First Lady runs defense on "change" at DNC

First Lady Michelle Obama, like many other presidents’ wives, has retained her popularity even as her husband’s has declined. That was evident on Tuesday evening as she strode to the podium to address loyal Democrats at the party’s convention in Charlotte.

Mrs. Obama drew an outpouring of applause from start to finish, peppered with the president’s supporters chanting, “Four more years.”

Just as GOP nominee Gov. Mitt Romney’s wife Ann based her speech at the Republican convention in Tampa on a personal theme, Mrs. Obama talked a great deal about her personal life.

The First Lady repeated her oft-told story of her father who worked for the city despite having Multiple Sclerosis. She said he worked even when he was sick. Mrs. Obama also mentioned President Barack Obama’s grandmother—a “secretary” for a bank. His grandmother became a vice-president at the bank and I had the impression she held that position while he still lived with his grandparents and attended an elite private school in Hawaii.

Mrs. Obama said, “Being president doesn’t’ change who you are, it reveals who you are.” She said her husband hasn’t changed since they were young—“so young, so in love and so in debt.”

By the end of the speech, the crowd was roaring and Mrs. Obama was exhibiting a definite flair for theatrics, much like her husband. She was at ease, in command of her moment and telling the base everything they wanted to hear.

One statement she made is at odds with the president's policies and statements.

Mrs. Obama said, "[F]or Barack, there is no such thing as 'us' and 'them' — he doesn't care whether you're a Democrat, a Republican, or none of the above."

Like many First Ladies before her, Mrs. Obama did her job. She will likely receive far better treatment from conservative media, even those who disagree with Democrats’ big government philosophy, than Republican First Ladies have received from media and the entertainment world.

Even one minor entertainer associated with Nickelodeon and is reportedly doing the voice of a turtle on an upcoming cartoon said vile things about one Republican candidates’ wife after the Tampa Convention. Twitter lit up with juvenile sexual slurs. Mrs. Romney has faced similar insults.

In an attempt to deflect criticism of his economic record, Mrs. Obama told the crowd, “Change is hard and change is slow…it never happens all at once.”

By the end of her speech, Mrs. Obama hadn't mentioned her efforts regarding obesity and American youth.

(Commentary by Kay B. Day/Sept. 5, 2012)

Comments

[Terence]

Dancing on the stage, playing to the crowd, giving them what they want and not saying what will turn those in the audience against you. Performers do it all the time. Both Barack and Michele play the game so very well. My questions still are unanswered about who Barack Obama really is and where he came from and how he got where he is. Questions that perhaps will never be answered and we will have to continue reading through the lines. What has been answered is that he and she will do whatever it takes to remain on the throne.

[Kay B. Day/Ed.]

Terence, thanks for weighing in. The convention so far is a pretty stark reminder of what today's Democrats stand for.