Michelle Obama disregards her own advice to ‘go high’
The political perspective of the former first lady has shifted in light of the former president's third bid for the presidency.
TroibNews 
CHICAGO — Michelle Obama first presented her now-iconic saying eight years ago during the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia: “When they go low, we go high.”
Tonight, however, she took a different stance, accusing former President Donald Trump of “going small.”
Addressing an enthusiastic crowd at the United Center, the former first lady delivered a pointed message to her party, urging them to remain intensely focused over the next 80 days on securing electoral victories. She cautioned Democrats not to become “their own worst enemies” and emphasized the importance of mobilizing voters ahead of the November election.
Her speech came at a time of heightened political tension, where Democrats have notably refrained from the previously advocated "going high" attitude. Instead, they have labeled Trump and his running mate JD Vance as “weird.” Vice President Kamala Harris frequently mentions Trump's past actions, such as “scamming students,” and references to his legal troubles, including a sexual abuse verdict and 34 counts of fraud. At a recent fundraiser, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described Trump as “low energy” and “tired,” indirectly commenting on the former president's age.
Michelle Obama was unreserved in her criticisms of Trump.
“Going small is petty, it’s unhealthy, and, quite frankly, it’s unpresidential,” she stated to an audience that was engaged and attentive. “It’s his same old con: doubling down on ugly, misogynistic, racist lies as a substitute for real ideas and solutions that will actually make people’s lives better.”
The Michelle Obama who took the stage on Tuesday night appeared more somber, impassioned, and urgent than in past Democratic conventions. Her powerful address elicited enthusiastic reactions from the crowd, filled with cheers, claps, and expressions of agreement. She not only offered a fierce condemnation of Trump’s vision for the country but also called on her audience to actively participate in driving voters to the polls.
“We cannot afford for anyone to sit on their hands and wait to be called upon. Don’t complain if no one from the campaign has specifically reached out to ask for your support. There is simply no time for that kind of foolishness,” she urged, as signs reading “VOTE” were distributed throughout the arena. “Our fate is in our hands.”
The former first lady continues to enjoy strong popularity among the American public. A July Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated that, amid concerns regarding Joe Biden's viability as the Democratic nominee, Obama was the only Democrat to lead Trump in a hypothetical matchup, garnering 50 percent support compared to his 39 percent.
While familiar messages of hope and optimism were present in her speech, they carried a sharper tone. She reflected on her recent personal grief due to her mother's passing and the emotional challenges she faced.
“Maybe you’ve experienced the same feelings, a deep pit in my stomach, a palpable sense of dread about the future,” she acknowledged.
Yet, she has consistently advocated for transforming emotions into action, previously defining “going high” as “finding purpose in your rage.” She received a standing ovation when she pushed back against Trump’s claims regarding migrants and job competition.
“Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those ‘Black jobs’?” she remarked, prompting a roar of applause.
Democrats gathered in Chicago this week also seem to embrace Harris' shift in tone towards Trump, moving away from the “going high” mentality.
“She’s lived the American dream while he was America’s nightmare,” noted Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett on Monday.
Harris has underscored the notion that democracy is at stake, a recurring theme from Biden’s campaign. In Houston, she warned that Trump would “be a dictator on day one,” stating that he would “weaponize the Department of Justice against his political enemies, that he will round up peaceful protesters and throw them out of our country, and even, quote, ‘terminate’ the Constitution of the United States.”
While democracy may not be the principal focus of Harris’ campaign, which leans towards a more optimistic vision of the future, Democrats are still keen to highlight Trump’s threats, as articulated by Michelle Obama tonight.
“If we start feeling tired, if we start feeling that dread creeping back in, we’ve got to pick ourselves up, throw water on our faces, and do something,” she declared.
Melanie Mason contributed to this report.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
Tonight, however, she took a different stance, accusing former President Donald Trump of “going small.”
Addressing an enthusiastic crowd at the United Center, the former first lady delivered a pointed message to her party, urging them to remain intensely focused over the next 80 days on securing electoral victories. She cautioned Democrats not to become “their own worst enemies” and emphasized the importance of mobilizing voters ahead of the November election.
Her speech came at a time of heightened political tension, where Democrats have notably refrained from the previously advocated "going high" attitude. Instead, they have labeled Trump and his running mate JD Vance as “weird.” Vice President Kamala Harris frequently mentions Trump's past actions, such as “scamming students,” and references to his legal troubles, including a sexual abuse verdict and 34 counts of fraud. At a recent fundraiser, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described Trump as “low energy” and “tired,” indirectly commenting on the former president's age.
Michelle Obama was unreserved in her criticisms of Trump.
“Going small is petty, it’s unhealthy, and, quite frankly, it’s unpresidential,” she stated to an audience that was engaged and attentive. “It’s his same old con: doubling down on ugly, misogynistic, racist lies as a substitute for real ideas and solutions that will actually make people’s lives better.”
The Michelle Obama who took the stage on Tuesday night appeared more somber, impassioned, and urgent than in past Democratic conventions. Her powerful address elicited enthusiastic reactions from the crowd, filled with cheers, claps, and expressions of agreement. She not only offered a fierce condemnation of Trump’s vision for the country but also called on her audience to actively participate in driving voters to the polls.
“We cannot afford for anyone to sit on their hands and wait to be called upon. Don’t complain if no one from the campaign has specifically reached out to ask for your support. There is simply no time for that kind of foolishness,” she urged, as signs reading “VOTE” were distributed throughout the arena. “Our fate is in our hands.”
The former first lady continues to enjoy strong popularity among the American public. A July Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated that, amid concerns regarding Joe Biden's viability as the Democratic nominee, Obama was the only Democrat to lead Trump in a hypothetical matchup, garnering 50 percent support compared to his 39 percent.
While familiar messages of hope and optimism were present in her speech, they carried a sharper tone. She reflected on her recent personal grief due to her mother's passing and the emotional challenges she faced.
“Maybe you’ve experienced the same feelings, a deep pit in my stomach, a palpable sense of dread about the future,” she acknowledged.
Yet, she has consistently advocated for transforming emotions into action, previously defining “going high” as “finding purpose in your rage.” She received a standing ovation when she pushed back against Trump’s claims regarding migrants and job competition.
“Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those ‘Black jobs’?” she remarked, prompting a roar of applause.
Democrats gathered in Chicago this week also seem to embrace Harris' shift in tone towards Trump, moving away from the “going high” mentality.
“She’s lived the American dream while he was America’s nightmare,” noted Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett on Monday.
Harris has underscored the notion that democracy is at stake, a recurring theme from Biden’s campaign. In Houston, she warned that Trump would “be a dictator on day one,” stating that he would “weaponize the Department of Justice against his political enemies, that he will round up peaceful protesters and throw them out of our country, and even, quote, ‘terminate’ the Constitution of the United States.”
While democracy may not be the principal focus of Harris’ campaign, which leans towards a more optimistic vision of the future, Democrats are still keen to highlight Trump’s threats, as articulated by Michelle Obama tonight.
“If we start feeling tired, if we start feeling that dread creeping back in, we’ve got to pick ourselves up, throw water on our faces, and do something,” she declared.
Melanie Mason contributed to this report.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
