Oh fer cryin' out loud

I thought it was insane when they went after Hillary Clinton and it's insane now:

House Republicans are pressing for a change in federal law that could force Michelle Obama and future first ladies to do more of their policy work in public. But Democrats warn President Obama may take the attempt personally “as an attack on his wife.”

The GOP effort is being led by the ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), whose initial salvo was rebuffed recently at a contentious committee markup session. Under Issa’s amendment, any government policy group that Mrs. Obama or another first spouse regularly participates in would be subject to a law requiring meetings to be announced in advance and, in most instances, public.

At the March 10 markup, Issa’s proposal triggered more than 35 minutes of impassioned debate. I’ve linked video of the exchange below, but Democrats clearly seemed to be recoiling at what some viewed as an effort to target Mrs. Obama.

Rep. William Clay (D-Mo.) suggested President Obama might see the legislation as a personal provocation that could trigger a fight. “Let me… caution my friend from California that, as you’re probably aware, this president is very guarded about his family,” Clay said. “I think that, no matter what you’re intending with this amendment, that the president may view this as an attack on his wife. And I’m just saying, you know, let’s be careful--if we want to open up that can of worms. Let’s not go in that direction.”

“We are trying actually to protect the historic role of the first lady,” Issa insisted, repeatedly invoking the “transparency” mantra of the Obama administration. “I believe this is open government at its finest.”

As soon as Republicans start talking about what they're doing being "for the protection of" a woman, watch out. Because you can bet your life that there's some kind of Republican takeover of your right to do what you want, go what you want, and say what you want comin' down the path.

Michelle Obama is an intelligent, classy, educated, ferociously smart, funny, witty, clever, awesome woman. Her husband knows it and clearly adores her. This marriage between equals obviously scares the hell out of Republicans, who prefer their First Ladies to be more like Laura Bush -- quiet, unassertive, quite possibly whacked out on Thorazine. I say the hell with it, and the hell with them.