ABC Hosts Swoon Over 'American Icon' Michelle Obama, Compare Her to Jackie Kennedy
According
to Good Morning America, Michelle Obama is the second coming of Jackie
Kennedy. Co-host Robin Roberts enthused on Wednesday, "...First Lady
Michelle Obama is drawing comparisons to the first first lady of fashion
diplomacy. That, of course, being Jackie Kennedy." An ABC graphic
lauded the "American icon."
Correspondent Claire Shipman highlighted Michelle Obama's trip to India
with her husband and hyped, "It's a charm and style offensive that has
all of us reaching for that inevitable comparison. India just as
besotted by this glamorous First Lady as it was by that ultimate style
icon Jackie Kennedy, almost half a century ago."
Shipman has been reporting on the Obamas since 2007 and has made little attempt to hide her enthusiasm. On January 18, 2007, she rhapsodized about the "fluid poetry" of Barack Obama. On May 6, 2008, she gushed, "...I think it says it all that [Michelle Obama's] Secret Service code name is renaissance."
On October 31, 2008,
the journalist wondered how Michelle Obama deals with her husband being
"lusted after by all of these women out there" on the campaign trail.
On Wednesday, Shipman narrated as though she were at a fashion show:
"From the moment Michelle Obama arrived in a classic gray sheathe with
pearl buttons, a nod to a traditional Indian tunic, she's turned the
fashion wattage up daily."
She added, "But, while her oh-so-divine predecessor captured hearts
with her sheer perfection, Michelle Obama gives the role a thoroughly
modern, approachable twist.
A transcript of the November 10 segment, which aired at 8:01am EST, follows:
- Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.ROBIN ROBERTS: But, coming up right now, as the Obamas make their way through a whirlwind overseas trip, First Lady Michelle Obama is drawing comparisons to the first first lady of fashion diplomacy. That, of course, being Jackie Kennedy. [Onscreen: side by side photo of Jackie Kennedy and Michelle Obama.] Here's Claire Shipman with more on that. Good morning, Claire?
ABC GRAPHIC: American Icon: First Lady's Fashion Play: Michelle Obama Up Close
CLAIRE SHIPMAN: Good morning, Robin. Well, As President John Kennedy so famously quipped about his own life on a trip to France, I'm sure it won't be long before Barack Obama realizes that he's just the man who accompanied Michelle Obama to South Asia. It's a charm and style offensive that has all of us reaching for that inevitable comparison. India just as besotted by this glamorous First Lady as it was by that ultimate style icon Jackie Kennedy, almost half a century ago. "Dancing queen rocks India," proclaimed the local papers. And "Michelle steals Barack's thunder." From the moment Michelle Obama arrived in a classic gray sheathe with pearl buttons, a nod to a traditional Indian tunic, she's turned the fashion wattage up daily.
MARY TOMER (Founder/contributing editor, Mrs-o-.org): She has been very respectful to the host country and their fashion tradition.
NEWSREEL FOOTAGE OF JACKIE KENNEDY: The First Lady's visit has been a personal triumph.
SHIPMAN: But, while her oh-so-divine predecessor captured hearts with her sheer perfection, Michelle Obama gives the role a thoroughly modern, approachable twist. Hop scotching in J. Crew with delighted kids of Mumbai. Happily busting a move to the magnetic sounds of Bollywood, later cajoling her husband to join. And she wowed everybody with her stunning version of traditional dress for the India state dinner. A very American interpretation of a sari. As she moved to Indonesia, Tuesday, she added trousers to her wardrobe, an acknowledgment of the more conservative culture in the country. The only note of controversy, one minister who doesn't believe in shaking hands with females outside of his family later e-mailed his followers saying Mrs. Obama reached out first. But in this video, he seems to be eagerly reaching out towards her, just as smitten as the rest of the world. Now, as the President continues his trip in South Korea, Mrs. Obama's on her way home. And I'm sure, Robin, he's wishing about now he wasn't losing such a valuable, headline-grabbing asset on his trip.
ROBERTS: And thinking on that lean-in, it was about a tie with the hand shake. It was tough to see who was going for the hand shake.
SHIPMAN: I guess so. I guess so. But it didn't look like he was telling the truth to me.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: He's been getting a lot of heat on Twitter.
ROBERTS: He is getting a lot of heat. That's right, George. And, George, you can appreciate that the president can't bust really a move like his other half. You like a guy who can't dance.
STEPHANOPOULOS: He doesn't even try that hard.
