Popular Michelle Plays Up Domestic Side—For Now

Michelle Obama has become the most popular incoming first lady since Nancy Reagan after some determined image-building, the New York Times reports. The first lady has carefully shaped her public image through a series of interviews that focus on her domestic side. Some admirers, however, complain that the country isn't seeing enough of Michelle Obama the tough-minded professional with a passion for policy issues.

"We’re not getting all of Michelle Obama, and that’s a shame,” said an author whose husband, a Democratic senator, is friendly with the Obamas. “It’s the softer, domestic side that we’re seeing, which appeals to a lot of people. But a lot of us are cheering her on and hoping we’re going to hear more from that public policy side of Michelle Obama."
(More Michelle Obama stories.)