During the previous Democratic convention when al gore was running for prez U.S. senator Barack Obama made his first nationally televised speech. The nation was first introduced to barack and michelle at that time. When Barack Obama made the announcement in 2007 to run for president a great deal of attention was focused on Michelle Obama. If her husband was successful and became president she would be the first African American president first lady. As his candidancy progressed more interviews were held with Michelle Obama. During one of those interviews michelle obama indicated that she was "diappointed in her country", this created a great deal of satisfaction among those who believed that a future first lady should have nothing but respect for a country over which her husband could be the potential leader. Therefore Michelle Obamas speech at the 2008 Democratic national convention in Denver was closely watched by many. Michelle Obama had as a task to soften her image and to instill support in she and her husband by the Democratic faithful. Her speech was filled with phrases designed to assure everyone in America that she was infact loyal to the country of her birth. Some believed what she said others felt it was a cynical attempt to polish her tarnished image.