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POLITICS:

Michelle Obama revs up Democrats at Las Vegas rally

Image

Leila Navidi

Sen. Harry Reid and First Lady Michelle Obama greet each other during a rally at Canyon Springs High School in North Las Vegas Monday, November 1, 2010.

By (contact)

Published Monday, Nov. 1, 2010 | 10:15 a.m.

Updated Monday, Nov. 1, 2010 | 2:41 p.m.

Michelle and Harry

Sen. Harry Reid and First Lady Michelle Obama greet each other during a rally at Canyon Springs High School in North Las Vegas Monday, November 1, 2010. Launch slideshow »

Sun Coverage

2010 General Election

Zip Code
Party Affilliation
Democrat — 60.9%
Republican — 19.1%
Independent — 15.2%
Other — 2.3%
Tea Party of Nevada — 0.8%
Green — 0.7%
Libertarian — 0.7%
Independent American Party — 0.3%
Who are you voting for in the U.S. Senate race?
Harry Reid — 70.7%
Sharron Angle — 26.9%
Scott Ashjian — 1.1%
Wil Stand — 0.5%
Tim Fasano — 0.3%
Jesse Holland — 0.3%
Jeffrey C. Reeves — 0.3%
Michael L. Haines — 0%
Who are you voting for in the Nevada gubernatorial race?
Rory Reid — 61.6%
Brian Sandoval — 32.3%
David Scott Curtis — 2.9%
Eugene "Gino" Disimone — 1.1%
Aaron Y. Honig — 0.8%
Floyd Fitzgibbons — 0.7%
Arthur Forest Lampitt Jr. — 0.6%
Who are you voting for in the U.S. House District 3 race?
Dina Titus — 66.2%
Joe Heck — 29.4%
Barry Michaels — 2.1%
Joseph P. Silvestri — 1.9%
Scott David Narter — 0.5%

This poll is closed, see Full Results »

Note: This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

Posted at 1:09 p.m. (Updated at 1:37 p.m.)

First Lady Michelle Obama, in North Las Vegas today to stump for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, appealed to people's parental and civic responsibility in urging them to vote Democratic and largely steered clear of the political power play that has defined this election season.

Obama certainly highlighted Reid's accomplishments in Washington during the rally at Canyon Springs High School. Without Reid, she said, President Barack Obama would not have been able to push through the health care bill, Wall Street reform, financial aid increases for students and veterans or tax cuts for small businesses and the middle class.

But the first lady did not focus on the value of Reid's title or the importance of Democrats controlling Congress, as have many other national figures -- including her husband -- who have tried to help Reid on the campaign trail. Instead, the self-appointed "mom in chief" stressed that the reforms Reid and the Democrats passed have made the country a better place for children and future generations.

"Regardless of where we're from, what we look like, we all want to leave something better for our kids," said Obama, who noted that her daughters are at the heart of everything she does. "For too many folks, that dream feels like it's slipping away."

"This election is not about all that we have accomplished these past several years," she said. "This election is about all we have left to do."

Obama said her husband ran for president because he wanted to alleviate people's concerns that the American promise of upward mobility was broken and restore people's hope that leaders in Washington care. The president is on his way to doing that, she said, but needs Reid's help to finish the job.

"Harry Reid is a champion for folks who need someone on their side again," Obama said. "We're here to renew that promise and support that dream."

Obama also urged voters to support Reps. Shelley Berkley and Dina Titus, who is facing her own tough re-election bid in Nevada's 3rd Congressional District.

Democrats, who are perceived to have an enthusiasm gap this election cycle, need to harness the energy that put Obama in the White House two years ago and translate it into votes for Reid. Mrs. Obama encouraged everyone who helped elect her husband two years ago to work twice as hard this year.

The first lady acknowledged that times are tough, particularly for families in Nevada. She said she understands that people are losing their jobs and homes and feel like the change the president promised has been slow coming.

"We expected all this change to come at once," Obama said. "Truth is, it's going to take a lot longer to dig us out of this hole."

The first lady quoted her husband. "Change is hard. Change is slow."

"We have come much too far to turn back now," Obama warned.

Then, as if it were 2008, she chanted three times: "Can we do this?"

Three times the crowd of more than 1,000 chanted back, "Yes!"

Obama closed the rally, the final one for Democrats before Election Day, with two familiar phrases: "Yes, we can and yes, we must."

Posted at 11:01 a.m.

The Nevada Republican Party responded to today's visit by Michelle Obama:

“It’s awfully nice for the White House to spend the last of their political goodwill rearranging the seats on Senator Harry Reid’s sinking ship, but tomorrow voters will come out droves to hold Senator Reid accountable for his failed economic policies that has resulted in 195,000 unemployed Nevadans and an unemployment rate of 14.4 percent,” said Jahan Wilcox, spokesman for the Nevada Republican Party.

