Michelle Obama glides into an empty Jungle Island banquet room looking fresh in a signature, white sheath dress that exposes toned arms and showcases that long, graceful neck.

If her style earns her comparisons to Jackie O, she won't complain.

''Especially after meeting Caroline, who is a grounded young woman, I'm like, if I'm compared to the woman who produced her, I'll take it,'' Obama says.

After a couple of media interviews, she'll do a private meet-and-greet with some of the bigger donors at this Wednesday night Jungle Island fundraiser, which is geared toward women. Then she'll address a larger crowd, paying $100 to $5,000 not only to support the presidential campaign of her husband of 15 years, but also to get within gawking distance of her.

After all, Michelle Obama is an ascending superstar. She's already been way YouTubed, already has survived the pratfalls of speaking too candidly, already has other women copying her look.

And already knows how to stay on message: ''`My hope is to be able to bring in the voices of what's happening on the ground with women and families,'' she says in her poised, deliberate way. She's speaking not just of her work these days but also of what she hopes to accomplish if she becomes first lady.

The Harvard law grad who grew up working class in the South Side of Chicago has been outspoken enough to provoke scrutiny and inspire headlines about whether she's helping or hurting her husband's chances. She still hasn't lived down that February day in Wisconsin when she said, ``For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country.''

But mostly, Obama is smooth, smart, striking. And by some accounts, focused now on showcasing her softer side after some critics dismissed her as an ''angry black woman'' and Barack's ''bitter half.'' Never mind this month's satirical New Yorker cover that portrayed her husband as a terrorist and her as a black militant in camo.

''It's just like my mother said. Not everybody is going to like you. If I spend my time focusing on the few negative things out there, I couldn't get out of bed in the morning,'' says Obama, 44, who cuts a commanding figure at ''5-11 in my stockings.'' She met her husband when he was hired as a summer intern at the Chicago law firm where she worked and mentored him in the beginning.

Even after a taste of media bashing, Obama says she's not stressed.

``You know, there are just not that many controversial things that come out of my mouth. I have lived my life not really focusing on what might not work. I focus on the possibility. I think if I can play any role in helping to get somebody like Barack Obama to become the next president, all right. So somebody talks about me. So there are worse things.''

There is no question that Michelle Obama is the candidate's wife capturing the country's imagination. After her appearance on ABC's The View in June, the $148 black-and-white leaf print dress she had sported became a hot commodity at White House | Black Market boutiques.

GIRL TALK

Maybe the campaign would have her stumping for Barack seven days a week. But the Obamas don't play with the rule they made for their family when they began their White House bid.

Dad may have to be away from daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, a lot, but Mom, a primed professional with an impressive career in corporate law and public service, stays put as much as possible.

Join the discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.repliedToText@

@Nyx.replyAnswerText@

Reply to this Comment @Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@