Michelle Obama declared "I love this country" Monday as she sought to reassure America that she and husband Barack share their bedrock values, the AP reports. In the first major address at the Democratic National Convention, Obama described herself as a daughter, a sister, a wife, and a mother, no different from many women. She told a boisterous crowd that she and her husband feel an obligation to "fight for the world as it should be" to ensure the promise of a better life for their daughters and all children.
Daughters Sasha and Malia joined Michelle on stage after the speech and exchanged in a give-and-take with Barack via video. Michelle's mission was to humanize her husband and tell skeptical voters that he's not so different, despite his unusual name and exotic background. Her address was the first big step in a weeklong effort to reassure dubious voters that the nominee understands their problems and beliefs.
(More Michelle Obama stories.)