First Lady Michelle Obama Campaigns at George Mason University

FAIRFAX, VA — First Lady Michelle Obama spoke at a campaign event in support of presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at George Mason University (GMU) in Fairfax, Va. on Friday, Sept. 16. It was Obama’s first campaign appearance in support of Clinton since she delivered a speech in favor of Clinton's candidacy at the Democratic National Convention in July.

Speakers at the event prior to the First Lady included Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA 11th District); Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA 3rd District); Dorothy McAuliffe, wife of Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe; and Donna Brazile, Democratic National Committee (DNC) interim Chair.

All of the speakers voiced their strong support for the election of presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and encouraged the enthusiastic audience to vote.

While not mentioning Donald Trump by name during her speech, Obama referenced the “negativity and name calling” and divisive rhetoric in the current campaign and during the past eight years.

“There were those who questioned and continued to question for the past eight years, up through this very day whether my husband was even born in this country,” Obama said. "Well, during his time in office, I think Barack has answered those questions with the example he’s set, by going high when they go low.”

During the speech, Obama emphasized the importance of choosing the candidate with the appropriate qualifications and temperament for public service.

“We (also) need someone who is steady and measured, because when you're making life or death, war or peace decisions, a President can’t just pop off,” Obama said.

“The presidency doesn’t change who you are, it reveals who you are. And the same thing is true of a presidential campaign. So if a candidate is erratic and threatening, if a candidate traffics in prejudice, fear and lies on the trail, if a candidate has no clear plans to implement their goals, if they disrespect their fellow citizens, including folks who have made extraordinary sacrifices for our country, let me tell you, that is who they are. That is the kind of President they will be,” said Obama. “With every word they utter, they can start wars, crash markets, change the course of this planet.”

“We cannot afford to squander this opportunity, particularly given the alternative. Because here is what we know that being President isn’t anything like reality TV. It’s not about sending insulting tweets or making fiery speeches. It’s about whether or not the candidate can handle the awesome responsibility of leading this country,” she added.

Obama emphasized Clinton’s lifelong dedication to public service, mentioning her professional background as a lawyer, a law professor, First Lady of Arkansas, First Lady of the United States, a U.S. Senator, and U.S. Secretary of State.

“We know that Hillary is the right person because we’ve seen her character and commitment, not just on the trail, but over the course of her entire life. We’ve seen her dedication to public service,” she said.

Obama urged the audience, many who were university students, to register to vote and to encourage others to vote. In 2012, according to Obama, voters under the age of 30 provided the margin of victory for Barrack Obama in four key battleground states: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida and Virginia.

“In 2012 Barack won Virginia by about 150,000 votes,” Obama explained. “Now that may sound like a lot but when you break that down the difference between winning and losing the state was only 31 votes per precinct. He won Ohio. The difference there was just 9 votes per precinct. In Florida the difference was just 6 votes per precinct. Elections, especially the presidential election, are won and loss by a handful of votes.”

“So there are plenty of states where each of you could swing an entire precinct and win this election for Hillary Clinton just by getting yourselves, your friends and your few family members registered and out to vote,” she added.

After the event, campaign and student volunteers could be seen registering many students to vote as they filed out of the building.

As a critical swing state, more campaign events can be expected to be held in Virginia in support of both the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates. The rally came on the heels of the release of the latest poll of Virginia voters on Thursday, Sept. 15, from the University of Mary Washington, which noted that Clinton's lead in the state was down to 3 points.

Photo credits: Sharon Reed