TONYA LEWIS LEE: People seem to think that you are the secret weapon of your husband’s campaign.
MICHELLE OBAMA: I feel so much passion for this candidacy. When we made the decision to get in this race, there was a side of me that said, “Oh, no. This is going to be so personally disruptive—why put yourself through that?” But then I let myself dream about what his presidency would mean [to the nation and the world] and I get goose bumps.
TLL: You once said, “Politics is a waste of time.”
MO: That statement reflects my cynicism about politics, not about Barack. My thought has always been that he has something special to offer the political process, which can be a mean-spirited game. Over the years I’ve become more confident in people’s ability to recognize a good thing.
TLL: How do you balance traveling with family duties?
MO: I do day trips so that it creates less disruption for the girls. I usually leave in the morning after the kids are out, and I’m back home by bedtime.
TLL: I’ve read that you get up at 4:30 A.M. to work out.
MO: I don’t do the 4:30 anymore. I’ve been going to a trainer because I’m not disciplined enough to work out on my own. A lot of free weights and cardio, about two hours.
TLL: Wow, that’s a long workout! OK, totally trivial question: How do you handle your hair while campaigning?
MO: Headbands. I try not to do anything additional, because with black folks and perms, that’s where your hair’s on your pillow. So I tend to just slick it back.
TLL: What do your girls think of you?
MO: My hope and my gut is that I am just Mommy. We have this ritual in the morning. They come in my bed, and if Dad isn’t there—because he’s too snore-y and stinky, they don’t want to ever get into bed with him. But we cuddle up and we talk about everything from what is a period to the big topic of when we get a dog: what kind?
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