# People who adore Michelle Obama, what is your motivation **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 13, 2017, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832 "2017-06-13T03:11:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/21 "2017-06-13T13:56:34Z")
Perhaps worth noting that on an election betting odds website I sometimes check out, Michelle is the second leading Democrat in terms of winning the presidency in 2020 (after Warren). Personally I would rate Harris and Booker much higher, among others, but there you have it. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/22 "2017-06-13T13:59:11Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Compared to the average First Lady she’s smokin’ hot. I can agree with that. > [@running\_coach](#): > > “Smokin’ hot” isn’t always _just_ looks. God point. I’m sure **Shodan** wasn’t talking about her looks. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/23 "2017-06-13T14:11:24Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Perhaps worth noting that on an election betting odds website I sometimes check out, Michelle is the second leading Democrat in terms of winning the presidency in 2020 (after Warren). I like Michelle Obama a lot for most of the reasons cited above but this is just nuts. She’s not sufficiently qualified to run for president and I see no indication whatsoever that she is remotely interested in being so. (OTOH the last candidate who wasn’t qualified to be president got elected anyway, so maybe it doesn’t matter anymore…) ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/24 "2017-06-13T14:14:02Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > She is the perfect package of intelligence, grace, smarts, accomplishments, compassion, elegance, style, class, savoir faire, and all with the ability to connect with common people. She is the consummate First Lady and the one the others will be measured against, in company with the greats like Dolley Madison, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Jacqueline Kennedy. We as a nation were blessed to get 8 years of her in the White House. This is why I like her. ---
**Author:** ![Periwinkle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Periwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Periwinkle)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/25 "2017-06-13T19:51:28Z")
In addition to the outstanding personal qualities noted by others, I was very touched by observing her with her husband. So much love between them, it was very endearing to see. Remember the adorable photo of her embracing George W. and him leaning into her affectionately? I think her warmth, sincerity and humor make people feel that way about her. She is a very impressive person, but not intimidating. I like and respect her, and think she was a wonderful First Lady. I miss her (and her husband). ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/26 "2017-06-13T21:37:32Z")
I guess the OP isn’t going to satisfy our curiosity. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/27 "2017-06-13T21:44:19Z")
I guess I’d have to wonder why I would need a motivation. Reasons perhaps, but motivation? ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2017, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/28 "2017-06-13T22:04:03Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I like Michelle Obama a lot for most of the reasons cited above but this is just nuts. She’s not sufficiently qualified to run for president and I see no indication whatsoever that she is remotely interested in being so. In fact, she didn’t seem to thrilled about the personal impact of her husband being in the position of President, and after observing and experiencing eight years of constant abuse and partisan obstructionism, I doubt she would accept the job if someone were pointing a gun at her head. As for the query of the o.p., Michelle Obama managed to maintain composure, demonstrate class and style, and yet still be relatable, all while being the target of bigotry and insults that would turn Mitch McConnell into a warbbling pile of breathless spasms. I wouldn’t exactly classify health and nutrition as being not a “safe” topic, but it is an increasingly important one and she seemed to have a genuine and persistent interest in it. I wouldn’t say that I “adore” her, but she certainly fit the role very well in all areas even counting her initial objection to moving to D.C. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/29 "2017-06-14T03:20:59Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > I’d be more interested in hearing why you _don’t_ like her, to tell the truth. Like **Shodan** , my opinion of her can be best summed up with an indifferent shrug. However, disliking Clinton aside, I am nothing but indifferent to \*any \*of the first ladies who have lived in the white house during my lifetime. I don’t feel like we really get to know the first lady a 100th as well as the president, and other than a description of their appearance and occasionally their pet causes, I couldn’t tell you anything much about them. I couldn’t tell you which ones were nice, which ones were smart, which ones were mean to people behind their backs… And really, that’s okay. They didn’t get elected, so it’s good that they’re not forced into the public eye more than they want to be just because they’re married to someone who really wanted to be there. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/30 "2017-06-14T04:13:25Z")
Of the many reasons I’m fond of her is that she and Dr Jill Biden started an initiative to recognize and bring greater support to military families, especially those of deployed persons and Gold Star families; they both spent years of their tenure doing so. The First Lady of the POTUS who deployed those troops did not. I feel badly for you, OP, that you can’t see what there is to admire in such an admirable person. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/31 "2017-06-14T07:49:34Z")
