Michelle Could Be Dems' Secret Weapon

Though Michelle Obama has taken on junk food rather than Republicans during her first year in the White House, the first lady is popular—so much so that tongues are already wagging at the Hill about how useful a weapon she'll be in the Democrats' 2010 arsenal. Obama is “obviously comfortable doing the campaigning,” says Laura Bush’s former chief of staff, noting that her first lady spent only 10% of her time campaigning during the 2002 midterm elections—but a heftier 40% in 2006.

So far, however, no hints are forthcoming as to how Obama might campaign—if she campaigns at all. “That’s a decision for the White House,” one rep says. Though Obama’s role remains a mystery, one thing is clear: “They’d be squandering an asset if they didn’t” use her, says an expert.
(More Michelle Obama stories.)