Obama, who spoke in front of a crowd of around 6,000 at William Neal Reynolds Coliseum, praised Clinton’s experience and character, and said she is one of the most qualified people to ever run for president.
“The presidency does not change who you are, it reveals who you are,” she said.
Obama said individual votes make a difference. In 2008, President Obama carried North Carolina by 14,000 votes — which she said amounted to two or three votes per precinct.
“It’s not enough to go to a rally, get a selfie,” she said. “It’s not enough to get angry and just speak out about the change we need. We all must take action to elect folks who will stand with us to make that change happen.”
Doreen Pearson, a Raleigh resident who attended the rally, said this statement stuck with her.
“I mean, to just even break it down in that way, it’s like, wow,” she said. “Everyone says, ‘well, my vote doesn’t count’ — she put it in perspective.”
In a statement from the Republican National Committee, N.C. spokesperson Kara Carter said Obama’s appearance shows voters remain indifferent about Clinton.
“Unfortunately for the Clinton campaign, sending celebrities and now Michelle Obama to North Carolina only highlights the fact that she’s failed to inspire enthusiasm from the young voters she desperately needs to turn out come Nov. 8,” she said.
