The Untrained Ear

Peggy Noonan, in a piece about Barack Obama in the April 18 edition of the Wall Street Journal, pinpoints the crucial qualities of a political spouse. It wasn’t the focus of her article, so I wanted to ensure it got noticed with particularity:

[Michelle Obama] has a great deal that would be attractive in a first lady (intelligence, accomplishment, beauty) but lacks placidity, which is, actually, necessary. All first ladies, first spouses, should be like Denis Thatcher, slightly dazed, mildly inscrutable, utterly supportive. It is the only job in the world where “seems slightly drugged” is a positive job qualification. The key is to know you are not the drama, you do not draw the lightning, you are a background player who yet has deep, unseen power. (The “deep, unseen power” part keeps you serene and energized. The constant possibility of quiet revenge keeps one peppy.)