Michelle Obama

[From Confabulation.]

Since I have been rather grumpy about President Obama lately, I would like to note with real pleasure that I couldn't be more thrilled by the connection that occurred between Michelle Obama and seemingly the entire continent of Europe last week. I am a huge, gushing fan of the First Lady, and on this trip she did herself and all of us proud. The spontaneous physical exchange between Mrs. Obama and the Queen probably did more to re-cement the "special relationship" between the United States and Great Britain than a lifetime of Tony Blair speeches. And the trip to the school was, as my friend Randy Johnston pointed out to me, pure P.R. genius. What Barack and Michelle mean over the long haul to all the diverse youth of America and all the diverse youth of the world is incalculable. It is a historic impact. How many young people all over the globe are studying harder this very minute because of the example of the Obamas? This will truly be a gift that keeps on giving, on down the generations.

It is also such a relief for the United States to be liked around the world again. I felt during the election cycle that the damage done by Bush in that regard was highly reversible, because so much of it really had to do with him. Michelle Obama has played a huge part in bringing that reversal about; talk about an ambassador of good will!

And naturally, the fact that she really knows how to dress also impresses and pleases fashionista moi (to mix languages a bit).