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Why Michelle Is Sliding
Haraz N. Ghanbari / AP Photo
As the first lady wades into the health-care debate, she’s grappling with an 11-point drop in the polls. Linda Hirshman on why being first lady is harder than ever.
Party giver Michelle Obama snagged the White House East Room for her soiree this afternoon. Of course she was entertaining a bunch of older women who had sad stories about their trouble getting health insurance, just as the polling shows that older women aren’t so sure about her husband’s health plan. As three women of a certain age told stories of bad insurance and getting caught in the Medicare “doughnut hole,” the first lady pitched the group, which included the head of the senior lobby AARP, assurances that, contrary to the “misinformation” around, her “husband . . . will protect Medicare . . with health insurance reform.” Whew, hello Hillary!
Just like regular politics, red and blue gender politics can’t be magically wished away, not even by the Obamas. And the gender challenges of being a first lady, 40 years after feminism, are darn near insurmountable.
Despite the clear lesson from Hillary Clinton’s ill-fated venture, health care is a siren song for any first lady—because it looks like such a womanly thing. Taking care of sick people, especially sick children, fits perfectly into a traditional female caregiver role. But it’s a trap. Health care is big, big business—15 percent of the economy, some say. Big insurers, Big Pharma, the AMA, big boys play health care. And as the tea bag summer went by, the political stakes got unimaginably high, too. As Michelle Obama turned her attention from healthy veggies to pre-existing conditions, pundits speculate that the “fall” in her approval ratings—from a high of 72 to 61 percent in the latest Gallup poll—may indeed be due to her venture into the politics of health care.
But theories about her dwindling appeal abound. Maybe she’s not too blue but too red: The mom-in-chief thing has gotten really old as the economy tanks and the president plays basketball with the boys. We know there’s a Harvard law degree in there somewhere; why is she appearing with kitty ears and Halloween treats?
Six months ago, all the first lady coverage was a just-right purply hue. What happened? The obvious answer is that everything was never just right. Just like regular politics, red and blue gender politics can’t be magically wished away, not even by the Obamas. And the gender challenges of being a first lady, 40 years after feminism, are darn near insurmountable.
A quick learner, Michelle Obama found out during the campaign that she’d be better off seen than heard. When asked what she’d do in case of the dreaded 3 a.m. emergency phone call, she answered that she’d hand the phone to Barack and go back to sleep. The more she embodied a conservative concept of “ladyship,” the more the most vocal parts of the country, especially the media, liked her. Why, they even compared her to the sainted Jacqueline Kennedy.
In retrospect, it is clear that the Jackie references were more about the desire to turn the clock of gender relations back to 1960 than the merits of simple shift dresses. Talk of Jackie immediately invokes the memory of Mrs. Kennedy’s iconic 1962 television tour of the White House she’d expensively redone in her artsy and aristocratic taste. The extravagance of her White House makeover, the whispery baby voice she used in the interview, her tolerance of the president’s legendary womanizing, and her ultimate sanctification of his memory after his tragic death made Jackie the first lady a perfect symbol of a bygone era.
What’s weird is that Michelle Obama, Princeton B.A., Harvard J.D., looks, on paper, more like Hillary Clinton, Wellesley B.A., Yale J.D., than Jacqueline Kennedy or Betty Draper. Having worked outside the home for 20 years, while raising her children, she also looks more like the majority of American women than the version that emerged from the campaign. The “just right” porridge Michelle Obama was delivering didn’t fit with her own résumé or the experience of most of the women watching.
John Talks Joe
Lloyd Grove is editor at large for The Daily Beast. He is also a frequent contributor to New York magazine and was a contributing editor for Condé Nast Portfolio. He wrote a gossip column for the New York Daily News from 2003 to 2006. Prior to that, he wrote the Reliable Source column for the Washington Post, where he spent 23 years covering politics, the media, and other subjects.
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Martin Jacques is the cofounder of the UK think tank Demos, writes a regular column for The Guardian, and is a visiting research fellow at the London School of Economics Asia Research Centre. His new book, When China Rules the World, is available now.
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Christopher Buckley's books include Supreme Courtship, The White House Mess, Thank You for Smoking, Little Green Men, and Florence of Arabia. He was chief speechwriter for Vice President George H.W. Bush, and is editor-at-large of ForbesLife magazine. His new book is Losing Mum and Pup, a memoir. Buckley's Daily Beast column is the winner of an Online Journalism Award in the category of Online Commentary.