Posted at 10:37 a.m.

Rep. Dina Titus called this election the most critical in recent history and urged Democratic ralliers -- who mostly voted early -- to use their energy to encourage others to vote.

"Anybody here ready to 'woman up' and show Republicans how it's done?" Titus asked, coopting Republican Senate candidate Sharron Angle's "man up" phrase, which Angle has hurled numerous times at Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

"I really need your help," Titus said. "Harry Reid needs your help, and all the Ðemocrats up and down the ticket really need your help."

Titus borrowed from her campaign commercials and described Angle and Republican House challenger Joe Heck as two peas in a pod, who both want to kill Social Security and return the country to the failed policies of the Bush administration.

Then Titus whipped out her cell phone and called a voter live from the stage. She spent the first few seconds of the conversation convincing the voter that it wasn't a robo call. Then she urged the voter to head out to the polls.

Click to enlarge photo

Leila Navidi

Supporters look on during a rally for Sen. Harry Reid with First Lady Michelle Obama at Canyon Springs High School in North Las Vegas Monday, November 1, 2010.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, who is facing a much less competitive race in the 1st Congressional District, took the stage with a similar message.

"Don't be sending me back to Washington without my friend Dina Titus," Berkley said.

On the Senate race: "This election is about a man who loves Nevada," Berkley said. "I don't know who (Angle) is representing or who she'd fight for. Nevada can't afford Sharron Angle."

Posted at 10:15 a.m.

People are streaming into Canyon Springs High School in North Las Vegas this morning to hear First Lady Michelle Obama deliver the final battle cry for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the Democrats.

The First Lady is expected to take the stage about 11 a.m. to fire up voters and try to tip the tight election in favor of the Democrats.

Warm-up speakers are reminding the crowd of about 700 to vote and stressing the importance of returning Reid to Washington. Singers are belting out patriotic tunes and a mariachi band took the stage.

Democratic Reps. Shelley Berkley and Dina Titus, who is facing her own difficult re-election bid in Nevada's 3rd Congressional District, will lead attendees in what organizers hope is the largest phone bank in the nation.

Every person who attends the rally will receive a list of targeted voters, whom they will call as Obama speaks.

Organizers expect a crowd of about 1,500 and hope to reach out to at least 15,000 voters.

"We may change the results today," one speaker told the crowd.

Both Reid and Titus are neck-in-neck with their opponents, with polls showing voters leaning slightly Republican.

Discussion: 20 comments so far…

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  1. By jmsmaxwell (James Maxwell)
    Nov. 1, 2010
    10:32 a.m.
    Flag

    This should be quite intersting, Michell is even more libeal than Harry is and enjoys her time in the spotlight. She enjoys travelihng at the expense of Amerian Tax Payers even more especially when she can take her entrouge with her at our
    expense also. Like her husband I am willing to bet she will not talk without a teleprompter to tell her what to say and keep her real thoughts off the airways.

  2. By echazard (Erin Hazard)
    Nov. 1, 2010
    10:41 a.m.
    Flag

    @jmsmaxwell

    She must have had fun in Africa on her trip with her daughters. Oh... that was Laura Bush, that's right...

  3. By mred
    Nov. 1, 2010
    11:08 a.m.
    Flag

    You had "classy Heidi Harris" on Beasley Broadcasting this morning: "Take out the trash!"

    Is that a veiled death threat?

    Gee, these "Christians" who wear their religion on their sleeve certainly are full of hate.

  4. By gmag39
    Nov. 1, 2010
    11:57 a.m.
    Flag

    Erin Hazard...
    Ha ha ha!!!
    Good one. The clueless are legion!
    Take Heidi Heidi Ho Harris for example

  5. By mred
    Nov. 1, 2010
    12:42 p.m.
    Flag

    We need to expand mental health facilities for Angle and her tea party people.

  6. By leonhardsr (Carl Leonhard senior)
    Nov. 1, 2010
    12:48 p.m.
    Flag

    Michele Ubama is getting very good press. Remenber when she remarked BEFOR her husband was nominated for President. That she finally respects America. Prior to Ubama's election she was good freinds with the Farakans and the Terrorist Bombers.
    Who could be influenced to vote democrat by her.

  7. By boftx
    Nov. 1, 2010
    1:28 p.m.
    Flag

    "... We believe that if you work hard you should make a decent wage and have a secure retirement. We believe that if you fulfill your responsibilities everyday you should be able to provide for your families." - Michelle Obama

    Mrs. Obama forgot one last point. They also believe that even if you do *not* fulfill your responsibilities, or even if you are here illegally, you are entitled to the same benefits on the backs of the rest of the people.

    And THAT is why many of us do not accept the Democrats.

  8. By tallison46 (Tom Allison)
    Nov. 1, 2010
    1:34 p.m.
    Flag

    We can no longer afford the Reid's, or their friends...

