Maureen on Michelle

Maureen Dowd is at it again.
From the NYT via theunknowncandidate:

"Usually, I love the dynamics of a cheeky woman puncturing the ego of a cocky guy.

I liked it in ’40s movies, and I liked it with Katie Couric and Bryant Gumbel, and Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis in “Moonlighting.”

So why don’t I like it with Michelle and Barack?"

Well how about it's because you don't like much of anything?

Or maybe it's o.k. when the "cheeky woman" is White?

Or perhaps it's because you secretly lust after Senator Bahm Bahm - like millions of other women across America - and can't stand to have the fantasy punctured?

All of the above?

Go somewhere and sit down.

Barbara Richardson Rings Bells for Victims

New Mexico's First Lady, and most human of all the possible next first ladies, leads her state in an expression of sorrow for and solidarity with the people of Virginia after some crazed killer took the lives of 32 innocent people.

From krqe.com

"First lady Barbara Richardson said holding a service like this and ringing bells across the state is one way people can feel a connection to Virginia and the rest of the country.

“I think it's very important we do have this expression of support for those families and also to let the nation know we care,” Richardson said.

She also said connecting like this as a country helps in the healing of people who have had tragedies in their own lives. "

The Trib Bows Down to Barack's Better Half

From the Chicago Tribune

'But Michelle Obama, 43, has a reputation for telling it like she thinks it is -- whether about the butter, her husband's ongoing effort to quit smoking or his political priorities. And though she's lighthearted in her critiques, she never plays the role of the deferential political wife.

"He's a gifted man," she tells the audience, "but, in the end, he's just a man."

The fact that the crowd responds with laughter and a long, warm ovation is a good sign for the Obama team.

One of its most formidable tasks, after all, is to win over Democratic-leaning women tempted to help make Sen. Hillary Clinton the first woman president, and Michelle Obama figures prominently in the promotion strategy. She's a charismatic public speaker, an accomplished professional whose life as a working parent looks familiar to all kinds of women.

More than just a spokeswoman, she's a crucial part of the Obama package itself, complementing and shaping her husband in ways that are politically and personally significant."

Michelle's Getting Good

Oh Christ Judi, What Next?

You know, as much as Judith Guliani gets on my nerves - I wouldn't wish this on anybody. One of her yappy ex-boyfriends is going on and on about how this woman (who is now a another man's wife - a man running for president no less) was basically the best he ever had.
Gross. Judi should have had Rudy's people hunt this dic@head down and make him sign some kind of post-relationship privacy agreement. Instead he's a-blabbing to the New York Post:

Theirs was a relationship that spanned five special years. They shared dinners, theater and a love of New York. And in his first in-depth interview, Judith Giuliani's ex-boyfriend tells how he believes passionately that she will be a terrific asset to her husband Rudy's presidential campaign - and a wonderful First Lady.

"Her heart is in all the right places in terms of doing good. She is well-trained for this kind of job if it ever happens," said Manos Zacharioudakis, who lived with the then-Judith Nathan for four years between husbands No. 2 and No. 3.

Eight years later, the clinical psychologist still waxes poetic about the woman he once loved and said former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the GOP front-runner, is in capable hands."

It gets worse.

"She is a sensual person; she is a passionate person. She has that Italian eroticism and passion," said Zacharioudakis, when reached at his office in Volos, Greece, where he is in private practice."

Ew.

More on Michelle Obama's Money

Yep. The financial colonoscopy continues.
From Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun-Times:

"White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama and his wife Michelle reported $991,296 in income in 2006, boosted by a $506,618 payout in advances and royalties for his books, according to returns released by his campaign on Monday.
The Obamas have four main sources of income:
*Obama’s Senate salary of $157,082.
*Book income of $506,618. Obama’s second book, “The Audacity of Hope,” was released last fall and soared to the best seller lists.
*Michelle Obama’s payment of $273,618 from the University of Chicago Hospitals. She will get paid less in 2007 because she cut back on her job because of the campaign. She made more in 2005 because of a signing bonus from the U of C given when she was promoted to vice president of community and external affairs in January, 2005, just as Obama was sworn in as senator.
Tax returns from last year showed her total compensation in 2005 went from $122,000 to $317,000, though the higher figure includes a one-time pension payout and the bonus.
*Michelle Obama’s payment of $51,200 from TreeHouse Foods, where she has been on the board of directors since June, 2005.
Interest income totaled $4,590 in interest with $1,188 from dividends."

Bill Takes Hill to Regroup

You'd need a vacation too if you had raised a record 26 million dollars in campaign funds in ONE quarter - only to learn a few days later that Michelle and Barack are breathing down your necks with 25 million.
Team Obama is beating the bushes for any and all contributions. And the spin is excellent: that his funds come from more donors, so they are more grass-rooty and therefore cleaner and a better indication of his popularity.
It clearly shook Camp Hillary to its core, and the principals are taking some time in D.R. to try to get it together. As a former president and possibly America's Next First Lady, Bill is probably telling Hill to keep her chin up - and remember he can raise stupid amounts of money in a matter of minutes.
How?
Consider this from worldmagazine.com

"What would motivate 45 health enthusiasts to dish out $2,300 apiece for 30 minutes on a stationary bicycle at a trendy health club? Two words: Bill Clinton. The former president showed up late last month at Soul Cycle, a new fitness center in New York City's upper west side, to raise cash for his wife's financially fit presidential campaign.

