BOULDER, Colo.—Michelle Obama energized a mostly young crowd of about 8,500 at the University of Colorado Wednesday, insisting her husband understands the economic struggles of the middle class and noting it was only a few years ago he paid off his own student loans.
Emphasizing the importance of young voters this election, Obama said Barack Obama relates to students on universal health care, renewable energy and the slumping economy.
“Barack Obama gets it. He gets it because he’s been there,” she said after talking about the struggles of graduating from college with debt. She noted how the Democratic candidate saw his mother worry about health insurance before she died of ovarian cancer at 53.
Only after writing two best-selling books could Obama pay his student loans, she told the voter registration rally.
“Don’t you want a candidate that brings that kind of perspective?” she said.
Both campaigns are fighting hard for Colorado’s nine electoral votes. Barack Obama was in Denver Monday, and Republican John McCain is due in the state this week.
“What happens here in the state can set the tone for what happens in the rest of the country,” Michelle Obama said. “This is a swing state and we want some swinging to be going on here.”
Her message resonated with La’Neice Littleton, 22, a CU senior.
“The idea that we can have a president who is just like us and has the same experiences as us is just amazing,” Littleton said.
Also speaking was former Denver Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith, the perennial Pro Bowler who urged students to register to vote. Smith said he regretted never having voted in an election until four years ago.
“I had the opportunity to vote in five elections and I only voted in one and that’s sad,” Smith said before asking, “How many of you all are supposed to be in class?” The crowd erupted in cheers.
“I like, I like it,” Smith said. “Make sure you make up for it next week.”
Monday is the deadline to register to vote in Colorado in November’s election.
