Recently in Women in Politics Category

American designer Isaac Mizrahi is over the moon about Michelle Obama's dress choice for the State of the Union address.  Why? Because she wore his dress!

Mizrahi said in his video blog that he thinks Mrs. Obama looked "exquisitely beautiful" in the dress, and that he was "thrilled" to learn that she'd worn it. 

"It was the right dress at the right time, which is what fashion is all about," Mizrahi gushes about the First Lady's choice. It was "not left, not right; it was kind of a bipartisan dress," because it was purple, a combo of red and blue.

In the video, Mizrahi is all giddy Mrs. Obama's whole look, noting that her new bob hairstyle is "divine" and "really gorgeous."

Oh, and lookie here below.  Mizrahi isn't the only one who thinks Michelle looks hot in purple.

Catch Sarah Palin on Oprah in 10 minutes (Monday at 4pm EST).  Palin will talk about the past election, Katie Couric, Levi Johnston, her family and her new book.

First Lady Michelle Obama is the epitome of holiday sparkle on the cover of Glamour's Women of the Year issue (December issue, on stands November 10th).

Mrs. Obama is pictured wearing a sleeveless, Santa red cocktail dress and a chunky, beaded necklace decorated with two large bows.  Of course, we had to know what stylist and/or designer is responsible for Mrs. Obama's fab look.  Glamour filled us in: "She styled herself and wore her own clothes!" 

Mrs. Obama appears on Glamour's cover, because the magazine is honoring her for her commitment to mentoring young women.  Mentoring is very important to the First Lady, as she told Katie Couric, Glamour's new monthly columnist: 

"I think that mentoring is such a critical part of the role I can play in this position. I see how little bits of exposure and big bits of exposure really change my girls significantly, and I want that for more girls around the country and the world."

On a fun note, the First Lady also showed that she has the chops to be a dating mentor. (Move over, Millionaire Matchmaker! )  Mrs. O's advice on men?  Don't fall for dreamy eyes and a pretty smile, 'cuz cute ain't all that:  

"Cute's good. But cute only lasts for so long, and then it's, Who are you as a person? Don't look at the bankbook or the title. Look at the heart. Look at the soul...When you're dating a man, you should always feel good...You shouldn't be in a relationship with somebody who doesn't make you completely happy and make you feel whole."

For more, read excerpts of Mrs. Obama's interview over here and then get thee to a magazine stand to pick up Glamour on November 10th.

We reported in the Daily Polichicks that when Hillary Clinton was asked by a Congolese student about Bill Clinton's opinion (intead of hers) on a Chinese loan to Congo, she responded, "Are you effing kidding me?! I'm Secretary of State, not Bill!"  That's not an exact quote, but whatever, close enough. 

If you're going to be a stickler for accuracy, maybe you should check out the Washington Post or some other publication that subscribes to the ethics of journalism and pays for fact checkers.  We report just enough to get by at a cocktail party.  Besides, if you were a guest at a cocktail party on your third or fourth mojito, well, then "are you effing kidding me?!" would be exactly what Hillary Clinton said. But we digress....

Anyhoo-  we can't really blame Hillary for being miffed if the questioner valued the opinion of the "man of the house" rather than that of "the little lady."  On the other hand, one never really knows why a question is being asked, so it's best not to make assumptions.  The questioner, who asked about Dikembe Mutombo's opinion as well as Bill Clinton's, may have wanted to know Bill's opinion simply out of curiosity or to see if it differed from Hillary's.  According to the Associated Press, the French speaking student who asked the question in English approached Hillary after the event was over and explained that he had actually intended to ask her for President Obama's opinion.

Here's the vid.  Watch and formulate your own opinion.

Follow Polichicks on Twitter at @polichicks.

Judge Sonia Sotomayor was sworn in as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Saturday.    Justice Sotomayor is the first Latina (and only the third woman, period) to sit on the high court.

Dressed in a crisp, cream skirt suit and accompanied by her mother and brother, Justice Sotomayor looked so happy, proud and eager to serve in the moments before Chief Justice John Roberts began the proceedings.  She enthusiastically hugged her mother and then her brother after the brief ceremony was completed.

Felicitaciones, Justice Sotomayor!

Michelle Obama is often revered for her wardrobe of non-elitist, relatively inexpensive clothing items from stores like Talbots, Gap and J.Crew, but recently she has decided to add civic appeal to a new aspect of her aesthetic: her hair. The first lady debuted her new short and sassy new 'do Tuesday night at a White House event featuring country music star Brad Paisley, and paired a chic white dress with pink-infused makeup and ladylike pearl earrings for a sophisticated and polished evening look.

While this bob is definitely not in the vanguard of hairstyles for the year (see: shaved heads a la Rihianna and Solange), it's definitely an improvement from Mrs. O's previous style. This look is also a little delayed given that WAG Posh and Hollywood BFF Katie Holmes both lopped off all their locks like this a few years ago. Perhaps this is what gives her hair plenty of appeal, however: while previously only stick-thin, superfit movie stars with huge bank accounts and celebrity stylists could afford this risky cut, Mrs. Obama, who has aimed many of her sartorial ensembles to the general public with their lower price tags (especially with the, ahem, recession) and fuller-framed cuts, looks like a graceful "everyday" woman. Maybe this will inspire more housewives to chop off their longer manes, even without the upper-end three digit-charging celeb haircutters.

Although her hairstyle here may be some updo-hairpin-slickback trickery, she definitely looks more president's wife than soccer mom with this elegant appearance. Mrs. Obama's hair would have more personality if she made the decision to go long or short, instead of her mid-length, shoulder-skimming shag she has been sporting previously. We hope to see more of Mrs. Obama carrying off this top-to-toe prim and proper look! 

- Quin Woodward Pu

Quin Woodward Pu is an up-and-coming Washington writer who loves all things fashion and politics. Read her weekly column, Beltway Beauty Beat, for updates on the best-dressed, and sometimes, the not-so-best dressed, in Washington, D.C. Follow her on Twitter @quinwoodwardpu.

White House Social Secretary, Desiree Rogers, and Special Advisor to President Obama, Valerie Jarrett, are featured on the cover of the June issue of Capitol File.  Read the cover story over here.

First Lady Michelle Obama was a hit at the Kennedy Center Spring Gala, receiving a standing ovation even though she never appeared on stage.  She enjoyed the event with her mother and longtime girlfriends Valerie Jarrett (Special Advisor to President Obama)  and Desiree Rogers (White House Social Secretary).  Gala guests included Vera Wang and Paris Hilton.

Desiree Rogers in the East Room of the White House.  She is wearing Cartier earrings (We want, want WANT!) and a trench coat by Viktor & Rolf.

We've got some interesting dish on White house Social Secretary Desiree Rogers.  Like, when she plans a White House party, she has a lot more on her mind than just seating charts, what to wear and whether to go with cloth or paper napkins - she's thinking of how each event might extend the Obama presidency as a brand.  (Smart!) She has an after Weight Watchers figure (hate her!), impeccable taste, and - get this!- an ancestor who was a Creole voodoo priestess! (No, seriously.) 

How are we so smart?  Where do we get our secrets?  Why, from WSJ Magazine, of course!  Ms. Rogers is featured in the May issue.  So either pick up a copy or click on the links below to take a peek inside the magazine and her fabulous life.

You can read the WSJ magazine article about Desiree here.

You can view a slide show of Desiree-produced White House events here.

You can see who Desiree has friended here. 

You can check out Polichicks last profile on Desiree (including a CNN video interview with her) here.