By Lubna Abdel-Aziz The beat goes on - so does the Obama craze. Now, extended across the pond, it was Mrs. Obama's dynamic personality and sunny smile that won the hearts of Europeans. Regardless of some awkwardness and gawkiness, all was forgiven the alluring Mrs. O. For a man aspiring to the highest office in the land, wisdom dictates that his choice of mate should be judicious. She must be beautiful, intelligent, informed, charming, patient, sensible, alert, hospitable, thoughtful, enlightened, astute, clever, friendly, gracious...(I'm running out of adjectives) etc, etc, etc. Can all these virtues be found in one woman? At least he should settle for one or more of the three Bs -- Beauty, Brains, and Breeding. The US President has chosen well, judging from the sensation caused by his wife, who was good and ready for the world's spotlight. Since the emergence of the US as the leading great power after WW-II, all eyes have been focused on everything American. From hamburgers to jeans, from cowboys to movie stars, America leads and we follow. Presidents and their spouses receive their share of scrutiny, of praise and blame. While most Presidents' wives remained, for the most part, in the background, attending to wifely duties, Eleanor Roosevelt broke with tradition and stepped out of her husband's shadow to become one of the most active, most loved women of her generation. Eleanor Roosevelt constantly worked to improve the lot of the underprivileged of all creeds, races, and nations. Even after her husband's death, she continued a vigorous career as American spokeswoman in the United Nations. While the next two first ladies, Mrs. Truman and Mrs. Eisenhower retained a traditional role, the stunning Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy took Washington, the US, Europe and the rest of the world by storm. Perhaps she alone stands out as the one possessing all the three Bs. Many of us still remember that velvety murmur in her voice, her impeccable style, her gait, her manners, her calm acceptance of the many tragedies that befell her -- the miscarriages, stillbirths, the boorish Irish clan, and her husband's infidelities. Her gallant courage and dignity following her husband's assassination inspired a whole nation in mourning. Nancy Davis Reagan, an actress of good standing gave up her career to devote her time to the husband she adored, but she never neglected herself. She was the image of perfection and elegance with every hair in place at all times. She also campaigned hard for her pet project -- "Just Say No," her personal fight against drug and alcohol abuse among young people. Hillary Rodham Clinton was one of a kind. While all the modern first ladies are college graduates of the finest colleges, such as Wellesley, Smith, Vassar, Princeton, none was interested in pursuing a political career as Hillary. Hillary worked incessantly juggling career, motherhood, and political life. As her husband remarked "We have a first lady of many talents." She almost won the Democratic nomination for President, but the Obamas' charm overcame her insatiable appetite for the highest office, and she now serves as Secretary of State in Obama's Cabinet. Presidents, or would-be President's wives, who should be assets to their husbands can also be liabilities. Catherine Dickson Dukakis, whose husband lost his bid for President to the senior George Bush, battled with alcoholism, and has often been blamed for her husband's defeat. In her book "Now You Know," she confesses to being hospitalized after drinking rubbing alcohol. Running against the second George Bush, John Kerry's wife, Teresa Heinz, sharp and aggressive, left a negative impression that contrasted strongly against the mild and gentle Laura Bush. Then there is the case of Jane Muskie whose husband was a frontrunner for the 1972 Democratic nomination until she surfaced. An editorial in one of the leading newspapers alleged that Mrs. Muskie engaged in excessive drinking and telling dirty jokes. Muskie emotionally defended his wife with tears streaming down his cheeks. His campaign collapsed and so did his career. Other international first ladies have attracted world attention. We have all admired the legendary Eva Peron of Argentina, and who can ignore the first lady of France Carla Bruni, the attractive ex-model/chanteuse. Bruni-Sarkosy is beautiful, charming, well groomed and very chic. Nicknamed the 'Chanel Gazelle' her perfect outfits are appropriate for every occasion, and her graceful curtsy to the Queen of England endeared her to the British public and won her new respect at her new home. Back to Michelle whose luminous smile has Europeans reeling. Much has been written about her wardrobe, and a few courageous voices in London and Paris, found it ill-suited to say the least.Those chateauxs and palaces must be very well heated indeed. "While her sleeveless-in-winter-look caused quite a bit of a stir," others more kindly referred to it as a "misstep". Blinded by her beam some insist that we should let Michelle be Michelle. Perhaps more homework should have been exercised to avoid some awkward moments such as wrapping her arm around the Queen, but for now, at least, the Obamas are forgiven everything. Having said that, Michelle Obama is a well-principled well- educated woman who despite her humble birth has risen academically to become a distinguished Princeton and Harvard Law School graduate, where she met Barack. When the spotlight was focused upon her in the world arena, Michelle Obama was ready. A successful career woman, an able and loving wife, mother, and daughter, she cuts a striking figure both in and out of Washington. While by no means the most attractive or elegant of America's first ladies, there is little doubt that given another 100 days, she will undoubtedly develop and move forward, polishing her style, her hairdo, her manners, and her wardrobe. We in Egypt have been fortunate. In the history of our young Republic, we have been closely familiar with two of our three first ladies. While our first was unknown to the public, our second, Mrs. Jehan Sadat, has won our admiration as well as the world's, pursuing her career and facing her tragic loss with courage and dignity. Our present first lady needs no introduction. No first lady has been more honoured, more esteemed, more decorated than her. With a wide range of interests, she is in tune with the major concerns of modern life, here and worldwide. Tireless in her efforts to improve every aspect of Egyptian society, family life, academic, health, cultural, emancipation, the arts, children, illiteracy, homelessness, hunger, peace, we often worry if she gets enough sleep. Yes, we are fortunate indeed. Michelle may be causing a frenzy, but luckily our fist lady is the incomparable, indefatigable, indomitable, Suzanne Mubarak -- what more can we say! One is not born a woman, one becomes one -- Simone de Beauvoir (1908 -- 1986)
