While some first ladies have merely resigned themselves to being reduced to an ornament on their husband's arm during diplomatic dinners and such, others have taken active roles in either humanitarian or charitable activities and still others go around engaging in public speaking supporting their husband's current policies and what not.
Michelle however is going to be one of the few First Ladies to take an active, participating role in their husband's office. Basically changing the role of the First Lady. Which will be a good thing I think.
However it turns out, I think it would be fair to say that future presidential candidates will now be chosen not only for their leadership abilities but also in part upon their wives political savvy.
Another boost for empowerment of women.
How do you see it?
Michelle however is going to be one of the few First Ladies to take an active, participating role in their husband's office. Basically changing the role of the First Lady. Which will be a good thing I think.
Michelle Obama crafts policy agenda
Nia-Malika Henderson Nia-malika Henderson Tue Feb 3, 4:27 am ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090203/pl_politico/18329As she prepares to step out beyond her role as the self-described mom in chief, Michelle Obama has been busy behind the scenes crafting a policy-driven agenda that will bring working-family issues into the White House and shes surrounded herself with a team of veteran political insiders and seasoned policy advocates to do it.
Aides are quick to say the first lady isnt planning on having an independent policy power center in the East Wing. Our job is to think through with the president and with the presidents team and assist in dialogue about policy. But the president is the policymaker, said chief of staff Jackie Norris. In other words, it isnt likely that Michelle Obama will be on the phone introducing herself to lawmakers on Capitol Hill, like Hillary Clinton did as first lady. At least not yet.
But as Obama made her first official trip outside the White House on Monday to the Department of Education the shape and direction of her office, with advisers who have worked for Bill Clinton, Al Gore and John Edwards, clearly bear a lot more resemblance to Clintons style than to that of Laura Bush.
The credentials of Michelle Obamas new team give us a glimpse of the future, said Carl Anthony Sferrazza, a former speechwriter for Nancy Reagan who also wrote the introduction to Hillary Clintons Invitation to the White House: At Home With History.
This is not going to be a first lady focused on sleeveless designer dresses and puppy names but on serious and complex issues, he predicted.
However it turns out, I think it would be fair to say that future presidential candidates will now be chosen not only for their leadership abilities but also in part upon their wives political savvy.
Another boost for empowerment of women.
How do you see it?