We don’t do policy on this blog, but we do cover the media’s coverage of First Lady Michelle Obama and there was PLENTY of coverage of First Lady Michelle Obama’s speech about legislation related to health care.
First, Matt Drudge, as is his frequent practice, made the First Lady’s appearance the top story on his site with the following title “STRAPPED FIRST LADY SAYS WOMEN SUFFER UNDER HEALTH SYSTEM.” Yes, he intentionally dabbled in the realm of the misplaced modifier or I’m giving him far too much credit.
Screen capture from Drudge Report re First Lady's healthcare speech.
Over at Red State, they’ve taken to referring to the First Lady as “Shelly” and accused the First Lady of playing “the gender card.” Michelle Obama: When The Race Card Stalls, Trump With Gender For The Win
Women appear, in Shelly’s mind, to be in especial need of a Government takeover of all that tedious business of attending to our family healthcare needs so the girls can catch a little break from the heavy labor of…wait for it…life and reality and personal responsibility.
But what about the non-women out there? Many men have assumed this role…do they NOT know the work of tending to the healthcare needs of their families, or are these things just not a burden to them because they’re “men” and therefore don’t know any better?
I know inarticulate, desperate blathering when I hear it. This, my friends, is the finest example I’ve come across in quite a while.Red State
So I take it he didn’t like the speech.
Glenn Reynolds’ response on instapundit was mild compared to the rest, he managed not to call the First Lady of the United States names:
SO IF, AS MICHELLE OBAMA SAYS, women are “crushed” under our health care system, then how come they live longer than men?
I haven’t heard any clips from talk radio, but I’m sure they are a lot worse than this sampling. You can expect more of the same in the next few weeks. The mainstream media has different take.
The Politico prepared this video montage which featured among other things CNN’s TJ Holmes saying “When all else fails bring out Michelle Obama.”
I have plenty to say about the lunacy of the outcome of a complex piece of legislation resting on the shoulders of the First Lady of the United States. If we’ve gotten to the point where she has to drag legislation across the finish line, then what do we need the politicians for? Make her the Speaker of the House of Senate Majority Leader if she has to do their jobs. Give her the title, the benefits, the staff and the salary.
In other words, IMHO, she shouldn’t have been placed in the position to have to do this in the first place. She’s not getting paid and ANY. DAY. NOW Nia Malika Henderson is going to be writing a story about how the First Lady is now a “liability” in the way of passing health care reform. You mark my words. This brings back echos of campaigns past. Sure, she’s willing to “take one for the team”, but “the team” has a pattern of hiding the First Lady in a closet as soon as the going gets rough. That is my prediction. I hope I’m wrong 
Posted by Gina.
12 Comments, Comment or Ping
Fi
Excuse me but I think she has placed herself in this position. Isn’t this just part of her plan to carve out “a more meaningful role” for herself? In which case one could argue that she knows exactly what she is doing. You can argue about the rights and wrongs of the decision, but she chose to do it. If she finds she can’t take the heat…
Somehow I get the impression she doesn’t let anyone tell her what to do so I don’t buy the idea of her being forced into speaking out about health care. Bet she couldn’t wait to get her hands on it. Good luck to her Your politicians seem to be making a less than impressive job of it so maybe she is just what is needed. Though personally as someone looking on from far away, your whole healthcare debate seems so entrenched that i doubt she will be any more successful than your politicians.
Sep 19th, 2009
A. Darton
The First Lady speech was right on yesterday. All certain people know how to do is attack people. They can’t go on the facts, they want to talk down to Mrs Obama. But I know she made alot of sense with her speech. She didn’t have to use terrible signs and calling people terrible names. She spoke to women about things women deal with everyday,specially poor and middle class women. Thank you Mrs Obama. Keep up the good work.
