the buzz log

No doubt about it. This story's got legs. The first lady took a look-see at the Grand Canyon with her family this weekend while the rest of the country got a good look at her gams. Michelle Obama braved the blistering Arizona sun with an even braver style of shorts.

This winter we got a view of the fashionista-in-chief's powerful arms, and now there's proof that she's got stems to match. The bare legs set off a firestorm of buzz on the Web, with looky-loos typing in "michelle obama short shorts" into the Search box.

The Huffington Post declared that Michelle O. was the first first lady to step out of Air Force One in anything close to Daisy Dukes and asked, "After all, can you imagine Laura Bush or Patricia Nixon doing the same?" Soliciting online opinions, the site is holding a poll on whether the first lady has the "right to bare legs."

To be clear, the shorts pictured are above the knee. But note that the first lady pairs the shortish shorts with running shoes. She looks like a tourist at a national park, except with Air Force One behind her. Another fashion accessory that's turning heads: Michelle Obama's confidence.

The Washington Post's Fashion Editor Robin Givhan told the "Today" show that we're conflicted about how we want our first lady to look: "We don't see first ladies looking informal, and I think a wonderful thing that she's bringing informality to that position. But we're still grappling with what the first lady is supposed to be all about."

One thing's for sure. We won't stop looking — or commenting — on Michelle Obama's outfits any time soon. Here's the "Today" show clip with some long opinions on the first lady's shorts.

Follow Buzz Log on Twitter