It can’t be easy being the wife of the President. Likely she found life as a mother of two young girls and wife of a politician challenging enough. But, like so many other First Ladies before her, Michelle Obama has been expected to take on her own roll as in Washington. However, up until now she’s preferred to stay mostly on the sidelines, focusing her time on a few very innocuous issues like healthy living and veterans affairs. But, with the Democrats in the middle of a very difficult election year and her husband’s approval rating taking a nose dive, it seems she may take on a more visible role on the campaign trail.
There’s no question she is much different than the two previous presidential wives. Hillary Clinton, now Secretary of State, was very obviously priming herself for a bigger role in politics even while first lady. She was edgy and outspoken and seemed almost confined in her position as Bill’s wife. It’s been no surprise to see her back in Washington.
Laura Bush, though more poised and muted than Clinton, also put herself in the spotlight, more so as a sidekick to her husband George, but nonetheless a part of the Republican machine. Certainly she too had many personal endeavours as first lady that defined her time in the White House.
Critics however, have yet to see Michelle Obama front and centre. She has preferred to shy away from overtly political missions, sticking to just a few agendas that would not get anyone flustered. But it’s expected that before long, she too will emerge and define what kind of first lady she’s going to be.
Some of this absence seems intentional, and in fact very savvy. She’s preferred to focus on motherhood and being a support to her husband rather than seize the opportunity for her own soapbox. Nonetheless, it’s kept her a neutral and likeable figure among Democrats…likely one of the few people in politics today that isn’t polarizing.
She’s also been careful to stay bipartisan. That is a feat to be admired especially considering who her husband is. She’s made sure to involve Republicans and Democrats equally in all of her endeavours, particularly her ‘Let’s Move’ campaign focused on exercise and healthy meal programs for kids. Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster remarked, “Her favorability is the highest of anybody we’ve got on the Democratic side right now. The risk is that she becomes controversial and polarizing, which she is not right now.”
This is why she may finally answer the call to hit the campaign trail. After taking her time planning how to address her new role, and having hired some advisors, she’s picking her moments wisely. Susan Sher, her chief of staff comments, “She’s aware that it’s too easy, for whatever the crisis of the moment, to throw her at it. She said: ‘I don’t want this to be a one-off. Give me the whole plan and tell me where you think I can most effectively fit in.’ ”
For the widely liked Michelle Obama, this could be her moment to shine. However, if she’s not careful she could suffer the same fate as her husband who has felt the wrath of election-time issues that have divided the nation. Though, it seems her thoughtful pace and attention to public perception has paid off and may continue to do so. Yet, it seems anyone’s guess what outcome her foray into the spotlight will produce. However, there’s no question we’ll be seeing more of her very soon.
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