Michelle Obama knows she draws crowds, but at a rally in Michigan this weekend where she sought out and then introduced the Democratic candidate Kamala Harrisshe dressed for success while making it clear that Harris was the main event.

On Saturday evening, Obama spoke to Harris at a rally in Kalamazoo, Michigan: dressed unlike what we have seen in recent years. This is the first time Obama has participated in the election campaign as a speaker since his speech. speech at the Democratic National Convention in Augustand this wasn’t the same happy warrior, dressed in a navy blue, armor-like Monse ensemble, that we saw in Chicago. Nor was he the jewel-toned, J.Crew-wearing Obama of his White House years, exuding both capability and playfulness, accessibility and practicality at once, a working mother in a job extraordinary. Saturday’s Obama wasn’t the same one we saw on her either book tour in 2018essential in canary yellow Balenciaga and sparkling thigh-high boots.

The former first lady took the stage wearing a tortoiseshell print pantsuit from RTW Theory over a black silk top, paired with black pumps. She wore her braided hair pulled back into a long, thick braid and kept her makeup minimal. Her deep blue manicure and bejeweled hoop earrings were her only concession to fantasy of any type, perhaps a nod to the Democratic Party’s signature color, perhaps just a simple rationality of the theory colors to add a little interest to all those neutrals.

It’s no mistake that we haven’t seen Obama fight for Harris in almost two months: she is known to be a reluctant activist, despite her obvious speaking skills and popularity with the public. When Obama steps down, we know she means it, and her candid remarks in Michigan reflect the fear and disbelief many feel as they experience the third Donald Trump his candidacy for so many elections showed it.

“Why the hell is this race still close?” » Obama asked the assembled crowd. “I lie awake at night wondering what is going on in the world.”

She implored the masses, time and time again, to “do something” and highlighted the double standard Harris is held to.

“Make no mistake, voters have every right to ask tough questions of any candidate running for office,” she said. “But can anyone tell me why we are, once again, holding Kamala to a higher standard than her opponent?” Harris, she said, is being asked to “prove time and time again that she belongs.”

“But for Trump, we expect nothing at all, no understanding of politics, no ability to craft a coherent argument, no honesty, no decency, no morals. Instead, too many people are willing to ignore his childish and petty antics by saying, “Trump is just a Trump.” Rather than questioning his horrible behavior, some people find it funny. »

Obama flatly stated that she “hated politics” in her speech. It’s work for her, and necessary work at that. She does it because she must, a duty in the service of the democracy of this country, and not because she wants to.