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Can First Lady Fill Role? Yes She Can

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The Associated Press

Published: November 10, 2008

WASHINGTON - She's been compared to Jacqueline Kennedy, is every bit as high-powered as Hillary Rodham Clinton was and has praised Laura Bush's calm and rational approach to issues.

So what kind of first lady will Michelle Obama be?

It may be too soon to know - she's probably still trying to figure it all out herself. This much is certain: She will be the kind of first lady this country hasn't seen in decades: the mother of young children.

But Barack Obama has portrayed his wife as one of his top advisers and it's a safe bet she will continue in that role at the White House, as first ladies before her have done. He has described her as the family's "rock" and told Newsweek magazine she had "veto power" over his decision to run for president.

Aides say publicly she is not interested in shaping policy or reserving a seat for herself at her husband's decision-making table. She prefers, at least for now, to focus on easing the transition for Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7 - getting them in new schools, settled and comfortable with a new way of life.

The girls are her priority, she has said often, the last thing she thinks about before falling asleep at night and the first thing on her mind when she wakes up in the morning.

"My first job in all honesty is going to continue to be mom-in-chief," she told Ebony magazine, "making sure that in this transition, which will be even more of a transition for the girls ... that they are settled and that they know they will continue to be the center of our universe."
Michelle Obama knows about the juggling act working mothers perform and wants to work on the issue as first lady.

"How to make sure our policies are structured in a way that supports that balance, whether it's more work/family leave, whether it's better health care. There are a lot of policies that go along with allowing women that freedom," she said.

An Ivy League-educated lawyer, Michelle Obama was criticized during the campaign and could be beginning to lower her profile, de-emphasize her adviser role and present a more traditional, first lady persona.

Her approach to issues? Perhaps calm and rational, like her husband - and Laura Bush.

The first lady defended Michelle Obama this year after Republicans criticized her for saying that for the first time in her adult life she was proud of her country. Laura Bush said comments made during the heat of a campaign are closely watched and misconstrued.
Michelle Obama said she was touched by the comments and had sent Laura Bush a note.

"And that's what I like about Laura Bush. You know, just calm, rational approach to these issues. And you know, I'm taking some cues. I mean, there's a balance. There's a reason why people like her. It's because she doesn't, sort of, you know, fuel the fire."

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