Michelle Obama addresses a rally at FAMU, while Jill Biden
Photo credit Van Wilson/Capital Outlook
By Stephanie Lambert
Associate Editor
reprinted from Capital Outlook
Michelle Obama told more than 8,000 Tallahasseeans that “now is the time to bring change” to the United States.
“We have the opportunity right here, right now,” Obama, wife of presidential nominee Barack Obama, D-Ill., said at a campaign rally last Saturday at Florida A&M University. “You all have a chance to make that change. Yes, we can.”
She continued, “Isn’t it time we have leaders who reflect our values? Isn’t it time we have leaders who get it? Barack gets it!”
Michelle Obama encouraged the crowd, an estimated 8,000-10,000 by the fire chief, to look around and feel the energy from fellow supporters.
“I was so looking forward to this rally with FAMU, (Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College) students,” she said in an exclusive interview with the Capital Outlook. “There’s nothing like the energy in the eyes of the young people. They don’t come with all the limitations about what is possible and what can’t happen. Everything to them is the promise of the future.”
There are approximately 600,000 Floridians still unregistered to vote.
“If you think of those numbers, even if a fraction of those numbers registered, that would make the difference that could change the face of this election,” she said. “Voting absolutely matters. Here in Florida, the election is close.
On the campus of FAMU, Michelle Obama was joined by Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Barack Obama’s running mate, Joe Biden.
“It’s great to see so many people excited to vote,” said Jill Biden, a college professor at Delaware Technical & Community College. “I have seen how the last eight years have affected many college students. I always say that my students are my heroes because they are working, going to school and they’re raising children. And when times get tough, education is always the first to go.”
Biden added that she feels the country needs affordable health care for all Americans and a sound economy.
Obama agreed. Barack Obama’s mother died at the age of 54 due to ovarian cancer.
“He is someone who understands the heartbreak of what it feels like when the health care system fails you,” said Michelle Obama, who also said that she and her husband paid off their student loans after the success of Barack Obama’s two books. “Don’t we want a president in the White House who has been in debt? Barack understands the effect of when jobs dry up. These are not just political issues-they’re personal.”
She said unlike her husband’s opponents, presidential nominee John McCain, R-Ariz., and his running mate, Sarah Palin, Barack Obama wants a Washington that stops simply talking about family values, but actually does something about it.
“(Barack Obama and Joe Biden) want a Washington that values families,” she said.
The two women were welcomed by supporters from all over Florida’s panhandle, Cheree Wiltsher, who brought her Girl Scouts Troop 20 to the rally, said it was important that her troop witness and take part in the historical election. “My girls are excited to see Barack Obama’s marvelously intelligent wife Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden,” said Wiltsher. “They also watched the debate last night.”
Dr. James H. Ammons, president of FAMU, welcomed the distinguished women on behalf of the Rattler family.
“You are now in Rattler Country,” Ammons said to applause from the crowd. “I want to thank Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden for selecting one of the most important universities in America, Florida A&M University. These are two accomplished women.”
Ammons added that the appearance of the two speakers no way indicated the university endorses the candidates the women represent.
“We have invited all the presidential candidates and campaigns to visit our campus and to give our students and this beautiful community a first-hand opportunity to hear from them so we can make informed choices in this historic election.” He continued, “This is a country where your dreams are your boundaries. You must pick the right person at the polls.”
Ammons also encouraged the women to tell their husbands about their visit to the historically black university.
“As times get tough out on the campaign trail, I want them to tell their husbands about the true spirit of the Rattler,” Ammons said followed by leading the crowd in “Strike Again” chant.
Michelle Obama, a graduate of Harvard University, said she’d be open to the idea of her daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, attending FAMU or any other HBCU.
“I want my kids to go where they want to go; that was my parent’s philosophy,” she said. “I want them to know about HBCUs just as I want them to know about Ivy League schools, or even schools where they can get a scholarship. Our kids, like all kids, should have choices… what we need to get around to is making sure that all kids are getting a descent education they need so they can apply to any school they want and after they graduate, they can get a job with those degrees.”
Monique Gillum, former FAMU student body president, agreed with Michelle Obama’s sentiments, telling the onlookers that “today is our time.”
“If you believe in the fundamental principals of change, then you should believe in Sen. Obama.”
Michelle Obama, who said the most difficult part of the election was having to spend time away from her family, said the senator doesn’t just need Floridians to help him win the Nov. 4th election, but to help him lead.
“Isn’t it time we put the old ways aside and reach for new ideas?” she said. “Shouldn’t we have leaders who understand the problems that we are facing and create policies that will reflect our realities and values? There is only one team in this race offering the kind of change we need right now… that team is Barack Obama and Joe Biden.”
Stephanie Lambert may be contacted at [email protected].
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