What Ann Romney can learn from Michelle Obama

[Judi Lynn]

What Ann Romney can learn from Michelle Obama
Posted by Nia-Malika Hendersonat 08:00 AM ET, 07/06/2012

Everyone agrees. Ann Romney is a tremendous campaign asset for Mitt Romney.

Nicknamed “the Mitt stabilizer” because of her calming influence, the mother of five grown sons comes across as warm, real and approachable, while her husband comes across as none of the above. Add to that a biography that includes surviving breast cancer and battling multiple sclerosis and the former first lady of Massachusetts is poised to connect in a big way.

But if Michelle Obama’s tenure is any guide — and for Ann Romney it should be — connecting doesn’t just happen. It takes effort, strategy and a smart staff to come across as a natural and to abide by the most important rule: First, Do No Harm. Here are a few strategies from Michelle Obama’s well-worn first lady playbook that Ann Romney should borrow. Right now.

Stay away from politics — No, it’s not fair. Smart, dynamic and clearly political women shouldn’t have to shelve their inner wonk, put on an apron and pretend that baking cookies is their favorite past time (not that there is anything wrong with that).

But such is political life for the political wife and Michelle Obama has mastered the game. Publicly, she has rarely gotten into the horse race, day-to-day nitty-gritty of political strategy. Nor has she harped on her husband’s opponents. Instead she has talked about her husband’s policies and what they mean for people. And more importantly, she has talked about her husband as a person.

More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/what-ann-romney-can-learn-from-michelle-obama/2012/07/06/gJQARl89QW_blog.html?wprss=rss_politics

[Wounded Bear]

1. I kind of have this feeling...

that if Ann Romney could learn anything from anybody about how to be more appealing and approachable, she would have.

You can lead her horses to water, but you can't teach them to not shit in the barn.

[Avalux]

2. How can she talk about her husband as a person when there's nothing good to say?

And I disagree - Ann Romney does NOT come across as warm, real and approachable.

[madaboutharry]

3. I don't get this "warm, real and approachable" meme about Ann Romney.

I think she is only that way when she is around people like herself.

[madashelltoo]

4. Ann's not genuine

Mrs. Robme is not naturally friendly, warm, empathetic, nurturing, etc. She's a fake. When things don't go their way she's downright cold and biting. They hold hands, but their nearness does not come across as natural. She accused Obama of trying to "kill" Robme. No, Miss. He's campaigning against him. It's not Obama's job to make your dumb ass husband look good. And, how can Mrs. Robme say anything about character assassination after what her husband did to his opponents in the primary? Please. Tell Ann her horses are calling her.

[southernyankeebelle]

5. You can fool some of the people some of the time. But you can't fool people all the time.

She seems pleasant enough but she really can't relate to the average working person. She grew up rich. There isn't anything wrong with that. But she and her husband look down on people. They can't help it. I feel bad for them because they don't even realize what happeniness really is.

[Dawson Leery]

6. She is as bad as Mr. Romney.

Both have a deep sense of entitlement. One can sense neither of them like this campaign. They want the Presidency to be handed to them.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

7. I wholeheartedly disagree. This woman has made some of the most disgusting statements. I can't stand

Ann R-Money! She's snide. She's entitled. She seems to look down on others. I can't stomach to even watch her, and don't understand why she's so popular.

She can get away with saying things that Michelle Obama could NEVER say!

[HopeHoops]

8. How to be human?

[demwing]

10. for the WIN! /nt

[treestar]

9. Everyone agrees? Nope.

Ann Rmoney is a gift to Democrats. Whenever she talks, she says something to prove she is out of touch.