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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMichelle Obama Embraces and Exemplifies the Very Values Romney Rejected Before His Wealthy Donors
excerpt of remarks by the First Lady at Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center
Tallahassee, Florida - September 17, 2011
All right, so, ladies, listen up. See, back when I first met Barack, he definitely had everything going for him. He was handsome -- still is, think. I think he still is. (Applause.) He was charming, talented and very wicked smart. But that is not why I married him. So, fellas, I want you all to listen to this. (Laughter.) What truly made me fall in love with Barack Obama was his character. Did you hear me? It was his character. (Applause.) Truly, it was his decency, his honesty, his compassion and conviction. Do you hear me, fellas?
See, I loved that Barack was so committed to serving others that he turned down high-paying jobs, and instead started his career fighting to get folks back to work in struggling communities. I respected that. (Applause.) And I loved that Barack was so devoted to his family, especially the women in his life. (Applause.)
See, I saw firsthand the respect he had for his mother. I saw how proud he was that shed put herself through school while supporting him and his sister as a single mom. I saw the tenderness that he felt for his grandmother. I saw how grateful he was that long after she should have retired, she was still waking up every morning to catch that bus to her job at the community bank to help support his family. And he watched as she was passed over for promotions simply because she was a woman. But she kept on getting up. He saw how she kept on doing that same job year after year, without complaint, without regret. (Applause.)
See, with Barack, I found a real connection because in his life story, I saw so much of my own. Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, I watched -- South Side. Yes, indeed. (Applause.) But I watched my father make that same uncomplaining journey every day to his job at the city water plant. I saw how he carried himself with that same dignity, that same pride in being able to provide for his family, that same hope that his kids would one day have opportunities he never dreamed of. How many people here have folks like that in their lives? (Applause.)
See, like so many families in this country, our families werent asking for much. They didnt begrudge anyone elses success. They didnt mind if others had much more than they did -- in fact, they admired it. They simply believed in that fundamental American promise that even if you dont start out with much, if you work hard and do what youre supposed to do, then you should be able to build a decent life for yourself and an even better life for your kids and grandkids. (Applause.)
And they also believed that when youve worked hard and done well and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you. No, you reach back and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed. (Applause.) Yeah! See, thats how Barack and I and so many of you, thats how we were raised. Those are the values we were taught.
We learned that how hard you work matters more than how much you make. (Applause.) We learned that the truth matters, so you dont take shortcuts or game the system; you dont play by your own set of rules.
We learned that no one gets where they are on their own -- no one; that each of us has a community of people lifting us up, every single one of us -- (applause) -- from the teachers who inspired us to the janitors who kept our schools clean. (Applause.) And we learned to value everyones contribution and treat everyone with respect. Everyone.
We learned about citizenship and service -- that were all part of something bigger than ourselves; that with our freedoms come obligations, and with our blessings come a duty to give back to others who have less. (Applause.)
These are the values that make Barack such an extraordinary husband to me, and such a phenomenal father to our girls. But I talked about Baracks values not just as a wife and a mother, but also as a First Lady who has seen up close and personal what being President really looks like and just how critical those values are for leading this country.
See, over the past three and a half years, Ive seen how the issues that come across a Presidents desk are always the hard ones -- the decisions that arent just about the bottom line, but about laying a foundation for the next generation. (Applause.) Ive seen how important it is to have a President who doesnt just tell us what we want to hear, but who tells us the truth -- even when its hard; especially when its hard. (Applause.)
And Ive seen that when it comes time to make those tough calls, and everyones urging you to do whats easy, or what polls best, or what gets good headlines, see, as President, you have to be driven by the struggles, hopes and dreams of all of the people you serve. (Applause.) As President, you need a strong inner compass, a core commitment to your fellow citizens. (Applause.) Thats how you make the right decisions for this country. Thats what it takes to be a leader
full speech by the First Lady: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/09/17/1133080/-First-Lady-Michelle-Obama-s-remarks-at-Tallahassee-FL-campaign-event
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Michelle Obama Embraces and Exemplifies the Very Values Romney Rejected Before His Wealthy Donors (Original Post)
bigtree
Sep 2012
OP
I have to ask, is Michelle polling better than the President at the moment?
justiceischeap
Sep 2012
#1
justiceischeap
(14,040 posts)1. I have to ask, is Michelle polling better than the President at the moment?
It seems after the DNC speech, America has fallen in love with Michelle.
bigtree
(85,996 posts)2. sure
. . . first ladies usually do poll higher than their husbands because of the obvious differences in their role and activity. Don't have the latest one handy, tho . . .
Jennicut
(25,415 posts)5. She is over 65%.
Like you said, they are less political in general. But she is very well liked.
bigtree
(85,996 posts)7. thanks, Jennicut
looks like her numbers took off right when she came to Washington and have remained high. Impressive.
tavalon
(27,985 posts)3. How could we not?
She's a fabulous person.
bigtree
(85,996 posts)4. they are a fabulous couple
. . . we are certainly extremely fortunate to have Michelle up there, though.
justiceischeap
(14,040 posts)8. I only bring this up because of how hateful the media
was to her pre-election. I remember that New Yorker cover and the "angry black woman" references. It's nice to see the 180 degree turn around.
bigtree
(85,996 posts)6. positives