David M Jackson

USA TODAY

When the history of the crazed 2016 presidential election is written, one section is likely to be reserved for Michelle Obama and her speech.

The first lady's remarks last week denouncing Donald Trump's comments about women is drawing praise across the political spectrum, and is being hailed as a pivotal event in the contest between Trump and Hillary Clinton.,

Conservative talk show host Glenn Beck, a Trump critic, described Mrs. Obama's remarks as "the most effective political speech I have heard since Ronald Reagan."

During a Clinton rally in New Hampshire on Thursday, Mrs. Obama denounced Trump over a 2005 videotape in which the Republican nominee can be heard making lewd comments about groping women.

"This is disgraceful," the first lady said. "It is intolerable. And it doesn't matter what party you belong to -- Democrat, Republican, independent -- no woman deserves to be treated this way. None of us deserves this kind of abuse."

Paul Begala, a former aide to President Bill Clinton, told CNN's State of the Union on Sunday that Michelle Obama's speech will be remembered long after the votes are counted, especially if Hillary Clinton becomes the nation's first woman president.

"Michelle Obama's speech will be one of the things people study 100 years from now," Begala said. "It was that powerful."