Why hasn't Michelle Obama run for office on her own?

[Beausoir]

Why must she be just another politician's wife?

If the woman is so brilliant, why hasn't she run for office?

I am so tired of so-called "brilliant" women hiding behind their husbands.

If the woman is so capable and brilliant, why the hell hasn't she run for public office herself?

[Danger Mouse]

1. Maybe she doesn't want to?

Why does she HAVE to run for public office if she's brillaint?

[Window]

93. Duh!!!

What is wrong with some of these people???



Peace:thumbsup:

[loveangelc]

2. because she has a different job?

[Beausoir]

6. And what would that job be, exactly?

[babylonsister]

8. Wife and mother, for starters? nt

[Beausoir]

68. Are you actually suggesting that being a wife is an occupation?

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

87. who gives a rats ass? are you trying to put her down?

She is free to do as she sees fit.

[NMMatt]

92. Clearly for Hillary it is... i.e. those 35 years of experience.

[jackson_dem]

12. Making $316,962 a year as an executive

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2006/09/hospital_offici.html

There is nothing wrong with this but it flies in the face of Obama's modern day "log cabin" myth. The Obamas have made $2.6 million in the last two years. They are hardly paupers. The msm mentions the wealth of Edwards, and now Hillary, to portray them as hypocrites on advocating for working folks. Notice they never do that with Obama.

[Beausoir]

19. Yep.

[RummyTheDummy]

86. That might also be because the Obamas aren't nearly as rich as they are

I would guess that both Edwards and the Clintons have a far higher net worth than Obama. And it wouldn't even be close. Care to disagree?

[jackson_dem]

97. What relevance does that have? Neither have as much as Romney

And Obama has far more wealth than Joe Biden and Dennis Kucinich. What difference does any of this make? The msm held with Edwards and now with Hillary that if you are rich and care about working folks you are a phony. Why is Obama exempt from this? We know hy...

[blogslut]

15. She is a lawyer

You know, like Hillary was when she first entered the national spotlight.

[loveangelc]

18. she was a lawyer and executive. google or wikipedia are your friends :)

you should use them before you make baseless judgments that make you look...how you look now.

and btw, if you're a hillary supporter, how can you justify hillary hiding behind her husband to justify her own political ambitions?

[WritingIsMyReligion]

98. A lawyer, and she's done plenty for respectable organizations such as the University of Chicago.

Not a dumbass by any means, as I'm pretty sure UChicago doesn't fool around with the less-than-intelligent.

[mcctatas]

3. Maybe because she's smart enough to know that politics is

a dirty bullshit game...or maybe after her hubby gets elected she'll move to WI, run for senate and then run for president....

[tabatha]

4. Because she is more interested in helping people and

raising her children properly.

You do notice that Chelsea is an adult now.

[noamnety]

5. Why hasn't Beausoir been named career counselor for all womankind?

Why must women make their own career choices when Beausoir is here to do it for them, better?

[HCE SuiGeneris]

47. Yes! Viva Beausoir!

It's way past time!


:thumbsup: lwfern

[Beausoir]

50. It's way past time that women are seated at the table.

[DJ13]

7. Maybe she actually enjoys being a mother and a wife instead of being selfish & thinking of herself?

:shrug:

[NMMNG]

28. So a woman who has a career is "selfish and thinking of herself"?

:popcorn:

[rpannier]

44. I would disagree that having a career is selfish

But I wonder that about anyone who has small children and runs for high public office.

Are they really that concerned about the effect that kind of scrutiny will have on their small children -- that goes for anyone male or female running.

[NMMNG]

51. That would prove difficult

But I wonder that about anyone who has small children and runs for high public office.

Are they really that concerned about the effect that kind of scrutiny will have on their small children -- that goes for anyone male or female running.

A candidate, male or female, with no children? That wouldn't bode well with the "family values" crowd. Of course they might have fully grown children but the FVC tends to like nuclear families with young children for all of those lovely photos. Even here we've had some who think it's time to get a "family" back in the WH.

[Beausoir]

45. They never learn.

[NMMNG]

52. No, they never do

:eyes:

[VotesForWomen]

89. but.. but.... there is no sexism on DU. heh. nt

[Tatiana]

9. Politics isn't her personal ambition. If it was, I have no doubt she'd be successful. n/t

[Beausoir]

16. Baha. Really? She's not interested in politics?

[Tatiana]

25. Take your projection (jealousy? bitterness?) elsewhere. And don't twist my words.

I said it is not her personal ambition. Barack was an intern at the firm where Michelle was already firmly established. She is equally talented and as articulate (if not inspirational) as Barack. So if she wanted to pursue a political career, she most certainly could have. She likes work behind the scenes, and that is just as important as being the center of attention sometimes.

