Now ready for prime time: Michelle Obama

Admirers (and detractors) of Barack Obama have frequently described him as a rock star. Now Michelle Obama, his wife, is officially a headliner, too.

That's the word from the organizers of the Democratic National Convention in Denver later this month. They've just sent a news release announcing that she'll be the "headline prime-time speaker" on Monday, Aug. 25 -- the opening night of the Democrats' quadrennial funfest that will formally nominate her husband as the party's candidate for president of the United States.

Tuesday's headliner is Sen. Hillary Clinton, whom the release described as "a champion for working families and one of the most effective and empathetic voices in the country today." (Not surprisingly, there's no mention of the bitter primary contest between Clinton and Obama, or of the nearly 18 million votes she racked up between Jan. 3 and June 3.)

The vice presidential pick gets his/her turn in the convention spotlight Wednesday night. And Thursday, of course, is the Illinois senator's acceptance speech in front of more than 70,000 cheering fans at Invesco Field at Mile High, the home of the Denver Broncos. (The others have to make do with speaking before an in-person audience of 4,400 delegates and 15,000 members of the media at the Pepsi Center, where the NBA's Denver Nuggets play.)

While nominees' wives have addressed the convention in previous years (Hillary Clinton in 1996, Tipper Gore in 2000 and Teresa Heinz Kerry in 2004), this appears to be the first time that such a speech will be featured so prominently.

As this week progresses, convention organizers will be rolling out the names of other orators, perhaps making it easier to read the currently murky tea leaves swirling around the #2 slot on the ticket. Stay tuned.

-- Leslie Hoffecker

Photo credit: Cheryl Senter/Associated Press

Comments

[JN]

I'm guessing she is taking the spot that was supposed to be for Edwards since she is a strong speaker and well known.

She better bring her A game. Well I guess that goes for everybody though.

[cspolj]

Are you seriously telling me that Obama is going to free Michelle from that cage he has her locked up in?

[benito]

For the love of God Barack, I love you but please keep your wife hidden until after the election!

[Judi watching]

...the Illinois senator's acceptance speech in front of more than 70,000 cheering "fans"...

Noted: the use of the word "fans" in place of "supporters". A cheap shot from biased media, obviously.

The whole article has a derisive tone. *Yawn* yet another piece of tiresome tabloid journalism from the corporate media.

[PM Savannah]

It is very exciting that a black woman will have this featured VISUAL exposure. As a white, Southern, middle aged public school educator often struggling to find books for my kids that feature have someone that looks like them (Savannah is pretty well balanced 50/50 black/white), I am thrilled that my girls and boys have role models that everyone can see and talk about. I have often thought that societal change can happen in subtle unexpected ways. Simply to have this couple seen over and over again everyday in many venues is changing the way we think and what young minorities aspire to - whether we realize it now or not.

[joseph marcucilli]

Michelle Obama is every bit a great a speaker as Barrack and she will have a prominent position in the general election as she did in the primary.The Clintons can't undermine the convention if Hillory has any hope getting any power in the party.She is not liked in the Senate and she will need the Black vote since it makes up 25% of the party.If anything both Bill and Hillory need to work extremely hard for his election since they showed the Republicans how to attsck Obama.None of the press is counting the massive registration of new voters and the superior ground game of Obama's organization to get out the vote.It will be a landslide in November.

[Patsy]

Alright! Talk about a shut door and open window. John Edwards' loss is Michelle Obama's (and women's) gift.

[Mock Paradigm]

This isn't another piece of tiresome tabloid journalism, it's a blog.

Barack is supported by more fans than any other candidate has been since Bill Clinton.

McCain is proof that evolution is not perfect.

I love what David Paterson said about him. He said that if McCain is the answer to America's problems, then the question must be ridiculous. I couldn't have said it better.

Go Michelle! Hey, maybe she can be VP!

[Kevin]

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAA

Oh, you are serious.

I give her one moment and she will be on the rampage again. Heck look at the picture you have posted.

[Scootmandubious]

Excellent point Judi. I would like to add one more...

You can often tell the agenda of the writer by the picture that accompanies the story.

Michelle Obama is quite photogenic and has been photographed numerous times to flattering effect. So why is there an almost-scowling Michelle picture here?

