Michelle Obama in the Spotlight

As Barack Obama's star continues to rise (super-delegates are defecting en masse to his banner), every aspect of his life will come under increasing scrutiny. And in today's political climate, such scrutiny extends to the candidate's spouse. Thus, Michelle Obama has become the focus of intense attention as of late.

First, Barack Obama was forced to douse several fires when his wife proclaimed, "For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country." Many (particularly conservatives) questioned this apparent lack of patriotism and egregious negativity in the would-be first lady. Barack Obama provided slight cover (and slender justification) by contextualizing Michelle's statement within the context of American politics - rather than the nation as a whole.

Now, Politico has published Michelle LaVaughn Robinson's (Ms. Obama's maiden name) college thesis. The young Princeton senior's thesis, entitled "Princeton-Educated Blacks and the Black Community," reveals an race-conscious student's sensitivity to racial differences and yearning for racial identity. In a telling, autobiographical lamentation, Michelle writes that she fears her time at Princeton promises "further integration and/or assimilation into a white cultural and social structure that will only allow me to remain on the periphery of society; never becoming a full participant."

The thesis had been pulled by Princeton until Nov. 5, 2008, but the Obama campaign released the thesis without hesitation upon request. Did Princeton fear that a race-oriented focus in Michelle's college years might harm the Obama campaign? I assume Barack Obama properly assessed that the potential scandal of obscuring the document would have outweighed any possible reaction to its release. That is, Barack seems to have trusted America far more that Princeton - not a high standard to meet, but meritorious of the candidate nonetheless.