[Beausoir]

27. So, why didn't she run for office?

[Tatiana]

29. Just curious, have you listened to any of her speeches or interviews? n/t

[Beausoir]

36. Yes. That's why I posed the question. Another smart capable woman who is propping up her husband.

She should put it up or shut it up.

[Tatiana]

43. And what makes you think she is "propping up" her husband?

Was Elizabeth "propping up" John?

Did Hillary "prop up" Bill all those years?

[Beausoir]

46. The records of Hillary and Elizabeth speak for themselves.

Michelle Obama seems to be trying to emulate the Jackie O days of an era long gone.

[Kahuna]

95. FYI, Michelle is a lawyer and a hospital administrator who was making

way more than her husband. So please give it up. As someone said, google and wikipedia is your friend. You should have used either before making this ridiculous post.

[blogslut]

10. Really, is this the best you can do?

You slam Michelle Obama because she didn't run for office?

[Why Syzygy]

11. WTF?

Every brilliant and capable woman is supposed to run for public office?
She has CHILDREN. Maybe they mean something to her.

Why are you tired of so-called "Brilliant" women hiding behind their husbands?
What's it to YOU?

Nonsense.

[dkf]

13. Completely not interested as per her Newsweek interview.

And believe me, if she was interested I'm sure she would have been very successful at it.

[Hill_YesWeWill]

14. I dont know why, but she should, however,

I'm a bit insulted if you're trying to suggest Michelle is "hiding behind her husband"

Every woman, even the most capable and brilliant have the freedom to choose how they live their life.

[Hill_YesWeWill]

17. This is offensive to women, are you a republican plant? nt

[mcctatas]

20. I think he/she might be a bougainvillea

;)

[Bluebear]

58. -----

:spray:

[jackson_dem]

21. Beusior has posted here since 2002

So I doubt it... I think this thread is a reply to another one. Obama supporters should be slower on the panic button. ;)

[Beausoir]

24. The Obamaroids are awfully quick to push the panic button.

And they, once again, fail to grasp the meaning of a post.

[jackson_dem]

31. Yup

[babylonsister]

34. Pack sand and stop being so condescending. There are way too many

on this site. Spit out what you want to say or get off the pot.

[Beausoir]

22. This is offensive to women...how?

It's time that smart women are seated at the big table.

Not merely serving as window dressing for their husband's aspirations.

[Tatiana]

26. So if you're smart, you must run for elective office? Is that your argument? n/t

[Beausoir]

30. Look. The woman is obviously smart and capable. Why must she play second fiddle?

Why can't she step up to the plate and deliver of her own accord?

[babylonsister]

37. Why do you think she's playing second fiddle? Maybe she's right where

she wants to be, supporting her husband, and has no desire to run for office? Beyond your ken? :eyes:

[Beausoir]

38. Oh yeah. I "ken".

It's time for the smart women to be seated at the table.

You ken?

[babylonsister]

41. If she's smart, she'd bow out gracefully...soon. But not before

March 4th. She still has a fighting chance, but after that... she's :toast: if she doesn't win big.

[Hill_YesWeWill]

33. Women Have a Right to serve as a "window dressing" if they want to

and they'd probably call it something different then "serving as a window dressing"

seriously, this discussion, as a woman, makes me feel sick to my stomach. I don't judge other women for the way they choose to live their life, what gives you the right?!

I think this just struck a chord with me. It just so happens I'm finishing up a master's degree right now and I'm thinking about either getting a doctorate or having a baby. And, I haven't quite made up my mind yet, I know I can do both obviously, but I don't know which one to do first, or if it would be too hard to do after I have a baby.

But, I can tell you this, the last thing I will be basing this decision on is what any Other women, besides my close family, think I should be doing with my time!

[Beausoir]

49. They have that right. But they do not earn my respect for choosing to do so.

It's time that women are seated at the table.

It's LONG past due.

[rpannier]

53. And allwomen who don'trun for office must be crying because...

they will never earn your respect.

Your respect and 50 cents still only buys a pack of gum.

[Beausoir]

56. My opinion is only my opinion. It's worth just as much as your opinion.

No more and no less.

Sorry you have not learned that important life lesson.

[Hill_YesWeWill]

59. You are a good example of the type of feminism

that turns me off.

