Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Let's Face It: Michelle 'Is Not Exceptional'

First Lady is 'extraordinary' but her defenders need to relax

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 14, 2009 4:50 PM CST

(Newser) – Before Michelle Obama’s acolytes start enshrining her portrait next to Mother Teresa's and Mahatma Gandhi's, Robin Givhan hazards a word of sacrilege: “Obama is extraordinary, but she is not exceptional.” The Washington Post columnist chastises the first lady’s virulent defenders, who are “intent on keeping the path clear for her canonization" and resist even the slightest criticism.

Michelle deserves credit for highlighting “accomplished, stylish black women and their functional families.” But her "self-consciously relaxed" image constructs a “false sense of public intimacy," Givhan writes. Michelle needs to come back to Earth: “Tell the world that she doesn't put away the milk. That she skips the weekly pedicures. Debunk the mythology. Or at least try.”

In this image released by Annie Leibovitz / Vogue, the March 2009 cover of Vogue is seen featuring first lady Michelle Obama.
In this image released by Annie Leibovitz / Vogue, the March 2009 cover of Vogue is seen featuring first lady Michelle Obama.   (AP Photo/Annie Leibovitz / Vogue)
First lady Michelle Obama reads a book to children at Mary's Center in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009.
First lady Michelle Obama reads a book to children at Mary's Center in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
First lady Michelle Obama hugs children after reading a book at Mary's Center in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009.
First lady Michelle Obama hugs children after reading a book at Mary's Center in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Barack Obama stands with first lady Michelle Obama after signing the SCHIP legislation in the East Room of the White House Wednesday, Feb.  4, 2009 in Washington.
President Barack Obama stands with first lady Michelle Obama after signing the SCHIP legislation in the East Room of the White House Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009 in Washington.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
First lady Michelle Obama applauds as Lilly Ledbetter speaks in the State Dining Room of the White House after President Barack Obama, not pictured, signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.
First lady Michelle Obama applauds as Lilly Ledbetter speaks in the State Dining Room of the White House after President Barack Obama, not pictured, signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
The color of Michelle Obama's Isabel Toledo ensemble appeared to shift and change all day Tuesday, leading some observers wondering what to call the shade.
The color of Michelle Obama's Isabel Toledo ensemble appeared to shift and change all day Tuesday, leading some observers wondering what to call the shade.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, FILE)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

She is Jackie Kennedy, Sojourner Truth, Hillary Clinton and a Horatio Alger character all rolled into one J. Crew-clad package. - Robin Givhan, Washington Post, on Michelle Obama

Obama's champions act as if they know her, that they understand her and she them. All that passionate support, however, comes at a price. They have wrapped her in a protective cocoon that could soon border on smothering. - Robin Givhan, Washington Post, on Michelle Obama's defenders

It is a place where normal human failures are denied, reasonable criticism is met with a ferocious defense, bad hair days don't exist and dimwitted attacks can't simply be ignored. - Robin Givhan, Washington Post, on Michelle Obama's defenders

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 30 comments
Guest
Feb 16, 2009 10:03 PM CST
AMEN!
Guest
Feb 16, 2009 6:23 AM CST
She wouldn't even be a "Blip" on anyone's radar if she wasn't the Presidents wife.
Doctor-Zaius
Feb 16, 2009 5:53 AM CST
Hey, she's no Bess Truman!

More Newser Stories

Karl Lagerfeld: Adele 'Too Fat'

Michelle: Barack 'Sings to Me All the Time'

French Elle Ripped for 'Racist' Obama Comments

Steve Jobs' Widow Will Sit With First Lady

Occupiers March for MLK Day


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne