Courtesy of Prince Spells

Michelle Obama waves to a crowd in southwest Philadelphia, where she spoke on working-class issues and the need for policy solutions.

BY KEVIN BENTLEY

In print | Published October 2, 2008

Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, wives of the Democratic presidential and vice-presidential nominees, hosted an outdoor rally at the Francis Meyers Recreation Center in the Kingsessing area of southwest Philadelphia on Sept. 24. They were joined by a host of Democratic Party luminaries from the Philadelphia area, including Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. The rally was planned for earlier in the week, but plans were altered due to the recent death of a police officer, Patrick McDonald, who received a dedication during the rally. The event emphasized the historical nature of the Democratic campaign, as well as the importance of voter registration.

The Obama campaign has spearheaded a massive program to get the public, particularly the African-American community, involved in the political process. The campaign chose Kingsessing as the location for the rally because voter turnout in this predominantly African-American area has been traditionally low. Pennsylvania is a swing state in the upcoming election, and this district, the rally organizers believe, could potentially prove the difference in the election.

Governor Edward Rendell was the first speaker to address the crowd. Rendell spoke of his belief that Barack Obama is the best candidate to tackle American problems both abroad and domestically. He also said he believes that Obama will crusade for what he considered an ailing middle class. “We need to bail out not Wall Street, but Main Street, Elm Street and Kingsessing Street,” Rendell said to a joyous crowd. Rendell stated that every person at the rally had a job to do when the event was over. “Job number one as volunteers is to make sure [everybody is] registered to vote,” Rendell said. “Next job, after October 6, is to get everyone to the polls.” Voter registration and the American public’s participation in this election are points that the Obama campaign has constantly stressed.

Before Michelle Obama took the stage, Mayor Michael Nutter spoke to the crowd, stating his belief that the American people need a president who will take responsibility for the American people. “The United States President checked out seven and half years ago,” Nutter said. “We’ve got some 40-odd days to change the course of history and I cannot take another 40 days and 40 nights of this administration.”

Governor Rendell had nothing but praise for the potential first and second wives, Michelle Obama and Jill Biden. Rendell presented Jill Biden to the audience as being a true Philadelphian with the capability to understand how ordinary Americans are feeling. “She is a real Philadelphian,” Rendell said. “A lot people did not know that she grew up right on Willowgrove Avenue and Broad Street.” Turning to Michelle, Rendell painted the image of a poised woman who was an accomplished lawyer, doting mother and devoted wife.

Rendell emphasized that Michelle Obama left corporate America behind to begin a career devoted to public service. “She could have written her own ticket, but instead helped her husband and [built] a beautiful American family.” Her public service resume includes founding a Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an organization that helps promote young leaders.

During her stump speech, Michelle Obama reiterated the overarching themes that were expressed at various points throughout the rally, including the historical importance of both the Obama campaign and voter registration.

The Obama campaign has repeatedly stressed the urgency of voter registration and mobilization, particularly among demographic groups that have historically exhibited low levels of participation in electoral politics. “We see young people finding their voice and we see old people say that they never felt this way about an election,” Obama said. Denise Dennis ’72, author of “A Century of Greatness” and “Black History for Beginners,” has covered presidential campaigns extensively as a reporter for The Huffington Post. At Wednesday’s rally, Dennis echoed Michelle Obama’s statement with her observation that the Obama campaign’s innovative grassroots mobilization strategy “is a game-changer for American elections.”

Referring to her own working-class roots, Michelle Obama said that she understands what the American people are going through. “These issues are not just issues, this is personal,” Obama said to thunderous applause. Acknowledging that the American economy has fallen into disarray, Obama stressed the need for “real solutions.” “The old ways are not working … Don’t we deserve policies that fit our reality? We need leaders who get it and Barack gets it because he has been there,” she said.

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