Michelle Obama Watch

Posted by AJ Plaid The Cruel Secretary 

New York Times’ Patrick Healy says that, in comparison to Hillary Rodham Clinton, Laura Bush, and Cindy McCain,  “Michelle Obama has yet to signal exactly what sort of First Lady she might be.”

Ms. Obama and the Obama campaign are trying to strike a balance when it comes to her image: A woman who is happy at home with the kids, her top priority, but who also finds time to hit the road a couple of days a week on behalf of her husband.

But even as she signals that this is no “two for one” deal in the Clinton mold, Ms. Obama and her husband’s campaign are drawing some lessons from Mrs. Clinton’s experience as the target of intense partisan attacks and a symbol of broad societal debates about how women should juggle sometimes conflicting roles and expectations. While the two women have yet to chat about the rigors of being the spouse of a presidential nominee, Obama aides say, some of Mrs. Clinton’s experiences can serve as a guide — and counterpoint — for Ms. Obama.

Healy explains that the hiring of a PR staff for Michelle isn’t to “handle” her but to stave off “continuing attacks” from her misconstrued statements. 

To deal with this, Ms. Obama has a new chief of staff and a widening complement of aides — a broader staff support network than Mrs. Clinton enjoyed during her husband’s campaigns or Teresa Heinz Kerry had in 2004. The campaign is also being highly selective about media interviews with Ms. Obama, preferring shows such as ABC’s “The View” and outlets that will quote her at length (as opposed to newspaper snippets).

Ms. Obama often holds roundtables with working parents who are struggling to pay bills, and with military families to highlight the hard work of relatives on the home front.

However, Healy reports, the Obama camp insists Michelle is “the un-Hillary in some respects:”

She does not formulate policy behind the scenes on her husband’s campaign; she would not have a policy role in the White House; she would be mothering the kids far more than jet-setting as First Lady (Mrs. Clinton took more than 80 trips abroad during her husband’s two terms, several of which included their daughter Chelsea). And Ms. Obama has displayed no interest in running for office on her own someday.

Ms. Obama has also said she would be “taking some cues” from Mrs. Bush as First Lady.

Then comes Healy’s “….buuuuut:”

And yet: Ms. Obama will have a speaking role at the Democratic National Convention next month. She will be Mr. Obama’s top surrogate, in some ways, until he picks a running mate. And she plans to continue championing her husband’s policies — especially those affecting women, children, and military families.

Healy concludes the article with a quote from Lisa Caputo, who served at Ms. Clinton’s communication director while she was First Lady:  “There is no stereotype for First Lady anymore…[w]e’ve evolved as a country beyond one image.”

Is Caputo right?