If Barack Obama is elected president and I were the governor of Illinois, I wouldn't hesitate to appoint his wife Michelle to serve out his US Senate term. I understand that her being first lady might prevent that from happening but as I watched her give a speech on C-Span today, I was trying to watch the playoff game between Sandiego and Tennesseee but found myself spending more time viewing her speech.
Barack Obama says that if he ever had to run against his wife he would lose. After hearing her speech today, I think that he means what he says. He credits her with keeping him grounded and I can see why that is also true.
When she talked about education and how she was proud to be a product of the public education system, she impressed me with a firm grasp of her roots and values. I share her feelings that some of our college kids will opt not to teach because of the pressures to pay back the outrageous sums of student loans. She hits the nail on the head when saying that no child left behind is also hurting our kids and that we can do better with new leadership.
Her feelings that the families of our brave men and women in the service are paying an extreme sacrifice while our president just tells us to keep shopping. We can and must expect more from our leadership.
I was touched when she told the story of her father who proudly supported their family inspite of having to endure a disabling condition. The sacrifice and hard work of her parents enabled two of their children to attend Ivy league schools. We need to continue to hold on to the hope that we can once again realize the American dream of opportunity.
The fact that she says there are too many lawyers with both her and her husband being attourneys shows that she can speak the truth with a sense of humor.
As the campaign wages on, there will probably be rumblings over how much influence she will have on the presidency because that is usually what happens in campaigns when things get heated. I'll go on record right now as saying that if she does wield a heavy influence over the president, I think that would be a good thing. A very good thing.