A First Lady Who Demands Substance

The Washington Post ^ | June 25, 2009 | Lois Romano

[Neverforget01]

For weeks, Michelle Obama had been telling her staff and closest confidantes that she wasn't having the impact she wanted. She is a woman of substance, with a background in law, public policy and management, who found herself relegated to role model in chief. The West Wing of the White House -- the fulcrum of power and policy -- had not fully integrated her into its agenda. She wanted more.

snip

Her new chief of staff, Susan Sher, 61, is a close friend and former boss who the first lady thinks will be more forceful about getting her and her team on the West Wing's radar screen. The first thing Sher said she told senior adviser David Axelrod, whom she has known for years: When I call, "you need to get back to me right away."

snip

Although Obama's job-approval ratings have soared, the first lady -- a Harvard-educated lawyer -- wasn't satisfied with coasting. She is hiring a full-time speechwriter and has instructed her staff to think "strategically" so that every event has a purpose and a message. She doesn't want to simply go to events and hug struggling military families, she said; she wants to show progress.

snip

Every morning, Rogers and Sher attend White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel's 8:15 staff meeting. Johnston, a newcomer to Obama's circle but a White House veteran, and Katie McCormick Lelyveld, the first lady's press secretary, sit in on White House press secretary Robert Gibbs's daily message meeting. As part of the president's domestic policy team,

snip

They're all focused on raising the stakes. "It isn't just about hugging," Sher said. "Whatever she talks about will bring press and interest, but it's important that she's not just talking [but] actually moving forward on those issues."

[Mount Athos]

that’s the french leader’s wife.
I think they’re at normandy commemorating the sacrifice there in WWII

[Curious George1978]

“what kind of substance is she demanding?”
***************

Not so much substance... as power and adulation. She wants some of that bowing at her feet and tingly feeling going up MSM legs when Queen Michelle grants them an audience.

[Conservative4Ever]

We didn’t elect you, Missy.

[RexBeach]

So, do you reckon that, by now, Mrs. Obama is no longer not proud of her country? Now that Mr. Obama is the chief magistrate of the republic?

Now, when he leaves office, does this mean that she will revert to not being proud of her nation...again?

The press simply loves Mrs. Obama. I suspect much of it is guilt, and the longing to be close to the seat of power.

Let’s hear for sophistry!

“Potomac Fever” can be an awful affliction.

[paulycy]

[Neverforget01]

what substance is she demanding?

From the article:

"Her desire is to step out more and have deliverables," said communications chief Camille Johnston. "It's about things that are coming up that we want to be a part of: child nutrition reauthorization act, prevention and wellness for health-care reform."

In the past couple of weeks, Obama has been more vocal about the specifics of the president's health plan, and she will play a substantive role in promoting it. She will soon announce the creation of an advisory board to help military families. And she will be the face of the administration's United We Serve, a summer-long national service program, which she launched on Monday. Even her social events have a message: She let congressional families know that before the annual White House barbecue today, the 500 guests are expected to show up at Fort McNair to stuff camp backpacks with goodies for the children of military personnel.

[OldMissileer]

She is a woman of substance, with a background in law, public policy and management...

A degree given, not earned due to her skin color. Fake "public policy" credentials, and the only management she has done is that she has managed to marry a "man" and ride his coat tails. Sort of like Hillary.

[tioga]

that reminds me hillary had the gosh awful hairband......while michelle has the beastly belt....LMAO! ....yep, they are both fashion icons.

[Old Grumpy]

Sounds like we’re going to have another “co-presidency” on our hands.

[TC Rider]

She was also planning to take off the month of August.

Whaaaa? Wasn't Bush lambasted for taking long vacations?

[Coyote Choir]

This is a great development - best news I have read all day — Michelle Obama could clearly become a major loose cannon rolling around on the deck of the Democrat ship. Who knows what she will say or do and even what kind of mayhem she will cause behind the scenes in the White House on a daily basis? Republicans and conservatives should stand back and wait to unwrap the presents, as far as this matter is concerned. I just don’t think this particular person will allow herself to be managed or disciplined or restrained (by herself or others) for any extended period of time during this administration, and she has three and a half years to get out there and alienate voters while making everyone on Obama’s staff miserable and less effective in pursuing any agenda over time. You could suspect those early over-the-top fan pieces in the media were perhaps the result of an attempt to sort of drug her into accepting a particular get-along sort of role. It didn’t work. So turn that ego loose and get the cameras rolling!

[swheats]

Is it the camera or does she always seem to over power him? He appears like a weakling when they’re appearing ‘presidential’.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Hussein’s wife is not my cup of tea. But if she must get involved, she needs to do First Lady stuff like promote reading, etc. Otherwise, clam up.

[devolve]

.

Barack Hussein Obmama Junior’s alleged basketball prowess is a media myth

Obama played 2nd string Varsity in HS and played very little

In Germany the televised alleged 1st “swish” shot was actually only after Obama took 6 warmup practice shots than he missed

Governor Sarah Palin actually played 1st string Varsity and scored the winning shot to win the Alaskan State HS Championship

The very fact that nobody Obama went to college or law school with remembers him and Obama cannot name one student he recalls during that period leads to a new Twilight Zone episode

Obama is a PR and media creation and his complete refusal to produce any records or information that can be verified is ample evidence that he has a shadowy background and little substance or experience

Obama’s “Presidential” problem is most obvious in his 180° reversal of his campaign promises re: “no lobbyists.....” - “95% of Americans will get a taxcut.....” - “Transparency.....” - etc. etc. etc.

What honest quote best describes Obama? :

“Maybe a little blow.....”

[OldEagle]

" What was it that Patton said about “shovelin’ sh*t in Mississippi” during the war?"

As a Mississippi resident, I need to point out that Georgie referred to Louisiana.

[potlatch]

[“Maybe a little blow.....”]

And - maybe a ‘little’ blow-ing up of Michelle into a balloon, lol.

[devolve]

.

Michelle as a balloon-bubble?

Have to look at Michelle cutouts

[donaldo]

How about a reality show with Flava Flav?

[Robert A Cook PE]

True, true.

8<)

[potlatch]

[Michelle as a balloon-bubble?
Have to look at Michelle cutouts]

Tricky, tricky! You already made her huge in your graphic, all to be done is cut her out, lol.