Where Are the Feminists for Michelle?

AK gov. steals Dems' after-glow; could attract indy, Hillary voters

(NEWSER) - John McCain turned heads by choosing Sarah Palin today as his running mate, and the Weekly Standard explains why she’s the right woman for the job.

• Democrats just wrapped their glitzy convention, but the Sunday talk shows will be abuzz with Palin chatter.
• The mother of five softens McCain’s “crotchety” image and revives his reputation as “fly-boy and gambler."

First lady's approval rating soars over her husband's

(NEWSER) - President Obama’s approval ratings are sinking, but Michelle Obama’s remain sky-high, with 71% of the country holding a favorable opinion of her. Only 16% of respondents in a new Pew Research survey held a negative view of the first lady. That puts her well above Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, who had 60% and 64% favorability ratings, respectively, after their husbands had been in office for 1 year. More»

And yes, there's a Sarah Palin character

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama's 2008 campaign is the subject of Hope!, a musical set to premiere Jan. 17 in Frankfurt. The production features musical-theater versions of the major players: Michelle, Hillary—looking quite young—John McCain and even Sarah Palin, who sings a solo surrounded by scantily clad dancers. Writer and composer Randall Hutchins, who is American, tells Der Spiegel he got the idea for the production "right at the start of Obama's electoral campaign. I found the atmosphere exciting and that was my inspiration." More»

(NEWSER) - Just in time for back-to-school shopping, the first family’s puppy will star in his own comic book, MTV reports. Puppy Power: Bo Obama, due out in September, will offer what the publisher calls an “insider’s look at the White House.” In the works from the same company are “Political Power” and “Female Force” titles, including books about humans such as the president, the first lady, and the secretary of state. More»

Watch for Clinton supporters, Jesse Jackson

(NEWSER) - Here's what to watch at the Democratic National Convention tonight, Politico reports:

1. Ted Kennedy, still recovering from surgery, "is definitely speaking tonight," one Dem said, and plans a memorable torch-passing to Barack Obama.
2. Michelle Obama will try to sell herself as a strong but inoffensive first lady; whether America buys it may determine how she is used on the trail.