CBS's Harry Smith seemed to think the bar had been set very high for Michelle Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention. He was amazed when she jumped over it.

But how high was that bar, really? She needed to do two pretty basic things: 1) talk patriotic and 2) talk like a prospective first lady, not a potential co-president.

So, to borrow a phrase, she was planted on third base and some people think she hit a home run.

There is no disputing that Mrs. Obama did come off very well. It's obvious the campaign has quite expressly repackaged her in the past few months. She no longer talks about policy, and is sure to say "God bless America."

It's as if she's morphed into Jackie O-bama.

For those who tuned in to this race early, it remains to be seen whether they buy the new and improved Michelle Obama, or if they will wonder whether she truly thinks this is a downright mean country that she's proud of for the first time in her life, both of which she's said.

She was real good Monday night.

But was she real?