Perhaps her biggest triumph was her biggest priority — raising her children in the White House. Her mother moved in to provide an anchor. The president came back at 6:30 to eat with this family, attended school events and athletic practices like a regular parent. Their tight and loving family has been an exemplary model for families across the country. And today, the vast majority of Americans have respect and affection for the first lady who made this happen.
Michelle Obama has said she has no intention of running for political office when she leaves the White House. But the interest in her running never subsides. If she decides to run, she would be the odds-on favorite, particularly for the Illinois Senate seat now held by Mark Kirk, whose most recent infamy was his attempt to use “street language,” degrading Sen. Lindsey Graham and the South Side of Chicago.
As Barack Obama’s presidency heads into its final years, one thing is clear. Michelle Obama’s grace, intelligence and discipline have served her family, her husband and the nation well.
Email: jjackson@rainbowpush.org
Follow Jesse Jackson on Twitter @RevJJackson
Rev. Jesse Jackson’s commentary was originally published June 16, 2015 in the Chicago Sun-Times.
Michelle Obama’s Deeply Moving Words To The Next Generation Of Black Leaders was originally published on blackdoctor.org
