Michelle O is crowned queen of the G20 summitt WAGs (From Gazette & Herald)

Michelle O is crowned queen of the G20 summitt WAGs

9:40am Thursday 9th April 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(1)

THE nation's media waited anxiously on the runway at Stansted Airport last week. Air Force 1 had just touched down and photographers were clamouring to get a shot of the world’s most sought-after celebrity.

Finally, a tall, weary-looking fellow stepped off the plane and the journos held their breath in anticipation. Just behind him, the star attraction emerged, clad from head to toe in the latest couture and giving the crowds her winning smile. JF Kennedy, arriving in France for an official visit, once introduced himself as “the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris.” Fifty years later it looks as if the same has happened again. In an instant, the world has become smitten with America’s First Lady, Michelle Obama, while her husband… you know, whatshisname, has become a mere side attraction in the Mrs O show. She pretty much has it all – she’s smart, personable and very beautiful, and, all of a sudden, the media spotlight has been shone on the hitherto overlooked world of the Global Summit WAG.

These WAGs aren’t out to flash the cash while their husbands are scoring goals against Real Madrid. No, while the men are thrashing their way through a trillion dollar spending plan, the girls pour tea at charity events, visit the opera and, maybe, sit around doing needlework. Is it any wonder that German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s husband chose to stay away from proceedings, preferring to get on with his work as a scientist. It’s as if, through the G20 summit and all its formalities, the true progress of women in politics and in domestic life has been laid bare. Of 20 world leaders, just two are women.

Behind every great man, there’s a great woman goes the old adage. But if these women are so great (and on paper they are – degrees and accolades abound), why are they hauled onto the stage at the Royal Opera House and lined up in a kind of Good Housekeeping fashion shoot? Mrs Obama herself told a group of London schoolgirls that they can “control their own destiny.” It’s a noble hope, Michelle, but do you really expect us to believe that, were you the President, thrashing out the important issues, your husband would have taken his place in the line up and waved cheerily as the world’s press shouted, “Barack, is that Chanel?” Women can do anything they want, Mrs Obama, as long as they don't upstage their husbands.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(1)