OP-ED

Michelle Obama Was The Perfect Choice For The Oscars

She's a glamorous woman and a class act

Feb 25, 2013 by Leslie Marshall

Nationally syndicated talk radio host t

Image: AP.

I have a confession to make. I live in Los Angeles County, about 20 minutes from Hollywood and I usually don't watch the Oscars (a sin out here on the Left Coast).

I acted years ago and love watching films. But generally the glitz and glamour, the expensive gowns and extra attention given the stars (as if they need more), I basically got tired of.

This year I saw a movie that changed my mind about watching Mr. Oscar. I saw the film "Amour."

A French movie about a woman who is slowly wasting away from Alzheimer's disease. The performance by Emmanuelle Riva was so superb, I had to watch last night to see if she would win the Academy Award for Best Actress (as she should have but didn't).

It was also her 84th birthday last night. So although her losing didn't surprise me - as Oscars are a lot more about PR than talent much of the time, what did surprise me (besides Barbara Streisand singing!) - was our First Lady Michelle Obama (with the help of Jack Nicholson), introducing the best film of the year.

I thought to myself, "Great, I can hear those on the right now saying, 'see, told you Hollywood's in bed with the White House!'" But then I thought, "They're wrong."

Ok, Hollywood checks have pretty much gone to Democrats since Adam and Eve. But the first lady isn't running for office, her husband already won re-election, and isn't film part of America? Part of our culture?

America invented Hollywood, and has given our nation and the world an opportunity to laugh during tough times, to remember with a reflective or historical film, and to escape the stressful world most of us live in day-to-day. Last night's theme for the Oscars was old Hollywood glitz and glamour, and having the first lady as a presenter, was the "right" choice; she's a glamorous woman and a class act.

Radio host Leslie Marshall is host of the nationally syndicated The Leslie Marshall Show. She is also a Fox News Contributor. Follower her on Twitter at @LeslieMarshall.

Editor's Note: Politix publishes op-eds and analysis from political experts - including elected officials, analysts, campaign consultants, and lobbyists - to enrich and diversify the site content for our users.

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Feb '13

BossTweed

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Wish we could have had a break from politics and the ever present SMUG lecture but it is what it is.
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Feb '13

g4me

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You're on a message board named POLITIX, what did you expect, a cooking show?
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Feb '13

Tralee

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Yes, I imagine those who tuned in to see the Oscars just loved the bigger than life sized Michelle and her new HUGE bangs looming over her, the Hollywood crowd probably peed their pants in religious awe but the rest of us just wanted to see the show. Sigh, really, must the Obama's intrude on every event?
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Feb '13

Penn1699

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@Tralee exactly my sentiments!
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Feb '13

jessejaymes

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I totally agree with this writer. Well said. Michelle was great and I don't even like Barak.
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Feb '13

g4me

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Just waiting for people to say tacky, hateful things. I dont know why they do it, but they sure do.
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Feb '13

Leftofliberal

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I wish they had a vote down feature om this sit to let those little narrow minded, mean spirited haters realize how totally predictable and despicable their comments are
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Feb '13

g4me

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@Leftofliberal I hear ya, the usual suspects showed up right on cue, didnt they?
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Feb '13

NTBFW

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@g4me you sure did. Right on schedule.
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Feb '13

DARSB

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While she didn't set a precedent (Laura Bush attended in 2002) it was pretty cool to see Ms Obama participate. Come this morning I had even better reason to like her appearance - did you see how the Iranian news agency photoshopped her dress to cover up her shoulders?
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Feb '13

jessejaymes

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Iran isn't too thrilled with the movie Argo either. Read where bootlegs are selling in Teheran for a buck.
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Feb '13

Fishbone345

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@jessejaymes Oh no! Are they going to attack our Embassy?
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Feb '13

jessejaymes

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@Fishbone345 Uh maybe (looks around....is this guy sauced or what?) They might, well, hmmmm, they could build a nuke maybe?
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Feb '13

Fishbone345

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@jessejaymes Well, you know what movies do to those Muslims over there, they just get all worked up and attack us.
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Feb '13

Fishbone345

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@Fishbone345 Maybe its bad movies, or bad actors. Oh shit, Ben Affleck is in Argo isn't he? We're screwed.
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Feb '13

tomincali

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her and her husband are good actors.
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Feb '13

2b1ask1

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LMAO....no comment
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Feb '13

Dan_Tien

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I suppose that wives of Presidents appearing at the Academy Awards should have expected, seeing as how the line between politics and acting is becoming more and more blurred. Next will we see a category at the Oscars for "Best Portrayal of an Actual Working Congressman"?
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Feb '13

