Michelle Obama DNC Speech Response

In her speech to the Democratic National Convention, Michelle Obama delivered exactly what the audience wanted and needed: an uplifting message to those supporting her husband's bid for the presidency. Obama focused on positive ideas, such as the importance of family and hard, which she said enables you to acoomplish anything you want. "Strive for the world as it should be," she said about halfway through her speech. Using her hands to emphasize certain points, Obama told the audience that the "American Dream" is alive and well, and can be obtained by anybody who is willing to work for it. Despite her humble beginnings, Obama overcame the many obstacles in her path to earn a law degree. This is exactly the kind of speech that Americans have come to expect from political conventions. They don't want to hear speakers throw insaults at the opposing party, and especially members of its own party -- hence the reference to Hillary Clinton putting millions of tiny cracks in the ceiling" -- rather, the audience wants to hear a positive message about how this particular candidate will improve the nation's climate. It is for this very reason that Obama generally avoided policy issues, only briefly mentioning issues such as education and the war in Iraq toward the end of her speech. Quickly, though, she returned to the more generic themes of "hope" and "change." While of little real substance, Obama's speech succeeded in providing the uplifting message typical of today's political conventions.