First lady speaks at Miami University

OXFORD, Ohio - Several hundred Obama supporters filled a gymnasium at Miami University Saturday afternoon, after waiting outside in the cold for hours to get a chance to hear first lady Michelle Obama speak about the importance of the upcoming election.

Once they were inside the the Withrow Court gymnasium, they were entertained by the Miami University marching band playing from the balcony and various Ohio and Butler County democratic candidates running for office. They are helping to build excitement for Michelle Obama's appearance in Butler County.

When the first lady started speaking around 2:35 p.m., her first comments were about how the cold and freezing rain around Miami University made her think about the tragedy of Superstorm Sandy and the victims it has claimed.

Michelle Obama told the crowd that no matter what they do, everyone must come together to make sure the people affected by Sandy are not forgotten.

The first lady then reminded the mainly college crowd about what President Obama has done for students and how he has made education a priority. She said that she and her husband could never have attended college without financial aid. That comment was met with sustained applause.

Possibly the biggest round of applause came when the Michelle Obama mentioned more troops coming home and that Osama bin Ladin had been killed.

The first lady also reminded her Oxford supporters that early voting is underway in Ohio, with county board of election offices open Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. as well as Monday morning through 2 p.m. She urged them to get out and vote.

She ended her comments just before 3 p.m., and spent the next  twenty minutes shaking hands of supporters near the stage.

Michelle Obama spoke at a similar event at Kenyon College earlier on Saturday.

We'll continue to update her appearance at Miami University, here at wcpo.com and with stories later on 9 News.