We all know what duties the President of the United States has to fulfill, but First Lady of The United States (FLOTUS), not so much. There’s no doubt that we’re calling on both the spiritual and practical might of our people to elect Barack Obama, but if he is elected Michelle Obama will have a task ahead of her carving out her role as FLOTUS.

There was an interesting article in USA Today which basically divides First Ladies into either the Eleanor Roosevelt or Bess Truman mold. Mrs.Roosevelt clearly liked the spotlight as much as her husband and was not above holding her own news conferences. While Mrs. Truman was content being in the background. But Hillary (Clinton) one-upped even Eleanor Roosevelt by having her own office in the West Wing and pushing her own policies. We know that didn’t go over well at the time, however, it did position her nicely to become a United States Senator and Presidential candidate. Since then, Laura Bush, has reveled in her more traditional role.

But would Michelle Obama be content just overseeing the Easter Egg roll, hosting state dinners and hiring the chef? That seems doubtful to me. Although she does have young children,Michelle is used to juggling a demanding career along with family life. But coming on as strong as Hillary did is a risk as well, especially for a sister. Black comedians are already joking that if Obama is elected she’d actually be running the show. And frankly, that scares some people.

So just as she has carefully crafted her image over the last few months to dispel the notion that she’s an angry black woman, she’ll also have to consider her role carefully. And because she is who she is, Michelle Obama will create a path of her own as First Lady. Here’s to hoping she has that chance.