Michelle Obama in Detroit: Stakes could not be higher in midterm elections

DETROIT, MI -- First lady Michelle Obama brought her election turnout message for women, young people and minorities to Michigan on Friday, rallying a crowd of Democrats in Downtown Detroit.

She gave a speech similar to talks she's been giving at campaign events around the country, this time for U.S. Rep. Gary Peters -- who's running for Senate against former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, and former congressman Mark Schauer -- who's challenging Gov. Rick Snyder for his seat.

"The stakes this year simply could not be higher," she said about upcoming mid-term elections that will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate.

"If we don't get folks to show up at the polls this weekend in November, if we don't elect leaders like Gary and Mark, then we know exactly what will happen... We will see more folks interfering in women's private decisions about our health care. We will see more opposition to immigration reform and raising the minimum wage for hard working folks here in this state."

She said it was women, young people and minorities who got and kept President Barack Obama in office.

"We are better off today than when Barack first took office," she said, citing historic economic growth, higher graduation rates and expanded health care availability since 2009.

"... But when the midterms come along, too many of our people don't turn out... We know this race is going to be close."

Peters and Schauer ahead of the first lady's speech each called Michigan an inherently Democratic-leaning state.

"We are a blue state. President Obama won here by nine points two years ago, didn't even have to campaign here," Schauer said after criticizing the governor and vowing to work to repeal pension taxes and right-to-work legislation.

"If you're a student, a teacher, a parent, or a senior, his choices aren't working for you and they are not going to."

Snyder's campaign in response Friday pointed to Detroit's resurgence and the state's improving economy.

"While Schauer and his allies are focused on negative attacks, the governor's positive message of nearly 300,000 new private sector jobs, the lowest unemployment rate in six years, an increased investment in education and the bipartisan creation of Detroit's Grand Bargain is resonating with voters," said Snyder campaign spokesperson Emily Benavides.

Lillie Jones, a Democrat from Chicago who traveled to Detroit to see Obama speak, said she admired the strategy and spirit of focusing on young people.

The first lady used the words "young people" 21 times in a similar Wisconsin speech last week.

"I love the focus on young people," Jones said. "I admire her for that. That's the future of our communities."

Jones, as an aside, said she's been impressed with Detroit's apparent resurgence.

"It's beautiful," she said. "They're catching up to Chicago."

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