Politics | 11/10/2008 8:15 am

What Kind of First Lady Will Michelle Obama Be?

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

Is Michelle Obama the next Jackie O.? What about Laura Bush? Or even Hillary Clinton?

The world is wondering – what kind of First Lady will Obama be? Especially with two young kids.

But Barack Obama has portrayed his wife as one of his top advisers, although it’s not clear how much of a policy role she will have. The Associated Press reports that aides say Michelle Obama publicly isn’t even interested in that.

"Having a seat at …. the table and being co-president is not something she’s interested in doing,” said Valerie Jarrett, a longtime family friend who is helping lead the president-elect transition team.

She prefers — at least for now — to focus on easing the transition for Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, into their new life. Not since 1977, when nine-year-old Amy Carter moved in, will there be such young children in the White House.

"My first job in all honesty is going to continue to be mom-in-chief," Michelle Obama told Ebony magazine, "making sure that in this transition, which will be even more of a transition for the girls … that they are settled and that they know they will continue to be the center of our universe."

Michelle Obama will visit the White House Monday to meet with First Lady Laura Bush and have tea.

As First Lady, moves she makes will be scrutinized by a public intent on judging everything from the issues she champions to the clothes she wears. People from all walks of her life say she always makes an impression.

"There’s really no other First Lady that you can compare her to in terms of her background," Bonnie Angelo, author of First Families, told the Chicago Tribune. "More than anything else, she will blaze her own trail."

The Tribune also reports that the president-elect and his wife spent three hours at Spiaggia restaurant on Saturday night, their first dinner out together since his election win.

The four-star destination seems to be among their favorite spots for special occasions. That’s where they spent their anniversary on October 3 and Michelle Obama’s birthday earlier this year.

19 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

In one word….BUSY!

By Josie Sullivan on 11/10/2008 8:22 am

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Morning Josie! I agree—BUSY!! But I don’t want to speculate on what kind of First Lady she will be, but I do hope she inspires moms and dads to be responsible, caring parents. If our children are going to succeed, the parents have to take an interest in their child’s education and do more to support their local schools and teachers. Unfortunately, too many schools have turned into baby-sitting services.

By Brooklyn Gal on 11/10/2008 8:39 am

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Josie — Excuse this interruption, please. But I’ve been eager to tell you that I visited your website and was so impressed by all your wonderful work—your art as well as all the ways your share it and your talents. Applause. Peace — R.

By rocky rocky on 11/10/2008 6:58 pm

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Rocky- That means a lot to me! Thank you so much! I needed to hear that today!

By Josie Sullivan on 11/12/2008 1:10 pm

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I think this is the main reason for such pressure to be put on First Ladies. The fact that others feel the need to compare them to former First Ladies. Each of them brings their own agendas to the White House, their contributions to those issues that are strongly important to them on a personal and professional level. Who or whatever type of person they were beforehand is more than likely who they will be upon leaving the White house, only enhanced.

By HA BIBI on 11/10/2008 8:39 am

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Somehow I thought of her as a Jackie Kennedy but now I think she’ll be more like a Princess Di. Don’t ask me why, it’s just how I see her. No matter what, I think she will be a awesome first lady. She will be a great example for all moms with young children

By Joan Brown on 11/10/2008 8:42 am

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In before all the women on here who proclaim anyone who doesn’t like Sarah Palin as someone who “set women back” this election cycle commence with the Michelle Obama bashing.

By Sarah N. on 11/10/2008 8:45 am

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Huh? Didn’t quite understand what you’re trying to say.

By Nanny hasSeven on 11/10/2008 9:22 am

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I feel like she will be a great First Lady. She is perhaps a mix of many who came before her. She has said she appreciates Laura Bush’s laid back, non confrontational style. She has said Hillary has also given her some very good advice. Her style and what she wears will be followed like it was back in the days of Camelot and her girls are her first priority. I wonder how many First Ladies she has heard from and what their advice has been. I think that from what I have heard Michelle say she has really enjoyed spending time with the military families and talking about their needs and doing round tables with them and I feel like with everything going on in the military and the conditions of the VA Hospitals and all the vets trying to rehab, with the injuries they have sustained and the homelessness that has been reported, mental issues etc this might be a real great platform for her. it should be fairly non controversial because whether or not we as citizens supported this war and whether we are Repubs or Dems none of us want to see these families and soldiers forgotten and mistreated like many of them were after Vietnam.

By g c on 11/10/2008 8:55 am

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I think Michelle Obama will prove to be an outstanding First Lady. She has the grace and carriage of a Jackie Kennedy, but I also see that Princess Di quality, where she will invest herself in programs that will help education, poverty, disease, etc. She told Larry King in one of her interviews that becoming first lady will give her enormous opportunities to make a difference in people’s lives (paraphrasing there). Let us not forget that she, too, is a highly educated attorney in her own right. I see big things ahead for First Lady Obama, and I’m very excited for both she and the President-elect.

By Nanny hasSeven on 11/10/2008 9:31 am

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Gracefully present in the midst of every concern involving American children and families - that’s what I see coming from Michelle Obama. For every young family in America, so many of whom voted for Obama, I think this whole family will serve as a powerful model of decency and warmth.

By Ms. Dee on 11/10/2008 11:22 am

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Here is a great Chicago Tribune piece on Michelle Obama: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-michelle_obama_first_ladyno… “An Ivy League-educated lawyer and a descendant of slaves, Michelle Obama has a background unlike any other first lady. In addition to being the first black presidential spouse, Michelle Obama will rank among the youngest, the most educated and the most accomplished.”

By DeBúrca obj on 11/10/2008 11:29 am

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Thanks for the link … and the great quote! … What a wonderful image to have this young, educated and warm family in the White House … but also: what a job ahead for them … they’ll need all the respect, support and good wishes we can send their way!

By Ulla on 11/10/2008 12:41 pm

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I wish the Obama’s the best in making decisions for their family. I truly hope the media will keep their distance from the 2 girls and let them live as normal of a life as possible. I mean if they go to public school they will already be outcasts b/c of the secret service that has to trail their every move…I know some say they want the Obama’s to put their kids in public school but I just dont see how that will go…I for one won’t be able to afford private school for my child but that doesnt mean I feel the Obama’s should put their daughters in public school bieng who they are…Kids can be mean regardless if they are the “first” children or not… I feel that Michelle Obama will make the best decisions for her family.

By C Hardy on 11/10/2008 11:36 am

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Despite our short acquaintence with Michelle Obama, I think we have a real sense of a very strong-minded woman who will definitely chart her own course as First Lady. She’s said that she’s interested in focusing on military families, seeing that they receive the support they need. As a highly educated professional, formerly in an executive role, she has transferable skills that will give her an edge in choosing her direction during the next four/eight years. I’m excited about Michelle Obama’s upcoming role - I see her as a very modern woman with an Eleanor Roosevelt mentality.

By Maurine H on 11/10/2008 11:36 am