It's important for us not to lose sight of the fact that this is a family that's grieving and there's been a tremendous loss. And we all have to rally around that piece of it.

Barack is one of the smartest people you will ever encounter who will deign to enter this messy thing called politics.

I've always tried to make sure that what I do really connects with the broader agenda of what my husband is trying to do.

My happiness is measured against my kids' happiness - when they're in a good place, I feel really good.

Do not ever let anyone make you feel like you don't matter, or like you don't have a place in our American story - because you do.

Don't let anyone speak for you, and don't rely on others to fight for you.

I have a very eclectic iPod. So I've got my cardio people - so it's anything from Beyonce to some Jay-Z to Janelle Monae, her song 'Tightrope,' that's a good cardio song. And then I've got Sting. I've got Mary J. Blige. I've got The Beatles. I've got Michael Jackson. I try to pick the songs that I personally love.