefits that covered families needs on issues like those some of the wives of military mentioned. Legal advice, financial advice, and of course medical and mental health issues were but a phone call away. When we finally stop committing billions to destroying hardware the Military Industrial Complex wants us to use up so they can replace them with even more expensive ones, fighting in conflicts that are no concern of ours, perhaps some of the money saved on Private Military firms and war can be brought to bear on these families needs.
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Posted August 7, 2008 | 01:22 PM (EST)