DURHAM — Thousands of enthusiastic students and local residents gathered Wednesday at N.C. Central University to hear Michelle Obama make the case for her husband’s re-election.
Despite the political undertones in her speech, the first lady sought to portray President Barack Obama from a personal angle — echoing a theme from her Sept. 4 speech at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.
As many as 3,100 people gathered in the McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium at NCCU, filling it to capacity.
The event — which was sponsored by Obama for America — was one of two speeches that the first lady gave to students on Wednesday. Obama later spoke at East Carolina University.
Obama told attendees of the personal struggles and moral lessons she and the president faced growing up, what motivated them and how this has influenced the president’s world view.
“Like so many families in this country, our families weren’t asking for much. They didn’t begrudge anyone else’s success,” she said.
“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,” Obama said.
The first lady also reminded audience members of the struggles she and the president faced in paying for college.
“When it comes to student debt, believe me, Barack and I, we’ve been there,” she said. “He never could have attended college without financial aid.”
