First Lady Michelle Obama Makes Philadelphia Appearance

Story and Photo by Tracie Johnson

Staff Reporter

First Lady Michelle Obama spoke to grassroots supporters at the Bobby Morgan Arena on the campus of the University of the Sciences. On route to complete a host of campaigns stops throughout Pennsylvania, the First Lady also spoke to supporters in Bethlehem and Montgomery County. 

As the First Lady approached the podium, before she could say a word the crowd erupted and began to chant “Four more years, four more years,” to which she responded “With your help.”

This statement harmonizes with the new It Takes One effort that emphasizes the importance of each individual voter’s ballot. Getting more into her speech, the First Lady talked to supporters about the efforts that can be made, as individuals and collective members of a community, to ensure that her husband is elected for another term. She also acknowledge voter concerns regarding the new voter ID laws and told supporters not to be daunted by the laws, to still show up at the polls with the necessary requirements in hand. 

The First Lady shared details on her and her husband’s upbringing, both coming from working class families. Michelle said her father was a city water plant employee who worked hard and saved to help contribute her and her brother’s Ivy League education. President Obama was raised in a single parent home, and had to take out loans to go to college. The First Lady said for these reasons they are able to empathize with college graduates who graduate with what she called a “mountain of debt” during a time where American jobs are still stabilizing. Getting more into Obama’s political stance, she added that their working class rearing allows them to empathize with families who have loved ones with a pre-existing condition and cannot afford full medical treatment necessary to alleviate their suffering or cure their illness. 

In attendance were the political likes of Congressman Chakah Fatah, State Representative Sherell Parker, City Councilwoman Janie Blackwell and Head of Democratic Party Congressman Bob Brady. Prior to the First Lady’s appearance, Fatah and Brady took to the podium to further excite the crowd and speak in support of the Obamas. 

Getting the crowed riled up and cheerful, Brady said, “Let them know they can’t hurt us,” referring to the Republicans implementation of the voter ID laws. He then proceeded to point to the Forward sign hanging on the podium and saying “This is forward.” 

Fatah followed up with a patriotic homage to the state of the Pennsylvania. “There’s a reason why they call us The Keystone state. When we beat Romney here, there’s no road to the White House for him.”

Bob Brady agreed to brief interview with us here at the Germantown Newspapers. “I came out to show my support for the President and the First Lady because they’ve been supporting us. They’ve been out there fighting a good fight for us for 3 ½ years and they deserve four more,” Brady said. Brady further encouraged supporters to register to vote and make their way to the polls on election day. “It’s a very important day and a very important vote,” Brady said. 

When asked about his thoughts on the voter ID laws Brady responded, “We’re waiting to see what they do. It’s another obstruction the Republicans put up against us and we’re waiting to see what the court rules and we’ll be ready for them. We’ll be ready for them either way. Whatever they come up to ruling, we’ll be ready for them.”

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