“For her, politics wasn’t so much about being inspirational as it was being practical — about getting something specific done.”
“She can be tough, and even a little steely, an attitude that stems, at least in part from wanting to live up to the high expectations her father set for her. “
“Politics and policy animate her — like her husband, [after attending Ivy League law schools] she turned away from a lucrative law career to work in public service.
Another profile about Hillary Clinton, you say? Nope.
Those are all quotes from the recent cover story in Newsweek about Michelle Obama. But they sound vaguely familiar in a Hillary sort of way, don’t they?
As I read the Newsweek story, I couldn’t help wondering why Michelle continues to get such great press and Hillary is sucking gas in the media.
While clearly not a mirror image of each other, I sense that Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton are more alike than they are different. They both even have a certain amount of low-level snarkiness that appears on the campaign trail when they’re tired.
Yet, Michelle gets the benefit of the doubt, and the piling on with Hillary continues.
News reporters seem much more enamored with Michelle than Hillary and that’s had a huge negative impact on Senator Clinton’s campaign and an equally positive effect on Barack Obama’s efforts to move into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Why? I can only think of one reason — fresh blood.
But I have this feeling in my gut that while so many of us are pining for change and fresh faces, we are forgetting that many politicians, regardless of party affiliation, are cut from the same fabric — they almost have to be in terms of the drive, ambition and super ego required to think, “Hey, I think I’m good enough to be leader of the free world” — a self-esteem lesson worthy of Daily Affirmations.
Clearly Michelle and Hillary are not the same, but they’re a lot closer than you think. I’d like to see reporters cut them all a little more slack — just show us what they say, tell us what they believe without your spin, and we’ll be OK making our minds up for ourselves about what kind of women they really are.
Of course, I’m making an exception for Saturday Night Live.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:59 pm
As a longtime Hillary supporter, I am getting a bit annoyed by the uneven coverage in the presidential campaign. It really does seem over the top and anything she does or says seems to be negatively spun by the media. I wish that rather than the media jumping on the Obama bandwagon, they could provide unbiased coverage on both democratic candidates. At the same time, the media should be as excited to have a woman candidate as an African American candidate. This is a historically momentous time in our electoral system and it should be celebrated. Or something like that.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I’m a Hillary supporter too, although I was a bit torn until studying the two candidates. I loved Tina Fey’s Bitch is the new Black in support of Hillary. Did you catch that?
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:51 pm
I never forget they are manufactured in the same assembly plant, if not on the same conveyor belt.
We always look for certain types in jobs.
Aren’t there more OCD editors?
But I think you make a good point and oh I ache in concern for Michelle.
If we will talk the way we will about Hillary, how will we talk about her.
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:44 pm
PunditMom,
early today I was thinking the same thing. The only difference is Michelle seem
to have a chip on her shoulder. I can see it because I am a black woman just like her.
mom from Virginia
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Excellent observation…Michelle gets away with it because she is content in her role as political spouse – she knows her place so she doesn’t threaten anyone.
March 4th, 2008 at 2:18 am
SUCH a good point, PunditMom!
March 5th, 2008 at 2:30 am
I agree; the “news” coverage of any of this has been totally biased and unprofessional. The debates are a joke and are hyped more like World Wrestling than serious debates.
March 5th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Julie, that’s such a good point. And what ’til the GOP starts in on her.