"Michelle Obama doesn't look like a first lady"

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

I was listening to NPR ( CT Public Radio) early yesterday morning and heard that. I missed the beginning of the piece so didn't get the whole story. was i hallucinating? There was someone here with me and she heard it too. We were incredulous.
I was surprised it wasn't covered on Rachel, etc last night

Update - It was an Ari Shapiro interview. I found a transcript of it

http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2012/09/27/161903264/a-second-chance-interview-with-subject-of-controversial-first-lady-remarks

[no_hypocrisy]

1. I'd only agree with that opinion if the second half of the comment said

Michelle Obama looks presidential.

[Raven]

2. I heard it and posted about it here. NPR

interviewed a woman who said that she couldn't stand to look at President Obama and that Michelle did not look like a First Lady. She pointed to the fact that Mrs. Obama does push-ups and shows off her arms.

[Eleanors38]

26. She could not handle all those good looks in one setting.nt

[Happyhippychick]

3. In fairness she doesn't. She's buff, she's casual yet fashionable, she's hip and young.

Nothing dowdy or boring. That's what I think of, with the exception of Jackie, when I think about a traditional first lady.

[randome]

25. I think it's the 'casual' part that throws some people.

She looks like she's having fun. Can't have that in a First Lady. We can't have a basketball-playing President, either.

These Democrats don't know anymore how to look sullen and dull, like all our previous leaders and their families.

[obamanut2012]

29. Jackie Kennedy was very traditional

She was just quite young, and dressed very fashionable.

Probably Hillary and Eleanor Roosevelt are the most unconventional modern First Ladies, after Mobama.

[treestar]

51. I can see that point too, thought someone who would say the the OP is about

likely doesn't mean that.

If she were an older looking black lady - more akin to Babs, Laura, or Nancy or Pat Nixon - would it then follow the person would not say that?

It's as silly a statement, if not sillier, than whether someone "looks presidential." The President is the person who is elected, regardless of what he looks like. The First Lady is that person's wife (if male) regardless of her looks.

It would be as easy to say Babs did not "look like" a FLOTUS, who we might think of as older but still well preserved.

[MADem]

61. She looks like a First Daughter, then...!

When you think that most Presidents are ... "OLDER" ... it would be a bit perverse if they had an obviously trophy wife younger than they by twenty years or more.

I'm waiting for the first First Gentleman, myself. I think they expect a lot of the spouses of Presidents--they have to have "causes," they have to dress a certain way, anytime they open their mouth they are regarded as an instrument of government policy, even if they're doing nothing more than praising some little kid's artwork during a school visit.

[Scuba]

4. She looks like the best first lady ever to me!!

[madokie]

14. 44 times over even

She's a beautiful woman. Wonderful wife, exceptional mother and a great first Lady. I love her and her husband and family.

[Suji to Seoul]

40. She looks like Eleanor Roosevelt?

Sorry, I like Michelle. . .but Eleanor was the best first lady ever, and not because FDR was the greatest president we ever had!

[MysticLynx]

49. And many said

similar things about Eleanor - as first lady she put on coveralls and went into the mines- the pictures of her in coal stained work overalls were fodder for a long time on how 'un- first lady like' she was

[treestar]

53. +1

Certainly the healthiest looking one in recent memory and the most beautiful, maybe the competitor being Jackie.

Queen Ann looks like a snobby aristocrat, not a First Lady!

[orpupilofnature57]

5. As far as not looking like a ' Stepford Wife ' I agree

She also lacks the android look of say Knutes little lady or the un-careworn face of Ann ' be nice to me ' . Michelle Obama is an attractive professional looking woman who wears FLOTUS just fine, and we look forward to seeing her even more.

[Laurajr]

6. She set a new standard

Every other first lady will emulate. Me, I have been working on my arms ever since I saw her beautiful arms and mine have come a long way. She is inspiration and that is the best thing a first lady can be.

