Memo Pad: Michelle Obama to Vogue?... Elections Boost Newspaper Sales...

YES, WE…MIGHT?: Could we see Michelle Obama on the cover of Vogue soon after the inauguration of her husband, President-elect Barack Obama? The next first lady appeared on a slew of magazine covers as the presidential race entered its last months. But Vogue has been campaigning for a Michelle Obama cover since last September — both in print and in person. Editor in chief Anna Wintour and contributing editor André Leon Talley hosted several fund-raisers for the Obamas last summer, rallying the fashion community’s support for the Illinois senator. The magazine profiled Michelle Obama in its September issue and featured her as an “It” girl in the April one. Obama campaign adviser Valerie Jarrett was profiled in October. Vogue even spread its affections to the Democratic vice presidential candidate — the magazine photographed in November four generations of Biden women, including Vice President-elect Joe Biden’s wife, Jill. (Vogue showed some love to the Republican ladies, too. Cindy McCain was profiled in the May issue and Roberta McCain was featured in the August Age issue.)

“Starting with Eleanor Roosevelt, it’s been a long-standing tradition to photograph the new first lady. So needless to say, we are very interested in working with Mrs. Obama. Precisely how is still being discussed,” said a Vogue spokesman. If Obama does land the cover, she’ll be only the second first lady to do so in Vogue’s 116-year history; Hillary Rodham Clinton appeared on the December 1998 issue.

Despite Vogue’s best efforts, Ebony might get to the Obamas beforehand — the Chicago-based title is quickly assembling a special January issue dedicated to Barack Obama’s candidacy. The issue will be a reflection of Ebony’s coverage of the campaign and the First Family over the past 18 months, but the magazine is extending the close on the issue in hopes of getting a last-minute interview with the President-elect and his family before closing. Essence is also said to be working on a special package for its January issue, but details have not been hammered out. — Stephanie D. Smith