They didn’t call Michelle Obama "the closer" for nothing on the campaign trail.

While her husband was running for president, Michelle Obama was so effective in convincing people to vote for Barack Obama, she earned the nickname fair and square. Now that her family’s in the White House, the First’s Lady’s now using those powers of persuasion for another purpose: to urge the passage of her husband’s controversial economic stimulus package.

While President Obama himself takes to the airwaves and has sent surrogates to the Hill to convince Congress to act fast, Politico says the First Lady isn’t wasting any time, and has used her tours of federal agencies to urge lawmakers to pass the plan now.

"This investment will allow us to put people to work, weatherizing at least two million low-income homes, which will also save working families on average $350 per year in heating costs," she said Wednesday during a visit to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, where she received a resounding reception. "It’s important to remember that these investments will expand the availability of affordable housing by 15,000 units — and that is not insignificant — which, coupled with other homeless programs here at HUD will play an important role in preventing an increase in homelessness during these tough economic times."

Mrs. Obama has also been hosting White House events, touting the Lilly Ledbetter equal-pay legislation, and reading at local schools. No rest for the weary in the Obama White House! "I thought that she would be getting the kids comfortable in school and two or three weeks out, or in a month, after she had talked with all of her staff, there would be a big rollout for her project," First Ladies expert Myra Gutin told Politico. "It’s going to turn out to be an interesting first 100 days for her, as well."

Meanwhile, the First Ladies alma mater, Princeton University, has added her picture to the wall of the prestigious Tap Room in the Nassau Inn – where only the college’s most famous grads are honored. She’s only the second woman to grace the wall, behind Brooke Shields.

"Michelle Obama is a model of sharp intelligence, professional accomplishment, impeccable style, engaged citizenship and commitment to family who has inspired millions of people all over the world," said Valerie Smith, chair of African American studies and the Woodrow Wilson Professor of Literature. "We are proud that a woman of her achievements is the product of sociology and African American studies at Princeton."