The spotlight was on Michelle Obama last night.

After a rocky start during the primary, her quick and sometimes confrontational remarks gave some people the impression that she was bitter, cold, and not particularly patriotic.

Since then, the Obamas's smiling faces have graced the covers of dozens of general interest magazines. She also appeared on several TV chat programs with large numbers of female viewers.

But Michelle Obama proved without a doubt at the Democratic Convention last night that she is First Lady material.

She was as gracious as Jackie Kennedy, as determined as Nancy Reagan, and as savvy as Hillary Clinton.

Sure she was heavily scripted and rehearsed, but the likeability factor is important, and there is no question that Michelle Obama was being held to a high standard.

When she spoke of her working-class father, it was with love for his sacrifice. When she spoke of her husband's cautious drive home with their first-born, it was with a tender handling of something precious.

The Obamas's will make a different First Family; one we've never seen before.

Any notion that Michelle Obama is not patriotic enough to be a First Lady was dispelled just minutes into her speech. That did not stop Karl Rove from attacking her on Fox News, with thinly veiled references to the angry black woman.

Sorry, but it doesn't connect.

She was the embodiment of hope and change. And she looked radiant doing it.