Here's some advice: there's a lot of really smart capable women out there that don't want to be told how to live their lives, or that they need to stop having babies, stop baking cookies and stop standing by their man because it's absolutely imperative for them to get into an office somewhere and be in charge of as many men as possible

If you're trying to convince me as woman to vote for Hillary, you're not succeeding. But I guess if you guys don't need my vote, then that's fine right? I'm going to go ahead and vote for Obama, I thinks he represent's a woman's right to choose.

[Beausoir]

61. When are women going to be seated equally at the table of power? Please tell me.

[Hill_YesWeWill]

62. I don't know

when are blacks going to be seated equally at that table, what about black women or black men? I'm sure there a lot more white women than black men at that table. Now, I don't have any facts, that's just a guess.

[Hill_YesWeWill]

63. And what about Arabs, Indians, American Indians, Latinos,

Asians, and every otherr minority?

[Beausoir]

72. Women are a minority?

And yeah..what about all those other people. What are your solutions?

[Hill_YesWeWill]

74. I don't have any solutions, alas

I am a smart capable woman Not running for office, I guess my life is meaningless and without purpose

[Beausoir]

80. You are correct. You don't have any solutions.

Jesus. Can't you offer up ANY suggestions as to how women can finally gain their rightful place at the power table in this country?


Have you never thought about it?

Doesn't it make you really angry?

[Hill_YesWeWill]

84. No! ok, honestly?

I know as a woman, you are probably going to hate me for this, but I kind of don't care!

There I said it.

I think I'd care more if I didn't see the whole system as incredibly corrupt.

It's hard to take smart capable women and men seriously if I think thye are a bunch of liars and crooks, just my opinion on the state of our political system I guess

[Hill_YesWeWill]

88. Ok, on second thought, I do care

I have thought about it,

I was supporting Hillary Clinton just up to a few weeks ago, and that was definately a factor,

but it doesn't make me angry, not at all, there's a lot more to be angry about right now in America. Gender inequality is Hardly the biggest issue of inequality in the USA right now!

I care far more about AA & gay rights than I do about women's rights, and I'll tell you why. As a white woman, I've seen AA's and LGBT's being discriminated, I've actually seen it, but I've never felt discriminated as a white woman.

[Hill_YesWeWill]

78. By the way, you are misquoting me, I never said women are a minority nt

[grantcart]

23. She already occupies high office

Citizen

[ashling]

32. Maybe she'll run for senator

after 8 years as first lady

[jackson_dem]

35. Obamites. Sidebar time

Read http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4637547&mesg_id=4637547

[Beausoir]

40. And...wooosh. It goes right over their heads.

They just can't get it.

[rpannier]

39. Some people have ZERO interest in running for political office

There are many political spouses, both male and female who have no interest in running.

You could have easily asked:

Why hasn't Dinae Feinstein's husband run for public office?

Kay Bailey Hurchinson I don't think has ever run

Boxer, Michulski, I could go on but I've made my point

[Beausoir]

42. Clearly, Michelle Obama is VERY interested in running for political office.

You are not honestly trying to claim that she isn't, are you?

[rpannier]

48. Maybe she is interested,maybe she isn't

That is a decision she will have to make on her own.

These things are always "CLEAR(ly)" to others who aren't making those decisions.
I personally don't give a damn if she does decide to run.
If she does - fine.
If she doesn't - I will not be the lesser for her decision.

[Spider Jerusalem]

55. She's clearly very interested in being supportive of her husband.

Which is not the same thing.

To suggest that a woman with a career of her own is somehow lacking because she DOESN'T choose to run for political office, while supporting her spouse who DOES, is amazingly offensive. It also comes across as a bad caricature of feminism (the point of which is that women are free to make their own choices, rather than being limited by the roles a patriarchal society would have them think are the only options).

[Beausoir]

57. When are women going to be seated equally at the table of power? Please tell me.

[Spider Jerusalem]

64. So, just out of curiosity...

are you suggesting that women like Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein, Nancy Pelosi, Janet Napolitano, and many many others I could name occupy unequal positions at the 'table of power'? We have yet to acheive true gender equality, I admit, but there are countless examples of strong, capable, and intelligent women in positions of power.

Not to mention that it's a reductio ad absurdum to suggest that political office is the only place where an intelligent and accomplished woman should set her sights, career-wise; there are countless female executives, attorneys, university professors, journalists, scientists, physicians, etc., who I'm sure would be offended at the suggestion that they are somehow wasting their potential in their chosen fields.

[Beausoir]

67. At least you admit it. We are no where near gender equality.

When do you think that will happen?

