Sorry for the duplication, but I posted this under Liz Smith in error. My unsolicited advice would be: Be true to yourself, but stay focused on the goal. Your loftiest public aspirations, your words - no matter how brilliant, your passion and energy, will never be recognized as clearly as when coming from you in the White House. And love that man with all you’ve got.

I’m a little late in posting on this subject. Due to the fact that I won’t be voting for her husband — I really have nothing to say to her! When reading through all the posts — I was surprised and offended by the remark from Frank. I am a conservative Independent — I really don’t believe I want to get into the sewer with someone who thinks I belong under a pot hole cover.

I would say to Sister Michelle, don’t change a thing. Be who God made you to be. You are radiant!! However, be careful. Disingenuous people will politely tell you to clam up or that it’s not about you. It IS about you. It’s also about them. Consider their opinions graciously, but never allow them to define you. They wouldn’t stand for being controlled that way themselves. It’s politics; it’s a game. You must think empathically so that you are free to be in peace with others and still maintain your personal integrity.

Develop a thick skin because the media do not like strong intelligent women. You’ll be in my prayers and I’ll be in your corner.

Mary’s right about Michelle and Barack Obama. I loved her description of their marriage: “They have a dancing marriage that has spirit.” Yummmm!e. My contribution to the comments of then — and Now ! A poem. Pretty Pastel Ladies Pretty pastel ladies in a blood red world, Pose a passive promise in their peach and pink and pearls. Pretty pastel ladies wear rubber band smiles, and ask, curtsied nods from friends. Promenading graceful delicacy to tell they merely dabble in their Will, Only luring courtly gentlemen to picnics on a hill. Taking cover in hues-of-armour; Absolution in coats of forget-me-nots, they use, fragrant whiffs and frippery as vanishing cream to say, I’m not, I’m not, I’m not. Why should we wear our virtuoso like virgin virtuosity? Hide sharp edges in patient, handmade French seams? When rather, we would wear ourselves, walk hand-in-hand with you, Weaving history, drinking sunsets To accomplish an eloquent fuse. But, Pretty pastel ladies in a blood red world, Must parlay misty statements of peach and pink and pearls Into sustenance and conjuring gossamer mysteries that hint, Of girl, of girl, of girl. C, Jenny Houston Tiburon, California Spring, 1979

Be more of a lady. To me she seems more like one of the guys and not feminine at all. More pastel colors too might help but most of all-remember that you are a female and we expect our first ladies to be just that-a lady in every aspect of the term. Be a bit old fashioned in your mannerisms. It’s expected by many of us. I suppose alot of people like her the way she is but I just don’t care for her “style”. I want to see her support her man by being subtle in public.

Michelle Obama The best advice I can give to Michelle would be to study the prevous First Ladies such as A. Adams, J. Kennedy, R. Carter and L. Bush. Combined they were the whole package. If all else fails, be yourself which to date is simply wonderful.

She needs to convince us that her thesis which is a rant on helping Blacks first and foremost all the time, be explained and is not going to be a major issue for her as she claimed in Princeton. Her position as a Black Power Liberationsist is NOT what we want in a first lady no matter how much Mary Wells and others find her “glorious”. She’s smart, but she’s made remarks about how “mean” she has found society. Girlfriend, it’s been mean to plenty of white people, too.I hate being lectured to, as we all do, and am sick of her telling us “Obama is the most brilliant person alive”. Her appearance will be [and already has] been improved. Groomed Jackie flip,and there will be more to come to make her attractive and acceptable. By this I mean nothing to do with color. She looked great on The View. Obamatons have already called her, “Jackie witha tan”, which I find objectionable. She is not like Jackie Kennedy whom I had the pleasure of knowing and speaking with on many occassions. For openers Jackie was not an idealogue. She was interested in her children, and when it came to clothes,decor,history,languages,sports [riding], and politics, she was one of the most charming,erudite people imaginable and crushingly chic. Jackie was an aristrocrat and political wife, who nevertheless made a tremendous impact on foreign leaders as “America’s Queen”. She emphasized really fine cultural events at the White House and epitomized elegance in appearance, decor, and dinner events. Her intellect was staggering but she kept it under wraps. Jackie Kennedy had exquisite manners and was always gracious. She gave our country a patina of beauty and greatness that had international reach and became a role model for excellence for american women. Yet Eleanor Roosevelt who cared nothing about clothes,appearance,etc. was a most effective frst lady because she dared to do the impossible and created change outside of the White House in a complex and diffificult marriage,and was ahead of FDR on many issues. She was an outstanding First Lady,but she too was white and an aristrocrat. So Michelle has to let us know what kind of First Lady she intends to be and what she wnats to accomplish. For everyone, not just African Americans. Michelle can be an inspiring woman or just a make -over. Which will it be? Michelle needs to be her own woman, and must assure many that her mean spirited remarks on Today Show about Hillary are explained and elaborated, as lots were offended by her dismissive remarks to Deborah Roberts on Today. Michelle needs to talk about her children and what she will do as projects that include EVERYONE. She liked the Black and White mix on the View, but where are Asians,Muslims.Indians,Latino, and other female minorities that are not featured on this show or few others. Michelle, it’s just not Black and White.And we know that she will be less strident, as she has been told to back off as she’s not running for Pres., and she can frighten with the Black Liberation talk. So, after the makeover, talk must be around her Black Liberation views, her “this is a mean country”, the Hillary dissing, and be gentler about her views which we will hear. She’ll benefit by this if she handles it all head on. Oscar De La renta will do the rest.

I agree with Joan and Julia——get over yourself Michelle. This isn’t about you; keep your opinions to yourself and try, just try to promote your husband.

I am in total agreement with Liz Smith. Michelle Obama definitely should not give any kind of a political opinion, leave that up to her husband and politicians. Whatever she would say, the media would find fault and take it to a lower level. Let her be the lady that she is - be conscious and knowledgeable in the arts, abusal of children, animals, women and senior citizens. Jackie Kennedy Onassis - to me was the best first lady ever… S.Sloan Long Beach, California