Chris Matthews Thinks Michelle Obama Knows Her Place
By Anita Finlay ("Ani") on April 28, 2009 at 9:15 PM in Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, MSNBC, Michelle Obama
I would like to open this rant against the ever sexist blowhard Chris Matthews by sending a shout out and loving thank you to my husband — who would never behave in a disparaging way toward his partner, or toward any other woman for that matter. To my dear hubby, and all other men out there with the decency to respect the qualities that any forthright woman brings to the table, I applaud you. Keep on keeping on and maybe your good influence can somehow rub off, you should pardon the expression, on those more clueless among you! Ah, now to Mr. Matthews. In his latest drooling pronouncement, he intimates how Michelle Obama is the perfect first lady because among other things, wait for it…she knows her place! What place would that be, Mr. Matthews?
While his rhetoric in this attached video is far more subtle than usual, I believe his message is clear. He is portraying Michelle Obama as the anti-Hillary – someone who is staying away from policy and is “by choice,” according to him, assuming a more classically feminine background role of tilling her victory garden, in designer jeans, of course, and visiting with cabinet staff, federal employees and military families – a good will ambassador for her husband, as it were. He points out that Mrs. Obama is a very intelligent, educated woman who is “choosing” this background role for herself, rather than being more ambitious. This seems an odd contradiction for a woman who is always out in public making reference to the fact that she isn’t getting paid for her work as First Lady.
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There is nothing wrong with her behaving in a more docile fashion, of course, if it truly is her choice. Uh, this is a very outspoken woman and after her disastrous “for the first time in my life I am truly proud of my country” remarks,” I would venture to say her handlers started doing a lot of the choosing for her. Matthews compares her to Jackie O and says that it does not hurt that she is “stunning.” He also, as per usual manages a dig at the Clintons, saying they never understood the larger image they represented to the American public, but the Obama’s do. Yes, the $500,000 pizza party seemed to send a very healthy message indeed, Chris.
And judging by Mr. Matthews past Hardball performances and his book “Life’s A Campaign” in which he talks about “winning the girl of his dreams,” as if she were a cupie doll in the window, it is obvious that he revels in Michelle Obama’s behavior because it reflects the role he feels comfortable seeing an intelligent woman assume – one of quiet, steadfast support to her spouse, somewhere in the background. I hate to give the mouth breathing blowhard Matthews any oxygen but since his panel indicates the First Lady has 79% popularity thus far, many out there must agree with him.
Whether one likes Michelle Obama or not, there is no doubt she is an intelligent, outspoken, educated person who is being over-handled with these constant makeovers, full time make-up artist and the fashion plate image. The last photograph I saw of her was advertising her new “softer” eyebrows and huge false eyelashes. If you’ve ever tried wearing false eyelashes this size, it is not unlike trying to open and close your eyes with feather dusters attached to them. Okay. Whatever works for you and your style guru, Michelle.
After the vilification Hillary received in her campaign for the Presidency, and her “ambition,” perhaps President Obama’s staff got the message that they’d better keep Michelle under wraps as much as possible. Matthews’ panel seemed to be subtly indicating that after her early campaign booboos and sound bites, their senior staff was not going to allow another such mistake. Certainly they have done a wonderful job in protecting her from being vilified as Hillary was when she was First Lady. And what do they think is the best way to do it? Put an apron on her and let her play with garden implements. Is anyone buying this image? This is a successful working woman with two kids. A garden trowel? M’kay.
It just seems to me the White House is attempting to package her as a 50’s mom. There is something downright regressive about the image they wish to paint, relentlessly “softening” her for the American public. Even her rhetoric out in public is more soft spoken and yielding, even emotional.
But why does she require softening? That is the more important question. Chris seems to make issue of the fact that she is deferential enough not to pick a policy issue of her own and go after it. This is obviously a smart woman – why wouldn’t we want her to pick up and run with the ball of a cause near and dear to her heart. After all, during these terrible tough economic times, with two wars abroad, the President can use all the help he can get.
I wonder what your reaction is to this. What role do you think a First Lady should assume? Clearly she is not an elected official so I don’t expect her to necessarily push a policy, though she can be pushing a cause. I do worry however that she is being made to appear as submissive rather than an equal.
Upon Hillary Clinton’s appointment as Secretary of State, Matthews indicated that “her spirit seemed to be with Obama” and she has “sublimated her ego.” I see. He only feels comfortable with a woman when she is submissive to a man.
No wonder he finds Michelle’s new image so appealing






