[avebury]

8. She shattered the dowdy, boring first lady mold.

She is a first lady for the 21st Century. She is young, hip, compassionate, articulate, extremely smart, well dressed in a manner more in line with the way most people dress - in short every that Ann Romney is not. I think that she could have a brilliant political future if she chose it.

[Greybnk48]

15. She's the first cool First Lady since Jackie Kennedy

Hilary was young, but kind of nerdy/frumpy (don't even start, I LOVE Hil). But Michelle is hip, chic, and beautiful--and Barach, he's suave and gorgeous like JFK was viewed by so many.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

7. One is forced

to wonder whether this woman saw Ann Romney on the Leno show recently....now that was an outfit not only inappropriate for a wannabe First Lady, it was not age appropriate either.

[Daemonaquila]

9. All y'all are missing the point.

I heard the full story. It's about a racist conservative who made that statement, then tried to pretend it had nothing to do with race. When she was re-interviewed, she made a load of BS comments about how it's Ms. Obama's dress style and conduct at issue. Sorry, entitled white rethuglican - if your statements convinced anyone, you were wasting time you should've been using to sell them swampland in Louisiana instead. You could hear the sickening distaste in her voice. It is, and always has been, about how the first lady is an uppity black woman.

[BumRushDaShow]

12. +1

Michelle doesn't look like "Us" (them), a "White" First Lady... which is what was implied.

Sorry to break it to them but it's well past time for them to get over it.

[Siwsan]

13. I agree. The woman didn't say Michelle doesn't ACT like a traditional first lady -

In her spin attempt, the woman specifically brought up Michelle doing push ups and jumping jacks. I admit, I've never seen another first lady do push ups, jumping jacks, or hula hooping. So, fair due that she doesn't exactly ACT like previous first ladies. To which I say "YEA!"

The woman specifically said Michelle Obama doesn't LOOK like a first lady. What about Michelle's appearance is different from every other first lady? I have zero doubt it was a racist statement.

[obamanut2012]

35. She did the pushups on Ellen, and it was very cute

And the appearance was to support health, fitness, and charities.

It was very cute, because Ellen later accused Mobama of not doing "full" pushups (which technically was true_.

I think it's terrific we have -- and have had -- First Ladies who can connect with folks. I know Michelle got flak for going on the Biggest Loser, but she did it to improve the health of Americans, especially kids. Why is that not a good thing, right?

[Siwsan]

66. Didn't she do something like that with Jimmy Fallon, too?

Some sort of competition in the White House?

I absolutely love Michelle Obama. We have had First Ladies with causes, for as long as I can remember. I just can't ever remember a First Lady throwing herself so whole heartedly into a cause. She is an amazing role model for everyone. I'd share my gardening tips with her, anytime.

[obamanut2012]

67. I know she did something with the Women's Olympic team

That may have been Fallon.

I do, too! And, she'll wear capris and even shorts when she does some of these things... like "normal" folks!

Love the girls, too. At the DNC Con, I noticed they may be taller than their mom.

[Paladin]

16. Well Said. (nt)

[Greybnk48]

19. I didn't miss the racist pig's point. I'm almost 64 y/o

and have had to listen to pigs like this forever. I merely chose to ignore it.

[etherealtruth]

32. I didn't miss the point at all

It was pretty clear (even from the headline alone) ... the sentiment expressed was "a black woman" does not look like a "first lady" solely based on the fact that she is not white.

Racists often wear their stupidity like a crown (for all to see)

[ailsagirl]

44. "Racists often wear their stupidity like a crown (for all to see)"

So true

[CakeGrrl]

62. +10000

For some reason, racists don't wan't to be recognized as such, so they try to lay it off on other reasons.

But the bottom line is that Mrs. Obama is not like ANY of the others, and for the one obvious reason.

[MADem]

63. Well, I hope that racist conservative feels MISERABLE every time she sees

Mrs. Obama on TV. I hope her suffering is ACUTE. I hope it gnaws at her, bothers her, upsets her, drives her to distraction...and I hope she feels that way for the next four years, or until her hate-filled eyes are opened and she instead feels shame for her moronic bigotry.

[bluestate10]

10. Bobbie Lussier of Manassas Virginia is an idiot, to put the issue kindly.

That woman finds herself uncomfortably in the modern era. The reporter that interviewed her is an example of the gutless SOSes that are walking around giving republicans talking point platforms without an iota of an attempt to correct republican lies. Bobbie Lussier, I hope President Obama crushes Mitt Romney on November 6th, the country will be much better off if that happens.

[Greybnk48]

21. I firmly agree with you bluestate10!

The one's to go after are the media outlets and commentators that give people like this a forum to spew their racism. First to allow it, and then to allow it to go unchallenged. That's who will crumble under the pressure, the one's who's sponsors can be boycotted and hurt.

I love the phrase "finds herself uncomfortably in the modern era." Well, said! I, on the other hand, get angry and come across like an inarticulate oaf--can't help it apparently.

[lpbk2713]

11. She doesn't look like Marie Antoinette.

That is the image those dumbasses perceive when they think of what a First Lady should look like.

[RichGirl]

17. We have had strong first ladys....

Eleanor Roosevelt...Hillary Clinton who announced right off he bat she wasn't Tammy Wynette and won't be home baking cookies, etc.

This statement is not just an insult to Michelle Obama but to women in general. It implies that a first lady is suppose to look generic with no personality or distinquishing characteristics of her own. This is a statement we need to denounce, not make excuses for.

If you are a first lady....then you ARE what a first lady looks like.

[rucky]

18. It's a good thing I don't give a shit what Bobbie Lussier thinks.

America shouldn't either.

[GoCubsGo]

22. Exactly right.

Who the hell is Bobbie Lussier, and why should anyone care what that racist, old biddy thinks?

[lonestarnot]

24. And who the fuck is Bobbie Lussier and I don't think I care so no need to respond.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

20. With A Few Exceptions* She Looks Like Every First Lady I Have Ever Seen

Faintly upper middle class...

The exceptions were Jackie Kennedy and Nancy Reagan who looked like members of the upper class and Rosalyn Carter who looked solidly middle class...

[Honeycombe8]

23. Michelle is YOUNGER than most First Ladies. Her "cause" is obesity & physical fitness....hence

the pushups.

Michelle doesn't wear shorts to political functions. She did wear shorts, I think (but am not sure), when she was working in her organic garden with the kids. Duh!

All women wear things to show off their best assets. MO's best assets include her arms.

She is very much a First Lady, dressing elegantly and appropriately for political functions, meeting other heads of state, etc. ALSO...she is NEVER RUDE to anyone, which is the hallmark of being a First Lady (her job is not to be rude to people). You won't catch her making nasty comments about Republicans the way Ann Rmoney makes comments about Democrats or "you people."

I also think it IS a race thing. I've noticed how different she looks from all other First Ladies. It's kinda hard to miss. She's not just Af. American. She is dark skinned and looks her race. Some people just ... can't...get...past...that.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

27. She didn't like Michelle's bare arms

[obamanut2012]

30. Jackie Kennedy wore sleeveless dresses

And, I'm sure some other First ladies from the 60's - now did, too.

She doesn't think she looks like a First Lady because Michelle Obama is BLACK. Period.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

31. Yes

[progressoid]

33. Bare arms?

That's protected under the 2nd amendment!

[randome]

34. Attack of the 50-Foot Michelle Obama!

[Odin2005]

41. She doesn't like the color of her bare arms.

[kestrel91316]

48. I don't think Michelle is Mormon or Amish or Muslim, so what does it matter if she shows her arms??

Those are the three religions I can think of that disapprove of that sort of thing.

[NYC Liberal]

58. I wonder if she didn't like this either:

[Retrograde]

65. I thought there was a Constitutional right to bare arms

or arm bears or something

[Warpy]

28. True, most of them look like slipcovered couches

The only word I can come up with for Mrs. Obama is "regal."

Shapiro's whole rant can be boiled down to "she's black."

