On a night when the whole nation was watching, Michelle Obama showed why America may indeed fall in love with her as the next First Lady of the United States.
Let's put policy aside. Let's put liberal and conservative preferences aside for a moment. I know it's hard but indulge me for a moment.
If Barack Obama wins the presidency, this night will go down as one of the key turning points in the entire campaign. We know Barack Obama can give a heck of a speech but what about Michelle? The nation just found out that she may be able to give her husband a run for his money. If she doesn't become First Lady, she may want to teach a Dale Carnegie public speaking class. She was that good.
This night in Denver was not about policy goals. It was about impressions. I'm sure die-hard Republican conservatives will find some fault with the speech but the reality is Michelle Obama accomplished the goal that was in front of her. She needed to come across as likeable and someone who cares deeply about this country. She satisfied both of those goals.
First of all, she talked about being a mom first. That resonates in the heartland. So did the line about saying grace at meals and goodnight prayers. Folks, that is rustbelt talk.
Michelle Obama has been accused of somehow being unpatriotic because of something she said in the past that got a lot of media attention. But tonight, it was critical that she tell Americans about her love of country and so the money line was when she said the words that she really needed to say; That's why I love this country"
She even got emotional towards the end when talking about how Barack Obama did not have the embrace of a father's love.
Finally, let me just pontificate a little about that scene at the end when the Obama girls came out on stage and were joined via satellite by Barack Obama. Yes it was scripted in the sense that the campaign wanted to showcase the girls and the "all American family". It was a nice moment but what made it classic was the unscripted part where the girls interacted lovingly with their dad. Folks, that's a Hallmark moment. Someone cue the sappy violins! Somewhere in the Obama campaign they heard the sound, "Ca-ching"
Bottom line: Michelle Obama showed how much of an asset she can be to this campaign. It's a killer 1-2 punch.