First Lady Michelle Obama today in Chapel Hill!

[mnhtnbb]

I had a ticket to attend a grassroots campaign event featuring Michelle!!! today at UNC-Chapel Hill.
It was held at Carmichael Arena on campus--holds 8000--and it was packed! I stood in line starting
at 9:20 a.m. for doors to open at 11:00 a.m. We went through airport type security--and I was wanded.
LOTS of Secret Service in evidence.

Here are photos!

Outside on a beautiful fall day looking at Carmichael

[IMG][/IMG]

Several photos of waiting for the event--we had a band

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

NC Early Vote--starts Thursday, Oct. 18th

[IMG][/IMG]

Can you imagine being a student and getting to introduce Michelle?!?

[IMG][/IMG]

OK--this is what you want--photos of Michelle! (And yes, several people yelled out, "we love you, Michelle"

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

Yeah, that's Secret Service to the right and behind her--they were all over the arena!

[IMG][/IMG]

Our marching orders? Barack Obama won NC in 2008 by an average of 5 votes per precinct. Yes.
Your VOTE COUNTS! We were all challenged to go out and work for those 5 extra votes!

[IMG][/IMG]

And finally, the motorcycle escort waiting for her outside the arena

[IMG][/IMG]

The First Lady gave a terrific speech. She talked about Barack Obama--the man--the President--
his record--how elections are about moving forward--and she had us all fired up and ready to go!

[yellerpup]

1. Kicking!

Great news and wonderful photos!

[mnhtnbb]

2. I had to refuse to follow the crowd to get my great seat

I was probably in the first several hundred admitted to the arena--but they were seating people BEHIND the podium
first! Baloney on that! I didn't stand in line for two hours to sit behind the First Lady! So I walked away--found
a staffer--and really laid a heavy gripe on her. She suggested I walk out--to the concessions area and get in line again.
So I did. Scoped it out. Waited a while--then saw the best seating area being opened. Went in and walked to my seat.
Second row! Nobody blocking my view! It was great.

Moral of the story? Don't be a sheep.

[ncgrits]

3. Thanks for posting pics!

Couldn't make it today. Tied to my desk in Hillsborough.

[mnhtnbb]

5. Bummer! Fortunately, I'm retired. I only had to hurry home to walk the dog!

[mnhtnbb]

4. She gave a wonderful speech

She talked about Barack--the man she fell in love with--his honesty, his caring, his commitment--the President who makes
the tough decisions. She talked about the mess he inherited (never uttered Bush's name once) and how he went to work.
She talked about the accomplishments of the last four years and the need to do more. She said elections are always about hope and going forward.

She spent a lot of time talking about the 14,000 vote margin by which the President won NC in 2008. Averages out to 5 votes per precinct. 5 votes. She literally said don't ever think your vote doesn't count. Then she challenged us all to go out and find those 5 extra votes.

[renate]

6. thanks for these great pictures!

I'm glad you had such a good time!

[mnhtnbb]

7. It was a good time! The last time I saw a candidate's wife was Tipper Gore

in St. Joseph, MO in 1992! And I was not nearly as close!

[Tiggeroshii]

8. NOW GO HIT THE DOORS LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!!!!

=D

[JNelson6563]

9. Great pics, awesome report!

[mnhtnbb]

11. Thanks! It was a lot of fun and a terrific rally for the President!

[JNelson6563]

14. I envy you greatly!

Michigan is considered "safe" so we aren't getting much attention from the headliners. Certainly nowhere north of Detroit or Grand Rapids.

We live vicariously through you lucky people.

Julie

[outsideworld]

10. Amazing Pictures

I cant remember a first lady drawing this kind of crowds during their time in the white house . Hilary maybe ?

[mnhtnbb]

12. I can't imagine this kind of crowd...or standing in line to see Nancy...Barbara...Hillary...Laura...

and certainly not Queen Ann!

People LOVE Michelle. No wonder her positive ratings are so high!

[lunatica]

13. Thanks!

I love Michelle Obama!

[mnhtnbb]

15. I was hoping this positive experience would continue through the debate tonight...and WHAM!

The President had a MASTERFUL debate!

[shireen]

16. a really lovely lady

we're very fortunate to have such a kind and classy FLOTUS.

[mnhtnbb]

17. Kick for those who might have missed this yesterday in the run up to the debate.

[VespertineIconoclast]

18. Great pics! Thanks! n/t