Michelle Obama (AFP/Getty Images)  (The Root) -- Though there is
no official contest for first lady, that doesn't stop the media
from covering the unofficial campaign for the role, with first
lady Michelle Obama's Democratic National Convention speech last
night in Charlotte, N.C., being framed as reply to Ann Romney's
RNC address. Yet whether or not a spouse can seriously impact a
candidate's chances for election remains a source of debate.  In
2008 Michelle Obama was an object of suspicion among many voters
because of some high-profile communications stumbles on the
campaign trail, yet her popular husband was elected anyway. Now,
four years later, the roles are reversed, with the first lady's
approval ratings consistently topping his.  How much of a
difference that will make in November remains to be seen, but
the Obama campaign is clearly hoping that the first lady's
immense popularity will help toward a second term for her
husband. This was evidenced by the scope of the convention
speech she delivered, wh