Michelle Obama Embraces and Exemplifies the Very Values Romney Rejected Before His Wealthy Donors

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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 she’d 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 weren’t asking for much. They didn’t begrudge anyone else’s success. They didn’t 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 don’t start out with much, if you work hard and do what you’re 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 you’ve 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, that’s how Barack and I and so many of you, that’s 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 don’t take shortcuts or game the system; you don’t 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 everyone’s contribution and treat everyone with respect. Everyone.

We learned about citizenship and service -- that we’re 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 Barack’s 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, I’ve seen how the issues that come across a President’s desk are always the hard ones -- the decisions that aren’t just about the bottom line, but about laying a foundation for the next generation. (Applause.) I’ve seen how important it is to have a President who doesn’t just tell us what we want to hear, but who tells us the truth -- even when it’s hard; especially when it’s hard. (Applause.)

And I’ve seen that when it comes time to make those tough calls, and everyone’s urging you to do what’s 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.) That’s how you make the right decisions for this country. That’s 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

[justiceischeap]

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.

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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]

5. She is over 65%.

Like you said, they are less political in general. But she is very well liked.

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7. thanks, Jennicut

looks like her numbers took off right when she came to Washington and have remained high. Impressive.

[tavalon]

3. How could we not?

She's a fabulous person.

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4. they are a fabulous couple

. . . we are certainly extremely fortunate to have Michelle up there, though.

[justiceischeap]

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.

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6. positives