Barack Obama Counts On "The Closer"

(CBS)  For a supposedly reluctant campaigner, Michelle Obama is a natural. In big stadiums or small rooms, she has set aside any qualms she may have had and jumped into the fray with an appeal that is heavy on education, on health care, on the family, on her husband and on her own audacity of hope.

"As a black girl from the South Side of Chicago, I am not supposed to be here," she tells one group.

"We need some change in this country, don't we?" she tells another crowd.

Mrs. Obama can talk issues -- and couples that with some world-class hugging skills. The reception for a woman who may become the nation's first Black first lady has been so positive, for the most part, that it's made her self-conscious, reports CBS News Correspondent Dean Reynolds.

"Barack is the candidate, I'm just hanging out," she says.

Well, she's not just "hanging out." Michelle Obama is a vital component of her husband's campaign. For starters, as a woman she can appeal to the foundation of Hillary Clinton's support.

But she is also working on African-Americans who are standing on the sidelines because they doubt Obama can win -- afraid of being disappointed and waiting to see how largely white Iowa and New Hampshire respond.

"I understand it. I do. I know where it comes from, this sense of doubt and fear about what the future holds," she says.

Mrs. Obama's emotional speech about growing up black -- being told you were not good enough is up on the Web and on DVDs that have been distributed in heavily black neighborhoods. This is especially so in South Carolina, where black support in the Jan. 26 primary could be decisive.

"We're gonna have to dig deep in our souls -- dig deep -- confront our own self-doubt and recognize that truly our destiny is in our hands," Mrs. Obama says.

Back in Iowa, the Obama campaign says if Michelle could meet every voter personally, the race wouldn't be close.

"Can you see why?" a white female voter in Iowa is asked.

"I can definitely see why. Yeah. She did it for me today, so yeah," the voter replies

And that's why they call her ... The Closer.

[spires01]

Go Obama!!!!

[grghawthorne]

At a time when America is in great need of REAL leaders Barack Obama is the best leader for a new direction in Washington. He is the most intelligent candidate in the race. Don''t fall for the "lack of experience" argument; no President has had experience at the time of their election. George Bush had the greatest amount of experience given his family''s pedigree in Washington ... and his "experience" and pedigree has not offset his lack of intelligence. We need a leader that has the intellect to make rational, courageous and logical decisions in a dangerous world.

More importantly, we need leadership that shows the world that we as Americans can make decisions based upon a desire to change the course of the past 8 years of decisions that were not well thought out.

[jdweymouth]

i only wish that it would be manditory for every american to vote. then, we would begin to experience democracy.

Posted by aartcom at 07:21 AM : Jan 01, 2008

Democracy is about having choices. It is not measured by voter turnout.

Posted by tuckerndfw at 08:20 AM : Jan 01, 2008

The United States isn''t a democracy. And the electors still elect the president. Personally, I think the popular election should be treated as little more then a referendum before the electors meet.

In regards to Obama, all I can seem to get from him is that he''s for a "new America".

Has anyone heard anything else?

All Hillary says is "feed the children"

All Huckabee says is "I''m nice; they not; I best, therefore"

"Oh, my kingdom for a LITTLE FREAKIN'' VISION

[apolloknowsa]

Mr. Obama hides behind Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Clinton hides behind Mr. Clinton.

is there any candidate on the D side who can be president without a committee? I didn''t think so.

None have any executive experience.

Mitt Romney does. Education, family, real-world success...check check check.

Mitt is presidential and will be an excellent President of the United States of America.

Huckabee, on the other hand, is on the list of most corrupt politicians, right up there with Obama and Hillary judicialwatch.org

[excellence36]

Michelle Obama is awesome! Really, really impressive!
What an inspirational couple -- great role models and national unifiers. Enough of the partisan fighting and bickering....and nothing getting done. Obama can win it all.....and UNIFY our nation! Iowa and New Hampshire will be the springboards to victory. -- Susan

[zootallures2]

Mike Gravel.

[prairiefox1]

a

[prairiefox1]

If Obama is going to make changes then why didn''t he do so in the senate? Oh! thats right! He wasn''t there! read on!
Senator Obama doesn%u2019t HAVE a record. At least not much of one in the Senate. He
is among the overall leaders in Senators who miss votes. Of the last 60
opportunities to participate in making the laws of the land, the Senator has voted
only 6 times. Forget HOW he voted. His recent record shows a 10% interest in the
job the people of Illinois hired him for. (Voting records available on the Senate
web site or the Washington Post.)
Granted he is a good speaker and has a good personality, but I do hope this nation
doesn''t elect someone on that basis!
Let us look at his record and at its best it is pitiful! I will vote for a person that has
the best past record! with that you will know how he will be if elected!
I have talked to people in Illinois and they do not think much of him! and Illinois
will never re elect him to the Senate!
So that means if he doesn''t get to be President then he is just unemployed!
and with a job reference that he has he will be lucky to get on at McDonalds!
So with that information which can be verified, just what kind of person would
vote for him?

[heartlight3]

I have been very impressed by Michelle Obama''s speeches. She is an excellent speaker, and seems to connect well with her audiences. It looks as if she does it without notes, too. I had reservations about her as a first lady in the beginning, but after watching her, I think she would be excellent. Her intelligence and common sense would be an incredible asset to this country.

[bacaangel]

She speaks to the heart and can Seal the Deal. Better asset than Bill Clinton.

Will make a terrific First Lady!

They are a great asset to each other and a Symbol of hope for the common man.