Michelle Still Wowing 'Em In Europe

(CBS)  "Chic to Chic" is how one newspaper in London headlined the meeting between Michelle Obama and France's first lady, former model and occasional pop star Carla Bruni Sarkozy, after they greeted each toher with the traditional pecks on the other's cheeks.

Indeed, reports CBS News correspondent Richard Roth, the tabloids are buzzing non-stop about Mrs. Obama.

But, he says, the notion of a style competition between the two presidential spouses has given way, in much of Europe's press, to a tacit admission that it was a manufactured contest: both women are being described as winners.

For Mrs. Obama, Roth adds, it amounts to being on a roll: After winning hearts in Britain, where the protocol breach of an arm around the queen was forgiven, maybe even welcomed, by Buckingham Palace, and where the emotion in her words is still winning praise, days after she told a group of schoolgirls, "All of you are jewels, and you touch my heart."

"She was like. 'Go. girl," ' one of the youngsters said, "and I was like. 'Yeay!" '

Almost 50 fifty years ago, after his wife's reception in Europe, President Kennedy described himself as the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris.

A first lady, said one British writer this week, "communicates on the world stage by semaphore: a powerful, but mostly silent, symbol of her nation." Michelle Obama is a natural, he said; she "charmed us all."

[frannum]

ok snarkysnark - I will rephrase it for you I am not jealous because I am content with my life and do not wish to be anyone else, but I am critical. I have read both the good and the bad about Michelle Obama and I think she is a human being - no more, no less - and I don't understand the need that some people have to turn her into some kind of perfect role model, while they find fault with past First Ladies. Maybe people only see what they want to see (and yes, that applies to me too so I'll save you the time writing back and pointing that out)

[frannum]

what happened to the comment by one_american. I thought it was interesting. Was it deleted because it told of another side of Michelle Obama?

[frannum]

didn't mean to offend you "realnews12" I was just responding to "nuffera" because I didn't think that having buff arms had anything to do with being a great First Lady.

[realnews12]

Buff arms just don't do it for me.

Posted by frannum at 4:47 PM : Apr 4, 2009

Uh, fran? Michelle Obama is an intelligent, articulate, vibrant, attractive woman who is showing her warm and outgoing personality wherever she goes. She is attracting a positive reaction in Europe as a representative of the American people. She and her husband are making a real difference in how America is regarded in the world. (It's not her buff arms.)

[frannum]

I'm not jealous and I'm not critical. I just don't think she is "really, really cool" Maybe it's just that I'm a little older and not so easily impressed. Buff arms just don't do it for me. I lean more towards Mother Teresa who really did make a difference in the world.

[nuffera]

The jealously is hysterical! Michelle has won the hearts of Europe and the right wing heads are exploding! She is real, she is smart and she shows true emotion! She is not a Stepford wife, like Laura Bush, she is a genuine human and is not afraid to show her true self. Hoorah for Michelle, she is really, really cool! The critics are blasting her left and right, show those buff arms, smile, hug and enjoy the adoration of those who really do like you Michelle! A pox on the critics!!!!

[frannum]

Michele Obama seems to be a nice person, but I think that people are getting a little carried away. She's attractive and dresses well, but why do we have to turn her into some kind of idol. I don't care where she buys her clothes or how she dresses.

[phila48]

When our President Obama was running in the primaries here in Philadelphia, PA, my friend and I and, my grandaughter Iliana who was eight at the time, were blessed to be able to see and hear Mrs. Michele Obama speak. Iliana is a very hyper little girl and when Mrs. Obama spoke, Iliana quietly sat and did not move and quietly listened. For such a small child she was impressed with Mrs. Obama and amazed with her.

We are blessed with such a magnificent women.