Sep 19th, 2009
RICARDO HUGO
HELLO, GOOD AFTERNOON, USA
I WATCHED THE VIDEO WITH DRA.MICHELLE OBAMA AND
I KNOW THAT SHE DOES EVERYTHING FOR THE PEOPLE IN
HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS AND IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
SHE IS HERSELF, AND @@now@@ PEOPLE WANTS DR.BARACK
OBAMA, BECAUSE THEY KNOW HE LL DO THE AGREEMNET
IN THE COUNTRIS IN WAR. STAY HERE, DR.OBAMA, USA NEEDS
YOU, DON T TAKE YOUR BEAUTIFUL ENERGY FOR THE OTHERS
THE LIGHIT IS YOURS.
THANKS FOR
RICARDO.
Sep 19th, 2009
A. Darton
The First Lady can handle the critics, due she wouldn’t have taken on the task. She knew it would come. But she will show the same class and dignity the President did with that lying Congressman Joe Wilson. That I believe. And she started off pretty good with the speech yesterday.
Sep 19th, 2009
gem2001
@Fi she had a role. Separate and apart from her husband and in her own way, she was making a case for health and wellness.
I don’t get the impression, and I could be wrong, that she was raring to head back out into the spotlight. She doesn’t give off a “I want the spotlight” vibe. Again, i could be wrong.
Sep 19th, 2009
gem2001
“Though personally as someone looking on from far away, your whole healthcare debate seems so entrenched that i doubt she will be any more successful than your politicians.”
That’s also my point. Why bring her in after you let the debate go so far off the rails that its mired in gridlock and utter stupidity. Plus I don’t think they are anywhere near a bill that will pass either house of congress.
Sep 19th, 2009
getfitnow
Well, her husband, in fact,has not put forth a proposal. He has been running around the country, not being POTUS, imho, but campaigning for 4 or 5 different proposals written in large part by lobbyists and congressional staffers.
I did not vote for him, but it doesn’t make me happy to see such a failure in leadership. He’s in over his head and it shows.
Dragging Michelle into this at this time looks desperate.
Sep 19th, 2009
A. Darton
My opinion it looks like the President is going to fight to the bitter end for the people who the Republicans don’t give a darn about. And if the First Lady is going to be such a failure then why does it seem you folks are shaking in your boots? Before her speech were even out of her mouth the critics were on the attack. I voted for the President and glad I did. The failure in leadership was 2001-2008. The mess which was lefted behind for President Obama to try to clean up.
Sep 19th, 2009
getfitnow
Re: health insurance reform–I haven’t heard one person of note on either side say we don’t need some kind of reform. But the dems won’t allow that discussion.
Don’t forget that the dems were in charge of congress the last two years of Bush’s admin. I didnt’ see them fighting him on much, ie, continuing to fund these wars, voting for TARP spending, and more. The president was there to help create some of the “mess.”
The faillure continues.
Sep 20th, 2009
recorta
To be honest, I agree with FI. M.O. certainly doesn’t seem like a woman to be pushed into or out of the spotlight; she’s never shied away from making controversial, headline-grabbing statements, after all. She’s just another unelected government advisor, essentially, and one who seems quite happy to step up to the mike.
Sep 20th, 2009
Dee
Picking up on a comment made by FI, as another observer looking on from afar, many have wrestled with the whole healthcare debate, and it was never going to be an easy one to handle.
Here’s to matters progressing as smoothly as possible, given how difficult it’s proven to make headway on the issue. It’s a big ‘un and a tough ‘un!
Sep 20th, 2009
Aminah Hanan
I hope that the First Lady is not seen as a liability if health care reforms dies. I genuinely want to see some type of reform and a plan that is similiar to other industrialized countries that all have health care, except the US. The thing that kills me in this debate is that people talk out of both sides of their necks. One minute the US is the best country in the world with the best educational and healtcare systems. Then the same people turn around and ask do you really want government run healthcare. Geez which one is it? Either we’re great or we’re stupid.
I’m pleased that the First Lady is throwing her hat in the ring for health care and I am even happier that she is taking the message to women.
We have a lot of political power that we don’t use and it’s time that we realize just how valuable our voices are and what new dimensions we can bring to these political debates that ultimately influence policy.
Sep 21st, 2009