First Lady Michelle Obama spoke to a crowd of more than 6,000 people in Reynolds Coliseum Tuesday afternoon, making her case to young voters that electing Hillary Clinton is imperative in ensuring the legacy of her husband, President Barack Obama.
Though she hushed the crowd when they began to chant “four more years,” Obama made it clear that Clinton was the only candidate who could continue on with the progress of the last eight years.
Although Obama did not say Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s name once, it was clear the possibility of his presidency weighed heavily on the minds of voters in the arena.
She referred specifically to Trump’s peddling of the lie that President Obama was not born in the United States as an effort to “deliberately undermine my husband’s presidency.” At Tuesday’s event, the first lady made pointed statements regarding the temperament of a man who has repeatedly made racist comments about Muslims and Hispanics, and has made insulting remarks about women.
The first lady took exception to the notion that Clinton is not a leader who can inspire Americans to come together.
“I have to disagree,” the first lady said. “We have an opportunity to elect one of the most qualified people who has ever endeavored to the office.
“I’m inspired by her lifelong record of public service. No one in our lifetime has ever had as much experience for the presidency. Not Barack. Not Bill. And yes, she happens to be a woman. Experience matters. Preparation matters. Temperament matters. She is the real deal.”
Before arriving at Reynolds Coliseum, Obama spoke in Charlotte for another event sponsored by the North Carolina Democratic Party.
Alongside the president, Vice President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton, the first lady has emerged as one of the most effective surrogates for the Clinton campaign and has been called on to connect with many of the voter groups that strongly supported her husband’s campaign, including minorities, women and young people.
The first lady was preceded by a lineup of speakers that included Wake County Commissioners’ Chair James West, former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt and U.S. Senate candidate Deborah Ross. Kaitlin Perkins, a junior studying biological engineering, introduced the first lady to the crowd.
Adam Davis and Jeremy Fehlman contributed to the reporting of this story.
NC State students show support for Hillary at the Clinton rally in Reynolds Coliseum on Oct. 4. Michelle Obama spoke at the rally in support of Clinton.