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Linda Hirshman is a retired professor of philosophy. She is the author of Get to Work: A Manifesto for Women of the World, and a columnist at DoubleX.com. She is writing a book about the gay revolution.
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Linda Hirshman is a retired professor of philosophy. She is the author of Get to Work: A Manifesto for Women of the World, and a columnist at DoubleX.com. She is writing a book about the gay revolution.
How the GOP Loses Women
Linda Hirshman is a retired professor of philosophy. She is the author of Get to Work: A Manifesto for Women of the World, and a columnist at DoubleX.com. She is writing a book about the gay revolution.
I like rabbit ears. I think they're cute!
Agreed! Typical mom and dad behavior too.
Funny how this article didn't offer any data that supported the premise Michelle has an image problem...
Who cares about her image? She's not an elected official. She happens to be the spouse of the President. So what?
I watched an interview with her Katie Couric, not only did Mrs.Obama state her past and childhood did not consist of worshiping celebrities, but she is normal and cool. The woman who wrote this article looks like the Republican running for office in California.
go to www.outfoxed.org and get the documentary, then ask yourself is propaganda "UN' American?
www.outfoxed.org
No one likes to mention how she rode her husband's coattails to a high paying job in Chicago after he was elected Senator....oh, and the hospital she worked at suddenly starting receiving millions in grants and she was maing $300,000 working 20 hours a week? Maybe the country is starting to realize they are corrupt scum and they've had enough?
Liebermans wife works for pharma and the insurance industry, what is your point? That if by your calculations the Obamas are corrupt, then the Liebermans are too? (which they are) But you need to show proof of your accusations.
Dumb and dumber... Perhaps Michelle's problem is that she has nothing intelligent to say. She's coasted through life as an affirmative action 'quota fill', and now, upon inspection we find she's just an empty dress.
"Old Crow" hides behind his anonymous pseudonym to spew racist slander and mendacious garbage.
Typical coward, spitting out racial and gender hatred mixed with a bunch of lies. Big man, whoever you are.
Do you have a scintilla of evidence to back up your ridiculous assertions regarding this Harvard Law graduate? I'll wait.
Hint: Sidley & Austin does NOT hire anyone with less than stellar grades.
You mean like the "created" hospital job. How about the under the desk type like Clinton found ?
perhaps you never read what her former bosses had to say about her. Keep you head buried in the sand.
Perhaps Michelle's problem is that conservatives like OldCrow hate strong women. Just like they hated first lady Hillary Clinton.
When you compare Sarah Palin (whom conservatives love) with Michelle, Sarah doesn't come out too well.
OldCrow may hate strong women, but what he hates more are strong black women.
Michelle's comments: " For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm proud of my country." Those words Michelle said will haunt her forever. The direction her husband is taking this country and her getting involved have pulled her poll numbers dowm by 10 points.
As for Sarah Palin, people know that she loves this country, you can mock Sarah all you want, but she would never be as stupid as Michelle to make a foolish comment like Michelle made amd I believe meant it. So much for Princeton and Harvard.
AlanD Michelle's comments: " For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm proud of my country." Those words Michelle said will haunt her forever. The direction her husband is taking this country and Michelle getting involved in his politics, are pulling her poll numbers go dowm by 10 points.
As for Sarah Palin, people know that she loves this country, you can mock Sarah all you want, but she would never be as stupid as Michelle to make a stupid comment like Michelle made amd I believe meant it. So much for Princeton and Harvard.
oh here you go again Alan. It is your opinion that Michelle is better than Sarah. Just your opinion.
I know many, many people who love President Obama but do not like Michelle too much. She has never seemed real sincere to me and she can't even fake it very well.
Winnie: You and clearthinker are so funny! Have you ever thought of appearing on SNL? You would make a great team!
AlanD2, I agree with you that many people and very likely OldCrow have a strong fear of strong, intelligent women who know who they are, what they want, and have the ability to go after it and get it.
