Michelle Obama calls out ‘birtherism’ at campaign stop for Clinton

First Lady Michelle Obama denounced the caustic campaign style of Donald Trump on Friday, demonstrating a new willingness to wade into this year’s messy political battle while arguing for a Hillary Clinton presidency.

While she didn’t mention Trump by name, the first lady aimed squarely at the Republican candidate’s most pronounced positions and tactics, including his persistent challenges to her husband’s eligibility for office.

“There were those who questioned and continue to question for the past eight years, up through this very day, whether my husband was even born in this country,” Obama said in Fairfax, Virginia, during her first solo campaign appearance for Clinton. “Well, during his time in office, I think Barack has answered those questions with the example he set by going high when they go low.”

The first lady was speaking hours after Trump – who for five years has etched a reputation as the country’s highest-profile “birther,” questioning if the President was born in the US – admitted that Obama was born in America.

It was a rare moment of unvarnished political firepower from the first lady, who has largely remained outside of – and above – the political fracas this year. Once designated “The Closer” on her husband’s campaigns for the White House, Obama on Friday entered a race more bitterly fought than either of her husband’s own election battles.

In her half-hour-long remarks, she argued Trump’s brand of politics should be kept far from the Oval Office, predicting his bombastic style of campaigning wouldn’t mellow if he wins.

“Being president isn’t anything like reality TV,” she said. “It’s not about sending insulting tweets or making fiery speeches, it’s about whether or not the candidate can handle the awesome responsibility of leading this country.”

She continued: “If a candidate is erratic and threatening; if a candidate traffics in prejudice, fears and lies on the trail; if a candidate has no clear plans to implement their goals; if they disrespect their fellow citizens, including folks who made extraordinary sacrifices for our country; let me tell you, that is who they are. That is the kind of president they will be, trust me.”

With virtually unmatched popularity at her back, Michelle Obama sought to cast the race as a make-or-break moment for the country’s future. She was debuting on the stump Friday in the hopes of galvanizing suburban voters behind a candidate she once fiercely opposed.

Obama: “I really, really, really want to elect Hillary Clinton”

“When she didn’t win the presidency in 2008, she didn’t throw in the towel,” the first lady said of Clinton. “She once again answered the call to serve, keeping us safe as our secretary of state. And let me tell you, Hillary has the resilience that it takes to do this job. See, because when she gets knocked down, she doesn’t complain or cry foul. No, she gets right back up and she comes back stronger for the people who need her the most.”

At her campaign rally, Obama worked to convince her and her husband’s supporters that Clinton is also worthy of their votes. The rally on the campus of George Mason University was timed ahead of the commonwealth’s October 17 voter registration deadline.

“When I hear folks saying they’re not inspired this this election, I disagree. I am inspired,” she said, urging the crowd to register to vote and actually cast ballots for Clinton.

Michelle Obama: “When they go low, we go high”

Hillary Clinton, the Democratic Party's presidential nominee, takes the stage before giving a speech Thursday at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

Clinton walks on stage with her running mate, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine.

Balloons fall from the ceiling of the Wells Fargo Center after Clinton's speech.

Clinton arrives for her speech.

During her speech, Clinton ripped into Republican nominee Donald Trump for his convention pitch "I alone can fix it." She said: "He's forgetting every last one of us. Americans don't say: 'I alone can fix it.' We say: 'We'll fix it together.' "

Clinton acknowledges the crowd before her speech.

Clinton's husband, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, applauds along with their daughter, Chelsea.

Clinton is the first woman in U.S. history to lead the presidential ticket of a major political party. "It's true," she said in her speech, "I sweat the details of policy -- whether we're talking about the exact level of lead in the drinking water in Flint, Michigan; the number of mental health facilities in Iowa; or the cost of your prescription drugs. ... Because it's not just a detail if it's your kid, if it's your family. It's a big deal. And it should be a big deal to your President."

Clinton gives a thumbs-up to the crowd.

Clinton embraces her daughter before speaking.

Bill Clinton becomes emotional Thursday as he listens to Chelsea introduce her mother.

Chelsea Clinton said her mother is a "listener and a doer, a woman driven by compassion, by faith, by kindness, a fierce sense of justice, and a heart full of love."

Singer Katy Perry performs "Rise" on Thursday.

