Basking in the Arms of the First Lady in Tucson

[bigtree]

from The Obama Diary:

Annika Shepp basks in the arms of First Lady Michelle Obama at Tucson International Airport on April 30. Shepp was one of nearly twenty youth volunteers to greet the First Lady as she arrived to speak at a campaign event downtown.

[malaise]

1. Just look at those warm smiles

Kids are so honest.

Lovely bigtree - thanks

[monmouth]

2. Just precious..n/t

[Skidmore]

3. She does something with smaller children that public figures almost never do...

physically get down to their level and looking them in the eye. It is nonthreatening and genuine.

[frazzled]

5. I wouldn't have to bend down so much

I'm a scant 5 foot 2: I only have to bend down to toddlers and the under age 8 crowd. I realized this when I went to the 6th grade graduation at my son's school many years ago. There I saw some of the kids I'd read to in second grade for the first time in four years: several of them were already towering over me. (One "little" boy, now probably five foot eight, came rushing over to tell me how he remembered my reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to them over a period of several months and how much it had meant to him. I was so touched, and pondered whether it had contributed to his significant "growth.&quot

Mrs. Obama is quite statuesque, so she really needs to get down there. Some of these kids would be at her knee height!

[donquijoterocket]

13. True,but

There's a downside, so to speak, although the First Lady needn't worry. I once had reason to walk into an elementary school whose principal was this wonderful human and teacher but 6"-4", He was bent over similarly to talk to one of the students in the hall and every time he moved or gestured the flap of his necktie would hit the kid in the face. More distracting than anything I suppose although it might have served as reminder of sorts.Still you can see the First Lady loves and is loved.

[xxqqqzme]

19. Jimmy Carter did

just that when my daughter was 5. He squatted down in front of her and talked w/ her. I think it was her thick glasses catching his attention. She remembers it. Jimmy Carter can do no wrong ever as far as she is concerned.

[Cracklin Charlie]

4. She looks great!

How many pretty dresses does she have? I REALLY like this one!

[DCKit]

6. But, but, HER ARMS ARE NEKKID!!!!!

I don't know why that gets the Teahadii foaming at the mouth, spittle-flying, running around with their hair on fire, but I love it - and I think the WH does too.

At this point, I think she's just fucking with their tiny heads.

[AtheistCrusader]

11. Not to objectify but

her arms look fantastic. What the hell is wrong with those people? I mean, how is that even a thing? Grrrr short sleeves? What is that?

[SidDithers]

7. These threads are great...

please keep posting 'em.

Sid

[lame54]

8. She looks good for being 2 weeks pregnant

[Fawke Em]

14. LOL!! I got that.

Arizona: Where a woman is two weeks pregnant before she can physically become pregnant!

[jillan]

17. LMAO! Great response!

[VWolf]

18. DUzy material!

Although I admit it took a while to figure this one out.

[progressoid]

25. She has that glow!

[mcgarry50]

9. first ladies

i remember when my mom took me to see first lady, lady bird johnson, at the santa fe airport like it was yesterday. i was proud to go see michelle obama in bellevue, WA. what honors.

[felix_numinous]

10. Beautiful

what a bright light in this world.

[cali]

12. No way can we allow Ann Romney to take the place of this wonderful

First Lady.

[lame54]

29. she'd send one of her nannies

[Tarheel_Dem]

15. Love it! Love her! Love the Kiddies!

Thanks bigtree!

[FailureToCommunicate]

16. She is so genuine.

[cr8tvlde]

20. Such a natural photo ... for both of them ... Awww

The little girls is proudly hanging on by both hands...you can't stage that. She exudes the confidence of an elementary teacher. The warmth and comfort level with children equals her husbands speaking/joking/slow jamming ability.

Imagine Ann Romney ... oh no, does not compute. She's truly Out of Touch for the unwashed masses.

[SoCalDem]

26. Hey now!

Ann Romney would let them touch her riding crop

[Rex]

21. Beautiful pictures.

I think her smile is as contagious as her husbands.

[Bake]

22. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful First Lady!

Is she just great, or what!!!!!!! She really connects with people.

Bake

[Bake]

23. Contrast this with Ann Silver Spoon R-money.

There's just no comparison.

Bake

[Spazito]

24. The first picture with Annika speaks volumes, imo..

I know when my children would do the two-hand grasp as Annika is doing it was an expression of love, feeling safe and not wanting the moment to end.

Beautiful and powerful pic. The rest are great too but the first one really 'spoke' to me.

[rppper]

27. Note the Air Force Sgt. Behind her...

That. Man is standing at 4.0 attention....intense!

Those kids are all happy to be there...completely comfortable with the first lady and she is just as comfortable with them...that speaks volumes about her...

[ChazInAz]

28. Yeah...

I noticed that fellow, too. Nice to know that the First Lady has someone like that protecting her. (If only from a mob of adoring little Tucsonans!)
I have to confess...wish I could get a hug from Michelle.