STORY BY SARAH LEBLANC
Drake University welcomed First Lady Michelle Obama on Friday to a crowded room filled with the sounds of a live band and the enthusiastic chanting of Braley supporters repeating “I Believe that Bruce will win.”
Before Obama spoke, Iowa’s Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley took the time to reiterate his political stances to the audience and stress the importance of voting on Nov. 4.
“I’m here today because I need your help. There’s a lot at stake in this election,” Braley said. “When Iowa voters ask ‘who’s on our side,’ I need you to tell them.”
To emphasize this point, Braley outlined his approval for increased economic support of minimum wage workers and college students, in addition to his support for the reproductive rights of women.
“I am on the side of 300,000 Iowans who would get a pay raise if we increased the minimum wage to ten dollars [per hour],” Braley said. “I am on the side of 220,000 college students who are getting federally insured student loans right now.”
Braley then introduced Michelle Obama who encouraged the audience to participate in the upcoming election.
To the roar of the crowd, Obama took the stage with an excited shout and welcomed attendees by sharing with what Iowa means to her family.
“I always get a little emotional when I come back to Iowa,” Obama said. “You taught me and my family what politics can be like at it’s very best. You even carved my husband’s face in butter.”
On behalf of Bruce Braley, Obama further praised Iowans for their compassion and genuine interest in the concerns of the state.
“You get to know your candidates for who they really are and what they stand for,” Obama said. “We know what Bruce stands for. He stands for you, he stands for your families, and that’s who Bruce is going to be fighting for when you send him to Washington.”
Senate elections for the seat of retiring Sen. Tom Harkin will take place in on November 4, and Obama adamantly insisted that Iowans should consider every day until then the equivalent of election day.
“Iowa we know how to do this, we’ve done it before,” Obama said. “I know we can keep making that change we believe in.I know we can elect Bruce Braley as [Iowa’s] next senator.”