Khizr Khan holds his personal copy of the U.S. Constitution as he speaks Thursday. His son, Humayun S. M. Khan, was one of the 14 American Muslims who have died serving their country since 9/11. In his remarks, Khan criticized the Republican nominee: "If it was up to Donald Trump, (my son) never would have been in America. ... Donald Trump, you are asking Americans to trust you with our future. Let me ask you: Have you even read the U.S. Constitution? I will gladly lend you my copy."

Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar talks at the convention on Thursday.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi speaks to the crowd at the Wells Fargo Center.

Delegates cheer on Thursday.

LGBT rights activist Sarah McBride takes the stage.

Delegates hold up signs in support of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

Clinton and U.S. President Barack Obama wave to the crowd Wednesday after Obama gave a speech.

Obama and Clinton hug after Obama's speech.

Obama and Clinton acknowledge the crowd.

Clinton points to Obama as she walks on stage after his speech.

Delegates stand as Obama speaks.

"This year, in this election, I'm asking you to join me -- to reject cynicism, reject fear, to summon what's best in us; to elect Hillary Clinton as the next President of the United States, and show the world we still believe in the promise of this great nation," Obama said.

Obama told the crowd at the Wells Fargo Center that he is "more optimistic about the future of America than ever before." He contrasted it with the "pessimistic vision" of America he heard during the Republican convention last week. "There were no serious solutions to pressing problems -- just the fanning of resentment, and blame, and anger, and hate," he said.

Obama said Clinton is more ready than he was to become President. "For four years, I had a front-row seat to her intelligence, her judgment and her discipline," Obama said, referring to her stint as secretary of state.

The crowd welcomes Obama.

Clinton's running mate, Tim Kaine, waves to the crowd along with his wife, Anne Holton, after giving a speech on Wednesday.

During his speech, Kaine said: "Hillary Clinton and I are compañeros del alma. We share this belief: Do all the good you can. And serve one another. Pretty simple. That's what I'm about. That's what you're about. That's what Bernie Sanders is about. That's what Joe Biden is about. That's what Barack and Michelle Obama are about. And that's what Hillary Clinton is about."

Delegates hold posters during Kaine's speech.

Kaine comes out to the stage on Wednesday.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, right, cheers during the speech of former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

"I understand the appeal of a businessman President. But Trump's business plan is a disaster in the making," said Bloomberg, an independent. He said the Republican nominee is a "risky, reckless, and radical choice."

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden also went after Trump, saying "this guy doesn't have a clue about the middle class -- not a clue. Actually, he has no clue, period."

Biden walks to the podium before delivering his speech.

A delegate wears a Bernie Sanders mask on Wednesday. Sanders finished second to Clinton in the presidential primaries.

Broadway performers sing "What the World Needs Now Is Love" on Wednesday.

Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords waves to the audience before speaking on Wednesday.

People hold up prints that pay respect to those who were killed in the Charleston, South Carolina, church shooting of June 2015. Two survivors of the shooting were speaking to the crowd.

A delegate wears stickers in support of Clinton.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid is escorted to the podium by his wife, Landra, on Wednesday.

Clinton appears live on a video screen Tuesday night. Just a few hours earlier, she officially became the party's presidential nominee. She is the first woman to lead a major party's presidential ticket. "I can't believe we just put the biggest crack in that glass ceiling yet," she told the crowd.

Actress Meryl Streep addresses the crowd before Clinton's video message. Streep said Clinton will be the first female President of the United States, "but she won't be the last."

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton waves to the crowd before giving a speech on Tuesday.

The former President told the crowd about how he met his wife for the first time. He also called her "the best damn change-maker I've ever met in my entire life."

Bill Clinton arrives on stage to give his speech. In his speech, he portrayed his wife as a woman who tirelessly ran a family and a career. "She always wants to move the ball forward," he said. "That is just who she is."

Former U.S. secretary of state Madeleine Albright waves to the crowd after speaking on Tuesday.

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean re-enacts his infamous "Dean Scream" during his speech.

Actresses America Ferrera, right, and Lena Dunham walk on stage to deliver remarks.

Florida delegate Bernard Jennings holds a cardboard cutout of Hillary Clinton over the face of his young son Ethan on Tuesday.

"Mothers of the Movement" -- mothers whose unarmed children have been killed by law enforcement or due to gun violence -- take the stage Tuesday.