DARSB

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"seeing as how the line between politics and acting is becoming more and more blurred." Now, now, Mr Reagan's been dead these many years, no need to cast aspersions at this late date. ;)
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Feb '13

Dan_Tien

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@DARSB ...or on Fred Thompson, Al Franken, Clint Eastwood, Ashley Judd, Jesse Ventura, Arnold Schwarzenegger...
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Feb '13

jessejaymes

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@DARSB In my entire life I had never seen one political party carry on like they did when Reagan died. They paraded that poor man's corpse around the country like it was the body of John Dillenger.. I fully expected to see his casket propped up by a cart in Manhattan with a sign "Dog and a peek 2.00".
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Feb '13

Emerald1

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@jessejaymes Abraham Lincoln from DC to Illinois and FDR from Georgia to New York....stopped at every whistle stop on the railroad so the country could pay their respects. Probably others as well but those two I know
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Feb '13

SignifiedNBlue

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@jessejaymes yes it was revolting. I recall screaming at the tv set "bury the son-of-a-bitch already!!!! No disrespect of course ...lol!!
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Feb '13

Ryuo

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Anything to keep those two away from governing.
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Feb '13

NTBFW

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I thought it was funny that she presented a movie about an embassy getting attacked and the efforts to rescue them. Too bad they didn't see it before Benghazi
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Feb '13

Concerned_Cit

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HAHA Good point.
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Feb '13

stepped_in_it

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I, for one, never have watched the Oscar's. Most winning films (with some exceptions) leave me with the feeling..."say what"?
But, I do have to wonder what Michelle's hair really looks like under the wigs......LOL
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Feb '13

Fishbone345

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Ditto. I'd like to see Argo, but Affleck is just the worst. I honestly cannot watch a movie with him in it without getting intense phlegm in my throat.
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Feb '13

jessejaymes

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The only time Ive watched the Oscars was when I was nominated.
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Feb '13

stepped_in_it

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@Fishbone345 Might be bad to say, but, haven't been to the "movie house" in many years. Last time I went, cell phones, talking and out right rudeness made me have phlegm in my throat. Knew I would get in "trouble" correcting the rudeness, so, just stopped going. Besides, since when can a soda and bucket of popcorn for two cost $25 dollars retail (wholesale at best $2.50). Guess I'm a cheapo. Rather spend that money on a good dinner and drink and rent a DVD.
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Feb '13

stepped_in_it

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@jessejaymes Nominated....? Clint picture....? Damn, am I conversation with Mr. Eastwood. If I am, I admire your pictures (especially your latest works) and hope you continue to talk to empty chairs (why not, I do it all the time, don't I, Mr. chair) LMAO
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Feb '13

jessejaymes

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@stepped_in_it Stop groveling you moron and ask yourself. Do I feel lucky today? Well do you?
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Feb '13

mudzangandoro

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Yep!! She is how can I say this "awesome".
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Feb '13

Malitia_Man

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Blah, blah, blah, blah!!! Why would I sit and watch a bunch of communist pigs praise themselves by giving each other awards??? Would rather put a gun in my mouth and pull the trigger!!!
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Feb '13

ASISEEIT2

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Michelle Obama taking part in a Hollywood actor event recognizing actors talent isn't so big a stretch for her or for Obama ,many may believe that they have been putting Americans on, an act, since first being elected.
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Feb '13

NormalFlora

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Yes. Only the hard-core right fringe would deny that Michelle Obama has class and elegance.
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Feb '13

g4me

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As evidenced by the blue meanies saying nasty things on this thread.
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Feb '13

Emerald1

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Don't think so..not reading these posts and others on similar subject. It is more like only the hard core left thinks she has class and elegance...she doesn't know their meaning.
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Feb '13

CircuitCircus

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...and Rome burned while Nero fiddled.
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Feb '13
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Feb '13

Emerald1

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Absolutely the perfect choice...she should have won the best actress award for her performance as First Lady.
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Feb '13

Jet_Silverman

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LOL. Why do people act like it's cool not to like the Oscars? I call BS on this author. Bet she's watched the Oscars every year. "Tired of the glitz and glamor..." right. Oh, yeah, me, too...
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Feb '13

Concerned_Cit

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YAAAAAAAAWWWWWNNNNNNN! Tired of Aunt Esther hogging the camera.
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Feb '13

Fallstaff

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Hell no. There is no way Meeshell my Bell belonged on that show. It was just the typical Hollywierd lieberal slant.
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Feb '13

ASISEEIT2

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I Agree with you
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Feb '13

Arumizy

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I figured she would be to buisy taking kids lunches and giving them greasy chicken nuggets. But i guess it is good to see Nanny Obama out and about with us lowly serfs who's kids do not deserve the same protection hers does.
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