Michelle Obama describes duty as mother-in-chief

Michelle Obama describes duty as mother-in-chief
By Morry Gash, AP

Michelle Obama arrives with her husband, Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., before he speaks at a primary night rally in St. Paul, Minn., in June.


WASHINGTON (AP) — Forget the pearls. Michelle Obama says her best accessory is her husband.

"Barack and I — as partners, as friends and as lovers — we accessorize each other in many ways," said Obama, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. "The best thing I love having on me is Barack on my arm and vice versa, whether it's having him standing there smiling at me, or watching him mesmerize a crowd or talk to some seniors in a senior center."

Michelle Obama discussed her marriage, fashion sense and how she balances motherhood and work in an interview with Ebony magazine. The issue hits newsstands nationwide on Aug. 12.

Should she become first lady, Michelle Obama says her primary focus will be on their two daughters — Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7.

"My first job in all honesty is going to continue to be mom-in-chief," she said, "making sure that in this transition, which will be even more of a transition for the girls ... that they are settled and that they know they will continue to be the center of our universe."

Michelle Obama said the challenges women face in balancing their families and jobs should be highlighted in government policies — whether it's through better health care or more family leave time.

She also expressed her support for military wives and the additional stress they face when their husbands are away and have done multiple tours of duty. "Tack on the fact that there is no sustained mental health support for these families as they are struggling with loved ones who are coming back dealing with emotional issues," she said. "You've got people in pain and we don't hear those voices a lot."

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