WASHINGTON - One of the first images that prime-time viewers will see of the Democratic National Convention next week is that of Michelle Obama, who will begin the four-day introduction of her husband on her terms.

Like everything else at the meticulously orchestrated gala, that is by design.

Democrats face a number of imperatives at their convention, none trickier than making more voters comfortable with the prospect of putting a candidate with a most unusual background -- the son of a black Kenyan father and a white Kansan mother, who grew up in Hawaii and Indonesia -- and his family in the White House. No one, his advisers believe, makes the case better for Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois than his wife, who will deliver one of the marquee speeches carried by television networks.

Through four nights, there will be testimonials from family members -- Obama's wife and his sister -- and from party luminaries, including Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (by videotape), and former President Clinton (live).

"The goal of the party convention is that people leave with a clear idea of what the choices are between the two candidates and two political parties," said Anita Dunn, a senior strategist for Obama.

Dunn said a goal of the opening night program will be to stress "his American journey to get to this place," emphasizing that "from his background, he has a deep understanding of what American families face."

When he delivers his speech, Obama will be surrounded by a diverse set of people he has met throughout the campaign.

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