US press review: Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama repeatedly spoke of her pride in America

The speech delivered by Barack Obama's wife, Michelle, on the first day of the US Democratic Party convention in Denver has been welcomed by liberal US newspapers while the conservative press was less impressed.

"Obama, Kennedy electrify crowd" headlined a Washington Post article, which described Mrs Obama's family-themed speech as "the climax of a dramatic opening day".

Michelle Obama turned the personal into the political, by casting her husband and herself as symbols of America's potential and its promise, the Los Angeles Times said.

Her priority was to "humanise her husband, and share the side of him - and one of her - that the public doesn't always see", the Boston Globe reported, while highlighting the unique challenge faced by Michelle Obama.

"As the first potential African-American first lady, [she] has an unusually complicated task in trying to relate to and connect with the millions of families across the country looking for a president who understands and represents them."

'Racially polarising'

The Washington Times said Mrs Obama's emphasis on her family's "similarities to 'working-class folks' aimed to counter the Republican charge that the Obamas are elitist".

The Wall Street Journal said she faced "a big challenge... to make the country more comfortable with her husband and her".

"Many black women hail Mrs Obama as an icon... but many whites remain uneasy".

She has become "a lightening rod for Republicans" in their attempt to portray her as "racially polarising, and even her allies concede she has helped fuel that reputation", the Washington Times said.

While talking about her husband's campaign earlier this year, Mrs Obama had said that "for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country".

'Softer image'

The New York Times said her speech on Monday seemed intended to address the criticism her comments had drawn; she repeatedly spoke of her pride in America, and ended with the affirmation: "That is why I love this country."

The Boston Globe said Michelle Obama's goal was "to soften her image while maintaining her authentic voice - most signs were that she did".

Mrs Obama's speech was also widely viewed as a tool to try to heal rifts in the party following the long primary battle between Sen Obama and his former rival, Hillary Clinton.

When Mrs Clinton's face appeared on screen at the convention at the beginning of the ceremonies, the crowd reportedly erupted in cheers.

Mr Obama "has yet to close the deal with the electorate, or even some of the Democrats who backed his primary opponent", the Washington Post said.

But it credited Mrs Obama with attempting to bridge the divide by paying tribute to Sen Clinton.

Two-pronged agenda

An emotional appearance by Senator Edward Kennedy, who is battling brain cancer, caught the attention of many papers.

"The party's ailing iconic figure offered his familiar lion's roar" and took the stage amid wild cheers "stealing the show", the Washington Times said.

It was uncertain until the last minute whether he would be well enough to appear, and, as the New York Times reported, it punctuated what was "an elaborately choreographed" night.

The paper went on to say that as Mrs Obama led the effort to present a warm and positive portrayal of her husband, Democrats "moved aggressively" to paint his likely Republican opponent, Senator John McCain of Arizona, "in harsh terms".

With Mr Obama's lead evaporating into a dead-heat race with his Republican challenger, many of Monday's speakers sought to cast Mr McCain as a wealthy out-of-touch Republican, whose presidency would be a third term for President Bush, the Washington Times said.

The LA Times said: "The agenda was clear and two-pronged: Build an image of Obama as an everyman and start ripping McCain apart."

It said that House speaker Nancy Pelosi was among those who "took up the cudgel" against Mr McCain.

Senator McCain will be nominated next week at the Republican Party's convention in Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota.