All Rise for the First Lady!
Since the first day of our Political Communication class, we have been discussing the popular topic of women in politics—especially those running for office. However, we did not talk much about the important role of The First Lady. Come January, Michelle Obama will become America’s next First Lady accompanying President-elect Barack Obama and their two daughters in the White House. Many have opinions on the certain credentials and requirements a First Lady should hold. The communication of the First Lady with the citizens is just as important as the communication with the President and the citizens. Michelle Obama, the first African American First Lady will put a fresh perspective on the expected.
“How the Obamas entertain, how they decorate, where their children will attend school -- ultimately all first family choices and activities add to an aggregate public impression. Historians now study first ladies as keenly as their husbands” (Merida). The First Lady should be familiar with current issues, how to handle the media, attend important political events, and have an active role in promoting their husband during the campaign. I admire Michelle’s intentions of balancing work and family, becoming a role-model for others, and volunteer when she can. The First Lady is not only the hostess of the White House, but they have a duty of involvement with the public.
Michelle is also not afraid to step up to thousands of people for spontaneous speeches. And even when Michelle is not speaking, she stands right behind Barack inches away from the podium to show her love and support. One can’t help marrying a timid wife, but I think having a first lady that is aggressive, confident, patriotic, and classy all at the same time is beneficial. Michelle is definitely outspoken and assertive, but many have criticized her for her lack of patriotism towards the United Sates of America. A few months ago, she made this comment:"For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country." She managed the negative press properly, but I think next time, she should really think before she talks.
People are always talking about the First Lady’s style and clothing. Not too long ago, Michelle Obama wore a simple and elegant dress on the popular talk show, The View. What really wowed the audience was that the dress came from a chic clothing store White House Black Market costing $148. Michelle showed that she is just like other American women: styling with a budget. After the whole Sarah Palin clothing out roar, this appearance on television made Michelle look good.
Michelle has big shoes to fill. As many view: Barbara Bush has been the typical and traditional First Lady living in the White House. Even though Michelle has been compared to Jacqueline Kennedy, she will bring “change” to the First Lady position by sticking to the traditional roles and become an active “do-it-all” First Lady all at the same time. “So yet another evolution awaits Michelle Obama: lawyer, wife, mother, politician -- and now, first decorator” (Merida). With her lawyer experiences, I wouldn’t want to argue with Michelle on what color goes and stays.
“How the Obamas entertain, how they decorate, where their children will attend school -- ultimately all first family choices and activities add to an aggregate public impression. Historians now study first ladies as keenly as their husbands” (Merida). The First Lady should be familiar with current issues, how to handle the media, attend important political events, and have an active role in promoting their husband during the campaign. I admire Michelle’s intentions of balancing work and family, becoming a role-model for others, and volunteer when she can. The First Lady is not only the hostess of the White House, but they have a duty of involvement with the public.
Michelle is also not afraid to step up to thousands of people for spontaneous speeches. And even when Michelle is not speaking, she stands right behind Barack inches away from the podium to show her love and support. One can’t help marrying a timid wife, but I think having a first lady that is aggressive, confident, patriotic, and classy all at the same time is beneficial. Michelle is definitely outspoken and assertive, but many have criticized her for her lack of patriotism towards the United Sates of America. A few months ago, she made this comment:"For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country." She managed the negative press properly, but I think next time, she should really think before she talks.
People are always talking about the First Lady’s style and clothing. Not too long ago, Michelle Obama wore a simple and elegant dress on the popular talk show, The View. What really wowed the audience was that the dress came from a chic clothing store White House Black Market costing $148. Michelle showed that she is just like other American women: styling with a budget. After the whole Sarah Palin clothing out roar, this appearance on television made Michelle look good.
Michelle has big shoes to fill. As many view: Barbara Bush has been the typical and traditional First Lady living in the White House. Even though Michelle has been compared to Jacqueline Kennedy, she will bring “change” to the First Lady position by sticking to the traditional roles and become an active “do-it-all” First Lady all at the same time. “So yet another evolution awaits Michelle Obama: lawyer, wife, mother, politician -- and now, first decorator” (Merida). With her lawyer experiences, I wouldn’t want to argue with Michelle on what color goes and stays.
posted by CAlbany | 12:31 PM
6 Comments:
I think the first lady is one of the most underrated leaders in politics. People need to realize that these women are the confidants of the men they are married to, and when their husband is the president, he will talk to his wife about the most personal aspects of the presidency. He may tell her things that he would never share with others, such as his fears and worries. Michelle Obama will give her husband advice on issues concerning the presidency, making her an important factor in the outcome of our country.
Michelle Obama's role as first lady is very important for our country. It is very important that she is able to communicate effectively and efficiently with the people of the United States. Let's just hope that she will continue to remain proud of our country and not switch back to her prior feelings of it because she is going to be the image of America that nations around the world and people within our own country see and hear.
I have noticed how Michelle Obama handles the media with such grace and a certain calmness that seems to come natural. I think she is as great of a public speaker as her husband is. Not many political people handle the guest appearance on the Jon Stewart Show, but she rocked it and felt personable. She cracked jokes with Stewart and made the audience laugh.
We have had so many diverse First Lady's from the politically motivated Hillary Clinon to the more docile Laura Bush. I have a feeling Michelle will be more like Hillary and be in the spotlight, but I do not think she has the political agenda Hillary had. She certainly has shown already she is not the docile and quiet women Mrs. Bush has been.
In the research I did for my comp I came across an article by Denise Bostdorff that described the role of a vice president as a "traditionally feminine" role. This role is characterized by support and servility and but I think it will be interesting to see Michelle's take on it. Often in interviews Michelle has stolen the spot light so to speak when being interviewed with Barrack showing that he isn't the only one wearing the pants! Not to mention Michelle is older than Barrack and even served as his mentor in their younger years. If this position is characterized by feminine servility/passivity it will be interesting to see if Michelle transforms this role, what legacy she will leave, and how the public will respond. It is clear that Michelle could not only accomplish great things as a woman but also for women but I think she needs to keep the gaffes under control and if she is too dominant (although I hate to admit it!) she may not be well received by the public.
I think it is important to see a sense of humility in the first lady. As an American citizen, I would like to see someone who is loyal to her husband and his beliefs, but also someone who is willing to speak for themselves and not hide behind her husband during his time in office. I think that Michelle Obama will do an excellent job of being the first lady while her husband is President. I think that she will aid him in making reform and will do projects of her own in order to better our country as a whole.
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