[madrchsod]

46. yup..almost 8 yrs of ragging on unfortunate laura bush

and now we have a first lady who does`t fit the mold and does`t have to. her mom and dad raised a first class lady.

[Warpy]

47. I had no problem with Mrs. Bush beyond her taste in men

Her taste in literature is stellar.

She never wanted to be a public figure and it showed. I'm sure retirement is bliss for her.

[tjwash]

36. Are we back to this shit again? Seriously?

Why doesn't the mainstream press just park Joan Rivers outside of the WH to make smarmy comments about her attire and hair now?

I guess the bright side is that they really can't talk about mittens daily fuckups anymore and need to resort to least common denominator crap.

[LWolf]

37. She'd look like a first lady

if she were wearing a muumuu, had bedhair, and hadn't yet put on her makeup when she showed up for an event.

She is a beautiful woman who presents herself well, but no matter what she looks like, she looks like a first lady because she IS a first lady.

I've always thought the national obsession with what a president's wife is supposed to look like to be sexist, classist, demeaning, and shallow.

[Bluenorthwest]

38. A First Lady? Sorry, she looks like, and is THE First Lady of the United States of

Ameria. The one and only. She looks great, she is great, and she has the sense not to wander around wearing those stultifying garments so many political wives still wear as if they were all raiding Nancy Reagan's closet for her 80's Adolfo left overs.

[lunatica]

39. Obviously said person thinks First Ladies have to look like frumps

If that's the case then Michelle Obama definitely doesn't look right.

[Arugula Latte]

52. Ideally, they look like the Quaker Oats guy.

[Odin2005]

42. That ain't a dog whistle, that's a bull horn.

[The Second Stone]

43. I like MO

one of the things I like about her is that she is tall and proud of it and muscular

[madrchsod]

45. the racism is strong with this one....

and i think i`ll just leave it at that.........

[treestar]

50. So what does a First Lady "look like" in their HO?

An old white lady?

[etherealtruth]

56. I don't think she necessarily needs to be old

... just white.

[treestar]

54. If they honestly disagree with the President's politics

I have to wonder why they have to extend any negative feelings towards a First Lady. That has nothing to do with it. Though I know we do it, too. Laura wearing curtains and such!

[clydefrand]

55. I would like to see the bitch who said this about our lady

If her voice is an indication of how she looks, I would say, she is a witch. I'm so jealous of our first lady...oh, how I would love to look as great as she does...long legs, beautiful skin, great figure, beautiufl clothes, has beautiful daughters, handsome husband, funny, helpul for our veterans...I could go on more, and more.

I'm going to look her up and send her a note! Anybody living in northern VA who can find her in the directory?

I'm an old white woman, and much over weight...I am jealous! I love her and her family.

[SmileyRose]

57. Yah, it is a little dark in the white house these days ain't it Bobbie Lussier you racist fuck.

Gawd I'll be so glad when these people are bred out of existence.

[fujiyama]

59. Translation:

She's not white.

But really though, why do people care so much about presidential spouses in this country? I never had an opinion of Laura Bush one way or the other. Hillary actually took a role in policy debates, so I can understand why she got coverage. But the obsession and coverage of presidential spouses is definitely a very American phenomenon.

As for MO, I admire her intelligence and toughness considering all the garbage she has to take from RWers in this country. All I know is she could kick my ass and most fat ass RWers' asses as well.

[VOX]

60. "Bobbie Lussier from Manassas, VA" longs for moonlight and magnolias...

Before those meddling Yankees freed the slaves, and those same slaves -- those "children" -- knew their place.

Jeff Davis and the old Confederacy may be long gone, but blatent rascism is, sadly, far too much alive in the U.S., particularly in the South.

[Skittles]

64. that is not necessarily racist

Ms. Obama is quite unique - she stands out from all the first ladies, because of her youth, physical fitness and a fashion sense that mixes both cheap and pricey items - she is in a class on her own

but from the article....hmmmmmm

[HopeHoops]

68. Good point - she's not a Republican and isn't pumped up on Botox.