On Twitter, Michelle Obama Will Recapture Her Message

Now was perfect time to join, expert says

Undoubtedly, the most poignant sound byte from Michelle Obama’s wide-ranging interview with rising media star Gayle King Tuesday came when the First Lady refuted claims that she was angry and had had multiple tiffs with staff in the West Wing: “Who can write about how I feel? Who? What third person can tell me how I feel, or anybody, for that matter?”

The comments were delivered with affect and a sense of resolve. It offered the first real clue that events and depictions of her imparted by Jodi Kantor in the new book “The Obamas” bothered or even hurt her in some way.

On Thursday morning, she officially joined Twitter.

"We're excited today to launch @michelleobama as a new way for you to connect with First Lady Michelle Obama and the President's campaign,” read the opening tweet. “This account will be managed by the campaign staff" and that any tweets from Obama will be signed "-mo."

[Also read "2011: The Year of Black Digital Domination"]

At about noon Thursday, Mrs. Obama then chimed in with a few words of her own: “Hi, everyone, and thanks for the warm welcome. Look forward to staying in touch with you here. -mo”

In just a few hours, Mrs. Obama had over 100,000 followers and counting.