by Christi Parsons
Michelle Obama joined White House chefs Sunday afternoon for a public preview of the state dinner that night, praising the kitchen's huckleberry pie and confessing that, yes, she might even do the traditional duty of coming up with her own china.
"I think that's part of the job,'' she said, sliding in a joke about the White House kitchen's challenge in getting her daughters to eat anything green.
. It was only the latest in Obama's early public appearances, many of which are making the new first lady look a lot like the new "first mom. '' She flopped down on the floor to read books to children at a local school. The White House let it be known she personally scheduled games for her kids' parties. Every afternoon, when her daughters got home from school, she is there to meet them.
Is that who Michelle Obama will turn out to be as First Lady? Is her goal to become a symbol of the traditional wife and mother? Given her high-powered background -- Harvard-trained lawyer, senior executive in one of the country's major medical care centers -- many Washington veterans and some of her closest associates think the answer is no.
Eventually, Michelle-watchers say, she will seek a larger role, one that offers more direct involvement in major issues and policies.
Not right away, though. At the start, she's playing it cautious -- mindful of the missteps that have ensnared some of her predecessors.
"She is looking and learning, and isn't going to make the same mistakes because she's aware of what the mistakes were," said Letitia Baldridge, the author who formerly served as social secretary to Jacqueline Kennedy when she was First Lady.
"She doesn't have to burst forth like a night-blooming flower at midnight..... And she's going to end up having enormous influence because of it."
(Photo of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arriving at first State dinner Sunday by Mike Thieler - pool/Getty Images.)
Historically, the role of First Lady has been largely what the individuals chose to make it. Barbara Bush, wife of President George H. W. Bush, was something close to First Grandmother, doting on the families of her grown children and famously telling women at Wellesley College that careers were evanescent but they would never regret hours spent with their families.
Jacqueline Kennedy was a primary source of the style and elegance that made many Americans see John F. Kennedy's brief presidency as Camelot.
Yet if First Ladies can largely write their own job descriptions, some choices have worked out better than others.
During the 1992 presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton scorned the traditional candidate's wifely image of baking cookies and hosting tea parties. Then, as first lady, she barreled straight into the role of "co-president" and directed a major push for heath care reform that turned into a political disaster for herhusband in his first term.
Rosalyn Carter, on the other hand, was considered one of President Jimmy Carter's most trusted confidants, but seldom let that side of her role show. In public, she focused on promoting education and mental health care, much the way Laura Bush established herself in the public eye as First Librarian.
Now it's Michelle Obama's turn.
Her staff does not explicitly acknowledge that they see Hillary Clinton's influence of Clinton, who, a decade and a half after the health care debacle, has obviously recovered professionally. After nearly winning the Democratic nomination for president, she just left the U.S. Senate to become secretary of state.
Still, as they contemplate the first lady's political and policy role, she and her staff are very obviously doing so from the safety of the well-trodden path.
"You have this undefined role of first lady," said Jackie Norris, a campaign aide who now serves as Obama's chief of staff. "She wants to think about how to be the hostess, but are there other things she can do to help the dialogue?"
It's not just that Michelle Obama has the Hillary Clinton example to learn from. She's from a generation of working women who have often insisted on having careers and fulfilling lives at home, too.
That is implicit in the "work-life balance" message Michelle Obama espouses so often.
"No question about it, Michelle Obama will launch something significant," said Carl Sferrazza Anthony, a historian at the National First Ladies Library and author of several books on presidential spouses."
In fact, he said, Michelle Obama may be in a position to do exactly what Hillary Clinton couldn't -- sell the idea of health care reform. After all, if her husband doesn't bring it about during his tenure, many supporters will perceive it as a major failure to deliver on a promise.
Few people know the issue better. Before the campaign shifted into high gear, Obama was an executive at the urban hospital network of the University of Chicago.
"She has a very practical, hands-on understanding of the reality of the health care crisis," said Anthony. "She could be a very powerful spokesperson for health care reform."
Obama has the power to speak for the administration, said Arne Duncan, the former Chicago public schools chief who now serves as education secretary. "She expresses the values and priorities, and how this administration is going to treat people," said Duncan. "There's a tremendous amount that can be learned about this administration from moments like that."
Comments
The challenge should be hers to get her daughters to eat anything green or at least tell the kitchen staff how she did it prior to them entering the White House. What does her mother do in the White House? She should be contributing instead of living up to the stereotype with public housing.
