Saying she was thrilled to be back in her home state, the first lady of the United States urged people to vote during a Democratic rally Saturday at Wharton Field House, Moline.
Michelle Obama campaigned in a “Get Out the Vote” event for Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Rep. Cheri Bustos.
Obama urged those attending to get to the polls and to encourage their friends and relatives to vote as part of her “1 Million Votes for 2014” initiative.
"This is not about me. This is about you," Obama said.
She stressed that many are tight races taking place and that every vote counts. She also spoke of the need to continue supporting education and creating new jobs.
She continually advocated for all three candidates, Quinn, Durbin and Bustos. Obama said 10 million new jobs have been created in the nation in recent years.
"And we are here to keep this state in the right direction," she said to thunderous applause. "And this state is leading the nation in job creation."
Doors opened for some folks at 11 a.m. but the majority of the 1,400 people were kept outside until after 12:30 p.m. None of the crowd was allowed in the upper level of the venerable facility. So, people gradually congregated in front of the flag-draped stage.
Twice, people were entertained by the Metropolitan Youth Band of Rock Island, which performed from the upper level area.
Shortly before 1 p.m., state Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, was the first to address the audience.
"The first lady has come a long way to help us get out the vote," he said.
Like every speaker on this day, he also exhorted people to vote.
"We cannot fight without your help," he said.
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, revved up the crowd, saying, "This election is for the working families."
Quinn, Durbin and Bustos took turns at the podium during the rally.
Bustos, of East Moline, mentioned the storied history of Wharton and the local high school teams that play there.
"And teams that move on understand teamwork," she said. "With three days before the election, you are the important team."
Bustos, who faces Republican Bobby Schilling in the 17th Congressional District race on Tuesday, said she received a personal phone call from the president about a week ago.
"Barack Obama gave me a call just to be encouraging," she said. "He starting off by asking, 'How's everything in the Quads.'"
She said the president told her to urge people to vote.
"He said if only half the people show up to vote, we will not be able to move forward," Bustos said.
Durbin, the Senate's No. 2 Democrat, is seeking a fourth term against Republican dairy magnate and state Sen. Jim Oberweis.
Durbin talked of his support for local issues, such as the Rock Island Arsenal, bringing Amtrak to the Quad-Cities, Thomson prison, Western Illinois University – Quad-Cities campus and the building of the new Interstate-74 Bridge. He said he continue to work to "put the Quad-Cities back on the map."
Quinn is seeking a second full term and faces a tough challenge from Republican businessman Bruce Rauner. Among other things, Quinn said he is in favor of raising the minimum wage. By contrast, he said Rauner recently was in the Quad-Cities where he "adamantly opposed raising the minimum wage."
As the first lady took the stage and hugged the trio of candidates there, she quickly noticed that Bustos was taking photos with her cellphone.
"What's going on here?" Obama asked. "Cheri's got a selfie going on."
Later, Obama made an impassioned plea to reach out to youth, some of whom "are out there on their own."
"They know education is the only way out," Obama said, her voice shaking a bit. "That is why we are here. Kids don't give up, and neither are we."
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider issued a statement Saturday afternoon regarding the event: "The parade of Gov. Pat Quinn’s Washington, D.C. allies cannot distract voters from his record of broken budgets, corruption, and favors for insiders. On Tuesday, Illinoisans will have their chance to reject 100 years of failed Democrat leadership and say no to Pat Quinn’s plans to raise taxes yet again."
After speaking at Wharton Field House, Obama traveled across the Mississippi River into Davenport for a surprise stop at the Iowa Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign Office.
With only a few minutes' notice, the 25 or so volunteers and paid staff sat quietly in chairs until the first lady walked into the room, eliciting a few oohs and ahhs.
“I happened to be in the neighborhood, so I crossed the river and wanted to stop and say hello,” she said. “We are so grateful for your work in making calls and getting the word out.”
The first lady then announced that she “brought a few healthy snacks” for the people.
Obama made her way around the tables and chairs to greet everyone with hugs and thank-yous for their contributions. And of course, the majority of them wanted their photograph taken with her.
“How are you?” the first lady asked one woman.
“I am wonderful" was the volunteer’s response with a smile.
One of the touching sights at the stop was when Obama stopped to chat with volunteer Maria Dickmann, who is a Davenport School Board member.
At one point, Dickmann asked if she could get the first lady to take a picture with her infant girl, Sadie, who was in a nearby baby carrier. Little Sadie did well, complete with smiles as another volunteer snapped off a photo.
Please Wait…
With two exceptions, I have read nothing in this "bash Michelle Obama" thread that even hints of any intelligence.
"Statistics from United Van Lines, which is headquartered in St. Louis, shows Illinois as the No. 2 state in the nation for departures behind New Jersey and it has remained in the runner-up spot after falling from the top role in 2011. Both companies’ reports showed Oregon as the No. 1 destination in 2013, with South Carolina, North Carolina, District of Columbia and South Dakota rounding out the top five."
Face it. Ms. Bustos agrees with and votes with all the people up on that stage last night. PERIOD. Just watch her votes after the election is over and you will see the REAL Bustos.
From its pre-recession peak through 2013, the black employment rate has plummeted by 7.1 percentage points, more than any other racial group in Illinois. Fewer than half of black adults are employed in Illinois.
And the black male employment rate has been lower under Quinn than at any other time in recorded state history.
- See more at: http://www.illinoispolicy.org/minority-employment-tanks-under-quinn/?utm_source=outbrain#sthash.OUQQspFD.dpuf
That's what the democrats are doing for Illinois.