Everything you always wanted to know about America's next first lady (but were afraid to ask)

michelle obama on the cover. really? i'm so over it. can we all talk about something else now?

Thanks, Seth and Amy. ugh. I'm so over "really?". Really.

I don't think it's race this time! The reason people don't like the Obamas is because they are SMART - America's eternal teenagers refuse to evolved past their lame middle-school personalities, teasing the class nerd. America is in big trouble right now and we are going to need some young, smart, talented, hardworking people (like the Obamas) to make things better. No one likes smart chicks, but hey, you don't have to date her! She is a serious person, with a fine mind. Get over it!

I do think it's race and I think white people are in denial, particularly white women. I had one woman say to me that Michelle better watch out because Barack is "very attractive." My response was "So's Michelle". I agree that they may also not be liked because they're smart, but that's not the only reason. Americans always try to simplify things in this fast food world, when issues always have more than one layer.

So off the top of my head, I'd say that Michelle Obama is scary because she looks like she'll hit you if you don't agree with her. The cover picture of her is just a little harsh... and yes, I do think the American public is naive enough to not want her around based on her looks. If she softened the arch of her eyebrow, smiled just a little and had her eye makeup turn up in the corner slightly, she would look a little friendlier and inherently approachable. Even when she's smiling on the podium, she looks a little mean. I'm guessing that's why people have such a negative gut reaction to her. They might not know what they're reacting to and they might label it something different - she's unpatriotic, she's rude, etc. etc. - but I think it's because people are more likely to trust someone who's attractive with an open smile and a friendly face.

It's not race per se. It's a savvy political machine that is highly skilled at scaring people about candidates it opposes, and uses talk radio and chain letters to spread their fear messages. It is the same thing they did with John Kerry, making people think that the guy who was decorated for his combat command would be a less capable commander in chief than the guy who avoided combat by using political contacts to join the Air Force Reserve, and then didn't even fulfill that commitment. They also are spreading falsehoods about Barack Obama, including the contradictory claims that he agrees with the views of the minister of his church while at the same time he is a secret Muslim who agrees with al Qaeda.

What is sad is that so many Americans are willing to believe that where there is smoke there must also be fire. America is changing and European Americans will soon no longer be the majority. They are nervous about that change, which makes them receptive to propaganda that play on those fears.

Lincoln said "you can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time." Some years ago someone quipped that fooling some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time is good enough to get elected.

"I'd say that Michelle Obama is scary because she looks like she'll hit you if you don't agree with her. "

"Even when she's smiling on the podium, she looks a little mean. "

And DICK CHENEY doesn't look mean?? Bush doesn't look like he'll hit you if you don't agree wit him? What about Rummy?

My friends, the issue IS race, you just don't realize it.

Michelle Obama scary? Seriously? Have you seen Cindy McCain's demon eyes?!! I think it's definately racism, because if anyone cares to find out who she is, all they have to do is go to Barack's website, pick up a magazine, or watch one of her many interviews. A lot of white people are scared to death of a black man being president and they will stoop to all depths to instill that fear into as many others as possible. As a white woman who will relish in the day that Barack and his beautiful, passionate and brilliant wife will move into the white house, I'll say this, It's long overdue that we have an intelligent, honest and sensitive person as president- no matter what color they happen to be!

I'd say that Michelle Obama is scary because she looks like she'll hit you if you don't agree with her. "

This remark is so stereotypical. Not every black person resorts to violence if their point of view is not acceptable to others.

I suspect that you believe that we all do the neck twisting and finger pointing to get our point across. Grow up and get some exposure!

Michelle Obama is an intelligent woman who is black. That is nothing new in our society. In fact, we happen to have a history of producing intelligent women and men. That probably is scary to those who still continue to believe that we are lesser in the society.

She scares me because she looks like an alien. She really is a strange looking woman and it has NOTHING to do with the color of her skin. Her eyes are too big & round & her cheekbones are unaturally high. She just loks weird.