Michelle Obama Campaigns In PittsburghMorning Rally In Oakland Focuses On EconomyPOSTED: 6:29 am EDT October 16,
2008 PITTSBURGH -- Michelle Obama, the wife of Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama, campaigned at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland Thursday morning.  Watch: Michelle Obama Campaigns In PittsburghAt the rally, she told about 2,000 supporters that the economy, affordable health care, the war and education are personal issues, not just political ones.Michelle Obama talked to supporters about the change her husband wants to bring. She was interrupted by someone in the middle of her speech, an 82-year-old man with a message.Harry Williams caught Michelle Obama's attention. And Michelle Obama certainly has his."It's just like religion to me. Like when you get sanctified and you shout out? I just couldn't hold it in. I had to get up and say something," Williams said.Williams lives in Schenley Heights. He said he never thought he'd see the day he'd get the chance to vote for an African-American president. And he's not alone."I never thought in my lifetime that I would see a black man running for president and being that far away. I'm just so happy. I don't know what to do with myself. I have chills all over my body right now," said Yvonne Godbolt after the rally.Michelle Obama talked generally about the economy and education and new jobs. She said the economy becomes personal when people put $20 in their gas tank "and that $20 doesn't do anything anymore."She also said her husband is the only candidate with the temperament and plan to face the unprecedented challenges facing the nation."I'm just trying to tell people that Barack Obama gets it. He gets it because he lived it," Michelle Obama said.When the rally was over, Michelle Obama made a point of meeting Williams and signed the poster he waved at the rally.Williams said he hopes his wife won't get jealous because he hugged Michelle Obama, or be upset because of the invitation he offered the Obama family."If she sees this tape, I hope she doesn't get mad at me. I invited Michelle, Obama and their kids to come to our house and have dinner with us. Win or lose," Williams said.Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and Teresa Heinz Kerry were in the crowd.After the rally, Michelle Obama went to a lunch event at Steelers chairman Dan Rooney's house on the city's North Side.Those in attendance included Kiya Tomlin, the wife of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, and their daughter; former Steelers running back Franco Harris; City Councilman Doug Shields; and Rooney, who has been a public supporter of Barack Obama's campaign. Related Links:
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