Hillary Shows Why Michelle Obama's Words Count

Michelle Obama's words are important because, like Hillary, a future former-First Lady Obama may decide to seek the highest office in the land.

Yet in the hullabaloo arising from Michelle Obama's statement that, "for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country," this obvious reason for paying attention to her words has received little comment.

Hillary is proof that First Ladies, and potential First Ladies, are no longer "simply" supports to their husbands, ambassadors of good will, and domesticators of the White House (not that Hillary succeeded on that score).

Today's First Ladies may be tomorrow's presidents, and that makes all the difference.

If the 44-year-old Michelle Obama has lacked pride in her country all of her adult life--in spite of graduating from Princeton and Harvard, in spite of being a U.S. senator's wife--that is noteworthy because, should Barack succeed, and he may indeed, she may try to follow his footsteps.

With Hillary's ascent, the old mold of the First Lady's role in American politics has been broken. While some potential First Ladies may not be remotely interested in seeking office themselves, some, such as Ivy League-educated lawyers who are familiar with, and comfortable in, America's halls of power, should be watched carefully.

Hillary has blazed the trail, and we can't know who will follow.