Obamas' Coming Out - Good....

But not great. Barack and Michelle took the show on the road Saturday. Announcing a for real for real run for the White House before the senator headed to Iowa. Obama gave good speech... it's about all of "us" - blahbity blabity. But these things, natch, are not solely about substance...they are orchestrated to capture the public's attention and imagination...and this one fell a little short. Like it or not Michelle you are part of a show, one that has to be exciting enough to make people want to get up off their asses and go vote. Your business: icon building and energizing "the base"...which means vivid royal blue, or orange, or red, or yellow coats. Not your somber black one (although I guess you get points for not breaking out the mink.)
Again, check out the masters below.
Newsday caught the Clintons in the classic pose - in colors that make people want to watch...and if they watch long enough, maybe they'll eventually listen - which is the point.
And look at the wave. (Michelle, you've got a lot of work to do on this one.)
Like European royals, Hill and Bill make the wrists do all the work...but they've added American bigness by throwing their arms high in the air.
Barack has worked out a version of the high-arm/wrist based wave but Michelle, you have some kinda whole body windshield-wiper wave going on that is tres unattractive.


Stop this immediately. Remember, you are a queen, a compassionate one yes, but still a queen who must float regally above all the dirty politics.

Michelle Obama Stars on BarackTV

barackobama.com unveiled a new look to go along with the junior senator from Illinois' OFFICIAL announcement that he's making the run for 1600...and wifey Michelle is one of the stars on "BarackTV."
The hair is a little crazy, but I'd spin that as busy mother/career woman with too much going on to obsess about hair. The pale blue turtleneck is just lovely...as are the stories about Barack whose idea of a date was to take her to one of his community organizer events to preach about how the world should be. Ah, young, buppie, want-to-run-for-president-one-day, love.

Candidates In, Potenetial First Ladies Left Out

Clinton. Brownback. Richardson.
All three made web-announcements this past weekend about running for president and NONE of them mentioned their First Ladies-in-waiting.

Senator Hill's speech-ette had the best opening line. "I'm in. And I'm in to win."
(vid from hillaryclinton.com)
It also had the best slow pans from side to side to make it more interesting visually. But what it didn't have was any mention what so ever of Bill...although the photo behind her (on the table, screen right) was a subtle reminder that Big Willie is always in the background. So even if it turns out she doesn't actually really know how to win the presidency after all - he does dammit.
(Nice red state jacket too, by the way.)


There wasn't even a picture of Mary Brownback in the web video announcement of Kansas republican, Senator Sam Brownback.
He mentioned America's "culture" five times and praised God three times - but he couldn't squeeze in a "Mary" or two?
Unlike the other candidates, he did add a little folksy guitar under a photo shopped pic of him in front of the White House. Should go over well in the reds.

(vid above from brownback.com)
(vid below from richardsonforpresident.com)
And New Mexico's democratic governor Bill Richardson made his exploratory committee announcement in English and Spanish without a word in either language about wife Barbara. Nada. He was more than willing to pimp her to win re-election as governor last fall - but I guess now he's gotta prove he can carry the weight by himself.
They all want to project that image. (Obama too.) That is of course until word leaks out about their affairs with the 20 year-olds. Or until they're actually in office and their approval ratings drop to the lowest levels in the history of approval ratings. The stingy bastards want to hog all the glory, until the public can't stand their asses...then it's the First Lady who has to hit the second-term campaign trail to Kalamazoo for f!@#'s sake to convince people to vote for bonehead. Just ask Laura Bush. Oh well. The price of being FLOTUS.

Bill Sticks to Script...Stays Out of Spotlight

Shock Poll: Hillary Clinton tied with Rudy Giuliani, Beats McCain (National Ledger)
Is Hillary Close to Announcing '08 Run? (FOX)
Hillary Clinton: Time for a Woman President (NPR)

Bayh Susan, Hello Elizabeth Kucinich

Ok - Last week we had to say buh-Bayh to Susan - so one potential First Lady is out... but a new one is in!

Meet Elizabeth Kucinich bride of Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D) Ohio

In the midst of the cacophony that was the re-hashing of the Obama visit to New Hampshire - a little announcement got lost.
Congressman Dennis Kucinich is running for president...again.
No hemming and hawing. No exploratory committee. He's in godammit. And that means his wife Elizabeth is too - and from what I've seen so far she's ADORABLE. Good asset Denny. Just click the arrow below to look at the way she strode in with him for his announcement, not at all self-conscious about towering over her elfin hubby (been there).



The Jackie-in-Dallas pink jacket was a plus and she seemed very not freaked out in the spotlight.
Plus, she's got a little substance to go with her style. Watch the England-native talk about her travels around the world to work with the poor. Okay it's a tad Soon Yi that she's 28 years-old ...THREE DECADES younger than Kucinich. That even beats the age-canyon between the Mccains...but young lungs means Lil' bet won't run out of breath in her very uphill race to be America's Next First Lady.

Pro: Bight-eyed and bushy-tailed, with slight air of detachment. Fabulous.
Con: Got a whole lot of Rapunzelocity going on, too much for Washington.
Tip: Get thee to the Okyo Salon in Foggy Bottom stat for a trim, doesn't have to be a cut cut, but jesus.