Is Michelle Obama About to Fade?

Rumor has it, the aspiring First Lady and spouse of Barack Obama will be seen much less on the campaign trail and much more at home raising her young daughters. The question being asked by many isn't "why", but "why did it take so long?" She has tried to position herself in a way very similar to Hillary Clinton when her husband ran for President in 1992. Hillary, too, had to tone it down after promises of getting "two for the price of one" started to turn off voters.

Michelle Obama has, in many respects, been the Republicans best weapon. Here are just a few of the controversies surrounding her:

* Following electoral success of her husband, Michelle declared that she was proud of her country "for the first time." There are things our government does that makes me less than happy, but I have always been proud of this country. This is a sentiment shared by the vast majority of Americans and her statement has continued to haunt her.

* She has actually complained about the high costs of her and Barack Obama's student loans. She has been privileged to go to Princeton University to do her undergraduate work and went on to graduate from Harvard Law School. Meanwhile, her poor husband received his BA from Columbia University and went on to Harvard Law. As a result, they have made millions in salaries, books, and he had relationships that contributed to a successful career in politics. For some reason, I'm not hearing violins.

* Finally there is the statement reported in New Yorker that largely slipped under the radar screen. According to the magazine: "(Michelle) Obama begins with a broad assessment of life in America in 2008, and life is not good: we're a divided country, we're a country that is 'just downright mean,' we are 'guided by fear,' we're a nation of cynics, sloths, and complacents. 'We have become a nation of struggling folks who are barely making it every day,' she said, as heads bobbed in the pews. 'Folks are just jammed up, and it's gotten worse over my lifetime. And, doggone it, I'm young. Forty-four!'"

It will be interesting to see if Michelle Obama attempts to reinvent herself. In the mean time, the above examples begs the question, why didn't they have her "fade" long before today?

According to recent surveys on marketing, most advertising attracts sellers (others who want you to buy more ads) and not buyers. Do you want to know why? Email info@HoustonBusinessShow.com and put "marketing audio" in the subject line and we will get it to you.

Kevin Price is Host of the Price of Business (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at HoustonBusinessShow.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.