Michelle Obama revs up Democrats at Las Vegas rally

By Delen Goldberg

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

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

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.

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.