The old saying goes, "Behind every successful man there is a wise woman." In the case of Michelle Obama, the Democratic Party needs her wisdom front and center to reinvigorate a base that is bursting at the seams with anger and disillusionment.

Making her midterm debut in Milwaukee at a luncheon for Senator Russ Feingold, the First Lady, chic in a hot-pink dress, reminded the enthusiastic crowd of more than 500 people why the country was so excited about "Barack" in the first place:

"We were energized," Mrs. Obama said. "We were hopeful, because we knew we had a chance to change the country we love for the better. And the truth is, we have that same chance - and we have that same responsibility - today. The chance to continue the progress we've made. The chance to finish what we've started."In a politically savvy move designed to preserve the bipartisan support she's gained for her Let's Move Campaign, Mrs. Obama only vaguely referenced the disastrous Bush administration policies that sent the United States in a downward spiral. While empathizing with citizens who expected "change" to come as soon as "Barack walked through the Oval office," she reminded them gently that "...it's going to take longer to dig ourselves out of this hole than any of us would like."

Motherhood was the recurring theme as she deftly shifted the focus away from politics, specifically her husband's sinking approval ratings, and spoke passionately about her children, this nation's children and the future we want to leave all of them.

According to White House strategists, it was necessary for her to jump into the fray after a two year hiatus, because of her popularity among voters. She not only consistently polls favorably, but is considered "untouchable" by most Republican politicians.This enables her to push President Obama's agenda in a way that is both non-threatening and effective.

Sending her to Blue States to motivate the party's base, The White House's goal is not to attack to Republicans but to re-energize the voters who were so loyal to the President during his campaign for office.

While enumerating her husband's many achievements- such as health care, student loan reform and energy investments, she also shared personal stories, such as her father's battle with multiple sclerosis and the President's mother's struggle with cancer.

By reminding listeners that they are just a regular family -- with no capitalist agenda nor delusions of grandeur -- Mrs. Obama hoped to touch that chord of excitement and purpose that had the nation enthralled at one point in time.

Unfortunately, it's not only the political maneuvering that has the democratic base upset. It's the president's priority of placing bipatisanship over "Change We Can Believe In"; his floundering over "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"; his flip-flopping over drilling; his soft stance on the reproductive rights of women; and his outright denunciation of gay marriage.


Loyal voters and volunteers are justifiably upset, but with Mrs. Obama's more approachable presence softening the campaign trail, candidates such as Feingold, in a fisticuffs race against Ron Johnson (a Republican businessman) are praying for a miracle.

After President Obama walked onstage at the U.S. Cellular Arena Wednesday, the crowd, who paid $250-$500 to attend, cheered wildly. Obama responded, "This is exactly what we need!"

He is correct.

We need to remember when it wasn't "The Obama Administration" but a "New Era of Camelot." That feeling of wonderment, though, needs to be fused with sensibility, accountability and action -- all without mistaking slow progress for dishonesty.

While President Obama has proven time and again that we elected the right man for the job, his lack of emotion and disclosure is frustrating to some. With calm, focus and poise, he has accomplished many great feats domestically and abroad, but does not get the recognition he deserves.

Sometimes it takes a woman to step in and shine the light on her man, and that is exactly why Michelle Obama has re-emerged.

There is an old saying that goes, "A man might be the head, but sometimes, the woman has to be the neck."

Let's hope the Democratic Party follows the First Lady's lead and restores the sense of family, sensitivity and bravery that placed them in power in the first place.