I rise to defend the First Lady of the United States.
The political right - led by former half-term Governor Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh - are on the war path again against First Lady Michelle Obama. They're attacking her efforts to reduce childhood obesity and political role within the White House in harsh personal terms. Politico notes:
Obama’s admonishments on nutrition and advice on breastfeeding are examples of big government “nanny state” intrusion according to Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.); her eating habits are evidence of her hypocrisy, according to Rush Limbaugh; her athletic physique is something to be lampooned on Andrew Breitbart’s Big Government website, which posted a cartoon showing her as overweight and eating a plate full of hamburgers.
Former Governor Mike Huckabee, a possible 2012 GOP presidential candidate who, unlike Palin, actually served out his terms as governor instead of quiting to write a book and make money, was 100% spot on when he said this week:
“She’s been criticized…out of reflex rather than out of thoughtful expression,” he said Wednesday at a session with reporters in Washington. “It’s exactly what Republicans say they believe, which is you put an emphasis on personal responsibility…I thought that’s what we were about.”
Michelle Obama is a wonderful first lady, a great role model for children, and a huge asset to her husband. Her campaign to get kids to eat better - embraced by the United Church of Christ and many other religious bodies - not only will make a generation of children healthier but it will save tax payers tens of millions of dollars in health care costs (if not more over the long haul). Our nation is fortunate to have her strong moral leadership in the White House working to protect America's children and also the families of U.S. troops serving overseas.
The personal attacks against her are unworthy of our democracy and the civil society most Americans strive to build.
