The Patriot

Issue date: 1/22/08 Section: Elections 2008

Media Credit: Nicole Ouellette Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential hopeful Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, speaks to a crowd of about 300 students, faculty and community members in the University Center commons.

Media Credit: Nicole Ouellette Michelle Obama addresses the audience on campus during a campaign stop for her husband.

Michelle Obama, wife of presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., spoke to a crowd of about 300 students, faculty and community members to promote her husband's campaign Jan. 15 on campus.

Michelle Obama said during her speech that the future of the United States might become nothing more than "garbage" if change doesn't come to Washington. She said her husband's presidency would bring a change desperately needed in the country and that the American people are looking for a president who will allow citizens to achieve that sense of dignity for which they are looking.

"Most Americans are decent people who don't want much," she said. "They want to know that, if they get sick, they won't go bankrupt."

She also said she thinks programs in place don't allow Americans to reach simple goals such as having affordable health care and a strong education.

"We have made that dream an impossibility for most regular folks," she said. According to Michelle Obama, if current policies such as No Child Left Behind aren't changed, young Americans will pay the price.

"We are about to hand them over garbage," she said. "We're not where we need to be in the country, and we all know that."

Obama used words such as "divided," "isolated" and "cynical" to describe today's Americans. She said she thinks her husband's presidency would change that.

Dr. Ken Autrey, professor of English, was among those who attended the speech. He said it was more than just another stop for the Obama campaign.

"I had the impression that this was not a standard stump speech," Autrey said. "She had a lot to say about education."

Autrey said the speech was well received and that Obama made some valid points.

"I was very impressed," he said. "I feel she made an excellent case for her husband."

Venues such as Francis Marion are common on the campaign trail, especially for a presidential race. Michelle Obama emphasized that getting young people involved is one of the reason's her husband's campaign has taken off. She said much of the success of her husband's campaign has been a result of young people getting involved in the political process.

"It has generated the kind of enthusiasm and support among young people who have found something inspirational in this endeavor," she said. "We are proud of young people in this campaign."

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