米歇尔·奥巴马为总统争取支持

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The president's new strategy includes deploying a potentially powerful resource---first lady, Michelle Obama. NBC White House correspondent Savannah Guthrie has more.

 "This current situation is unacceptable, it is unacceptable."

For the first time really engaging in the health care debate, first lady Michelle Obama went to the heart of the matter.

 "We were terrified. They said, 'Get to the emergency room right away.'"

 She told of the time daughter Sasha became ill as an infant.

 "But it is that moment in our lives that flashes through my head every time we engage in this health insurance conversation, it's that moment in my life. Because I think about what on earth would we have done if we have not had insurance."

 Trying to turn the tide of public opinion and get a health care bill across the finish line, the White House is deploying a not so secret weapon.

 "We can build a better future and maybe affect the world."

On the campaign trail, Michelle Obama was known as the closer, so effective was she at closing the sale for her husband. But though she is a Harvard trained lawyer and a former hospital executive, as first lady, she's focused on non-contraversial issues like healthy eating, avoiding the nitty-gritty of the health care policy debate. The White House is mindful of the disastrous experience of another first lady. Hilary Clinton's still so identified with the issue, she was asked about it Friday.

 "So we just have to calm down here, take two aspirin, go to bed, think about it in the morning, but I'm very optimistic."

 "You keep your insurance, you keep your doctors, and you are blessed."

 As she enters the health care battle, some analysts say the first lady must tread carefully.

 "If she gets too specific she invites criticism, and if she can stay above the fray, keep going out there, get in front of the right audiences and stick with the right message, it will be helpful."

 And in a sign of how the White House is using Mrs Obama more often, it is she not her husband who will travel to Copenhagen next month to make Chicago's pitch to get the Olympics.

For today, Savannah Guthrie, NBC news, the White House.