Posted by: Daveed | February 23, 2009 8:42 AM
Daveed -- Come ON! "Living up to the stereotype with public housing?"
Mrs. Obama is far from any kind of stereotype -- no matter what you are trying to say.
She is a transformative person who puts her family first.
Posted by: Ray Johnson | February 23, 2009 9:03 AM
I think that Michelle Obama is doing the right thing to help her daughters make the transition to a new home and school by offering some stability in their lives right now. With Hilary Clinton in the forefront of this administration we don't need a repeat of her arrogance and bullying, and I think Mrs. Obama is too much of a lady to act like Mme. Clinton anyway. If Mrs. Obama gets involved now it could dilute her husband's actions as he tries to get the country back on track after the debacle of the last eight years.
And Daveed, if Mrs. Obama's not doing the cooking, then she has to rely upon the persons who are to help her in getting nutritious meals prepared for her children. If they would let her do the cooking, it could be different.
Posted by: MLH860 | February 23, 2009 9:07 AM
"She should be contributing instead of living up to the stereotype with public housing."
Right, Daveed. She's in the kitchen cooking up the greens; maybe starching Barack's shirts.
Posted by: Flo | February 23, 2009 9:24 AM
I'm sure Michelle was just making idle chatter. Clearly, this is an extremely well educated woman who knows how to care for her children and herself. As for Ms. Robinson, she's there to provide continuity for her grandchildren. You may have heard it takes a village to raise a child...I could go for a little public housing right now myself.
Posted by: Carla in Charlotte | February 23, 2009 9:40 AM
While I suppose there are some similarities between Ms. Obama and Ms. Clinton, Ivy league educated attorneys and all that, Michelle has never sought the public light and so it would not make sense for her to make a public splash now. My guess is that the things that she is working on now (education, poverty issues, and veteran issues) will be the things that she continues to care about. Imagine an increasing spiraling out to impact the things she can, not with loud clanging cymbals, but with actions -- actions most of us could replicate at some level by the way. The greatest work the First Lady could do for this country right now is to BE a symbol of how we can all reach out in a positive way.
Posted by: JustSteve | February 23, 2009 9:43 AM
Ray Johnson, sorry, that was not clear. I was referring to the First Lady's mother who is an occupant in the White House.
MLH860, I don't think "they" are stopping her from cooking. I am sure she would be allowed to cook if she wanted. My comment was referring to the First Lady's comment regarding the supposed challenge to eat. At the very least, the First Lady can tell the kitchen staff how her daughters ate green food prior to them entering public housing. The challenge is on her and Barack to get their kids to eat.
Posted by: Daveed | February 23, 2009 9:48 AM
Her focus is right on target: her children.
The American public did not elect her to office.
Both Obamas are setting an example of a loving intact black family who are involved with their children lives.
The media for so many years has portrayed blacks in a poor light. Their focus should have been on intact middle class black families instead of black morally challenged entertainers.
Finally, educated blacks are being profiled and can set an example for their race.
It has been the media that has prolonged the race stereotypes.
Michelle needs to adjust to her role and in a few years step out.
As far as her helping out in the healthcare issue, don't think that would be a good idea. Her salary increased when Barack helped get a grant for the hospital where Michelle worked.
Nasty stuff in Illinois, turn the state over.
Posted by: Roody | February 23, 2009 9:54 AM
Let Michelle do the cooking? This was the family that had a PRIVATE CHEF in Chicago -- a fact that would have definitely worked against the "man of the people" kind of schtick he was selling (and way too many people bought).
Hey, my comment is on that dress. It looks terrible on her! Just awful.
Posted by: Beth | February 23, 2009 10:13 AM
OUR LADY MICHELLE LOOKED EXCELLENT SEXY AS HELL AND I AM A STRAIGHT WOMAN. MRS.OBAMA LOOKS THE WAY SHE ALWAYS DOES CLASSY SHE IS JUST AMAZING AND HER HUSBAND LOVES HER IN ANY THING THAT IS ALL THAT MATTER ALL THE HATERS WILL ALWAYS HATE WHAT EVER THE FIRST FAMILY DOES . HE WON GET OVER IT . THEY ARE THERE FOR 4 YEARS AND I AM SO PROUD OF THE WHOLE FAMILY.
Posted by: SANDRA STOVALL | February 23, 2009 10:36 AM
So, Daveed, how do you know what Michelle's mother is doing?