Strolling through rows of bicycles in a suit and tie, Clinton shook hands and shared personal anecdotes about Hillary Clinton, while raking in an easy hundred grand. The small crowd, mostly women, usually pays $25 for a spin class, but said Clinton's appearance was worth the extra dough. "People love him," one woman told ABC News. "People love him more than Hillary."

Mrs. Obama to Univ. of Chicago: 'I'm Outta Here'

Uhhhhh. Ya think?
Let's see. Stay in Chicago to go to boring meetings about how to math over-achieving little snots with volunteer programs they don't really care about but need to have on their resumes....
Or hit the campaign trail to play a central role in one of the most exciting presidential elections in decades.
Yeah, I think it's safe to say Michelle Obama will be putting her career on hold.

Oh and ABC News - we get it. SHES TALL. You don't have to keep describing her as if she's the jolly green giant. Makes you wonder - what kind of dwarf Sunlen Miller is.

Who's the Boss?

Ah the age old question.
Mary Sanchez of McClatchy Newspapers says America is not ready for a female president. The proof? She says just look at the backlash heaped upon the Giulianis after Rudy suggested Judi could sit in on Cabinet meetings (that is if she could squeeze them in between "freshenings").
I disagree Ms. Sanchez. I think the reaction is to Dame Judi. Just as I think some of the extreme reactions against Hillary - are because she's HILLARY and all that implies. I think different women in both situations might be received differently.
I do however agree with your assessment on this:

"So, when you cast a presidential vote, know that you're also signing on for the candidate's better half. Look closely at Michelle Obama, Cindy McCain, Ann Romney, Elizabeth Edwards, Jill Biden, Mary Brownback, Barbara Richardson and the rest of the wives whose husbands are vying for the White House.

Look closely at our old friend Bill, too. His famous charisma will be necessary to counter the harsh image his other half has duly earned. If President Hillary ever becomes a reality, it will be in no small part because people were actually voting for her spouse."

Yep, this race is all about "America's Next First Lady"

The Anti-Judi

In true seasoned politician style Mrs. John Edwards takes advantage of the Judi Giuliani-lash and sets herself up as the antithesis of the woman America is becoming truly sick of.
When Rudy said if he made it to the White House wife number three would sit in on Cabinet meetings - Lizzy responded

"I wouldn't be attending cabinet meetings. Honestly, I have a lot that — You know, I think you get a great big megaphone and you get to talk about things you care about, and I hope I'd be busy doing that and mothering my adorable children as opposed to sitting in Cabinet meetings."

Ouch.
Love it.

See Giuliani - If You Had Listened to Me...

when I told you to shut Judi up, you wouldn't be putting out pleas like this to CBS News

"Attack me all you want. There's plenty to attack me about. Please do it. But maybe, you know, show a little decency."

--Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, asking the media to back off from scrutiny of his wife Judith Nathan Giuliani. Writes WCBS-TV New York's Lou Young: "That's a tough sell for a man who suggested he might invite his wife into cabinet meetings."

And more bad press found at keyetv.com

"The fuss started when Mrs. Giuliani confirmed she had been married three times. It was previously believed that the former Judith Nathan had been married twice.

"Something I will share with you is that ... Rudy and I have both been married three times," Nathan, 52, told the New York Post.

Subsequently, Giuliani said that if elected, he'd be open to his wife attending Cabinet meetings on issues in which she's interested.

In an interview with Barbara Walters on ABC News' "20/20," Giuliani and his wife answered questions about the six marriages between them and whether she was the "other woman" who caused the breakup of his second marriage to TV personality Donna Hanover.

The Post and the New York Daily News gave prominent play to the marriage and cabinet stories. The Post followed up with a story under the headline, "JUDI'S JOB WITH PUP-KILLER FIRM."

The newspaper reported that that Mrs. Giuliani, a nurse, had worked for a medical supply company that used dogs to demonstrate the use of medical staplers."

The Ladies Finally Get a Little Love

From the New York Daily News:

"Marriage has become a major subtext of the 2008 campaign.

The revelation of a third husband by Judith Giuliani was a first for a presidential campaign, but even before the Giuliani surprise the candidates' spouses were attracting attention.

For one thing, there's a famous former President auditioning to go back to the White House as First Gentleman.

Indeed, all three of the top Democrats have charismatic lawyer spouses at least as popular as they are. It's generally not hard to find people at a Clinton, Obama or Edwards event who wish Bill, Michelle or Elizabeth were on the ticket.

On the GOP side, marriage is a touchier issue."

(more)

And from CBS

"The extraordinary travel and time demands on presidential candidates make it impossible for spouses to stay on the sidelines.

"The increasing length of time that these national campaigns are running under now, and the concentration of these early primary states for nomination, the spouses are just critical to the campaign," said Sarah Brewer of American University's Women & Politics Institute.

Michelle Obama – at first apprehensive – is winning over audiences. Anne Romney kept a low profile when Mitt Romney was governor of Massachusetts, but not anymore, despite her Multiple Sclerosis. And Cindy McCain is along for a ride on Senator John McCain's Straight Talk Express much earlier than she was in 2000.

"Now, there she is sitting next to him – grinning from ear to ear, hair perfect, looking adoring," Mehren said."