NYT: Michelle Obama Is Tanned, Rested, and Ready ... to Help Out Hillary (Nothing More, of Course)
09/11/2016
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From today’s New York Times:

Michelle Obama Brings Voters’ Trust to Hillary Clinton’s Campaign

White House Letter

By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS SEPT. 11, 2016

WASHINGTON — Michelle Obama has bridled for years at the confines of life in the White House and has tried to steer clear of the partisan messiness that has consumed her husband and is fueling this year’s bare-knuckled presidential contest.

But this week, Mrs. Obama will wade into the campaign fray on behalf of Hillary Clinton, putting her broad popularity and reputation for authenticity to work for a candidate who has suffered from a lack of both.

At an event in northern Virginia on Friday, Mrs. Obama will urge voters to register ahead of the state’s Oct. 17 deadline, the first of what aides say will be a series of appearances in the coming weeks in support of Mrs. Clinton.

Mrs. Obama’s steps into the campaign spotlight underscore her transformation from a once-reluctant political spouse into a confident public figure, a role she says she has embraced more fully during President Obama’s second term.

Mrs. Obama’s communications director, Caroline Adler Morales, said the first lady’s focus would be on encouraging voters in swing states, particularly young people and African-Americans, to register and vote.

… She has strictly limited her appearances at political events during Mr. Obama’s time in office, agreeing to them only when she believes her presence could have a major impact on a race.

That, Mrs. Clinton’s advisers say, enhances the first lady’s effectiveness as a voice for their candidate. She is widely known and liked by Americans — her approval rating was at 58 percent in July, according to Gallup — but seen as removed from politics and partisanship.

Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Clinton were once adversaries — Mrs. Obama took umbrage in private during the 2008 Democratic primary race at Mrs. Clinton’s criticisms of her husband — but their goals are now inextricably aligned.

Few things in politics are inextricable …
Mrs. Obama “is a very trusted voice who has not seemed to have an agenda, and someone whose husband ran against Hillary and is now a big believer in her, so those words coming from Michelle Obama are especially meaningful,” said Jennifer Palmieri, the communications director for Mrs. Clinton’s campaign.

The first lady has also demonstrated a knack for using pop culture and social media to appeal to the core coalition that propelled her husband to the White House — young voters, minorities and single women. Those elements will also be part of her push for Mrs. Clinton, aides said, though they declined to detail her itinerary because it is still developing.

[Comment at Unz.com]

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