In the media cacophony that has been ringing in our ears since Senator Barack Obama announced that he was running for President of the United States, the women have finally become the voices of reason. Michelle Obama is a smart woman. While all the pundits were greedily pouring over their sources looking for some hiccup in the very smart appearance of Michelle Obama on ABC’s The View http://abc.go.com/daytime/theview/inf o?pn= news as guest host on Wednesday, she already knows that she won that particular battle. Every host, from Barbara to Whoopi, seemed mesmerized by the down to earth, straight-forwardness of Michelle Obama, who seemed very at ease with just being herself and letting the viewing audience know who Michelle Obama is. The fist bump issue was diffused and disposed of with grace and humor. She was especially appreciative of the support she had received from Laura Bush when the media had its feeding frenzy over her comment “For the first time, I am [really] proud of being an American.” Laura Bush understood what she was trying to say, and coached her in being a better steward of her words. She used this opportunity to show humility and gratitude and to let us all know that she was in a learning curve, but was gaining a clear understanding of the lay of the political land, even for the wife of the future President of the US .She was even brilliant in the nutrition portion of the show, admitting that hers was a bacon-loving family. Not turkey bacon, the real thing. A food that a true Muslim would never eat. (I still don’t get it; there is nothing wrong with being a Muslim, or a Catholic or a Baptist or…) Even the special guest Matthew Broderick was nervously in awe, speaking of how his son was an Obama fan. That very evening after the show, The View’s Republican right-winger, Elisabeth Hasselback was hustled onto FOX’s Hannity and Colmes, while the outspoken Joy Behar was the guest of Larry King on CNN. Hannity, Colmes and King were all salivating as they opened their respective shows, looking forward to new kill. They were disappointed. Elisabeth Hasselback http://www.foxnews.com/hannityandcolm es/ in her interview was very clear about one thing: she was not going to bad-mouth Michelle Obama. She was following Michelle’s lead. Michelle had grabbed her hand, congratulated her on being who she was, being a fine mother and said that she could get along with and respect her, even though they had very different political views. Although the pundit team went after Michelle from different angles, dredging up tired drama that had died months ago, Elisabeth, to her credit – and quite honestly, my surprise – made a conscious decision not to enable their need for new mud to sling. Joy Behar was an equally disappointing guest on Larry King, and did not provide Larry with the exclusive nugget of information he had hoped for. She was dismissed with dispatch. http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/best oftv/ 2008/06/19/lkl.joy.behar.cnn But she too was not going to bad-mouth Michelle Obama. On Thursday, Cindy McCain, who was in Vietnam, at the time, doing her own work, was approached to comment about Michelle Obama, both by ABC and by CNN http://www.videospider.tv/Videos/Deta il/33 34243702.aspx . When asked to comment, yet again, about the now four-month old statement Michelle Obama had made, she said: I really don’t know exactly what she meant. Finally, she too, is following Michelle Obama’s lead. Cindy McCain also said: She is a fine woman, a good mother and we are both in an interesting line of work right now.

As you will note, when viewing her CNN interview, she too believes that family should be off limits and that the media should be focused on the two men and the issues. The women seem to be uniting in what seems to be a good idea. Stop focusing on rumor, innuendo and statements taken out of context. Focus on the facts and issues at hand. I believe the women took the lead, following the example Michelle Obama set, as though making a silent pact ,and decided to not actively or passively participate in any further mud-slinging fests.

This seems to disappoint the various news entities who took a hot minute to reflect on the legacy of Tim Russert, before they went on with business as usual. But then, in all fairness, maybe there are a few who are, perhaps, checking their yellow journalism hats at the door. Dan Abrams had a panel of media and politicals at the top of his show, discussing an important point that will hopefully, finally, put to bed the Michelle Obama “ American” statement. He wanted to know what the difference was between what Michelle Obama said and John McCain’s repeated comment: I really didn't love America until I was deprived of her company. In or out of context, those are some interesting words. I was not in love with America until I was deprived of her company," McCain said again, at a recent town meeting here when asked to describe the impact of being a POW. Lars Larson, radio talk show host, when questioned by Dan Abrams about his consistent spewing of hate-filled innuendos, and direct assaults on Michelle Obama, http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=sbM WdTx7uYY called the Obamas terrorist affiliated and dangerous when asked how Michelle Obama's comment about love for America was any different from John McCain's comment that he's used more than once: The bullying, commando, over-talking Larson could not respond with any reasonable discourse and was obviously missing from the next segment of the show, but not before he was dressed down by Abrams for his rumor mongering, stereotyping and Abrams even suggested that his were the actions of a racist.. It is fascinating to note that for all of his hate-filled diatribe, he has never met or talked to Michelle Obama, yet he purports to know who she is.

So maybe, just maybe, the sad event of the passing of Tim Russert, combined with what suddenly seems to be a uniting front between wives of the politicians and a few women in the media -- who are consciously choosing to take that higher road -- will become a new paradigm that all of those with the power of the microphone, the keyboard or the internet blogs will begin to buy into. Maybe, just maybe, the media will begin to check each other and themselves and get back on the road to quality journalism. Regardless of the spin according to the various media mongers, Michelle Obama won this particular battle. If you missed your chance to get to know who she is, do take the time to view it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59twO1 fJwtQ . She stepped out as a woman, a leader, a peacemaker and did it without sacrificing who she truly is. Take note, ladies and gentlemen, she has already set the standard for how the upcoming First Lady in the 21 ^st century should be defined.