Day One: Michelle Obama – The Great American Story

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The opening night of the Democratic National Convention belonged to Michelle Obama.  It was her opportunity to introduce herself to the American people.

As Chris Brown noted at Chris Brown’s Blog:

"There’s been an incessant attempt by Republicans and conservatives to portray Michelle Obama as an angry black radical. Their disparaging remarks and grotesque commentary have become legendary among their rank-and-file.

If you were uninformed, then you’d likely be susceptible to their hatred and lies. Fortunately, most people reject this stuff.

But the media has remained complicit in openly accepting the character assassination of Michelle Obama.

The media narrative from the talking heads preceding Michelle’s speech simply parroted the GOP/McCain talking points (they are shameless). They pontificated that Michelle would have to dispel the negative caricature that Republicans and conservatives have painted of her.  (Rather than being critical of the Swift Boat smear attacks on Michelle from the Republicans).

For any American with any sense of common decency and humanity, I think Michelle Obama succeeded in presenting an impressive picture of her great American story.  Michelle comes from a family of Midwestern middle class values. The story of her father who struggled with MS before he died was moving.  Michelle’s personal history of hard work, dedication and sacrifice to succeed both in school and at work, and to give back to her community was inspiring.  It brought tears to the eyes of women in the audience in recognition of how far women have come and succeeded in this world. This is the promise of the American dream: if you work hard and apply yourself, anything is possible.  It was obvious that Michelle is a good wife and mother who loves her family very much.  Her daughters Sasha and Malia stole the show at the end.

As one commentator said, the girls "put the cherry on top of the Sunday."

For a transcript of the speech Transcript: Michelle Obama’s Convention Speech

Watch the video (below the fold – for technical reasons).