[Hill_YesWeWill]

71. It'll happen when people stop telling women how to live their lives

make no mistake, it's sexist to declare that all smart capable women should be running for office, just like it would sexist to say all smart capable women should be stay at home moms

[Beausoir]

73. No. It will happen when smart capable women start being policy MAKERS.

[Hill_YesWeWill]

79. Well what are you going to do about that?

How are you going to Make smart capable women want to be policy makers?

You can't argue that One new policy maker would make a big difference, you must be talking about dozens of new policy makers right?

So, what's your plan?

[Spider Jerusalem]

81. Honestly?

I have no idea. Considering that we have yet to acheive true racial equality, 140 years after emancipation and over forty years after the civil rights victories of the '60's? Far-reaching social change occurs comparatively slowly, on generational time scales. It will probably take the death of the generations brought up believing in the social model of assigned and unequal gender roles, to be honest.

[Hill_YesWeWill]

82. Exactly, well said

I wanted to say the same thing, but never could have said it so well,

it takes time for things to change, but they will change

[Garbo 2004]

90. From some of her comments, she wasn't always exactly thrilled with her husband being in politics.

She chose to support him.

That's a problem for you? Strange.

[Tatiana]

54. Peace out.

I could be slow, but I don't see the point of this post, other than to disparage smart women who don't run for elective office.

[Beausoir]

60. You missed the point. When is this country going to accept smart women as policy MAKERS? As

decision MAKERS?

Instead of expecting them to just dress up pretty and prop up their husbands.

[Tatiana]

65. Last time I checked Nancy Pelosi was Speaker of the House.

Women are accepted just fine as policy makers. The problem is we have so few examples of truly smart and gifted ones. No one wants to go into politics. Why should they? It's a thankless job with constant pressure and people picking you apart.

I don't think anyone expects Michelle to just dress up pretty and prop up Obama. They are a "team." She has young kids right now and they are her priority, rightfully so. Hillary did not get involved in her run for the Senate until her child was squared away in college. That's smart.

I'd be happy if Michelle ran for public office at some point. That's a campaign I'd be thrilled to work for. Speaking from personal experience, she is truly a special person who really "gets" what's going on in the lives of the average American.

I feel the same about Elizabeth. Actually, I do think that is a case where the wife was propping up the husband slightly.

[loveangelc]

66. um, does the name nancy pelosi mean anything to you?

and this old fashioned 1970s type feminism that we have to give hillary a chance at the white house because of the sexism that is being shown at her and women everywhere, and she should win because of the big bad men who say bad things about her her will get her absolutely nowhere and she certainly won't win if she's the nominee that way. you and all of the other old-fashioned feminists are not doing her any good whatsoever.

[Beausoir]

70. "Old fashioned feminism" ?

Good god.

[loveangelc]

77. Yes. Old fashioned feminism.

It's no secret that younger feminists have much different views than the older generation of what it means to be a feminist. The idea that women must support Hillary because she is a woman and she is breaking down barriers for women is an example of an older generations view imo.

a quote I found on this subject:
This problem manifests itself when senior feminists insist that junior feminists be good daughters, defending the same kind of feminism their mothers advocated. Questions and criticisms are allowed, but only if they proceed from the approved brand of feminism. Daughters are not allowed to invent new ways of thinking and doing feminism for themselves; feminists’ politics should take the same shape that it has always assumed" (Richards 224).

btw what do you make of the fact that nancy pelosi, the first female speaker of the house, is probably supporting obama? is she trying to keep women down too?:eyes:

[JI7]

69. maybe she will run for Senate from Arkansas

during her husband's last year in office.

[Beausoir]

76. And...is that a wrong thing to do?

[Sapphocrat]

75. Because at her age (44)...

...she's perimenopausal. And you know what that means.










:evilgrin:

[Beausoir]

83. You dog-whistler, you! Pull your claws in. You are "periodically low" and then.....

you attack!

:evilgrin:

[Sapphocrat]

91. I'm sorry, were you saying something?

My attention tends to wander when I'm having a hot fla... Ooo, what's that on TV...?

[Raine]

85. She's TERRIFIC

but probably just doesn't have the "calling" for it herself.

[Kahuna]

94. Um. I didn't know that being a politician is the ultimate job for a

brilliant woman. :silly:

[SoCalDem]

96. Not everyone wants to run for office. ..and perhaps she feels

that she has enough "on her plate" right now. Perhaps she might have considered it after her kids were older..(had he not preceeded her in politics)..

Not every politician has a spouse who wants to be in the same "business"..

In fact, some pols may seek out spouses who are NOT interested in it for themselves..

[rinsd]

99. 2 kids under 10?