LAWRENCE AUSTER compares Michelle’s shocking appearance last night at a state dinner to Victor Mature in a gladiator movie. Our First Lady appears to have been slathered with oil, as if she’s about to enter the Coliseum. Auster writes, “Michelle is to female style and attractiveness what her husband’s presidency is to America–a deliberate transgression, aimed at redefining it as something else.”

Gwen writes:

No matter how Mr. Auster wants to disguise, deflect or rationalize it, he should just admit that he doesn’t find black (or darker skinned) women attractive and be done with it. No big deal. We all have our preferences. I have to agree with “Richard W.”‘s comments at Mr. Auster’s site.

I’ll give you this, though, since we’re wasting time on inane things, pleasurable as that can be sometimes: I really don’t like her choices in dresses and that blue one has got to go, too. :)

Laura writes:

In response to a comment similar to Gwen’s, Lawrence Auster wrote:

… It’s subjective. Your reaction to Michelle–she’s elegant–will be different from my reaction–she’s threatening-looking–and therefore the meaning I find in that photo will not be the meaning that you find, and no argument can bridge that gap. So I acknowledge that this is a lower-level discussion than a purely intellectual discussion. However, those who have more or less the same subjective reaction to Michelle that I have will find my comments meaningful.

Janet writes:

Someone on Mr. Auster’s site made the following comment: In the case of black women who are big boned, they will either be “big and fit” or “big and fat.” He is absolutely right. I have been both, and have been fighting a serious battle of the bulge since having our fifth child two years ago at the age of 36. Of course, being a hard core feminist, Mrs. Obama would never put herself in the position of having to contend with the fitness challenges that come from giving birth three times, let alone five. I just pictured Sarah Palin, so perhaps my logic is a bit off. 

Nonetheless, given the choice between Michelle’s shoulders, and my hips, I’d choose her shoulders.  That said, the dress choice was unfortunate, but the hairstyle was fabulous, in my opinion. Maybe it’s my blackness showing. Who knows?

Laura writes:

I don’t think it’s inane to talk about this, as Gwen said. She’s the First Lady, a national symbol of America, and furthermore she is hailed by thousands as a fashion model. What she wears matters, though there are so many occasions she’s entitled to a few gaffes. I like the haircut and I have always found Michelle’s face appealing when she is smiling. I don’t think she is scowling here so much as not posing. She’s stopped smiling. But I agree with the commenters at VFR who said she is flaunting manliness. Many women spend a lot of time body-building. Fine, but keep the muscles covered. I don’t want a First Lady who looks like a bouncer. 

A woman who is big and fit, or big and fat, can still dress attractively, especially if she has a White House budget. Imagine the elegant jackets you could buy to go over a strapless gown. Why show this much flesh? On the other hand, here is a gown that is also revealing, but not offensive, and which makes Michelle look beautiful and feminine, although there is something vaguely aggressive about the way her hand is poised on her hip and her knee is raised. 

Rita writes:

I guess I’ll get into the fray. In my opinion, oiled skin like that looks trashy…sheen good….greasy bad. Worse yet is the weird boob fat squeezed under her arm. With her money, she could wear clothes that fit her better. I feel embarressed for her. She’s 46 years old and I don’t expect her to dress like a school marm but she should be aware of her limitations. How could she though when the press is always fawning over her and telling her over and over again how “beautiful” she is? I don’t care how many times they tell me she’s beautiful…she’s no Halle Berry.

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