Best Defense
Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

Michelle Obama and military families

She gave a big speech about them. I am not gonna be snarky. I am glad she did it. Lousy article though. It reads like a White House press release, and takes no note of the criticism of the First Lady leveled by some military spouses for delivering more talk than action. Sample hard-hitting quote: ...

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

She gave a big speech about them. I am not gonna be snarky. I am glad she did it.

She gave a big speech about them. I am not gonna be snarky. I am glad she did it.

Lousy article though. It reads like a White House press release, and takes no note of the criticism of the First Lady leveled by some military spouses for delivering more talk than action. Sample hard-hitting quote:

She is very committed and genuine in her care for military families," said Patricia Shinseki, whose husband, Eric, leads the Department of Veterans Affairs and has attended meetings with the first lady. "What I notice most is her desire to get the facts. It’s a very strategic process, it’s not just the superficial details.

Thomas E. Ricks covered the U.S. military from 1991 to 2008 for the Wall Street Journal and then the Washington Post. He can be reached at ricksblogcomment@gmail.com. Twitter: @tomricks1

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