When first lady Michelle Obama went to bat last week for Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, it was a strong signal to the Florida lawmaker’s critics to stand down.

Under fire by some for her management of the party, Obama’s shout out to Wasserman Schultz as “fabulous” is helping to shift attention to her successful efforts to eliminate the debt she was handed by Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and boost prospects for the embattled Democratic election lineup.