I think that is the appeal of Sarah Palin to many conservatives. She has some of the same qualities, but drowns her need for approval and desire to be taken seriously in spite of not having all the intellectual qualifications. She doesn't seem to be the same kind of threat, as even those who like her think of her as a "mom" as much or more than a "real politician". Thus the "she's just like real folk" which goes over well with the anti-intellectual, anti-equal to any man group.
winston1 wrote: Michelle's comments: " For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm proud of my country." Those words Michelle said will haunt her forever. The direction her husband is taking this country and her getting involved have pulled her poll numbers dowm by 10 points.
******
I was brought up in the Deep South during segregation. I hated it, and left the South only to find that the North was just a little less obviously prejudiced.
I was never so proud to be an American than the day the Civil Rights Act became law.
I am a white woman whose Southern ancestors owned land and a few slaves. That is something I'm deeply ashamed of as an American.
And your degree is from where?
She made a statement sometime back about OBs smoking. She said she wouldn't get involved because she had something she needed to get rid of. I believe she dips snuff. Several times the camera had caught her with that bottom lip looking like it was packed full. And I don't know if anybody's noticed but since moving into the House and getting all those people to wait on her that butt has grown at least one axehandle,, there's a good chance she's pregnant. She will be proud of the country after OB has finished taking it over.
Perhaps your problem is that you apply one standard to stiff Laura and Plastic Pat and the drunken Betty Ford and another to a vibrant and graceful Michelle Obama.
Maezeppe How about Jackie O cheating with Bobby Kennedy, while Ethel was farting out one baby after another. Let's not forget Hillary this women comes with more baggage then any other first lady. I can;t knock Lady Bird I liked her, and felt sorry for her married to that big mouth idiot.
So Maez
Don't throw stones when you live in a glass Whitehouse
This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
I doubt Michelle actually is "grappling" with her poll numbers as the headline hear suggests. The numbers may concern her a bit when she is trying so damned hard on everyone's behalf, but self-image demonstrably is not foremost on her mind when she gets up every morning.
If more of us had her intelligence, dedication and concern for others, our society would be on a somewhat higher plateau these days.
She's "Slip Sliding Away"
oldcrow? more like jim crow.
oldcrow? more like jim crow.
OldCrow, your bigotry and anger at a woman with the intellectual credentials that Ms. Obama has just shows like a light in a dark box.
She is no more an affirmative action "quota fill" than you are intelligent enough to handle a half-hour conversation with anyone over the age of 9.
When Michelle stated in her recent speech that the Medicare cuts wouldn't affect a senior's care she lies. After the cuts in payments to medicare providers, seniors will find that their card won't be accepted in many specialist physicians offices. The better medical specialists will cater to patients with insurance programs that have a better reimbursement and some won't accept medicare patients at all..leaving the elderly with sub-care or none. Take a look at the Medi-cal program now....(gov/state run for the poor) Only a few physicians will accept patients from this program. Also, my monthly payment for medicare just jumped $14/mo for 2010....I still have to purchase a secondary or go HMO....Also, if you think medicare prescription part D is a good program.....try comparing what you'd pay for a 3 mos prescription from Cosco or Wallmart, a fraction of the cost compared to the part D program and you wouldn't have to pay the insurance company $37/mo....I dropped part D for 2010...lt's no deal.
I think all three women are strong in their own way, the strongest of the three is Hilary, and she is all business, more like a man. Michelle even though has great education and is married to president, she is a mother firsthand that bothers the progressives for some weird reason, it won't be long before they bash her too, as for Palin, she is strong, and appeals to the far right/right, but she is Pro Life, that's what the progressives hate about her, so they will bash her forever..But none of these things will stop any one of them; they will all break through that glass ceiling someday
Whereas Mrs. Palin is the most intelligent person in the world? Boy do you have to get off that crack pipe you've been smokin.
Really? Are we really supposed to take an article about a First Lady's approval ratings seriously?
Second.
I didn't get past the first paragraph and can't believe I did even that.
I didn't get past the first sentence: ...''she's grappling with..."! A first lady's approval ratings are no more relevant to the political life of this country than the ratings for 30 Rock or Dancing with the Stars. Class TDB fluff and nonsense.
No, you cannot take any single poll number seriously. A poll is a survey and has low validity and reliability. All first lady's have a range of approval rating during their husbands administration. They aren't static and they go up and down. Nancy Reagan at one point had an approval rating of 19%. Barbara Bush had a range between 56% and 71%. I don't have the numbers but I know that Jackie Kennedy's approval was low right before her husband was shot as scandal had erupted regarding her relationship with Onassis.
