I watched the Presidential Address last night, and while it was a great speech, my favorite part was watching Michelle Obama.
She was sitting next to an obviously scared eighth grade girl who was seated in the audience simply so that the camera could pan to her when the president mentioned a letter that she sent to Washington demanding repair of her piss-poor school. Apparently, the teachers have to strop teaching six times a day because the school is too close to train tracks, and the trains rattle the walls and are loud enough to drown out instruction. Nice.
In any case, I was watching Mrs. Obama's body language - she seems like such a tender woman, a real mom. As soon as the president mentioned the girl's name, you could see the girl stiffen - you could tell that she was nervous because she was sitting in Congress around all these old farts and every eye - not just in the room, but anyone watching on television - was on her. I would have had a stroke if as an eighth grader that happened to me. But you could see Mrs. Obama reach out and hold her hand. Her shoulders were turned toward the girl, and she smiled and whispered "that's you!" You could totally tell that she knew that the girl was probably terrified, and needed a warm hand. She helped her stand so that people could see her to applaud her effort, and kept her hand around her shoulders while she congratulated what I assume was the girl's mother sitting next to her.
I thought to myself how that moment would have played out if it were Laura Bush or Hillary Clinton instead of Michele Obama sitting next to the girl. I think that Laura Bush would have had a Stepford smile plastered on her face, and maybe would have patted the girl on the lap. I think Hillary Clinton would have done less. I know that I'm only basing that off my own perceptions - I'm sure all three women are decent, kind women. But it was so obvious to me that Michelle Obama really relishes her role as a mom - she identified with the girl as she would have one of her own daughters.
I really look forward to what Michele Obama's role as a first lady will be. Hillary Clinton really pushed the role beyond just wearing pretty dresses and smiling at kids rolling Easter eggs on the White House lawn. She took an active role in writing legislation to be put before both houses, was a vocal proponent of health care reform, and fiercely fought to keep the press away from her awkward, pubescent daughter and strove to make sure that Chelsea could lead the most normal childhood possible given the circumstances. Laura Bush did a good job of returning decorum and respect for tradition to the daily operations of the white house: the state dinners, the preservation of American artwork, and explaining the traditions and quirky history of the White House and the families that lived in it. I remember watching a documentary in which some art snobs followed Laura Bush around the White House, and she went on for hours about all of the artwork on the walls and the period furniture and the lives of the wives and children of presidents past. It was fascinating: the woman really knew her history.
So I wonder what Michelle Obama will do - she's smart and funny and capable of doing just about anything. She could be a ball buster like Hillary, or she could be a cookie baking tour guide like Laura. I hope she'll be something else altogether.