As for any stereotype about public housing, I do believe Michelle's mother owns her own home in Chicago and why should she pay to stay in the white house when no other relatives of Presidents have done so? Just a little judgmental aren't you?
Posted by: Missy | February 23, 2009 10:37 AM
Beautiful couple, beautiful dress. No matter what I think of the president's politics, you gotta love this dress.
Don't always be negative.
When you see something good, aknowledge it.
Posted by: Charlotte | February 23, 2009 10:37 AM
What is more important job is there than rasing our children?
Posted by: David Doneske | February 23, 2009 10:52 AM
The dress is fine. The necklace is tooooo much, take it back a little.
Michelle just misses the mark on her fashion sense.
Give her a little more time and guidance.
She is patently uneducated when it comes to how she photographs and "appears" on camera.
And that is what goes out to the public.
Great arms!
Posted by: Nedra | February 23, 2009 11:25 AM
Michelle is a good mother who is watching out for her children first. Her mother is there to provide child care and stability when the President and First Lady can't be home. It's not like she's on the public dole. She's the mother of the First Lady! Michelle looks beautiful in that dress, simply stunning!
Posted by: Nancy | February 23, 2009 11:26 AM
Wow Beth, there seems to be some player hating going on. Michelle Obama looks great in the dress. And she is doing the right thing by making sure that her kids are settling in okay.
Posted by: Tee | February 23, 2009 11:26 AM
Beth....you are exactly what is wrong with the country, with every part of your post. The Obama's worked hard to get where they are, and if they want a chef....so what. The pugs usually have one or two anyways.
Michelle looked great in that dress. Your b!tchy comments would be typical of someone in high school, and you continue to give women a bad name. Keep up the great posts though......your a real good mascot for the good christian pug woman.
Posted by: Xcellentform | February 23, 2009 11:41 AM
My comment was referring to the First Lady's comment regarding the supposed challenge to eat.
Posted by: Daveed | February 23, 2009 9:48 AM
Supposed? You're either a true partisan or childless. There ain't no supposed to getting kids to eat vegetables.
Posted by: bill r. | February 23, 2009 11:50 AM
Michelle is about as "typical" as OJ Simpson with her Ivy League education, (former) $380K/year salary, domestic servants, half-white husband, etc.
Posted by: Obama Fan | February 23, 2009 11:51 AM
Daveed, by "public housing", do you mean the White House? Because it certainly sounds as if you're implying that the Obamas used to live in the projects, which they never have.
Posted by: mh | February 23, 2009 12:01 PM
Daveed, your "public housing" reference is racist & completely cowardly.
You wouldn't have said the same thing about Bush.
Keep in mind, most Americans accept public assistance in the form of "tax incentives." You get public assistance when you write off anything on your taxes.
Posted by: urbaneddie | February 23, 2009 12:10 PM
The White House is the exact same "public housing" that George and Laura Bush lived in for eight years? The exact same house that many, many presidential family members have lived in over nearly 200 years?
Is this the new racist Republican meme, that Mrs. Robinson is now somehow living off the generosity of the American people undeservedly?
Marilyn Robinson owns her own home on the south side of Chicago where she pays property taxes. She is long past retirement age. She has her own income from pensions, investments and social security. She raised two children who both graduated from Chicago high schools, Princeton Univeristy, have graduate degrees and are happily married.
That a racist slur mentioning "public housing" should be dragged through a comments thread because she is a welcome guest in the White House is beyond shame. Sir, have you no shame?
I would suggest to Michelle Obama that the Lucky Platter salad was our greatest success with our children: salad greens, feta cheese, green apples, raisins and walnuts. And also grated Parmesan cheese on broccoli. No matter how hard we try, our children are not yet happy with spinach and kale. We still eat it, though.
Posted by: nonpartisan | February 23, 2009 12:15 PM
Who cares? The only thing I know about her is that she sat on a board being paid ALOT of money at U of C hospital and now that they are making cuts, they are not going to replace her, but save the money. Did she do anthing for or with this job? No. Read some books to patients,probably not unless it was a photo shoot. I have no respect for the woman other than raising her kids with 2 parents. Perhaps this can be a good role model for her race. I'm providing a good role model for my children by being proud of who we are and that is Americans.
Posted by: Jo | February 23, 2009 12:17 PM
Perhaps this can be a good role model for her race.
Posted by: Jo | February 23, 2009 12:17 PM
I knew if I could read enough of your silly rant....I would come to the "issue". What race were you reffering to? Human? You are a wonderfull example of "your" race...whatever the hell that one is.