What relationship with Onassis are you talking about? There was a rumor that her sister had a romance with Onassis at one time, but there was no scandal even if Jackie was having a dalliance with Onassis. There was some speculation when she was on a rest after her son died, on Onassis' boat, but there were other women on that boat, notably Maria Callas, his long time paramour.I don't know what you are referring to. I remember that time quite well. News didn't discuss the dalliances or supposed side romances of public figures at that time. Only occasionally, something leaked out. As far as Mrs. Obama is concerned, she will probably have to do all her advising on the quiet. She unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, said that she wanted to be the Best Mom Ever. So it is difficult to shrug off that nomen and then go on to be a powerhouse advisor as Mrs. Clinton was.
As I have stated before, the polls are not so reliable and can change like the weather or the stock market. They only show what the respondents are thinking at the time they respond to a poll, and is not necessarily indicative of how they - or others who were not polled - may think in the future. So if and when the economy gets better, then both the Obama's numbers will just go up. But the only real "poll" that matters is the one at the ballot box!
I also think that the only reason why some posters on DB don't like Michelle Obama is cos they hate her husband's guts. I don't care what anyone says, it's cos they are the First Black couple. This is just too damn obvious. If they were white, then there just wouldn't be so much hostility directed towards them. So no one is going to tell me any different. However, as much as I hated Dubya, I still liked his wife Laura and the rest of their family a lot better than I did him. I always wondered how she could have married such an idiot, and what in hell she could have ever saw in him!
LOL.
elldeen: Michelle is obviously a liberal, which pisses off all the conservatives here at the DB.
If liberals are bad, and blacks are bad, and women are bad, where does that put a black liberal woman? Strike three!
I had the pleasure of meeting Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. She was not what I'd call a friend, but we did meet on several occasions.
That said, Michelle Obama is no Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. She couldn't shine her shoes. I think her low numbers are actually exaggerated. She has a lower approval rating than the KoolAId Krowd is comfortable admitting to.
Jackie and her sister spent a weekend on his yaught shortly before Dallas and what was considered at the time to be compromising photos emerged in the press. The story that she was a chaperone was doubted and innuendo spread in the media. I was quite young, but I remember that the ladies' circles in the Sourth considered her behavior scandulous and ample fodder for gossip and judgement. By that time, her husband's infedility had become common knowledge and even as a young adolescent I was struck by the double standard. If you remember the time well, you remember that was a very unhappy period. J. Edgar Hoover was determined to tie the president to the mob. My entire point, however, was that Jackie started out as America's darling but it was short lived due more to her own reserve than to any overt behavior on her part. History romantices president's and first ladies' and seldom reflect the actual spirit of the times. Nancy Reagan, who was probably the most disliked first lady, enjoys a revered status in most circles now.
I don't think that Michelle Obama's fluctuating poll number in a single poll has any meaning whatsoever nor do I believe that she owes it to the cause of fiminism to alter her behavior in anyway. Her family took a significant pay cut in order for her husband to take a thankless job and live under a microscope. Daily death threats, white trash protesting outside her children's school, overt racism, petty criticism over the most benign act, and an unethical, self-seeking and down right lazy media that ignores facts in favor of innuendo, speculation and out and out misinformation. If I were Obama, I would have pulled a Palin on day two.
Hey that's important. I mean, what would happen if Michelle couldn't get re-elected first lady? I would hate to see the Republican's push Sarah Palin to get elected first lady instead.
One of the pleasures I get from frequenting this website is reconnecting with my old friend; intellectual gobbledy-gook.
Maybe the reason Michelle Obama's ratings are slipping is that, like her husband, we are getting to know her better.
During the campaign, she was more of a symbol than a person. And since both she and her husband symbolized a huge step forward, she was not particularly vetted. Neither Ms. Obama, nor Hillary, nor Cindy McCain were natural smilers, yet since Cindy McCain represented Old White Rich America, she was more widely scrutinized by the media.
What kind of boss was Michelle Obama like at the hospital? What was it like to work for her?
These and other questions were never asked, and Sarah Palin's taste in clothes were given far more attention.
