People who face too many demands - two careers, two children - often scale back somehow. The Obamas scaled up.

Every presidential candidate highlights patriotism, but Mr. Romneys is backed by the Mormon belief that the United States was chosen by God to play a special role in history, its Constitution divinely inspired.

I would say that Barack Obama has always been a real optimist about what can be accomplished. He believes that government can be used to create systemic, long-term, real change. And the first lady is more of a skeptic.

The Michelle Obama that her old friends remember, that people knew in Chicago, she was a really incisive social critic. She knew how to drive an argument home. People liked her both in the workplace and socially because she was so frank.

I've learned that the best political reporters never make predictions!

I don't like corporate diversity workshops.

Candidates' wives are supposed to sit cheerfully through their husbands' appearances.