'' New York Times '' op-ed columnist Maureen Dowd wrote : On the first night of the 2008 Democratic National Convention , Craig Robinson introduced his younger sister . She delivered her speech , during which she sought to portray herself and her family as the embodiment of the American Dream . Obama said she and her husband believe " that you work hard for what you want in life , that your word is your bond , and you do what you say you 're going to do , that you treat people with dignity and respect , even if you do n't know them , and even if you do n't agree with them . " She also emphasized loving her country , likely responding to criticism for having said that she felt ' proud of her country for the first time ' . The first statement was seen as a gaffe . Her keynote address was largely well-received and drew mostly positive reviews . A Rasmussen Reports poll found that her favorability among Americans reached 55 % , the highest for her
2008 Democratic National Convention
2008 Democratic National Convention
Michelle Obama