And her low profile in the campaign came after a few comments that could have fairly prompted a discussion - as opposed to the hysterical overreaction by some on the right - as to whether she took certain positive aspects of the country for granted.
Or you can go ahead and believe in the author's gender dynamics crap.
dailyraphirmations.com
@raphael-a
According to your rambling and inarticulate rant, your best friend is just plain old "gobbledy-gook".
Your pseudo-analysis reveals little.
Very little.
ease up keeper, it wasn't a bad rant and did reveal the lack of depth the media went when it came to the Obama's.
Michelle Obama worked in the hospital as a patient dumper.
go to www.outfoxed.org and get the documentary....
raphael-a: Who cares what her ratings are? Or what questions were never asked? Michelle Obama was not the one running for office.
Liberals always can be counted on to destoy their own. There is virtually nothing I agree with that her husband is doing, but they seam like a great first family, and I don't care how much she spends on her shoes.
You mean like conservatives destroyed Republican Dede Scozzafava in New York's 23rd district? Just askin' ...
The author is very short on facts. Mrs Obama was drawing crowds almost as large as the president by the end of the campaign. In Colorada, 80,000 people showed up to hear Michelle Obama. Of course, the media was so busy chasing Palin and the neo-nazis that very little attention was given to it. Polls are surveys and surveys have very low validity and reliability. You cannot generalize the opinions taken during a 3 day interval of 1200 to 1500 to a population of over 3,000,000. The design of a poll influences the answers given. At any given time all you can say about a poll is that it is a snapshot in time of the opinion of the individuals polled.
Like her husband, the more often the first lady is before the public, they higher her approval ratings go.
neo nazis are far more entertaining than tree hugging, angry wenches who don't shave their armpits.
Michelle Obama may have earned degrees from Princeton and Harvard, but she is nothing more than a designer's mannequin. With a good secretary, Carrie Prejean could do as well.
In a time when 1 in 10 Americans are out of work, the first lady's Ivy League experience and her degree in law are about as useless as a sterling tea service in a men's room. They may be lovely, but no one really notices it and half of America never gets to see it. It seems a waste that she is not putting her education to practical use in politics or in law.
With progressive pathfinder, Hillary Clinton, preceding her, Michelle Obama has a unique opportunity to redefine the role of presidential spouse. Instead of sacrificing her unique talents and responsibility as a role model to young Americans who may, one day, find themselves in her shoes.
There are always excuses why this can't be accomplished but there are no good reasons. Her daughters are old enough. She has her mother on site to help. It is far from mandatory that she travels with the president. She does not spend twelve hour days planning and managing the household. She is wasting her talents and unique experiences by not having a career. No, the role of first spouse is not a career nor should it be.
At 8 years of age I can recall watching Jacqueline Kennedy's tour of the White House redecorated, to my child's mind it seemed fluffy.
Knowing then only hard work would elevate me from my mother's fate of factory work at 85 cents an hour and 5 children at home.
These memories were my earliest lessons of womanhood and remain the only role model for women in my life. Hard work has been successful but not for the gain of life achievements like Michelle Obama's motherhood or becoming first lady, we watch to see what she can do with those talents.
I too know career models express a stronger message to young girls dreams.
That is a harsh critique that Michelle Obama does not deserve.
How many designer's mannequins do you know that are lawyers, Square?
Whadya think, she doesn't talk politics with Barack? They dont discuss issues??
You think she oughta be the chairperson of what, exactly?
Being the best mom she can be with her kids isn't important?
Her daughters are old enough for what , exactly???
Just what the hell are you talking about, SQUAREYELLOWPAPER????!!!!!!!!
I am sitting here laughing my butt off reading all these comments its not about right or wrong its about black and white . which falls back to the slave days ...where did the slave thing start ? read your history . it started in Afraic I know I can`t spell but think you understand . black was the one who started the slave thing not the white so way all the racist crap ?then comparing one lady to the next sounds to me like someone is jealous
What about Sasha and Malia's popularity polls? Think of the brilliant political analysis that can be done with that data.
Maybe the next time she runs for first lady I won't vote for her.
The Daily Beast becomes more Beastly Daily! As for Sarah vs Michelle. Michelle went to one college for six years to get her law degree Sarah went to six colleges in four years to become a sports reporter? Beauty pagent contestant?
