First Lady: Issues Aren’t Political, They’re Personal For Barack Obama

September 5, 2012

First lady Michelle Obama was the headline speaker at the opening day of the Democratic National Convention Tuesday in Charlotte, NC, making a forceful pitch to give her husband more time to complete the job they had elected him to do four years ago.

“In the end, for Barack, these issues aren’t political — they’re personal,” Michelle Obama said. “Barack knows the American Dream because he’s lived it, and he wants everyone, everyone in this country to have the same opportunity.”

In a speech that alternately stilled and electrified delegates, the first lady said President Barack Obama was continuing to push forward with his agenda for change despite setbacks in his first term.

“And he reminds me that we are playing a long game here — and that change is hard, and change is slow, and it never happens all at once,” Michelle Obama said. She also said that her fears that the White House might change Barack Obama had proven unfounded. “Well, today, after so many struggles and triumphs and moments that have tested my husband in ways I never could have imagined, I have seen firsthand that being president doesn’t change who you are,” she said. “No, it reveals who you are.”

Her speech presented a behind-the-scenes look at life in the White House and at the early lives of the Obamas.

“Barack knows the American Dream because he’s lived it…and he wants everyone in this country to have that same opportunity, no matter who we are, or where we’re from, or what we look like, or who we love,” she said.  “And he believes that when you’ve worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity…you do not slam it shut behind you…you reach back, and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed.”

Former president Bill Clinton will formally place Barack Obama’s name up for nomination on Wednesday night.  Barack Obama will accept his nomination Thursday night during a nationally-televised speech. The speech was planned for the city’s 74,000-seat outdoor football stadium, but the threat of severe weather has moved the event back inside the Time Warner Cable Arena, the site of the rest of the week’s activities.

The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.

Comments

26 Responses to “First Lady: Issues Aren’t Political, They’re Personal For Barack Obama”

  1. marcus on September 6th, 2012 11:26 pm

    My friends on facebook post articles and videos of politicians and where they stand on social issues. They side with whoever and whatever saying why they won’t vote for so and so because of a stance on a certain social issue.

    It makes me want to VOMIT. I want to delete them instantly and wonder, wow…. how was I even an acquantince with that person. To be that badly brainwashed by the media is horrorific. I’m sadded to see it get to that point, where an individual can be that easily and strongly influenced that they are angered enough to….. “post it on facebook.” THAT’S LAUGHABLE. If you feel THAT strongly about it, why aren’t you marching in the capital?

    To be discissing “social issues” during this time when millions are out of work and there is no recovery or sunlight ahead is a DISGRACE to your fellow American. How brainwashed can you be?

    Disgusting.

  2. CD on September 6th, 2012 10:41 am

    Such a good speech from this woman and I am proud of her.

  3. Henry Coe on September 5th, 2012 11:20 pm

    Great speech and it wasn’t partisan at all. She is our First Lady and you folks ragging on her should be ashamed.

    Then again, if you acknowledged that the Obama’s have worked hard and done good and are good people, it would undo all the wingnut lies about the POTUS and his family.

    If you actually watch the speech and disagree with something and have some real political discourse to offer, whether a real Republican or something further to the right, please, enlighten us.

    Michelle Obama DNC Speech 2012 Complete: ‘How Hard You Work’ More Important Than Income

    http://youtu.be/IVGAI8o5i4o

  4. Bob on September 5th, 2012 7:19 pm

    You people think Romney want pat you on the back and not take you wallet.

  5. LEO GUY on September 5th, 2012 6:57 pm

    Maybe old “Slick Willie” can tell us what the definition of “is” is tonight. What a joke! Of course after four years of Barry, Ol’ Slick Willie almost kinda looks good. But, Jimmie Carter still gets my vote for worst president in history. Don’t need anybody’s input on that one! I was there. God Bless Ronald Reagan! If not for Reagan, none would be having these fine opinions today.

  6. jp on September 5th, 2012 6:55 pm

    When she said Obamas most prized possesion was a cofee table he got out of the dumpster and his shoes were a size too small because he couldnt afford ones that fit i about lost it.LOL.You people believe anything.You are Obamas sheep and he’s leading the herd off the cliff.Wake up America the President is a failure.All he can do is blame Bush ..even when democrats controlled the house and the senate for Bush’s last two years in office and the first two of Obamas.

  7. Bob hudson on September 5th, 2012 6:04 pm

    So the democratic party has added God back to their platform? And they where BOOED by many on the convention floor. CBS NEWS. So now it seem that they are taking Gods name invein , just to get votes, my . my, got a feeling they are going to pay for that one. I do not believe God supports their social issues .

  8. MeShea on September 5th, 2012 5:37 pm

    Wow! I just adore Michelle Obama! She’s intelligent, beautiful, well spoken and genuinely cares about the American people. I LOVE MY FLOTUS!!!

  9. just tired on September 5th, 2012 4:12 pm

    Michelle Obama did a terrific job last night. Her speech was believable, touching and heart-felt. Personally, I don’t believe in abortion and gay marriage and the way i see it; it is not my business what people choose to do in their personal lives and neither is it the government’s business, so those issues shouldn’t even be a part of politics. Everyone is responsible for their own actions. Even God doesn’t force us to serve him, it’s our free will, so why should the government try to decide what people should be doing in their personal lives, that’s between them and God.

