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Shallow Nation

August 25th, 2008 at 11:55 pm

Video & Photos: Michelle Obama Speech Democratic National Convention 2008 8-25-08

Michelle Obama speaks at the Democratic National Convention 2008, August 25, 2008

Michelle Obama, wife of presumptive Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama, delivered an inspiring speech at the Democratic National Convention 2008 (DNC) on August 25, 2008 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.

Monday night, Michelle took the stage for herself, not just to reaffirm how wonderful her husband is, and what a fine president he would make, but also to redefine herself. But before mounting the podium, she gathered herself backstage in a holding room near the lockers of Denver’s professional hockey team. Big moments demand big performances, and she seemed determined not to let the occasion rattle her, but to soar above it.

Michelle Obama speaks at the Democratic National Convention 2008, August 25, 2008

Her brother, Craig Robinson, the Oregon State basketball coach and one of the Ivy League’s all-time leading scorers, was loose: “I’m terrific. Very excited.” But then he was summoned back to the holding room, to make sure he didn’t mess up the moment with some fashion faux pas. “My sister wanted to make sure my tie was straight,” he said. His bright orange tie.

Right before it was time to head onstage, Michelle took a deep breath, straightened the lines on her off-the-shoulder dress and then, to whoops from family and aides, walked down the hall like it was game time. She stood beneath the podium for a few minutes and listened to her brother introduce her.

Michelle Obama speaks at the Democratic National Convention 2008, August 25, 2008

When it was finally her turn to address the convention delegates and a national televised audience, she described herself as a sister, a mom, a wife and a daughter, someone who loves her country and has tried to give back to it.

One day, she told the crowd, her children’s children and future generations will tell the story of “how this time we listened to our hopes, instead of our fears. How this time, we decided to stop doubting and to start dreaming.”

Batting first in the prime-time Democratic lineup may have put some extra pressure on her — she was super serious, barely able to find a smile during an early morning practice session in the convention hall here.

Michelle Obama with daughters Sasha and Malia after her speech at the Democratic National Convention 2008, August 25, 2008

Michelle Obama with daughters Sasha and Malia greeting Barack Obama who appears via satellite after her speech at the Democratic National Convention 2008, August 25, 2008

Michelle Obama with daughters Sasha and Malia

But by the time it was over, the blue Michelle signs were hoisted in every delegation, and she swayed her hips a little to Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely,” as daughters Sasha and Malia also got into the groove.

That dynamic duo tried to steal the show when their mother was done, telling their daddy, who appeared in the hall via video conference, that Mommy had done great. And that they loved him. And, “what city are you in, Daddy?” asked Sasha.

Source: A Defining Moment