Assigned to speak on Monday evening, Michelle Obama will most definitely be at the DNC to help crown a new Democratic nominee. Interestingly enough, presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton was President Obama's biggest rival just eight years ago. Whereas Clinton forfeited her candidacy to support Obama in 2008, the Obamas will be preparing to potentially forgo the White House to Clinton. Michelle's own activism in the White House, especially on behalf of children, has even inspired rumors that she could become the second woman to become a presidential nominee. Though she's made it clear that she has no intention of running for president, her influence will continue to be felt by Americans even after she moves out of the White House.
During her nearly eight years as First Lady, Michelle pioneered four initiatives: Let's Move!, Joining Forces, Reach Higher, and Let Girls Learn. Most notably, she has worked with children to instill healthy eating and decrease the rate of childhood obesity. The White House Kitchen Garden is just one fun outcome of this initiative, along with her video of dancing to "Turn Down For What" with a turnip. On an international level, she's advocated for quality education for girls in countries around the world.
Though President Obama endorsed Clinton on behalf of himself and Michelle, claiming there's never been a candidate as qualified to handle the nation's affairs, the First Lady has held off from commenting on Clinton's impending nomination independently. According to an anonymous former Obama adviser, Michelle and Clinton's relationship has been tense since the 2008 election season. More likely than not, however, that will change as she steps up onto the RNC stage to take the mic. One of her most recent remarks concerning Clinton was made months ago in April after a 14-year-old asked her what she thinks of Clinton's career in public service. She responded favorably:
I think Hillary Clinton is a phenomenal woman, and I’ve gotten to know her, and I think she’s made some pretty major contributions over the course of her life.
The kick-off to the DNC won't be the first time one of Michelle's convention speeches makes news. On the first day of the RNC, pieces of Michelle's 2008 DNC convention speech ironically appeared in Melania Trump's much-anticipated speech, though the Trump campaign has denied that she plagiarized the script. Apparently, Michelle's words have been admired by both Democrats and Republicans alike. On Monday, she'll be joined on-stage by an array of other speakers including, but not limited to Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and DREAMer Astrid Silva Gavel.
