Michelle Obama showed a softer image yesterday with an appearance on a women’s daytime TV chat show where she daintily tiptoed her way through an hour-long discussion largely devoted to what to serve for breakfast, the merits of wearing tights and the cuteness of children.

The wife of the Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has increasingly been portrayed by political opponents as an angry or unpatriotic black woman whose views contradict his message of racial healing.

Mr Obama has appealed to John McCain to ensure that families remain off-limits during the election.

Although the Republican nominee’s campaign denies attacking Mrs Obama there have been several references to her remark this year that, “for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country”.

Republican advisers have also shown an interest in her Princeton University sociology thesis written 24 years ago, in which she had asked whether “immersion in an elite white institution draws blacks away from their community”. For all her educational advantages her assimilation into a white social structure “will only allow me to remain on the periphery of society, never becoming a full participant”, she concluded.

On the ABC programme The View Mrs Obama acknowledged: “The challenge I have, which is also maybe a weakness, is that I wear my heart on my sleeve — it’s a risk you take.” She claimed that her previous comments had been misconstrued and that she was talking about pride in the political process.

Mrs Obama was defended by the current First Lady, Laura Bush, last week who went on to warn her: “You have to be really careful in what you say.” Mrs Obama disclosed that, touched by this unexpected support, she had sent Mrs Bush a thank-you note and added that she was taking “some cues” from her.

Mrs Obama gave viewers a glimpse of her family life. Mr Obama, she complained, does not put the bins out and never understands why it takes her so long to get ready in the morning.

“Barack just puts on his suit and tie and says, ‘I’m outta here’. I’ve got my hair — the kids — the make-up,” said Mrs Obama, winning laughter and sympathy from the studio audience of women.

As a camera panned across her bare legs Mrs Obama revealed that she no longer wears tights because it feels better without them always getting torn.

When the family are at home in Chicago she likes to fry bacon for breakfast and it is their children — Sasha, 7, and Malia, 9 — who help them to break out of politics by talking about their football games.

“What Barack and I said when we started this race was that we would keep our lives as normal as possible for as long as possible,” she said.

“As much as people talk about my role on the campaign trail, I’m home most of the time.” When she was asked about how her children react when they appear at rallies Mrs Obama quoted Malia as saying: “I’m just a kid . . . They just think I’m cute. I just wave and smile then I’m out of it.”

When asked if Hillary Clinton should be given the vice-presidential slot, Mrs Obama, who was reported to have wielded a veto against the move, replied that it was her husband’s decision. “I’m just glad I have nothing to do with it,” she added.

Mr Obama’s campaign apologised to two Muslim women who were moved from behind the podium at a rally in Detroit this week because campaign volunteers wanted to prevent headscarves from appearing in photographs and television shots after rumours that Mr Obama is a Muslim.

Times Recommends

• Cairo women fight back against harassment
• Weapons-grade flirting for Hillary and David
• More at stake in Start talks than US and Russia