As a woman, I have been perplexed by the fixation on Hillary Clinton as the only vehicle for women's issues in the next administration. I never bought it, not once.
However, if you accept the meme that "women need to be brought to Obama" after Hillary's departure from the race, here are some thoughts.
First of all, it will be very hard to forget all the crappy things she and her surrogates said about Barack during the primary. How does she now stand by him as VP and say he's the solution to all our problems? The media and republicans will never let the criticisms drop.
Barack does not need her help to run the country, but the perception will be that he does, if she is VP. And Bill Clinton will be a distraction at the very least.
As to the specious argument that Hillary "brings" her 18 million voters, well, Barack had more voters than she did, and most of those who voted for her will vote for Barack, since there is no question that the Democrats are favored to bring the change we need right now.
Dimwitted racists can vote for McCain if they want, and good riddance. It's probably a pretty small group when it comes down to it.
Here's my observation: Michelle Obama is no shrinking violet.
There is no doubt that she will tell her husband, the President, what she thinks. And any woman who has succeeded the way she has, overcoming the limited means of her family to ascend to the top of her chosen profession; to attend an Ivy League school and excel there; to have a strong marriage and two happy, well-adjusted kids...well, this is a woman who can speak to other women in a wonderful way.
Can't you just see Michelle holding her own town hall meetings to discuss women's concerns?
Can't you see her on Oprah's couch, expressing her support for health care reform and education reform????
I am psyched to have this couple in the White House!