But she seems like such a delightful woman.
(Reuters) — Popular first lady Michelle Obama has had testy relationships with some top White House advisers, and at times pushed the president to pursue politically difficult causes like healthcare and immigration reform, according to a new book.
“The Obamas” by New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor, paints Mrs. Obama as “an expert motivator and charmer” and “an increasingly canny political player” ahead of the 2012 presidential election, expected to be a tough fight for her husband, President Barack Obama.
Mrs. Obama fought against political tactics espoused by Rahm Emanuel, her husband’s former chief of staff, and Robert Gibbs, the former White House press secretary, the book said, pushing her husband to replace advisers who she felt were “too insular, not strategic enough,” according to excerpts from the book on the newspaper’s website.
“‘She feels as if our rudder isn’t set right,'” the book quotes Barack Obama as telling aides.
The Obamas did not speak to Kantor for the book, which was based on interviews with more than 30 current and former staff members. It will be released on Tuesday.