That is no accident. It was done to create a mood, which was follwed up by the content as Judi correctly pointed out.

The next time you see a picture of Cindi McCain, take to the bank she will look like an elegant, beaming suparmodel.

And, unless you are a foreign publication, you will probably never see ANY phiotos of the first Mrs. McCain. The one who stood by him while he was a prisoner of war and horribly disfigured in an accident. The one he left for a younger, prettier, wealthier woman.

[Bob]

what's changed about her?

[RalphSchmalph]

She will wear the female equivalent of a flag lapel pin......and no one will be convinced of her love of country.

[Alessandro Machi]

Will Michelle Obama look into the camera, and say whether or not she has ever made the "Whitey" comment either on camera, or off camera?

Can we at least have the satisfaction of her answering the question before the Denver convention?

http://www.CAUCUSCHEATING.com

[Sailer]

I hope in her address that she show a true love of the United States of America.

[John A. Bailo]

Barack's super stardom requires him not to be seen with his frumpy wife and to not recognize his family. Much as he'd like to keep the nuclear image, his fans won't let him...they want Barack to be the lead singer...the man alone...

[Indy]

Do you think you could have picked a less flattering picture of Michelle? Out of all the pictures available, this is what you have to use? Jeez.

[kathryn Creegan]

Use the music of the rock musical, "Godspell." For a unity, "We Can build a beautiful City."
And, for Obama's supporters, 'you are " The Light of the World
For advice to McCain "Turn back old man, forsake thy Foolish ways" but I would not want to be too satirical.

[JEFO]

What's with the awkward photo, you pigeon heads at the LA Times couldn't find a better photo of the next First Lady hopeful.

[Talking to Judi watching]

"Noted: the use of the word "fans" in place of "supporters". A cheap shot from biased media, obviously.

The whole article has a derisive tone. *Yawn* yet another piece of tiresome tabloid journalism from the corporate media."

Um, Judi, this is a BLOG, not a journalistic article. Come back when you join the 21st century.

[Kathleen]

Quote: "...please keep your wife hidden until after the election!"

I agree. This woman is poison and will be the ruin of him yet. Such a belligerent attitude. Whew!

[Mim]

Believe it is a mistake for Michell Obama to be the headliner. Her conversations and speeches in the past have been too controversial; regardless, if she is replacing Edwards. Obama is giving his speech to coincide with the famous speech of "I have a Dream by Dr. King." Hopefully, people will look at the future, and not the past. This convention will determine a lot of potential voters. Any racial overtones, and he will lose the election.

[dePaul Consiglio]

Ont Two Three Four
Lady O is way to go!
Five Six Seven Eight
Make Barack your Mrs Mate.
Nine Ten Eleven Twelve
We'll be back in DC Town
Before you know its not to late
Get out to vote and take the Mate.

Vote for America
Into the Future and Back To The Age of the Pioneers

Regards
dePaul Consiglio

?autholrity
why is the US doing a circle on me?
you vote this year
i'll stand this one down one more time.

[edit35]

How can Hillary Clinton be speaking on Tuesday night if the VP selection is supposed to speak Wednesday night?

Does that me she is toast as far as the VP choice goes?

A lot of Dems in my neighborhood are gonna be mighty ticked off if they read this LATimes article.

[Paul Stewart]

I am delighted to hear she will feature prominently. Indeed, the right wingers, McCain's campaign and indeed McCain himself, if he can find a direct or indirect way, will try to keep her front and center.

She might as well step right out in front and let the nation see her first hand. It will dampen the stupid stuff that is floating around out there. And it will kill the ability of the name papers, such as this one, to say things that are obviously not true.

I think this paper and blog is just waiting to pounce on Michelle. If she is taking an early and a significant spot in the convention, it is just the continuance of a trend started by Hillary for spouses to step forward a bit more.

I think she will do well.

[john Stevens]

Well, she was never proud to be an American before; not bad for someone who had a free education, courtesy of we working stiffs; perhaps she's graduated from 'not proud to be an American' to "maybe I can stand it if you feature me as a speaker." I'm sure Rev. Wright will appreciate a 20 year protege having center stage.