Posted by: bill r. | February 23, 2009 12:39 PM
If Mrs. Obama conducts herself with the same dignity and depth of knowledge as Laura Bush, she will be a success. Roles not to emulate: Mrs. Clinton thinking she was co-president and Mrs. Carter who sat in on Cabinet meetings.
Posted by: Darella | February 23, 2009 1:14 PM
I admit to not being able to stand Michelle Obama (for many reasons, which I won't go into here, but chief among them would be her incredible sense of entitlement).
I cannot be alone in thinking that that dress was not for her. And she's a beautiful woman! I just thought it made her look ... hippy. As in too big in the.
Some of her choices look great on her, and some miss by a mile. This one missed. But that's my opinion only. Hmmm -- and not shared by a lot of people, apparently.
As for the private chef -- please. Do you honestly think they would have come across as understanding what common folks go through (and that was part of their schtick) if it had been common knowledge they had their own chef? Not likely.
Posted by: Beth | February 23, 2009 1:28 PM
Michelle is way to big to wear glitter all the way down her body, it makes her look huge. The fat is showing under her arms, she should never wear strapless, way way to much necklace.
She is too big to try and wear outfilts that are not meant for her figure.
Her ear rings and hair look good.
Posted by: KC | February 23, 2009 1:53 PM
Beth, keep posting.....you still don't make any sense. She has the same hips in any dress she wears. She is a beautiful woman. When are women going to quite being so critical of each other? You seam like a hen chicken in a chicken coop with your pecky little comments that were completely off topic here.
As for your thought that because O had a chef he can not relate to average people....is well....off again. Relating to people is a mindset, not a physical thing. I'm sure mcsame could relate with his 8 houses and household assets/ incomes that he did not even disclose durring the election. Obama did not grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth, unlike schrub, schrub, and mcsame. Your arguements make no sense and really come off like a snotty bitter woman....to put it lightly. You need to put less emphasis on how a woman looks and more on what she does. I would not care if her hips were twice as big as the picture indicates....but apparently you certainly would.
Posted by: Xcellentform | February 23, 2009 2:12 PM
I was truly touched by the grace and eloquence you exhibited during the presidential campaign. God has blessed your family and I say a special prayer for your family every morning. I pray a prayer of protection for you, President Barack, Malia and Shasha and your mother. That God would help guide President Barack in all his actions, that his deeds will not only help this country, but the world. The world will be a better place during Barack’s watch.
Michelle, as I know you already know, Giving to others brings great joy, it’s contagious and makes your life golden. Something as simple as giving shoes, can be bigger and better than all the material trappings of the world. The International Student Association of Alabama State University . I take great pride in working at an HBCU which also has the added benefit of being located Montgomery, Alabama in the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement. My organization (ISA) has started an outreach campaign to collect mostly shoes for children in a school in Haiti. We are calling it “Soles For Haiti” and we have issued challenges to schools, churches and friends to help by spreading the word that we are collecting gently used shoes, bikes, medical supplies, dry rice/beans, and school supplies to fill a 40 ft shipping container by June. To the churches we tell them to encourage their members to “Bring a Sole To Church Today” (LOL)!!! Anyone who is interested in helping can visit the website at http://www.hiphaiti.com or email me at djones@alasu.edu. Thanks Michelle for being you and keep on doing all the great things that you do thanks to the grace of God.
A Fan from Alabama, Debra Jones 334/229-4713
Posted by: Debra Jones | February 23, 2009 2:14 PM
Wow Beth. You have a real hang up with that "chef" thing. You need counselling; get over it! What "sense of entitlement?" She went to school, got an education, got good jobs and is raising 2 kids. What's your problem? Why do you constantly whine?
Posted by: Flo | February 23, 2009 2:47 PM
Excellent photo!!! Can you feel the love he has for her.The dress is fantastic, work your curves!
Please stop trying to telegraph Mrs. Obama's every move. One poster accurately responded to the "public housing issue", thank you.
When our First Lady decides how she intends to make her mark to assist her husband with this administration, she will let us know!
Posted by: Barbara | February 23, 2009 3:01 PM
Beth, get real! I have not seen you on the cover of Vogue
Posted by: Tyrone Cannon | February 23, 2009 3:14 PM
There will always be those that won't be pleased with anything Michell Obama says or does. Just ignore them and maybe they'll go away. As for comparing Michelle Obama to OJ, that's really low and shows that the commenter shouldn't be taken seriously.