Correction: It took Palin six years to get her undergraduate communications degree.
This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
If she was white, could you still call her that?
I expect it takes the son of one to know one...
What a complete loser you are VinceP1974
so getting a free ride is better?
This blog took 2 pages to say nothing save Stupid Wildly Absurd Guesse's (SWAG's), make baseless conjectures, give us intellectual Pablum. I grew up reading vicious put downs of Elenor Roosevelt. This isn't as good as the slams of Eleanor when she was 1st lady.
Michelle isn't Hillary or Eleanor. I have no idea of what she will do with the rest of her life when Prez Obama leaves the White House. I'll be surprised, even amazed, by what she does. Since she is a smart lady, a liberal progressive, ambitious & loves America & people. I'll support what she chooses to do. I'm set to be pleasantly surprised by Ms Obama.
Ms Brown, Ms Hirshman's blog is not up to Daily Beast standards. This blog is like an article in the Charlotte Observer's Tu-Th edititions in the features pages.
I totally agree with larry278!!! Well put...
What do you mean when he leaves the white house?? Hell he doesn't plan to leave. He's getting things lined up now to do away with term limits for the president. He and Chavez have the same idea. Think I'm nuts now. But watch what happens after next years elections..If Pelosi and her crowd can maintain control term limits will be on the agenda.
worthless attention troll
Not nearly as bad as Plant or Winnie, nortonclybourn.
Have you consulted a mental health professional about your paranoia or do we need for the FBI to fully investigate you before you pull a Hasan and we have another massacre.
Really, Linda!!! Your observations regarding Michelle Obama's "housewife" attitudes and actions while in the White House are entirely misconstrued!!! From where I sit, she has provided unbelievable commitment, passion, compassion and honesty towards this country....and, given that her husband is new to the Presidency, I also believe she has to obtain middle ground, for now. I would bet that in the future, you will see more of a liberal focus from her. If not, it doesn't matter. She appears to be very true to herself and her commitments!!! We are blessed with her commitment and presence in the White House.....
Comparing Michelle to Jackie was way off base, Jackie was all about class and that is something your born with and Michelle don't have it and can't fake it.
Sounds like a Seinfeld episode, TWBBug.
Well, it's pretty clear that you don't have any, TWBBug.
The bunny ears just might have been for the children for whom the event was intended. Get real! I think Michelle is just doing what my wife did and I respect - making absolutely sure that her offspring are well tended to. Ther will be lots of time later to lawyer or, as my wife did, nurse.
I knew someone would be low class enoungh to find some reason to criticize even the Halloween event at the WH. The narcissim involved in believing your opinion of how the first family spends Halloween is stunning.
This blog piece took two pages to remind Mrs. Obama that she was given a honeymoon period of adulation - just like her husband.
Her arrogance, etiquette faux pas, and ugly wide belts were forgiven in hopes that the Obama Presidency would bring at least some of the change that had been promised. We watched the cute, designer-laden, constant photo ops hoping
there was more to this administration than handsome, intelligent people dancing at the speed of light.
Nothing has happened to convince us that either Obama can get things done. We're still waiting and impatience sets in at a point. Sorry, Mrs. Obama, the belts are hideous.
Where do old crows go to die?
All you stubborn people out there who insist "nothing" has been done so far I say this.......read a little more from Andrew Sullivan and less from Limbaugh, Beck, Dobbs & the rest of the racist mouth pieces of the friggin' right wing.
There's only one thing less palatable than a racist....and that's more than one racist. Shame on you! This is 2009 and y'all are still stuck in pre-sixties ignorance.
The only thing less palatable than a racist....a person who paints people they disagree with as racists. As Greg Gutfied says, If you disagree with me, you're probably a racist.
Bull---- Michelle is a strong, bright and modern women .Get over it everyone. Have alittle class,
I just wish Michelle would become all she can become. At the moment, she is just like print on wallpaper. It covers the walls, but after the first two minutes we stop looking. A good spin off on Desperate Housewives would be the Desperate First Lady.
I guess the Dems have finally figured out, that even though women my graduate from university, they are really nothing more than mothers and wives. Just one question. As weak as Obama is, does Michelle have to pretend to be even weaker to be acceptable? Keep her quiet and in disfiguring heels.