  9. By gmag39
    Nov. 1, 2010
    1:50 p.m.
    Flag

    "They also believe that even if you do *not* fulfill your responsibilities, or even if you are here illegally, you are entitled to the same benefits on the backs of the rest of the people."

    boftx...
    WHY, oh why, do you perpetuate such MYTHS???

    righties;
    Only WE are responsible; the rest of you are loafers!!
    THAT is EXACTLY what Sharron Angle has run her campaign on...

  10. By echazard (Erin Hazard)
    Nov. 1, 2010
    1:55 p.m.
    Flag

    @tallison46

    Yeah, talking points!!! Fox News has another viewer.

  11. By boftx
    Nov. 1, 2010
    2:32 p.m.
    Flag

    gmag39,

    You know just as well as I do that citizenship status rarely, if ever, is a factor for receiving social services. You also know that the best way to get more benefits is for an unwed mother to have another child.

    This is the fundamental contradiction with the Democrats. They want social justice for everyone, yet do not wish to impose individual responsibility to go along with it.

    To be fair, there is a fundamental contradiction with Republicans, too. That they want limited government, but allow religious belief to impose upon individual freedom.

  12. By mred
    Nov. 1, 2010
    3:22 p.m.
    Flag

    10 Right Wing talk radio stations in the state running anti-Reid propaganda, one middle of the road station in Reno....if Reid survives the fairness doctrine should be impowsed by the FCC and the President by executive order.

  13. By mred
    Nov. 1, 2010
    5:03 p.m.
    Flag

    Gee, it wasn't to long ago that some Germans were referring to certain groups of people in the same way we hear some talk of "carpet bagging crackers" today.

    The people who didn't belong: Jews, Gypsy (Roma) and Jehovah's Witnesses...people with the wrong last names. Now it is Titus, then it was Fink.

  14. By BACampbell (Barb Campbell)
    Nov. 1, 2010
    6:33 p.m.
    Flag

    Gee ... the Republicans are blogging in full force today - same old hateful, lying propaganda.

    Senator Harry Reid and First Lady Michelle Obama are intelligent, conscientious fighters for average Americans. They've both been viciously slandered by the rightwing so that the same old Washington insiders from the Bush days can regain power and guarantee riches for their buddies.

    I've seen Michelle Obama speak at an outdoor rally during the 2008 campaign. She had notes - no teleprompter. Her notes blew away early in her speech and she continued her remarks without them, not missing a beat. She is articulate, composed, and gracious.

    Too bad the Glenn Becks of this country have had so much influence on the gullible.

  15. By boftx
    Nov. 1, 2010
    8:15 p.m.
    Flag

    The video is funny the first time around, but there has been so much commentary and fact checking that it has worn off.

    But one video that was *never* fact checked was the one on 8 News Now where he said that even though the Pew Hispanic institute shows Nevada as having the highest rate of illegal workers in the country, that Nevada did not have a problem with illegals in the workforce.

    One thing that should be kept in mind. Harry Reid's immigration reform plan will make the vast majority of jobs currently held by illegal workers a permanent loss for citizens and legal immigrants. That will NOT help Nevada's unemployment rate.

  16. By ChipThome (Dennis Thome)
    Nov. 1, 2010
    11:42 p.m.
    Flag

    I see where, not here but elsewhere where they are reporting the truth, Michelle Antoinette couldn't even fill a high school auditorium. So tell me, how exactly do you rev up an empty seat ???

  17. By leonhardsr (Carl Leonhard senior)
    Nov. 2, 2010
    7:58 a.m.
    Flag

    The Ubama,s hava lot of Nerve appearing in Las Vegas to push there Backer Reid for another disaster Term.
    The voters of Las Vegas should recall when Ubama critized Big companys for holding there conventions in Las Vegas. A trmendous amount of Companies canceled there conventions.

  18. By Det__Munch
    Nov. 2, 2010
    9:15 a.m.
    Flag

    What is scary more than Angle actually winning is that SO MANY Nevadans are so naieve. No - actually stupid - to think Angle is their savior. You think unemployment is high now - wait. All those vacant home foreclosures - Section 8. Granted, Reid hasn't done much for the State and he sure has the power to do so and maybe he'll wake up tomorrow and realize how close he came to losing his job and get off his ass and do something but Angle has NOTHING, ZIP, NADA, ZILCH power in helping the State. Hopefully, sanity will make a come back and she will not get elected. If she does - God bless the State of Nevada and it's People - 'cause you're all gonna need it. NO ONE will take the State seriously - it'll just be where Las Vegas is located.

  19. By vote555 (Shirley Gallagher)
    Nov. 2, 2010
    11:09 a.m.
    Flag

    Democratic's go vote and send a message to Sharron Angle that we don't all look alike.

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