Inauguration Day? Nope. First puppy? Negative. Hugging the Queen during a triumphal tour of Europe? Not even. It was First Lady Michelle Obama’s appearance on Sesame Street that she called probably the best thing she has done since arriving in the White House
Mrs Obama went to the US Mission to the United Nations to thank the diplomats and staff members promoting her husband’s new foreign policy of global engagement and said she was delighted to meet them — almost as much as some well-known TV characters.
“I’m thrilled to be here but I was just at Sesame Street — I’m sorry,” she said yesterday after her visit to the set of one of the world’s most famous children’s television shows. “And I never thought I’d be on Sesame Street with Elmo and Big Bird, and I was thrilled. I’m still thrilled. I’m on a high.”
She added: “I think it’s probably the best thing I’ve done so far in the White House. But we were there talking about nutrition and healthy eating. And it’s just been a thrill.”
Mrs Obama joins former US first ladies Barbara Bush and Hillary Clinton on the guest list of celebrities who have visited Sesame Street since it debuted on television in 1969, including British football star David Beckham, singer James Blunt and actor Jeremy Irons.
On a more serious note, the First Lady stressed that the work of some 150 US Mission staff at the UN was more important than ever as President Barack Obama pursued “a new era of engagement when it comes to advancing America’s interests around the world”.
As the swine flu outbreak clearly demonstrated, she said, countries must co-operate.
“This new policy recognises that America’s future is intricately linked to the rest of the world, that the threats facing the global community know no borders, and no single country can tackle them alone,” Mrs Obama said.
“Your work links the world to America and American ideals that are beacons of hope for millions of people.”
And the First Lady said she hoped to “work with you in some way, shape or form to help build that mission”.
Mrs Obama was introduced by Susan Rice, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, who called her staff “the foot soldiers in the front lines of the new administration’s effort to engage the world in an entirely different manner”.
Ms Rice called Mrs Obama “a regular human being … down to earth, funny, charming and wicked smart”.
“We love your style, your warmth, your brilliance and your commitment to our children and to a better future for us all,” she said.
Mrs Obama called Ms Rice, who was top foreign policy adviser during the presidential campaign, “a trusted adviser and friend to the President and to me”.
While there was no mention of first dog Bo, Ms Rice said “we wouldn’t be good hosts if we didn’t have a little something” for first daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7.
“They don’t have enough, right?” the First Lady interjected.
Ms Rice then presented her with gifts of UNICEF children’s books, soccer balls and light-up pens.
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