Clinton and Obama: First ladies form political odd couple

When Hillary Clinton secured her place in the history as the first woman to win a major-party nomination for president, Democratic politicians around Washington marked the historic moment with barrage of statements, formal endorsements and public cheers.
One political figure, however, was notably silent: Michelle Obama.
The first lady let her husband speak for her during that moment in June, choosing instead to wait weeks to lend her voice to Clinton's cause at the Democratic National Convention in what would become one of the most memorable moments in the campaign.
It was the sort of careful choice that illustrated the gulf of differences between the current and former first ladies, women who have chartered very different paths through public life and are now locked in marriage of mutual interest.

When they campaign together for the first time, the event in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, will bring together one of the least traditional first ladies in modern history with one who has fully embraced tradition.
Clinton dove into policy, undertook a massive project and failed under a harsh spotlight. Obama largely steered clear and enjoyed quieter, modest success. Both Ivy League-trained lawyers with their own careers, Clinton bridled under the stereotypes associated with the office, Obama declared herself "mom-in-chief" (and let it be known she prefers the Mrs. Title before her last name).

And when her time in the White House was ending, Clinton began plotting her return to Washington. Obama hasn't hid her readiness to leave.

Asked if Obama would ever consider running for president herself, White House officials who rarely speak for the first lady don't hesitate.
"No," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said flatly.
That's crushing news to the Democrats who have relished Obama's speeches in support of Clinton as high-points of the campaign cycle. Obama's passionate response to Trump's vulgar comments about women has brought an emotional resonance to Clinton's bid that the candidate, who rarely gets personal on the stump, doesn't often deliver.
Obama's appearances have become a key part of Clinton's effort to fire up women, particularly black women for whom she's a model and a source of pride. (Clinton even quotes Obama's DNC speech on the stump: "When they go low, we go high.") Obama, meanwhile, has her own reasons for stumping for Clinton and campaigning against Republican Donald Trump.

"I think Mrs. Obama really wants to make sure her husband's legacy is maintained and Mrs. Clinton is the way to get there," said Myra Gutin, a professor at Rider University who has written about first ladies and women in politics.
The partnership has on one level made for a striking political odd couple.