Does Michelle O need to keep a lower profile?

[Anonymous]

I have been wondering about this. She is getting a lot of press, which could soon turn negative. She sort of reminds me of Sarah Ferguson, who came out with good intentions and a good heart. At first she was a darling royal, then in no time everyone was sick of her (that negative press started happening even before the adulterous affair). I sometimes think that if people are not well known and keep a very low profile, there is more caution on the part of the media. I always admired Jackie O because she was reserved.

[Anonymous]

I see your point but Michelle Obama is an experienced professional who has been married to a public figure for a number of years whereas Sarah Ferguson was a young woman suddenly thrown into the limelight. I expect she can handle this better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been wondering about this. She is getting a lot of press, which could soon turn negative. She sort of reminds me of Sarah Ferguson, who came out with good intentions and a good heart. At first she was a darling royal, then in no time everyone was sick of her (that negative press started happening even before the adulterous affair). I sometimes think that if people are not well known and keep a very low profile, there is more caution on the part of the media. I always admired Jackie O because she was reserved.

I prefer Michelle because she's NOT reserved. I love that she's out there - IN DC - and has an agenda of her own. And a positive one at that! She's smart, educated, professional and her own person. Who are YOU to tell her to stay home, shut up and smile for the cameras when beckoned? Some of us are strong and have a mind of our owns and want to use it in the world.

[Anonymous]

And the covers of Vogue and People really shout out "I want to use my mind"?

[Anonymous]

She rubs me the wrong way so I hope she stays in the background--still look at her as the lady who went to the racist church for god knows how many years on top of the numerous stupid things she has said when her handlers did not reign her in.

[Anonymous]

Has Michelle stated her "cause" yet?

Laura B. had reading, Nancy R. headed the say no to drugs, and I forgot what Barbara's and Hillary's issue were.

[jsteele]

Hillary's was healthcare. Michelle has said she wants to work with military families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She rubs me the wrong way so I hope she stays in the background--still look at her as the lady who went to the racist church for god knows how many years on top of the numerous stupid things she has said when her handlers did not reign her in.

This is ignorant. I'm sure you have made mistakes that your not proud of. I bet there are skeletons that you wish noone knew about. She is a public figure. I find it disturbing that people want her to keep a low profile. She is a role model for many people and she needs to be out there.

[Anonymous]

No she does not. Do you?

[Anonymous]

No - this type of media attention is totally normal at the beginning of any new administration. It'll die down in due course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No - this type of media attention is totally normal at the beginning of any new administration. It'll die down in due course.

Yep, the novelty of a new-X, Y, Z usually wears off fairly quickly.

[zumbamama]

I read that every first lady since has been featured in a high-fashion magazine.

[Anonymous]

zumbamama wrote:I read that every first lady since has been featured in a high-fashion magazine.

Michelle is only the second First Lady to grace the cover of Vogue, however. Hillary was the first.

Jeff is right that HRC's initial signature issue was healthcare. More broadly she focused on issues of concern to women and families. I'll never forget her speaking up in China, saying women's rights and human rights are one and the same.

I don't know why Michelle wants to focus on military families but I hope she does something else. I'd really love to see her raise the profile of Teach for America and other organizations trying to narrow the achievement gap. Urban education seems like a great fit for her, and she could bring a lot of attention to it.

[Anonymous]

hmm what is wrong with focusing on military families--do you mean that because it's a bit uncomfortable in that her husband wanted to cut off funding to the troops?

[Anonymous]

I vote for MORE Michelle, not less. I applaud smart, educated and talented women, and I think she is all of the above. I can't wait to see what she does with the opportunity.