Observing Michelle Obama
I've enjoyed seeing her speak unguardedly and passionately about her husband, feeling as if she'd be able to take the many challenges of his campaign in stride.
She's always seemed to be the confident pilot of her own destiny, able to navigate by the instrumentation of her intelligence. Even in the darkest moments of her self-acknowledged 'working class' childhood, she has persevered and believed she could fly straight on until morning without mishap.
But she's a woman married to a man running for President, and now she's being scrutinized like a specimen on a laboratory slide under a microscope.
I am worried for Michelle Robinson Obama. She's clearly bright, a Harvard Law school graduate who has worked in both the private and public sector. She's not one to draw attention to herself, but she's known to be candid and outspoken. And that's where the honeymoon ended - with her comment about being proud of this country. It's the kind of pride that goeth before a fall. And it's only the beginning.
The further we move into this campaign, the greater the magnification of everything she does and says, and the more biting the analysis of who she is and who she may be as First Lady. It's draining to live under the microscope, and the lights are more focused and more revealing for a woman caught there and pinned down by her own words. (Hillary Clinton could tell her something about that if she would listen.)
Gone are the wide open skies, a wrenching sacrifice for a woman accustomed to plotting the course of her own destiny. Now she follows in the wake of her husband's determination and drive. Confined to the stage of presidential politics - an environment akin to the small platform on a microscope where the specimen is mounted for examination - for the next eight months she'll be under constant scrutiny. Could any of us survive that?
If we return to the original flight analogy, she's had to relinquish the cockpit for the passenger section. How painful it must be for her to take her seat, buckle her belt tightly, place her hands in her lap, close her eyes and trust her husband's handlers, campaign managers and staffers to fly the plane.
She's lost all control at a time when maintaining control must feel as necessary and as automatic to her as breathing. What's ahead is the ride of her life. And she won't know if the landing will be smooth and easy, bumpy but manageable, or a crash and burn scenario that ends a nation's dreams of change and hope.
Photo of Michelle Obama © Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Related article: Profile of Michelle Obama
Comments
Confined to the stage of presidential politics – an environment akin to the small platform on a microscope where the specimen is mounted for examination – for the next eight months she’ll be under constant scrutiny. Could any of us survive that?
Um, probably not many people. But Hillary could, and did. And now is a woman “plotting the course of her own destiny.”
I think we’re looking at a tough lady who learns quickly. She’ll navigate this new challenge with grace. Michelle Obama will be a fine First Lady. She has already said she will be the kind of First Lady we’ll need at this time.
I believe she knew she’d be attacked at some point. Here it is and we’ll see her handle it with openness, wit and intelligence.
I personally think Michelle will be fine.She didn’t get where she is today by being an unfocused person.Her plate is full and has been for some time now.Coming up through a society that told her what she can’t do and what she should do and have managed to do it in such a way that she is a role-model. I suspect that she will surprise a lot of people.She knows when to hold them and when to fold them. Don’t let her out spokeness fool you. Theres no doubt in my mind that people will underestimate her as some are and did her husband Barack.My formula is EVERYTHING IS ELEMENTARY, IT ONLY SEEMS HARD BECAUSE WE’VE NEVER DONE IT BEFORE!So I imagine the thought is very hard for some to swallow.
Unfortunately, I feel that she has doomed her husband’s campaign, in light of her comment about pride in the USA and her husband’s non-native roots. Everything that she and Barack says that is not 100% supportive of America will now be suspect. This may be unfair, but it is reality
Dear Mrs Obama
I am so proud of you and your family. You are a beautiful beacon of light and hope for young girls and women. I know your road is not an easy one. My entire family prays for you and your family. God Bless you .