evidence: Michelle Obama: Candor, Controversy on the Stump Michelle Obama has been called the secret edge in her husband's presidential campaign because of her charm, wit and down to earth style. But her plain speaking has also created controversy. Regardless, she's out on the stump up to four days a week. Her mission is to let voters see Illinois Sen. Barack Obama through her eyes. [...] This is part of the speech that she has been delivering for the past year, according to the campaign. But she throws in new details, depending on the current state of the race. In Indiana, she defended her husband — and herself — from the flak that came their way after Obama said that the economic frustrations of small-town Americans have left them bitter, so they "cling" to guns and religion.