First black lady in waiting?
Updated on 01 November 2008
We report on the remarkable effect the prospective first lady Michelle Obama is having on the US elections campaign.
If the opinion polls are right, this direct descendent of plantation slaves could become the first black first lady.
She is bright, extremely well educated and by all accounts a great mother - so why hasn't she been seen by her husband's side for much of the campaign?
While John McCain's wife Cindy has generally stood quietly by her husband's side during this campaign, introducing him at events, but rarely going out on her own, Michelle Obama has taken on an important role championing her husband, often alone at events and on talk shows.
Jonathan Rugman caught up with her in North Carolina.
