Expectatons For Michelle Obama

Hate to say it, but she has to appear normal, average and exceptional. She is the most modern of first ladies-in-waiting, but the Obama's marriage and family life are the most traditional of any presidential candidate's family in recent memory. Michelle Obama is in a unique position to describe why this is so and how it reflects on her husband.

She will joke about her husband and bring him down to earth a little. She's good at that.

Many white Americans still have stereotyped impressions about black women and black families, and have very hook little to hang their minds on about the millions of middle class black families. Michelle Obama will help them fill in this perceptual gap.

Michelle Obama can be edgy; as a passionate advocate for her husband, she can occasionally veer into the eschatological. She will temper that understandable instinct.

She is an independent woman, balancing family and career. There is much for supporters of Hillary Clinton to admire in Michelle Obama, if only they can look beyond politics.