She’s nice, and she actually had a public appearance, unlike the other nice First Ladies in the past. She also came across as young and hip. No, it’s not dissimilar to what would make an actress likable. But that’s okay. As for running for president: I’m pretty sure that’s mostly about how likable she is, while still being clearly for liberal causes. Oh, and being attractive tends to help you win, too. And she gave some good speeches. In other words, she seems like a woman who could win, if she were to choose to run. It’s similar to why people like Biden. He’s nothing special, either, but it seemed like he was affable enough that people could like him. And that was seen as a huge flaw in Clinton. No matter what she did, she was never well-liked. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/32 "2017-06-14T09:27:33Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > Of the many reasons I’m fond of her is that she and Dr Jill Biden started an initiative to recognize and bring greater support to military families, especially those of deployed persons and Gold Star families; they both spent years of their tenure doing so. > The First Lady of the POTUS who deployed those troops did not. Laura Bush and Michelle Obama are apparently friends and have appeared together at various events, including ones for military families. During her tenure as FLOTUS Bush was virtually invisible, but I never held that against her; she wasn’t the one elected to public office. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/33 "2017-06-14T09:29:22Z")
She ain’t afraid to act silly from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/34 "2017-06-14T13:13:53Z")
Michelle Obama is very relatable to me, for many of the reasons others have pointed out. Above all, she has never struck me as someone overly concerned with appearances. There’s a certain “bless your heart, but I don’t give a god damn” about her that I find refreshing, as if [this](http://31.media.tumblr.com/4359775c96863b67b3e9fb8c67d911b1/tumblr_mzh6qcgO4x1sicctoo1_500.gif) is her reaction to any imagined problem with her being her regular self. In turn, this makes her seem like someone who is very accepting of and comfortable with others. Like others, I’m also curious what basis someone have of actively disliking her. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/35 "2017-06-14T23:29:46Z")
Seriously **Wesley Clark** , “what is your motivation” to never like her? ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/36 "2017-06-15T00:08:09Z")
Others have effectively chimed in, but I was always enamored by a sense of authenticity that Mrs. Obama has always had. Michelle Obama struck me as someone who truly loved her husband (I recall on the campaign trail in 2008 when she gave him a fist bump (terrorist fist jab, anyone?) and the affection between them was plainly evident), but who wasn’t afraid to give him the “side eye”. She came across as incredibly devoted and loving, but never one to suffers fools gladly. From my outside perspective, that’s about the best thing you can ask for in a spouse - somebody who has your back and is your rock, but who loves and cares enough to give tough love and frank advice when it is warranted. I also love this story I recently heard: A few weeks ago, my wife met a woman who’s husband is a Secret Service agent who used to be on the First Daughters’ security detail. He described it as a lot of slumber parties with giggling teenaged girls (he also says that by the time Trump leaves the White House the whole place will be shellacked due to all the hair spray he uses, but I digress)…that strikes me as a perfect snapshot in how Michelle Obama raised her daughters - very real, and down home (I’ve heard that the girls had chores, never mind that they lived at the White House), despite the largesse of their circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/37 "2017-06-15T00:34:39Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I guess the OP isn’t going to satisfy our curiosity. Sure why not. Expressing an unpopular opinion about a beloved public figure never backfires, so lets do that. She strikes me as status obsessed and supercilious. She reminds me of the kinds of women who dress up for PTA meetings, then go home and make fun of the other mothers for wearing shabby clothes. I always hated those ‘which president would you rather have a beer with’ questions that people had in Bush v. Gore. I don’t care if I like my president, I care if the president is competent. But the first lady isn’t the president. She reminds me of an orange county housewife. Very obsessed with image and status, prone to objectification of self and others. You guys see class, I don’t see it because class is much more subtle. I started this thread to find out what other people are seeing that I’m not seeing. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/38 "2017-06-15T00:40:17Z")
Wow. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/39 "2017-06-15T00:42:46Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Sure why not. Expressing an unpopular opinion about a beloved public figure never backfires, so lets do that. > > She strikes me as status obsessed and supercilious. She reminds me of the kinds of women who dress up for PTA meetings, then go home and make fun of the other mothers for wearing shabby clothes. I always hated those ‘which president would you rather have a beer with’ questions that people had in Bush v. Gore. I don’t care if I like my president, I care if the president is competent. But the first lady isn’t the president. She reminds me of an orange county housewife. Very obsessed with image and status, prone to objectification of self and others. > > You guys see class, I don’t see it because class is much more subtle. I started this thread to find out what other people are seeing that I’m not seeing. :eek: Only because I’m racking my brain with any instance in which she objectified herself or others, or was disrespectful to anyone… and I got nothing. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832/40 "2017-06-15T00:42:48Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > She has authenticity, strength, humor, freakish intelligence, and honest passion for what she believes in (which happens to jibe well with what I believe in, or at least do after I hear her talk about it). There is no sense of political calculation about her. No sense of contrivance. > > To me, what’s not to like? Well said. I’m going with that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-adore-michelle-obama-what-is-your-motivation/788832.md?page=3)