Michelle Obama was addressing a private Democratic Party fundraiser in Northwest Washington when Ellen Sturtz, 56, a lesbian activist, interrupted her remarks to demand that President Obama sign an anti-discrimination executive order.
According to witnesses, MO showed her displeasure – stopping her speech to confront the heckler.
“One of the things that I don’t do…(long pause) … well is this,” she said to applause from most of the guests, according to a White House transcript. “Do you understand?”
The First Lady left the lectern and moved over to the protester. She is quoted Obama as saying: “Listen to me or you can take the mic, but I’m leaving. You all decide. You have one choice.”
You know? Every politician has had to face hecklers. Make no mistake, Michelle Obama is a politician. But even if she was not a politician, she is the "First Lady." As such she has tried hard to project an image of grace, class and poise. She is lauded for how "professional" she is. She is admired for her eloquence of speech.
In a speech about what a great example we should be to children and how we should have them at the forefront of our thoughts, providing them with everything they "need," she demonstrated what she means by "setting a good example."
When interrupted, she left the platform, stood inches away from the face of the heckler, and threatened to take her ball and go home, like a pouty little kid.
What do you think was the purpose of that long pause before concluding her attack on the heckler was about?
Do you think it is possible that she realized that she was about to say something that would scar her precious image, thought better of it and decided to add the qualifier, "well?"
Putting aside the free speech issue of the heckler (which I don't think applies at a private event, anyway), Michelle Obama certainly lost all semblance of poise and class. Where most speakers would address the situation politely from the podium and let those responsible for security handle the heckler, MO decided to take matters into her own hands.
Compare her with Barbara Bush or with Laura Bush. How many times did you ever see either one of them lose their composure like that? (OK, so I generally believe comparisons are meaningless, but I'm just saying...)
Her decision was not a measured, calculated response, it was a knee-jerk reaction to something that SHE didn't like...something that dared to interrupt her magnificence...her Majesty.
The heckler was escorted out of the venue, and properly so. This is not about whether she should have been allowed to shout out at the FL. It is not about freedom of speech. It is about the unmeasured reaction of MO, and it does not bode well for her.
On Good Morning America, George Stephanopoulos, after airing the audio on ABC, commented, "Score one for the First Lady."
Really?
Showing her angst, intolerance and low class is a point for the First Lady?
Michelle Obama is a boorish, bully who thinks far more highly of herself than is justified.
While this incident might not go down in history as one of the most egregious acts of the President's wife, it certainly does demonstrate where she is really coming from.
It certainly is a good thing that she is above criticism.
3 comments:
This woman truly thinks of herself as the Queen of America. And you just don't treat royalty like that.
LR: From the get go, when she declared she had never been proud of America, I knew she was bad news. She keeps on proving it over and over again.
She married Barak - how can she be anything but what she is?
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