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Michelle Obama: "Being President Doesn't Change Who You Are—It Reveals Who You Are"
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 5, 2012
Modified Sep 5, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 5, 2012
Modified Sep 5, 2012
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After a series of rousing Democratic National Convention opening night speeches (like those from Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro), First Lady Michelle Obama brought down the house with her emotional and funny words about how President Obama is the one to lead the country for another four years, with lines like, "For Barack, success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives," "We were so young, so in love, and so in debt," and "I have seen firsthand that being president doesn’t change who you are — no, it reveals who you are."
Michelle Obama did not mention Mitt Romney by name, but she did offer a counter to Ann Romney's speech. She reminded people that her family was much like their own—her father, a city pump operator, had multiple sclerosis but he and her mother still encouraged their children to strive academically, taking loans for their education—and that the President also intimately knows about working hard (and how hard ladies have to work!), "Barack knows the American Dream because he’s lived it . and he wants everyone in this country to have that same opportunity, no matter who we are, or where we’re from, or what we look like, or who we love."
Here's a transcript and watch the speech:
Besides noting how the DNC was much more energetic than the RNC ("Remember when Chris Christie had to beg Republican delegates to stand up?"), commentators swooned over her speech—MSNBC's Rachel Maddow said, "Oh my God," while Fox News' Brit Hume admitted she was an "Extremely impressive woman." The NY Times' Jodi Kantor, who wrote about the Obamas, Tweeted, "This speech is the climax of Michelle Obama's 8-year political conversion, from reluctant spouse to campaign powerhouse." Anyway, Barry and the girls loved it.
Of course, aside from the substance of her speech, everyone else was dying over her dress—Tracy Reese (a custom one, at that), with J.Crew pumps. Tom and Lorenzo broke down the outfit: "Objective: all eyes on me while I project an image of competence and femininity; new school female warrior meets old school wife and mother. Mission accomplished. It’s eye-catching as hell, isn’t it? Probably one of the more eye-catching outfits she’s ever worn - and that’s REALLY saying something."
And don't even get us started on her arms.
Tagged
ann romney
barack obama
election 2012
Michelle obama
mitt romney
president obama
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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