Michelle and the Refined Art of Human Connection

Michelle-trackers will have another interview and cover photo to read, when the May 2009 issue of Essence hits newsstands.

In an interesting twist of the mother/daughter relationship, Marian Robinson says that her role model is her daughter Michelle, who has always accomplished her goals.

During the interview, Michelle sums her not so easy to bullet-point agenda as First Lady: “We have to talk about flex hours and exercise and nutrition and health and what that means. And we have to talk about values, and our relationship with men,” she says. “All of those are part of the conversation that I think we need to have, not just in this country, but around the world.” (via Politico)

Fashion industry big-timers like Oscar de la Renta criticize Michelle's fashion style. Via Examiner.comOn the subject of human relationships, Essence asked Michelle and Marian about writing a book on parenting. It was FOTUS who jumped in with the news: "We are working on it."

After Michelle's staggeringly successful performance in Europe last week, she's positioned to follow Diana, but in a more balanced, global role as "the people's princess".

For me, the essence of Michelle Obama's biggest role as First Lady will not be as a style setter (which she does very well) but as a real-deal, nurturing woman with superstar business and academic credentials.

Michelle understands that modern life has desensitized our humanity in many ways.

Technology, long work weeks, our embrace of success and hard work at all cost, our sense of entitlement, no improvement in mending broken families and marriages . . . all of these characteristics of modern American life are suddenly shattered in our current economic meltdown, promoting the idea that he or she who has the most toys wins.

Out of nowhere, Michelle Obama arrives on our national stage, talking about the most fundamentally human topics, ones we secretly hold dear in our hearts.

Michelle says that we must talk about our relationships with men, and I agree . . . before it is too late to repair the reservoir of anger that has built betwen the sexes.

Michelle doesn't bullet-point the soft subjects in life. Everyone who speaks of her says that she has always made them a priority. Unlike prior first ladies, including Jacqueline Kennedy, Michelle expresses her need to embrace the humanity in people.

Unlike Princess Diana, Michelle Obama appears to be incredibly grounded and well-balanced. Of course she has her own neurotic quirks, but she wears them well.

I'm not quite sure how FOTUS will package her First Lady goals into a manageable agenda, but Team Obama -- with helf from her husband, brother Craig, mom Marian, and this immense Michelle support system -- will come up with an executable strategy.

Remember, Michelle Obama reaches her goals, according to all who know her.

Michelle has tapped into a different kind of national agenda, one that's up close and personal. I'm not sure that any American first lady has taken on such a mission.

I'm totally fascinated watching this Michelle Obama intimacy roadshow, now global in scope, unfold before my wondering eyes.

Pundits should not critique her approach, simply by going back to boiler plate rules and regulations.

America's sitting in a position where much of the past must be undone. Before critiquing Michelle's agenda for being too 'soft' or 'unfocused', critics must ask themselves what Americans need most right now.

New polls reports that FOTUS's popularity is now greater than Oprah's.What the two women share is a sense of trust with regular people.

In all likelihood, our 'up close and personal' First Lady Michelle Obama is our best shot at getting confused, disoriented, and despirited Americans on the road to personal recovery. Yes, we're worried about keeping the roof over our heads, but we're also searching for relevance.

Michelle delivers. Anne