Remember how last year Michelle Obama was perceived as an angry black woman who might hurt her husband's chances to be elected? boy have things
changed, and it's no accident. Michelle has and her staff have done an amazing job at transforming the way we see her. We have learned that she is
the new fashionista, her picture appearing in the fashion spreads and ladies magazines, but that's not all. An excellent article appeared in the
Sydney Herald on this subject.
Image Control Big for Michelle
Obama
She has given coveted interviews primarily to women's magazines and news outlets that have allowed her to highlight her domestic side: her focus
on motherhood and her efforts to settle her family in the White House; her interest in gardening and healthy living; her affinity for mixing
off-the-rack outfits with designer goods; and her efforts to open up the White House to ordinary Americans.
But she's interested in more than domestic issues.
Mrs Obama's aides meet regularly with the President's senior communications team and select public events that will maximise her message. She
sticks closely to her script, delivering brief, lively speeches that rarely stray from her prepared remarks and steer clear of controversy. She talks
about her support for volunteerism and military families, but seldom discusses race, her keen interest in influencing public policy or her place in
history as the first African-American first lady.
And her involvement goes beyond what we realize.
A Harvard-trained lawyer and former hospital vice-president, Mrs Obama is also a tough-minded professional who cares deeply about influencing
public policy and sometimes promotes legislation at her events. Her top aides, for example, are often immersed in policy discussions in the West Wing
that are not publicised by the White House.
By the time Barack Obama leaves office, Michelle will have under her belt all the experience Hillary claimed prepared her for the presidency. Michelle
has similar education and professional experience. She is obviously a master of project management. I can't help but wonder if she intends to
eventually run for president herself.
Why not? She has shaped her public image into an incredibly popular one around the world. She will have the requisite experience and the assistance of
an immensely popular president. With David Axelrod running the campaign she has someone who knows how to do it.
So what do you think: is Michelle Obama already preparing the way for her own run for the White House?
