Posted on 05/11/2009 7:12:34 PM PDT by STARWISE
POLITICO recently ran a story about the moments that shaped first lady Michelle Obama’s image. I like seeing so much attention paid to a first lady, and I think Americans enjoy knowing what she is working on and how she is spending her time in the White House. The coverage is helpful for all of us to develop an impression about the first lady. And surely there has been no shortage of coverage.
I know firsthand what it takes to manage the diverse portfolio of this unique position, which in fact has no official description. The job is what the occupant makes of it, and a first lady can be very effective when she chooses to focus on projects in which she has genuine interest and experience. She is freed from the demands and constant flow of incoming problems that hit the president’s desk, and she can choose how to spend her time and deploy her influence.
Nevertheless, her efforts, when coordinated wisely with the president’s staff, are helpful to the overall goals of the administration. As the most prominent nonelected official in our government, she has an instant platform and access to whatever she needs to do her “job.”
Each first lady makes her mark, and Obama follows a long line of activist first ladies who have come before her and advocated for things they care about.
My hat is off to Obama — and to her staff, too. I know how hard they have to work to make sure a project is well-developed and researched. There are many moving parts when executing a successful event that is worthy of the first lady’s attention and has a positive and lasting impact. With this work also comes the responsibility to follow up and consistently manage projects such that they amount to more than a photo-op. Although the first lady gives the direction and makes the final decisions on what she wants to do, it’s her hardworking and creative staff that has to pull it all together.
In the end, if the media don’t report it or write about it, then much of this hard work will have been lost for so many that could have benefited from the first lady’s efforts. It also means that people worldwide have missed the chance to better understand what makes the first lady tick.
Perhaps if the press gave half as much attention to Laura Bush’s work, the POLITICO article would not have used phrases like, “Americans see [Mrs.] Obama as strong, elegant and confident — different from [Mrs.] Bush, who was seen as conservative and quiet.”
In all fairness, I don’t think it was “quiet” when, in 2001, Bush became the first first lady to deliver a presidential radio address, speaking out forcefully about the Taliban’s brutal treatment and oppression of Afghan women. She had a worldwide audience, and to this day, Afghan women know that in Laura Bush they have a steady and committed champion.
I also don’t think it was “quiet” when in May 2008 she became the first first lady to stand at the podium in the White House press briefing room and deliver a strong statement against the repressive military regime in Myanmar. She told the regime it was time to get out of the way after the world saw it inexplicably deny aid to the Myanmar people in the aftermath of the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis.
It also wasn’t “quiet” when Bush spoke out in defense of Obama when the then-presidential candidate’s wife said, “For the first time, I am proud of my country.” A feeding frenzy followed in our nation, and it was Bush who knocked it down. Her support came at a time in the campaign when people were first forming their impressions of the Obamas and were easily susceptible to inaccurate representations. Laura Bush took the responsible route and defended Obama and her unfortunate choice of words, and in so doing, she lowered the heat.
I would suggest then that in researching its story about the moments that defined Michelle Obama, POLITICO missed a big one. That moment was perhaps the greatest moment of vulnerability for the campaign. And that honorable and courageous move by Laura Bush had a significant role in shaping the image of the first lady to be.
Obama later wrote Bush a note of thanks. She also talked on “The View” about how much it meant to her to have Bush speak out in her defense. I think Obama understood the impact of that moment on her image better than the press does.
~~~
Anita McBride served in the administrations of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush and was chief of staff to first lady Laura Bush from 2005 to 2009.
OMG FRiend — this place hasn’t been the same without your wonderful graphics.
Thank you Star...missed being here
Excuse me Moe, but I'd rather have Bush in power any day of the week, then this socialist, extortionist, liar, cheat and communist KING OBAMA. You can say all you want about Bush, but one thing you have to admit, he kept us safe through his 2 terms, because the "MODERATE" Taliban were scared of him. He did not have an "Appeasment" policy as Clinton and now NOBAMA...
This whole thing with the oil and the prices all started when Congress became Pelosi empowered...Look at the stats, you'll see this is 100% correct. Grrrrrrr if anything we should all appreciate Bush's terms because now we are being bombarded by a bunch of socialism and WORLD GOVERNMENT. So stop blaming Bush..we're all sick of it...
I am 100% with you on Bush, delusional Bush-bots gave us Obama/Pelosi and destroyed conservatism +capitalism brand .
Safe from...the hordes of illegal aliens streaming across the southern border?
Oh, wait! Bush wanted to offer them all amnesty and even reward them with U.S. citizenship.
As of 2006
Twelve Americans are murdered every day by illegal aliens, according to statistics released by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa. If those numbers are correct, it translates to 4,380 Americans murdered annually by illegal aliens. That's 21,900 since Sept. 11, 2001...While King reports 12 Americans are murdered daily by illegal aliens, he says 13 are killed by drunk illegal alien drivers – for another annual death toll of 4,745. That's 23,725 since Sept. 11, 2001. (source)
Wanna tell all those dead Americans and lawfully-present foreign nationals how Bush "kept [them] safe"?
Maybe you can tell that to Marine Cpl. Brian Matthews, who was killed by an illegal alien drunk driver in the Maryland suburbs of Washington while home for the holidays in November 2006 (source).
Per Marine Cpl. Garrett Farris, one of Cpl. Matthews' fellow Marines:
"A guy goes to war and has no problems with that. He comes back to the States, and it's supposed to be our safe place."
