1. Home
  2. News & Issues
  3. Women's Issues

Michelle Obama and the 2008 Presidential Race

Articles and commentary about the outspoken wife of Barack Obama

By Linda Lowen, About.com

She's been unfairly labeled "an angry black woman" by some and applauded as an icon of fashion and style on the campaign trail by others. Who is Michelle Obama, the self-professed 'working class girl' who has a very good shot to break ground as the nation's first African American First Lady?

1. Profile of Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama© Joshua Lott/Getty Images
A biography and profile of Michelle Obama, wife of presidential candidate and Illinois Senator Barack Obama, including family background, early childhood influences, education, and career.

2. Michelle's Speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention

© John Moore/Getty Images
Michelle Obama's speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention provided a chance for the outspoken candidate's wife to introduce herself to the public in her own words, and address controversies that have swirled around her over comments made in the past.

3. Observing Michelle - Scrutiny as Presidential Candidate's Wife

© Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
An independent career woman, Michelle Obama is known as being outspoken and candid. Yet with the rise of her husband's political career - and his candidacy as the 2008 Democratic presidential nominee - her words and actions are being scrutinized more than ever before. Early observations of the campaign - including Michelle's misunderstood statement about being 'proud of my country for the first time' - from February 2008.

4. Michelle on Personal Responsibility and Healthy Lifestyles

© Scott Olson/Getty Images
While her husband Barack has been speaking out on personal responsibility in the black community, Michelle has been doing something similar, addressing female audiences on the topics of healthy living, eating right and personal change. An exceprt from her speech to the National Congress of Black Women in early 2008.

5. Michelle on ABC's "The View" - Some Notes and Quotes

© Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
When asked to be a guest on ABC's "The View," Michelle Obama expressed that she'd rather be a guest host for a day. That day was June 18, 2008, and it gave her a chance to show viewers a more intimate and personal side.

6. Michelle's Sense of Style Comes from this Chicago Designer

© John Moore/Getty Images
Early on in the campaign, Michelle Obama's sense of fashion and style invited comparisons to the young Jackie Kennedy. Her secret? Chicago designer Maria Pinto, the woman who makes Michelle look good.

7. Obama "New Yorker" Cover - Michelle's Controversial Depiction

© Chris Hondros/Getty Images
When the "New Yorker" depicted Barack and Michelle Obama on its cover in a satirical cartoon, many felt the magazine had gone too far. But by putting Michelle on the cover with her husband the candidate, the magazine also acknowledged her as an equal in this campaign year, and not just the candidate's wife.

8. Michelle as Working Woman - Women & Families Blueprint

© Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Michelle gets personal in her discussion of her life as a working woman to promote her husband's Working Women & Families Blueprint.

Explore Women's Issues

About.com Special Features

What is a Recession?

Sure, we're all talking about it, but what, exactly, defines a recession? More >

Weird Breaking News

A daily look at some of the oddest (and dumbest) crimes around. More >

  1. Home
  2. News & Issues
  3. Women's Issues
  4. Influential Women
  5. Influential Women
  6. Michelle Obama and the 2008 Presidential Race>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.