WUNRN
The New York Times
January
20, 2009
USA - New First Lady - Michelle Obama
Jeffrey D. Nicholls/The Post-Tribune, via Associated Press
Michelle Obama has said she disliked politics, but over the course of a grueling, two-year campaign, the wife of the President-elect emerged as a political presence all her own. An Ivy League-educated lawyer and a mother of two, she has been a powerful advocate for and humanizer of Barack Obama, though she has not been immune from the pressures and criticisms of a national campaign.
She is a product of
Mrs. Obama was hesitant at first about
her husband's candidacy for the White House, fearing the impact on their
daughters. But after pressing advisers for a blueprint of an Obama victory, she
gave her approval after seeing a concrete plan — and after insisting Mr. Obama
quit smoking.
During the campaign, she spent much of her time on the trail, often away from her husband. Her nickname inside the campaign became "the closer" because she was skilled at persuading undecided voters to sign pledge cards. She was a passionate and commanding speaker out on the hustings who could connect with average voters and offer a background familiar to African-Americans, though she was sometimes criticized as condescending.
She has said that she sees the role of
first lady as a full-time job — but reserves the right to change her mind when
she gets there.
================================================================
To contact the list administrator, or to leave the list, send an email to: wunrn_listserve-request@lists.wunrn.com.
Thank you.