How Michelle Obama has become Hillary Clinton's 'tremendously effective' surrogate

Michelle Obama and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clintonreportedlydon't have the most congenialrelationship, owingto tensions thatcan be traced back to the bitter 2008 primary campaign.

But now, eight years later, as Clinton makes her run for the White House, the president's wifemay be Clinton's most effective political advocate.

• Michelle Obama slams Trump's 'shocking and demeaning' comments about women

"I think she's a tremendous asset," saidMyra Gutin, a communications professor at Rider University and author ofThe President's Partner: The First Lady in the Twentieth Century."She is just a tremendously effective surrogate. Michelle Obama is able to talk to people in a way in which Hillary Clinton can't."

Obamaattracted much attention this weekwith herpowerful speech in New Hampshire, whereshe made a passionate endorsement for Clinton whiledenouncingRepublican presidential candidate Donald Trump's "shocking and demeaning" comments about women.

Michelle Obama attacks Trump's comments about women

8 years ago

Duration 1:36

Michelle Obama attacks Trump's comments about women

Clinton, at least according to her Twitter account, couldn't have been more pleased, tweeting out excerpts of herspeech, saying that she was "in awe" and thanking Obamafor "putting into words what's in so many of our hearts."

It's the second time a MichelleObamaspeech for Clinton has attracted widespread attention. At the Democratic convention in July, she heaped praise on Clinton in awell-receivedand emotional address.

Michelle Obama at DNC

8 years ago

Duration 15:52

President's wife gives an impassioned speech to support Hillary Clinton

But Kate AndersenBrower, author ofFirst Women: The Grace and Power of America's Modern First Ladies,said that just because Obama is stumping for Clinton, it doesn't mean they have a warm relationship. In fact, as Browerwrote in her book, thescars from the 2008 primaries remain "shockingly fresh."

According to a former Obama aide, when Michelle Obama views the Clintons, "she kind of looks down her nose at them," said Brower. She feels that the Clintons could have accomplished a lot more, if not for Bill Clinton's indiscretions, and that they're both overly ambitious, Brower added.

'She hates Donald Trump'

Yet despitethose tensions, Brower said, Obamastill wants Clinton to be president.

"I think this election is so charged, I don't think it'sdisingenuouswhen you see MichelleObamaout there passionately advocating [for Clinton], because she hates Donald Trump," Brower said.

Obama is alsosomeone who doesn'tenjoycampaigning, even for her husband, which lends her a politicalair of authenticity when she heads out on the trail, Brower said.

"We payattentionwhen she does. So you don'tseeher all the time, but when you see her she usually hassomethingto say, and I thinkpeople like that."

"She is someone who people ofmany differentages and variousbackgroundsconnectwith,whichin a wayisn't so much the case with Hillary Clinton," saidKatherine Sibley, director of theAmerican Studies Program at Saint Joseph's University and editor of A Companion to First Ladies.

People see her on television, in popular culture,includingher popular appearances on Ellen or her carpool karaoke onThe Late Late Show withJames Corden.

"I thinkthere is this much broader appeal that she has," said Sibley. "She can help bybeing someone who is reaching out to this broader audience, the youthful audience especially."

The Clinton team is certainly aware of Obama's effectiveness and ability to draw people into the campaign, especially young voters. At a recent rally in Pittsburgh where Obama was the featured speaker, many Clinton campaign volunteers armed with clip boards waded through the crowd gathering information.

"I thought it was very powerful," saidMahlon Chase, 18, referring to Obama's speech at the rally."I'm not that into politics but at the same time I'm definitely inspired to vote."

"She told me about all the accomplishments of Hillary Clintonand what she's done for this country already. So I feel like she's qualified as a candidate."

'Michelle is just so influential'

"Michelle is just so influential, especially with the young community," saidMarsaudeEdwards, 18. "I think this is very important, her coming out and representing, and sharing her opinion and influencing everyone else."

Obama is a popular figure whoenjoys high approval ratings andhas won praise for her series of apolitical policyinitiatives. They includeherLet's Move campaign to tackle childhood obesity,Let Girls Learn, an initiative to educateadolescent girls around the world,and Joining Forces, with Jill Biden,to support veterans and their families.

Yet she got off to a rocky start with the public, even before entering the White House. In 2008, she sparked condemnation, particularly from the political right, when she saidduring the primariesthat for "the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country, because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback."

"In 2008, she was really polarizing," said Brower. "She's really turned that around in an incredible way."

"I think she just got used tohaving her words dissectedand yet she can maintain this level ofreality when she speaks, even though she knows everything is going to be dissected."

As for herpolitical future, many Democrats would love to see Obama takeher own run for the White House. But it's an idea shehas nixed..

"Many firstladies havedescribedthe White House as a prison, andshe isone of them," said Brower. "I don't think she's particularly happy there."

Her husband may have revealed the best clue about his wife's future political ambitionswhen he said:"There are three things that are certain in life: death, taxes, and Michelle is not running for president."