Ann Romney: The Anti-Michelle Obama?

Has the war of First Ladies been launched? Ann Romney, the wife of the almost certain Republican candidate, has already given the newspapers, especially Politico, a lot to write about, and not just for her country dresses. With an article entitled “Ann Romney is the Romney Democrats fear the most,” Politico was really referring to the potential next First Lady, if the Republicans win the election of course. The website portrayed her as the “skilled and articulate advocate whose full power has yet to be unleashed,” a woman indispensable to her husband… We are far from Michelle Obama’s portrait as the “angry black woman.” The Obama team kept her away from the 2008 presidential campaign for being too spontaneous — a mistake that they greatly regretted. Are these two women really that different?

Devoted to their husbands’ political career, they embody two different archetypes of the American wife:

Currently residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, 48 year-old Michelle Obama has realized the dream shared by all black Americans, as well as all minorities. She is a unique First Lady, entirely devoted to the job and to her two teenage daughters. Born in Chicago to a middle-class family, she represents the American dream, where studies and ambition take people to the top. She met Barack when he interned at the law firm where she was working. She had her mom come to the White House to watch over Sasha and Malia. She initiated unique projects, such as her famous fight against child and teen obesity. She turned the South Lawn into a vegetable garden and takes every opportunity to develop her “Let’s move” campaign, which aims at making people exercise or participate in sports more frequently. She also advocates for deployed soldiers’ families, encourages the return of black students to their communities, etc. She has really pushed back some boundaries.

Michelle’s 62-year-old blonde challenger, Ann Romney, a woman who does not balk at wearing the little bright red dress, is always in a good mood. With her cheerleader smile, which Americans love, she would bring delight to a conservative America who has struggled accepting a black First Lady in the White House since 2008. Ann could also see herself taking residence in the castle. Born to a middle-class Welsh family in the Northeast — her dad was a mayor — she has ridden horses her whole life. She met future billionaire Mitt in middle school when they were 15. Her troop of five sons and 17 grandchildren follows her on the campaign trail. She openly speaks about her triumph over breast cancer. She has been a First Lady once before, in Massachusetts, when Mitt was governor from 2003 to 2007. Her husband’s campaign is using her to approach women voters who have little appreciation for Mitt. She is the one who travels to deliver the message: “Mitt is so much more fun than [you think].” However, her absences cannot continue much longer, as her husband becomes unstable when she is not around. Have we finally found Mitt’s problem of dependence?

Ann and Michelle therefore represent two different American societies, which they embody with a rare strength of character and viewpoints as women and very dedicated moms. Michelle, who is more independent, is already very involved in her husband’s reelection campaign and effective at fundraising. The Obama team will not make the same mistake as in 2008. This time they will give her a significant role in the campaign. Following her usual schedule, Ann Romney will continue to assist her husband, who has a very serious image problem: “The more people learn about Romney, the more they dislike him.” This is what 55 percent of people polled by the Washington Post and ABC say, just like in 2008. However, can American women still relate to Ann Romney and what sh