Dee Dee Myers: Michelle Obama’s Great, But Country Not Ready For First Lady As ‘Independent Actor’

As First Lady Michelle Obama hits the campaign trail to help President Obama‘s re-election effort, MSNBC’s Chuck Todd took a look at her first term, as well as the larger picture of the role of a first lady overall. Despite its evolution, Todd and his guest Dee Dee Myers, former press secretary to President Bill Clinton, agreed that the position certainly has its limits.

Todd recounted the first lady’s campaigning and first term, noting that she stumbled a bit initially, drawing criticism for saying, “For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback.” Since then, however, “she hit her stride and turned into one of the most effective fund raisers for her husband on the campaign trail.”

Bridging the gap in a way her husband has been unable to, “she’s championed bipartisan causes like advocating for military families and battling childhood obesity that even prominent Republicans can get behind.”

Myers said while Michelle Obama has been a staunch advocate of her causes, there exists a basic limitation on the role of the first lady. “They have to play an old fashioned role,” and essentially are “not able to advocate what’s on the president’s agenda.” Who can forget Hillary Clinton‘s foray into presidential politics with her failed attempt to tackle health care reform?

The fundamental reason “the country has not cut up with the idea of a first lady being an independent actor,” Myers said, is because she is unelected. So, Michelle Obama, “we are proud of you, but we don’t want you to be a huge player where you are not elected.”

Take a look at the segment, via MSNBC: