This is a condensed version of Q&A with Michelle Obama based on e-mail responses to questions submitted by Denver Post staff writer Anne C. Mulkern:
Q: To you, what is the job of a first lady? How would you bring your experience as a career woman to that?
A: Should I have the honor of being our country’s next first lady, my first responsibility, of course, would be to my girls. Once they’re settled, I would continue doing the work that’s closest to my heart—in particular, finding ways to support working women and families. To me, policies that support families aren’t just political. They’re personal.
I’d also continue to advocate for national service.
Q: Many people have commented on your clothing and appearance. How do you feel about this? Is it a compliment, or sexist, or some of each?
A: I’ve never thought of myself as a particularly fashionable person, so I find the compliments very flattering. I certainly don’t take any offense to people noticing my clothes. But I have to be honest: Half the time I don’t give any thought to how I look. My top priority is comfort.
Q: Your father was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 30. How did it affect your views on health care?
A: Too many people are struggling to pay their medical bills, or choosing between filling their prescriptions or filling their gas tanks. I know that everybody isn’t as lucky as my family was. Despite his illness, my dad was still able to work each day, so he could provide for our family. So the issue of making health care affordable for all Americans is very important to me. Of course, it’s also important to Barack. He has pledged to provide quality, affordable health care for all Americans by the end of his first term.
Q: Your husband is mixed race and grew up in Hawaii with an international background. You bring a different perspective, an African- American who grew up in the south side of Chicago. What would that background bring to the White House and an Obama administration?
A: One of the things that I talk about when I’m out campaigning is that my story is not particularly special. I’m a product of Chicago public schools, and a blue-collar household where I was taught the value of hard work, responsibility and staying focused on my dreams and goals, even if that meant overcoming obstacles.
The same goes for Barack. He grew up in a single-parent household — he didn’t really know his father — and he watched his mother work incredibly hard to support him and his sister. She really struggled to pay bills and make ends meet. They went on food stamps at one point. So when I hear stories of families worried about rising gas prices, and the costs of food, it wasn’t that long ago when Barack and I had those same concerns.
