Michelle Obama additionally informed us that our "souls are broken". The remedy for this national malaise? Elect her husband. Apparently, he is the only one who can lead us to salvation. Thus, in addition to every other sphere of activity into which government intrudes, she suggests that it should also be in the soul-fixing business.

 Michelle Obama's verbal gaffes are pregnant with numerous implicit —albeit unspoken — assumptions. She seems to be suggesting that the country owes her husband the presidency; it is the only way white America can atone for the sins of slavery. There is no need to inquire into his qualifications or his political philosophy as she seems to be saying the nomination is his entitlement based solely on his oratorical prowess which is responsible for inuring, a heretofore spiritually starved country, with hope and the prospect of unity.

This attitude comports with some of her other preposterous statements, to wit, her stern admonishment that this is our only chance to elect Obama, as he won't be running again. I would imagine that not an insignificant number of voters are going to view her comments most unfavorably. Why would anyone want to vote for a candidate whose spouse is ashamed of her country?

Her comments are all the more striking in light of the fact that she is the beneficiary of the nation's elite ivy-league universities (Princeton 85; Harvard Law 88). Does she feel no pride in being able to avail herself of these educational privileges or of any other accomplishments of her county? Patriotism, obviously, is not a virtue that ranks high in her scale of political values.

Watch for a retraction/clarification to issue from the Obama campaign forthwith.

Obama's grandiloquence provides the perfect vessel for liberal democrats to pour whatever sentiments they choose: he is the next JFK; he is the keeper of the Camelot flame; he will bring us together; he inspires us; he gives us "hope". Liberalism has evolved into a political philosophy that is based on feelings and emotions. Obama elicits from many Democrats the requisite passions. As such, reason or dispassionate analysis never becomes part of their deliberations as to who would be the best or most qualified candidate.

If Obama isn't more circumspect in the future, his campaign runs the risk of appearing as a flim-flam operation.