  10. Bob hudson on September 5th, 2012 3:14 pm

    Well if the democratic party was looking to pick up the christian independent they did a nice job of shooting them selves in the foot.

  11. LEO GUY on September 5th, 2012 3:07 pm

    bc & Bob,
    Plenty of room on the Titanic! Your captain Barry and your cruise director Michelle welcome you aboard. Kool-aid now being served.

  12. Bob hudson on September 5th, 2012 2:11 pm

    Deborah I agree with you 100% , and now that the party has drop God from their platform , they do not deserve to be in the White House , Yep, Barak, we are going to have to let you go. Your score, failure. You did not get it done. Should have use your time better when ya’ll controlled the house and senate for the first 2 years.

  13. Karen on September 5th, 2012 1:43 pm

    The truth is, in order to get things like universal health care and a revamped education system, then someone is going to have to give up a piece of their pie so that someone else can have more.
    Michelle Obama

  14. LEO GUY on September 5th, 2012 1:15 pm

    @bc
    And you want four more years?

  15. bc on September 5th, 2012 1:00 pm

    DEBORAH CARMICHAEL, you said” I pay $3,000 per month for health coverage, high gas prices, and will be paying higher income taxes to make up the difference for half the country that pays NO income tax. ALL that matters to me is the repeal of Obamacare, welfare reform, job creation”

    I did all of this and more than you’ve done prior to President Obama getting in office, I was paying 3.75 in fuel while Bush was in office, lost a home, laid off after working 20 years on a job, nothing new…The President can only do as much as Congress will let him..last summer, he wanted to keep unemployment going for the unemployed, yet, Congress, at the time with republicans being in the majority, voted twice not to extend UC benefits while families suffered with over a month with no income coming in, meaning no food and sometimes no shelter….

  16. LEO GUY on September 5th, 2012 11:54 am

    @Sara, @Kathy, @huh, @Tara
    Iceberg dead ahead! Turn! Turn! No! No! Forward more years! Forward more years! Oh Brother! :-/

  17. Bob on September 5th, 2012 11:07 am

    You people are so selfish and self centered that you can’t keep your snide daggers out of someone that there entire speak was about what she loved about her husband.

  18. Bob hudson on September 5th, 2012 10:28 am

    Well Obama said he would cry when she was giving the speech , Well I read it to, and I cried, but because all it was , would be excuses to keep him another4 years . Talk about dodging the issues .

  19. deborah carmichael on September 5th, 2012 10:17 am

    Wow! The country is in serious financial trouble and I am supposed to care about who makes the “classiest” first lady? I pay $3,000 per month for health coverage, high gas prices, and will be paying higher income taxes to make up the difference for half the country that pays NO income tax. ALL that matters to me is the repeal of Obamacare, welfare reform, job creation and reduction in the national debt. I know this is a shock for some folks but politicians have been know to lie to keep their jobs.

  20. Tara on September 5th, 2012 9:31 am

    I read her speech. I don’t like to get caught up in all the hype that a convention brings. It was awesome! She did a great job. I feel that she touched many with her words. I think many in the GOP would love her speech if they read it with an open mind. Don’t think about the person saying the words but look at the words.

    I did the same with the GOP speeches and all I could think about was Will Ferrell in The Campaign. It was a lot of rambling going on.

  21. northend voter on September 5th, 2012 7:24 am

    I believe the Communist Party of the United States has endorsed Obama. I dont vote for Communist or Socialists.

  22. huh on September 5th, 2012 7:21 am

    Great to see her give a speech thats actually meaningful unlike Mitts wife who just rambled about nothing

  23. Dudley Herrington on September 5th, 2012 6:46 am

    She is the biggest “GOLD DIGGER” I ever known !!!!!!!!!!!
    She has spent more money on “VACATIONS” than all the First Ladys put
    Together, Money this Country dosen’t have.
    She did not make it , but she can sure spend it.
    Signed,
    Completely Disgusted

  24. Kathy on September 5th, 2012 6:44 am

    Michelle and Barrack are both classy and incredible people.

  25. THE DOER on September 5th, 2012 6:29 am

    Sara, surely you are deliberately trying to be sarcastic. The Flotus’ attitude is not one that a “classy and intelligent” first lady should have.
    “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change.” Michelle Obama, 2008
    The Obamas are what is known as a double-speak. They say one thing but do another. It’s pitiful how some Americans can’t see through what they have done and continue to do. Even the Washington Post is now reporting that their claim about Romney’s taxes is completely false.
    WAPO reports Romney gave $7 million in charitable contributions in 2009-10. ABC reports in 2010 the Obamas gave a measly $245,075 in charitable contributions and the Bidens gave a pitiful $5,350.
    Don’t let emotion dictate your actions. Look at the facts.

  26. Sara on September 5th, 2012 1:15 am

    Love Michelle Obama, such a classy & intelligent woman. A refreshing change from some of the past First Ladies. She should run for the Presidency in 2016. And her speech was incredible & written by her.