If Bush was really serious about "keeping us safe," he would have ENFORCED THE LAW and actually DEFENDED OUR SOUTHERN BORDER. Instead, he chose to sit on his hands, like many of his predecessors. Unlike his predecessors, however, he championed MASS AMNESTY replete with rewards like U.S. CITIZENSHIP and THE DREAM ACT, which would have granted illegal alien foreign nationals access to the U.S. financial aid system, in-state tuition at public colleges, and preferential admissions (e.g., affirmative action) ahead of lawfully-present foreign nationals and U.S. citizens.
But hey, Big Business needed its cheap labor. How else do you think they were able to build all those homes which were bought on cheap credit and later bailed out by Bush and Paulson?
appreciate Bush's terms because now we are being bombarded by a bunch of socialism
Socialism...like TARP? The original bailouts and stimulus packages were spearheaded by Bush and Paulson.
Or Medicare Part D. Passed by Bush and a Republican Congress.
And "No Child Left Behind"? The PATRIOT Act? More gross and unconstitutional expansions of Federal power and spending.
You want Socialism and centralized Government? Bush and the Republicans ran like conservatives, but when they got into Washington, ruled like Socialists. Ruled, not governed.
Sadly GWB ruled like a socialist prior to 2004 election, then ran as a conservative in that election, so called conservatives rallied around him(tax cuts yes!!! who cares about spending??) , after winning he quadrupled the socialism each year, and then the act was repeated with McCain in 2008, claiming he was the real Reagan conservative. And conservatives rallied again around McCain. Oh I forgot, Palin was the real candidate not Mccain.
It is obvious you are either a NOBAMA fan or you're having a BAD HAIR DAY, because you would have realized how much better we had it under Bush with all his faults, but your fake conservative BS is sickening.
Don't you ever talk to me again in such a demeaning manner, I find your post offensive and you are nothing but a phony. Take your make believe outrage to DU or someone who cares..Member since 2006...Hahhhhhhhhhh
Sadly rabscuttle385 is definately a little “Emotional”....and needs to take a chill pill...;)
Laura Bush never tried to use the White House to her own personal advantage, and that seems to be a novelty for first ladies now.
I know about dead Americans...I was there on 9/11...a cop based out of NYC...I wasn't referring to illegal immigration or anything even close to that...so, get off your high horse and have your reading comprehension checked.
That wasn't the point nor was that brought up by me in any post, because I know more then you think..
Where is the blame on PELOSI and her posse? Bush was forced to alter his agenda when the Congress became PELOSILAND.....you don't think she manipulated anything?
Now tell your story walkin..
A few years ago I thought like you. The circle the wagons around the GWB theme popularity has really weakened around here and it's about time. It's not Bush OR Obama, It's Bush AND Obama. He has destroyed the brands of conservatism, capitalism and what little was left of Republican party. Pointing out that Obama is worse than Bush is a very lame argument . Bush was given a gift from God, his own congress and a blank check from the people because of Sept 11. Look what destruction he created with those gifts. He handed us those things you point out :Obama, Pelosi, socialism, debt.... Obama is just continuing his handiwork. Obama says like Bush said , "I have to do it"
You posted (a bit emotional I would say):
I think I can certainly understand both viewpoints here, as I certainly don’t agree with everything that the previous (or current) administration does.
Rabscuttle’s stance on illegal immigration is one that I agree with. It’s horrible that we now live in a country where law-breakers are given more rights & presumption-of-innocence than our own Citizens.
Pr Bush, however, has demonstrated his own admirable character on multiple occasions; especially when “no-one was looking”.
Things like motorcading into the New Orleans Katrina disaster area instead of disrupting all the S&R operations by flying in. By helping the elderly and offering his own seat while waiting his own turn in a speaking event. Also, look at how he refused to lash out, mock, or otherwise retaliate against an openly hostile and biased press. (Of course, you could rationalize it that doing so would only serve to prove them right.)
Yeah, I know, it's sooo much better under the lesser of two statists, right?
Only to a Bushbot, an idiot, or a brainwashed Party Firster would it make sense to send our armed forces abroad while leaving our border with Mexico wide open and uncontrolled, and even worse, failing to enforce immigration law...and then proclaim that the U.S. is "safe."
But hey, when all else fails, just attack the messenger, right?
Ah, but Bush had a Republican-controlled Congress for several years. Why didn't he do anything then?
I'll give you that.
Bush--and Cheney--are a far classier act than the administrations preceding or subsequent to theirs.
However, that does not excuse the reality that they--and the Republican Congress--squandered several years of immense political capital and opportunity to finally accomplish a properly small government conservative agenda (as sickoflibs pointed out at # 51) and, even worse, started imitating the Democrats (!!!) by enlarging the size and scope of the Federal Government.
If the goal was to turn 90% of voters into democrats then invading Iraq after warning us that an Iraq Nuke was about to strike, when it wasnt, then claiming Iraq was on course for 2 years while daily news stories showed the country falling apart, then waiting for democrats to win congress to announce it really WASNT on course and that Iraq needed many more troops and money after all the prior reassurances but from a new DEMOCRAT congress , and then say, “ By the way ,Now's a great time to give amnesty to those that broke our laws so they can join the welfare rolls now that my (GWBs) party lost congress”, then Bush did great job!.
Rebuilding Iraq worked out really well for convincing the voters we need smaller federal government.
I know her personally and she is none of those.
you DID hijack the thread by putting spin on what she originally said. While I agree with you about illegal immigration and its impact on this country, you owe KLT a HUGE apology.
Do you have the integrity to offer one?
FreeGuards with great admiration for you both,
K
You really need to watch who you attack on here, and not accuse ppl of saying things that they didn't...
If you are looking to have a 3rd party wacko as your choices for President, that is your right as a US Citizen...But DON'T TREAD ON ME!
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