Michelle comes up big for Hill, prez and Dems
PHILADELPHIA — Michelle Obama had a lot to do last night in one speech: boost Hillary Clinton after a long and chaotic first day of the Democratic National Convention all while helping to bolster her husband’s White House legacy.
She delivered and even added swipes at GOP rival Donald Trump.
She delivered one of the most important full-throated endorsements of Clinton while focusing her speech on the impact the election will have on the nation’s children.
“Because of Hillary Clinton, my daughters and all of our sons and our daughters now take for granted that a woman can be president of the United States,” she said. “That’s why in this election — I’m with her.”
For Clinton, the first lady served as a powerful surrogate, and not just because her favorability ratings far exceed Clinton’s. Obama is well respected among a broad spectrum of Democrats, revered by blacks, and seen as someone who is both powerful and relatable — all areas where Clinton could use help.
Obama is accomplished enough to be a sought-after commencement speaker, yet cool enough to sing along to a Beyonce song on “Carpool Karaoke” on the “Late Late Show” with James Corden.
As Democrats tried to underscore in the J.J. Abramsproduced video that introduced Obama, she proved once again to be a resolute and inspirational first spouse.
Obama received a rock star’s welcome when she walked across the stage, the beginning of her speech frequently punctuated by shouts of “We love you, Michelle!” followed by bursts of applause.
Clinton desperately needs some of that charisma on the stump. And Clinton should do all she can to urge Obama to stump for her on the campaign trail, because she proved she wasn’t afraid of standing up to Trump.
Speaking of how she raised her children, Obama said: “When someone is cruel and acts like a bully, you don’t stoop to their level.
“No, our motto is when they go low, we go high,” Obama said, adding later that the job of president requires a steady temperament and “can’t be boiled down to 140 characters.”
“You have the nuclear codes at your fingertips and the military at your command,” Obama said. “You can’t make snap decisions.”
But most of all, she helped Clinton in the area the Democratic candidate needs it the most.
“I trust Hillary Clinton to lead this country,” Obama said.
“Don’t let anyone ever tell you that this country isn’t great,” she added. “That somehow we need to make it great again. Because this right now is the greatest country on earth.”