Michelle Gets Wonky on Health Care

First lady turns attention to health care and its impact on women

(NEWSER) - Michelle Obama joined her husband's push for health care reform today with a personal pitch aimed at women, reports Politico. She recalled her father's fight with multiple sclerosis as well as an illness daughter Sasha suffered as an infant. "I think about what on earth would we have done if we did not have health insurance," she told a group of women at the White House. "What would have happened to that beautiful little girl? ... She could have lost her hearing. She could have lost her life." More»

(NEWSER) - The president appears oblivious to the pocket ace he’s holding on health-care reform, Josh Skolnick writes on the Stimulist: Michelle Obama. Here’s why the first lady should be injected into the debate:

• Experience: At the University of Chicago, "her whole job was explaining medical decisions and health care bureaucracy to a wider audience. Might be just a little relevant to her effectiveness as a health care spokeswoman, no?"

A look back at Michelle Obama's daring sartorial debut

(NEWSER) - After a year of big guns, big designers, and bold choices, New York takes a look back at the many styles of first lady Michelle Obama. Who can forget the inaugural outfits, the Grand Canyon shorts, and all those cardigans? For many more photos, and info on designers, click here . More»

First lady stays above the fray, elevating her image

(NEWSER) - Her days as a lightning rod on the campaign trail firmly behind her, Michelle Obama has polished her image in a paradoxical way for a political wife: by steering clear of politics. She's a familiar presence on the national scene, and her poll numbers are robust, even among Republicans. "She has done this by framing herself as a wife, mother, daughter and sister, not trying to redefine the role of first lady, limiting interviews and staying militantly noncontroversial," Lynn Sweet writes for Politics Daily . More»

Douglas fir from W. Virginia will decorate Blue Room throughout the holidays

(NEWSER) - The White House Christmas tree arrived today in traditional style: by horse-drawn carriage. Michelle, Malia, and Sasha Obama met the 18½-foot Douglas fir and the West Virginia couple who grew it, Eric and Gloria Sundback, at the North Portico. The nonstop chirping of camera shutters provided the soundtrack, USA Today reports. Asked whether this was the largest tree the family's ever had, the first lady replied, "Yeah, I think this wins." More»