Actress Elizabeth Banks walks onto the stage Tuesday.

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders waves to the crowd after the Vermont delegation cast its roll-call votes Tuesday.

Sanders smiles while attending roll call. He moved to name Clinton the official nominee.

The crowd cheers after Clinton was formally nominated.

A delegate cries during the roll-call vote Tuesday.

A staff member tallies Alabama's votes during roll call on Tuesday.

Delegates hold up signs referring to Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, the running mate of Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Sanders delivers the headline speech on Monday. "I understand that many people here in this convention hall and around the country are disappointed about the final results of the nominating process," Sanders said. "I think it's fair to say that no one is more disappointed than I am. But to all of our supporters -- here and around the country -- I hope you take enormous pride in the historical accomplishments we have achieved."

Sanders spoke out against Republican nominee Donald Trump and said Clinton must become President. "If you don't believe this election is important, if you think you can sit it out, take a moment to think about the Supreme Court justices that Donald Trump would nominate and what that would mean to civil liberties, equal rights and the future of our country," Sanders said.

Sanders acknowledges the crowd at the Wells Fargo Center.

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren talks to the crowd in Philadelphia. "We are not going to be Donald Trump's hate-filled America," she said. "Not now. Not ever."

First lady Michelle Obama gives a speech. "This election -- every election -- is about who will have the power to shape our children for the next four or eight years of our lives," she said. "And I am here tonight because in this election, there is only one person who I trust with that responsibility -- only one person who I believe is truly qualified to be President of the United States. And that is our friend, Hillary Clinton."

Obama waves to the crowd.

In his speech Monday, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker included a message about togetherness. "Patriotism is love of country. But you can't love your country without loving your countrymen and countrywomen," he said.

Singer Paul Simon performs "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

Delegates hold up signs Monday.

U.S. Sen. Al Franken appears on stage with comedian Sarah Silverman. Franken, of course, has a comedic background as well, having once starred on "Saturday Night Live."

Anastasia Somoza, an advocate for people with disabilities, comes out to speak.

Former pro basketball players Jason Collins, left, and Jarron Collins wave to the crowd. Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in the NBA, said he told the Clintons about his sexual orientation before coming out publicly.

A delegate wears a pin showing her support of Clinton.

Delegates hold signs reading "Love trumps hate" on Monday.

A delegate supports Sanders at the convention.

Tape on a delegate's mouth makes a statement Monday about the Democratic National Committee. Recently leaked committee emails appeared to show favoritism toward Clinton in the primary race, and many Sanders supporters entered the convention upset. The controversy has caused Debbie Wasserman Schultz to step down as the committee's chairwoman at the end of the convention.

Members of the media stand during the event.

The Democratic National Convention

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Obamas take to trail

Clinton’s campaign is relying on the Obamas to help persuade the coalition of minorities, young people and women who propelled them to the White House to cast ballots for this year’s Democratic candidate. The President made his first solo appeal this week, appearing at a campaign rally in Philadelphia and phoning in to African-American radio to talk up Clinton.

“I get frustrated hearing folks say, ‘You know, we’re so excited with Barack, we love Michelle, they take Hillary for granted,’” Obama told syndicated host Frankie Darcell. “This is not a reality show. This is not something where it’s all flash and fizzle.”

Michelle Obama: “It matters” that black kids see the Obamas in the White House

The first lady is Clinton’s most popular campaign surrogate, with polls pegging her favorable rating near 60%. She’s largely avoided the type of policy role that Clinton sought as a presidential spouse, choosing to focus on more broadly accepted topics like supporting military families and combating obesity in children.

She’s carefully positioned herself as a cultural icon, appearing on popular television programs as a vehicle to advance her agenda. This week she co-hosted Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show, partaking in a stunt that saw the host teach the first lady how to shop in a CVS.

Those types of appearances have lent the first lady a degree of authenticity the Clinton campaign hopes will extend to the political realm.

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“When you’re in public service, you’re first lady, the president and you’re interacting with the world, people can smell inauthenticity,” Obama told Oprah Winfrey during a summit on women’s issues in June. “They know when you are not what you appear to be. And that was always something that I said in this role that I want people to know me, know Michelle, Michelle Robinson Obama, not the first lady. In every interaction I have had with anybody who’s had some connection with me, I have tried to be authentically myself.”