First Lady's Impact on President Obama's Campaign

Following a rousing speech by Michelle Obama, first lady of the United States, at last night's Democratic National Convention, many have asked if Michelle's high favorability and well-received remarks can help her husband's campaign for re-election. Speaking to Al Jazeera, James Boys, a visiting fellow at Kings College specialising in US government, said speeches like those of Ann Romney and Michelle Obama at their respective party's conventions embody the "evolving role for first ladies" in the United States. Contemporary first ladies, Boys said, exhibit the "increasing professionalism of politicians and their wives".