Michelle is the First Lady people. Learn to live with it.
Posted by: Missy | February 23, 2009 3:18 PM
I don't care what Michelle does or doesn't do as First Lady, I'm proud that America now has the most beautiful First Lady in the world.
Posted by: tony | February 23, 2009 4:16 PM
Some of these comments are just stupid. There's no other word for it. If Obama wins a second term, his older daughter will just be finishing high school, I believe. My sense is that Michelle Obama has her main focus is less on selling health care reform or even the military family support that she has discussed in interviews and more on keeping her kids relatively normal after Amy Carter's experience. Since they were in UChicago Lab Schools, there is little doubt that public school in DC was out of the question. The times are much darker and weirder than they were in 1977 when Crter took office, which would have meant a serious Secret Service presence and all kinds of paparazzi blocks at a school that is public property and a public institution. Still, you can sense that these are pretty normal kids. As for how she looks. Jeeeez! How stupid can that debate be? This is a 40+ mother of two who still has a waist and hips. Her clothes hang on her very well from where I stand. And as for her mother, I say good! It makes the parents' job a whole lot easier knowing that their children are in loving hands if either is required to be away at a moment's notice. These are strange and trying times, indeed. But people need to maybe lighten up a little bit, you think?
Posted by: Aaron | February 23, 2009 4:35 PM
See how misinformation becomes the truth? Just as some morons keep repating that Mr. Obama is a Muslim (not that there is anything wrong with that at all), some dipstick is claiming Mrs. Obama was just some board member at the Uof C hospital system. She was a senior executive in the system and respected among health care professional in and outside of Illinois, dummy.
Posted by: Aaron | February 23, 2009 4:39 PM
Tony, I agree 100%. At her age and after giving birth to two children, the woman is HOT! Physically she is okay (there are prettier women), but there is a good kind of self-satisfaction that surrounds her--a husband who is clearly mad about her, two cute and seemingly normal adolescents, and a mother/grandmother who can bask in the warm knowledge that she and Michelle's father did good work as parents themselves.
Posted by: Aaron | February 23, 2009 4:47 PM
Michelle Obama is stunning in that dress. Seeing them on the red carpet reminded me of all the glamorous couples at the Academy Awards, and Michelle is right up there with the best of them. She's definitely a knockout.
I like that Michelle wears obviously costume jewelry instead of "the real thing". She's a role model in so many ways, including how to dress well without spending a fortune.
As for the comments about the size of her hips - those remind me of the recent Jessica Simpson detractors. Michelle is a woman and has a woman's figure - not that of a Swedish nineteen-year-old. Since when is one body type superior to all others, anyway?Michelle's healthy, she works out - and imo she looks great. Catty comments are so...whatever.
Posted by: Tom J | February 23, 2009 5:01 PM
I guess I wonder if she isn't already doing something significant. She is illustrating that smart career-oriented women can also be good mothers and wives. It is difficult to make choices between one's own egocentric career and that of being a strong and good mother. Perhaps Obama will demonstrate how to keep family first while helping the country.
Posted by: Julie Oberweis | February 23, 2009 5:16 PM
Oh my goodness gracious me...
The angry coalition of PUMA's and Palin apologists are out in full force letting their inner and outer racists roam rampant in the comfortable anonymity of the internet as usual...
They post over and over again on any site that will let them - they are notorious for invading any comment board discussing the Obama's ...
Beth, Jo, Daveed...give it up already! You guys are surely going to lose your minds before all this is over;
The presidency is a 4 year gig...at least! And it's just 30 days in...
Break out the restraints and make reservations at your closest psychiatric facility, because you're sure going to need both at this rate!
Posted by: Cindy | February 24, 2009 5:13 AM
"Living up to the stereotype with public housing?" What kind of crap is this? Some people just don't know what to say! Ms. Robinson didn't live in public housing before she went to the White House and she isn't living in public housing now.
Posted by: Sheila Hightower-Allen | February 24, 2009 3:42 PM
I don't even know where to start. From the dumb "public housing" comment from an obvious ignorant person or the personal attacks on the First Lady. Having a grandparent be a help with your children is something every family should be lucky enough to have. Too many families with two working parents have to rely on subpar daycare services.
As for the First Lady's look...I agree. She is a 45 year old woman with two children who has more stress and worries than any of us could imagine. She is not ultra thin, but she is a beautiful woman who is obviously secure in herself and her looks.
Posted by: Space Signs | February 24, 2009 7:40 PM