First I though Michelle Obama's speech was great. But I think it is very telling and very sad

[RB TexLa]

that we are where we are as a country that she had to "soften" her image. The idea of what is and isn't acceptable from and of women in certain positions is really appalling. I'm really tired of having to pander to ignorant.

[jakem]

1. pander to only the smart, and you do not get elected.

[Alleycat]

6. Nothing new

I seem to remember the same image was portrayed for Theresa Heinz Kerry, Hillary Clinton. Apparently none of the Democratic first women or potential first ladies on the Dem side are ever soft enough. They are smart, intelligent, strong women but it has happened in the past and the Rep see that it works so they continue to push it.

[RB TexLa]

21. Can't give a speech as a Harvard educated person, it has to be about family and children, because

Mommyness is an acceptable role for women to the ignorant.

[tekisui]

2. I agree.

It is largely by design. The corporate masters prefer an ignorant majority and have worked tirelessly to hide the truth and manipulate their fears.

I think her "softening" had as much to do with her skin color, with her gender.

[seabeyond]

3. it is interesting we recognize and call it in one area yet other areas we ignore

or argue against cause it feeds what we want. even though it connects and is related to the whole how we condition view of female

yes it is apalling. and it does harm to both gender, male and female

[fasttense]

4. Ignorance is the Republicons best friend. n/t

[glowing]

5. I don't think she would say her life is sad. I don't think that she was ever

"hard". I think she connects because she's human and that's how we connect. She made me feel like wanting to participate and proud of this country in a way her husband has never been able to do. She was awesome. She's going to be an awesome role model for many young women. You know, she could have had the political career if she had wanted it..

[stillcool]

7. Who said her speech was about..

'softening her image'. I'm sure it was someone on the tube, and it just drives me nuts that the laundry list they read off of what Michelle 'has to do', is amplified as though it's gospel.

[Beer Snob-50]

8. i thought she gave a great speech!

i am happy they didn't have her walk around with the portable microphone like the past couple of conventions. it just "oprahizes" her speech.

[stewert]

9. Whats Wrong With it?

So what, she softened her image, I think it's the smart thing to do. For years the Republicans have been doing the same thing to get elected, then after they get elected they do whatever the hell they want to, and it works. So I say it's about damn time the Dems decided to fight fire with fire, and level the playing field. Do what you have to do to get elected, then once you are in do whatever you want.

She just did what she had to, and anyone who don't understand why she did it must not want her to be the first lady. I don't understand why Democrats criticize her when it was a great speech. I say let the Republicans criticize her, we should support her and Obama until they get elected.

The old line "if you don't have something good to say about someone, don't say anything" comes to mind here. Then after they are in the White House, criticize them all you want.

[NJmaverick]

10. I agree women shouldn't have to appear "soft"

[H2O Man]

11. Respectfully disagree.

I think that what we saw last night was the real Michelle Obama. The other image, being pushed by republicans and the media, isn't real.

Michelle Obama is a strong, intelligent, articulate human being, who has a lot to offer this country.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

18. You Said Articulate!!!!!

I mean, the DU bible law is that if anyone ever utters that word when dealing with someone who is black, it means they're being racist!!!!!!1111111

[wishlist]

12. The image she is softening is the rw false image of her being scary/militant

It is indeed sad but a reality that the Obama's have to go an extra mile to calm the fears and misgivings caused by the despicable Repub smear machine and the relentless negative rw spin in the media. Her speech was pitch perfect, inspiring, and delivered with both flawless eloquence and sincerity as she conveyed their uniquely American family story of achieving success out of humble beginnings by determination and hard work and optimism.

[JerseygirlCT]

13. Can't be too successful, or smart, or go around actually

speaking your mind.

They'll start thinking you're an uppity woman.

[ogneopasno]

14. Specifics?

nt

[KharmaTrain]

15. Growing Up In Chicago...

I found her speech both uplifting and properly tempered. What's the sense of rehashing all the intolerance and obstacles. It just amplifies how the racists and bigots in this country had to be overcomed, and, be assured the corporate media would have jumped on any anger or "untoward" remarks and that's all we'd be hearing about today. It'll be bad enough that shitstains like Rushbo and hate radio will spend all day spreaing bullshit that I'm sure we'll be hearing later on today...just ask Mark Halperin.

While I'm older, I can very much relate with the Chicago Miss Robinson grew up in...at one point the most segregated city in the country. Then came Harold Washington...the person I still greatly admire for starting to bridge the gaps between the races and sexes. I've pointed out the similarities of this election to that of the Chicago 1983 mayoral race and how many inside the Obama campaign cut their teeth on that election.

While Chicago is far from a racial nirvana, I'm proud of how much progress has been made...and how the Democratic party in this city began to embrace the various minorities...and allowed both Michelle and Barack to rise above the hatred to the level of prominance both have reached. I saw that speech last night and couldn't help but reflect on how far we've come and how much further we need to go.

Change comes slowly, but come it will. I honestly never thought a black or woman would be serious contenders for the most "powerful job in the world"...especially growing up in the racist world of the 60s and 70s. While it's easy to focus on the ignorance, I like to give credit to the millions who have progressed and that the Democratic party has embraced diversity, not turned it into a political and moneymaking tool.

[roody]

16. I listened on the radio. I heard NO references to

god. I thank her for that and will be won over from the Green Party if they can keep their god out of their speeches.

[Lars39]

19. There was one...

something about "grace-filled moments".

[roody]

22. Grace is OK! You don't need god to enjoy grace.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

17. Has Nothing To Do With The Ignorant. She Was Great Last Night And That's How We Need Her.

Some of the speeches or interviews she's given in the past made her at times come off as irrational or unhinged, and definitely not someone that would HELP us win in November. Not because of ignorance, but because of not being tactful and respectful. Think "wanna claw his eyes out".

The Michelle we saw last night is exactly how we would want her to come off and I'm proud of her. The softening had nothing to do with her being a woman or having certain positions. It had all to do with her not being somebody who most people would find immediately likeable. She was too sharp and like I said, at times irrational.

[rucky]

20. Seemed 100% sincere to me. n/t