The First Lady “Pinch Hits” for the President for an Important Fight

The role of the First Lady of the United States has historically made varying degrees of impact on the American people and culture. Although the title carries no official duties, it’s a very respected and potentially powerful position in our country if leveraged effectively.

But ultimately, it’s up to the President’s wife to decide how to best utilize the high-profile job.

Lady Bird Johnson created the Society for a More Beautiful National Capital as a beautification project to improve the physical conditions of Washington D.C.

Betty Ford served as an important voice on social issues during her tenure as First Lady, prompting some to say that “(her) impact on American culture may be far wider and more lasting than that of her husband.” (TIME magazine, Dec. 27, 2006)

Nancy Reagan focused on the War on Drugs with her famous “Just Say No” campaign and Hilary Clinton used her role as First Lady as a platform to work on political issues including health care.

So anytime a new President takes office it’s always interesting to see what issues the new First Lady decides to tackle. In Michelle Obama’s case it appears, right now, to be the Olympic Games and the fight to make Chicago the host city for the 2016 Summer Games – if successful, it will mark the first time since 1996 that the U.S. has hosted the Olympic Summer Games (Atlanta).

Last Friday, the White House announced that Mrs. Obama will lead a delegation to Copenhagen for the International Olympic Committee’s Oct. 2 vote to decide which of four finalists — Chicago, Madrid, Tokyo or Rio de Janeiro — wins the Games. Source: Chicago Tribute (click here)

Not that there aren’t other important issues Mrs. Obama could dedicate her time to, but the fact that she’s chosen to focus on the Olympics sends a terrific message to Americans and the rest of the world.

Traditionally, nations being considered as a host site send its leaders to lobby the IOC for selection. But with President Obama unable to attend the summit in Copenhagen due to pressing domestic issues, the First Lady has picked up the torch (pun intended) and will carry the fight for the USA.

That’s a huge responsibility and definitely not a symbolic or a superficial “photo-op” assignment.

The Olympic Games are extremely important to America for a number of reasons, two big ones being:

- For more than 100 years the Olympics have served as an international event that brings billions of people together and supersedes all political rifts and tensions (at least it’s suppose to) for two weeks of peace.

- Serves as a showcase for world-class athleticism, competition and sportsmanship for the rest of the world – especially children.

For those reasons alone it’s important for America to be the face of the Olympics as much as possible. America needs to make a continuous effort to show the world that our country can offer significant and positive contributions to the international community.

By accepting this assignment and lobbying the IOC for Chicago 2016, Mrs. Obama is proving her role as First Lady is an influential and important one for America…and sports.