By Christi Parsons
Michelle Obama has hit the news pages a few times this summer, but mostly she's been flying under the radar doing grassroots events all over the country -- with a major chunk of her schedule devoted to courting women voters for her husband's presidential campaign.
The summer campaign schedule is over for the wife of Sen. Barack Obama, as she takes a two-week break to get the couple's daughters back in the swing at school and to square away some business at her job.
But after that, the campaign is planning to send its most prominent spokeswoman back out on the trail, slowly ratcheting up her schedule over the fall.
In addition to being a popular speaker at fundraisers and town hall meetings, Michelle Obama is a key component of building something they call "Women for Obama."
She was the headliner at the spring national kickoff of the organization, where 1,200 women attended and raised almost $1 million. Since then, she has spoken at WFO house parties and worked to promote the hundreds of WFO groups forming around the country.
Campaign officials who have been out on the trail with the candidate's wife say she "resonates" with the women they're trying to court.
“Michelle Obama has been an incredible asset for the Obama for America campaign, in terms of reaching women voters," said Betsy Myers, chief operating officer for the campaign. "She's keenly aware of the challenges women face in their daily lives, and she speaks to the realities women face with a rare authenticity."
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Comments
What a contrast to the arrogant "I don't bake cookies " demeanor of Hillary/Bill.
Posted by: GW | August 30, 2007 8:55 AM
She needs a break. The pictures of her are very unflattering. She makes Condolizza Rice look like a supermodel withthat mug of hers.
Posted by: Vinny | August 30, 2007 1:52 PM
Vinny...I see no photos. What are you looking at?
Posted by: lochnessmonster | August 30, 2007 4:55 PM
I am glad to see Michelle get a chance to catch her breath before the big push.
However, I wonder if Michelle knows she has attracted the notice of the msm. Not in the shallow and gossipy way of last week.
But, many journalists are very intrigued by her. She is like this breath of fresh air that has breezed in. Not too sharp edged and splintering like HIllary was nor too much the 50s style wife like many republican wives are like Laura Bush.
She is a likable and charismatic figure herself.
And an accomplished, brilliant woman who makes people want to go to lunch with her and swap stories.
glamorous and yet down to earth and very much one of us, she is such a role model for many women including myself.
Posted by: vwcat | August 31, 2007 12:48 AM
Looking at Obama's polling since she hit the news pages, I'd expect Mrs. Obama to go stealth again. He's dropped into the low 20's, while Hillary's at about twice his numbers, since the "run your own house" diatribe gained notoriety. The Clintons must be delighted with her campaigning!
Posted by: Keith | August 31, 2007 11:44 PM