Maureen Dowd believes that Michelle Obamas sculpted biceps inspire Americans.

Let’s face it: The only bracing symbol of American strength right now is the image of Michelle Obama’s sculpted biceps. Her husband urges bold action, but it is Michelle who looks as though she could easily wind up and punch out Rush Limbaugh, Bernie Madoff and all the corporate creeps who ripped off America.

In the taxi, when I asked David Brooks about her amazing arms, he indicated it was time for her to cover up. “She’s made her point,” he said. “Now she should put away Thunder and Lightning.”

I’d seen the plaint echoed elsewhere. “Someone should tell Michelle to mix up her wardrobe and cover up from time to time,” Sandra McElwaine wrote last week on The Daily Beast.
Washington is a place where people have always been suspect of style and overt sexuality. Too much preening signals that you’re not up late studying cap-and-trade agreements.
David was not smitten by the V-neck, sleeveless eggplant dress Michelle wore at her husband’s address to Congress — the one that caused one Republican congressman to whisper to another, “Babe.”

He said the policy crowd here would consider the dress ostentatious. “Washington is sensually avoidant. The wonks here like brains. She should not be known for her physical presence, for one body part.” David brought up the Obamas’ obsession with their workouts. “Sometimes I think half the reason Obama ran for president is so Michelle would have a platform to show off her biceps.”

During the campaign, there was talk in the Obama ranks that Michelle should stop wearing sleeveless dresses, because her muscles, combined with her potent personality, made her daunting.

She ignored that talk, thank heavens. I love the designer-to-J. Crew glamour. Combined with her workaday visits to soup kitchens, inner-city schools and meetings with military families, Michelle’s flair is our depression’s answer to Ginger Rogers gliding around in feathers and lamé.

Her arms, and her complete confidence in her skin, are a reminder that Americans can do anything if they put their minds to it. Unlike Hillary, who chafed at the loathed job of first lady, and Laura, who for long stretches disappeared into the helpmeet role, Michelle has soared every day, expanding the job to show us what can be accomplished by a generous spirit, a confident nature and a well-disciplined body.

Now before I start making any comments I must confess that I know absolutely NOTHING about fashion. I think I watched an episode or two of Top Model, and have seen the actresses walk the red carpet for the Academy Awards, but beyond that I am fairly un-evolved when it comes to what is considered "in style" or not.

However, like everybody, I do know what I find personally appealing.

And I did find Mrs. Obama's sleeveless dresses appealing. Not in an overtly sexy way, but just that they seemed to make her feel comfortable and looked very chic on her.

I am also somebody who appreciates a fit body, whether male or female, and Michele's choice of attire reveals a body that is being well maintained. In a time when health care is on every Americans mind, it is a good reminder that HEALTH care is about eating right and exercising, and that what happens in the doctor's office or hospital is actually SICK care.

And possibly the main reason that the stuffy Washington crowd may find themselves intimidated by Michelle Obama's shapely arms is that it is constant reminder that their sedentary overfed lifestyle makes them her physical inferior.

Let's face it if the President wanted to guarantee getting his policies passed through Congress and the Senate he could just invite them to arm wrestle Michelle over it. Most of them would run away in terror and those that accepted would suffer yet another humiliating defeat at the hands (or arms) of the Obamas.