And that is just a sexist rant, maybe all the long opinions you have are getting too much for you with all your two to three paragraph postings. I am going to avoid all of them for now on.
LOL - assumes facts not in evidence about a President who knows what real strength is and leaves the Bushian "smoke em out" mentality where it belongs - in the past and with the crybaby teabagger types.
Was your post really intended as a conservative parody, Square?
It's quite hilarious!
I think her husband's current job could be a barrier to pursuing a law career at the moment.
Put Michelle on Dancing With The Stars that might bring her poll numbers up.
But do you think Michelle Bachmann is really that desperate, Winnie?
What's your point? You never made it clear.
AlanD I'm talking Hip Hop.
her poll ratings are sliding??? oh my god! this means she won't run again for president! oh. wait.
what a moronic topic for an article. michelle obama is a president's wife and our first lady. she's not an elected official. i'm sure she's not losing much sleep over any "ratings."
My sentiments exactly. go to www.outfoxed.org and learn how the media is tainted, get the documentary and send it to everybody in the U.S.
Hurry.
I refuse to read an article on how we grade the First Lady. She was not elected to office. She is a "bonus". Michelle Obama should be praised for the wonderful mother and daughter she is, for how passionately she cares about the importance of education and nutrition in youngsters' lives and left alone. If Michelle speaks publicly, sure, let's weigh in on whether we agree with her or not on the issue, but we need to get beyond the "24-hour news filler" problem of printing cr*p for cr*p's sake.
The one point I would make is on the White House web site, it lists the names of the administration members and their position. It names the First Lady, Michele 0bama, and VP First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, as members of the administration. Don't you think that is a lie to name them as members of the administration. I mean get a grip on reality. Niether of them are members of the administration. They are volunteers at best. This is 0bama and his gangs arrogance and stupidty. What is wrong with truth and reality for a change?
Thanks..but that's a "bonus" I'll do without. She was outspoken during her party's primaries and the general election. She continues to remain highly visible. The idea that she "loves America" is ludicrous. She has used America and benefitted far more than others because she hit a politically guilty seam in this country that felt it necessary to make the ordinary seem special...
Just as an aside...if you didn't read the article then what credibility do your comments have???
The last time I checked, a woman who came from a lower middle-class background from Chicago, graduated magnu cum laude from Princeton and then magna cum laude from Harvard Law was pretty damn special. And what does "using" America mean? As Americans, America belongs to all of us and is us, so its not like America is something owned by others that Michelle Obama decided to "use." Everyone uses the opportunities America provides, and Mrs Obama did as well, and Mrs. Obama worked hard for her achievements. You don't graduate with the top 10% of your class, if you don't. I understand that many people think that America is some red, white and blue cartoon image owned by conservative white American, and judging by your foolish drivel, it appears that you're one of them.
I couldn't agree more with sippewissett. We mother's can have it both ways - meaning love our children and wear "stupid" Halloween ears and be Harvard-educated at the same time. It you, Ms. Hirshman who doesn't get that. Do I love Michelle, no. Do I think she is cool - definitely. I think she has got it right. How about President Obama's shoes, Ms. Hirschman, do you know how much they cost? I wonder? You article smacks of sexism in its highest form. I would say elitism, but I'm not a Republican!
And for Pete Sakes, you other bloggers - can you just that dimwit Sarah Palin out of one published conversation. If you are writing an article about clueless women - she's your girl, Ms. Hirshman
Are you referring to the president's shoes during the campaign with holes in the soles?
If Ms. Obama is sliding in the polls, it has to be George Bush's fault. I haven't figured out how yet, but it has to be.
Franjen: You're most probably right. It could have been something he purposely planted before he left that caused all that. I wouldn't put it past him. He was rotten to the core while there. No telling what booby traps he planted.. thanks for bringing it up.
uh, I was just joking.....
franjen, you are so right! laughing....
Michelle Obama is sliding into the political toilet because she has nothing special to offer.....except $540 tennis shoes. She has nothing original to say and no apparent special talents. Additionally she isn't exactly easy on the eyes either
Why doesn't abobinmn post his/her resume? Where did you get your graduate degree and why is your existance relevant? What have you contributed in society other than spewing hate over the internet?
Thank you.
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