Michelle Obama gets warm reception in conservative Southwest Florida today.

[madfloridian]

Ft. Myers is fairly conservative, yet they appear to have welcomed her in a very warm way. There is a slideshow of pictures as well. Later in the day she was in Orlando, have not heard more about that yet.

Michelle Obama gets warm reception


Special To News-press.com City Manager William Mitchell and Mayor James Humphrey present Michelle Obama with the key to the city. Michelle Obama greeted guests at a VIP breakfast reception this morning at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre before speaking to a sold-out crowd

Almost 600 people jammed the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre to hear Michelle Obama, wife of presumptive Democratic nominee Barack, deliver a 21-minute speech, preceded by breakfast, and a photo session with each of about 100 major donors. Organizers said the event raised about $200,000, not only from admission that started at $100 - a $500 check got the donor a photo with Michelle Obama and a chance to say a few words as the picture was taken - but from those who wrote additional checks after hearing her speech.

"She's so eloquent, and you can tell she speaks from the heart," said Dena Geraghty of Fort Myers. "She has that gift of making you feel like an old friend, like she is truly interested in what you have to say. And of course, what she has to say is so important for the whole country."

Glad to see CFO Alex Sink with her. She has a lot of influence here.

Southwest Florida's voter rolls are dominated by Republicans - 137,018 to 87,692 Democrats in Lee - and for years Democratic candidates have generally ceded this part of Florida to the GOP. But the Obama campaign - aided by record-breaking fundraising success - is reaching out to such areas far more than campaigns of the past, said Adrianne Marsh, a spokeswoman for Obama's Florida campaign.

"You're going to see Obama in a lot of places where you may not have seen many Democratic candidates in the past," she said. "His message is one of inclusion, and his policies resonate with people. So we're taking that message to some nontraditional" campaign locations. Fort Myers Mayor Jim Humphrey, another prominent Republican, gave Michelle Obama the key to the city. She thanked Humphrey from the stage for his warm welcome.

Florida's Democratic CFO Alex Sink was on hand to introduce Michelle Obama, and Sink, too, noted the exceptional turnout in a Republican stronghold.

I believe she was in Miami earlier, and in Orlando this evening at higher end fundraiser.

[AtomicKitten]

1. Wonderful to hear. She looks lovely.

:thumbsup:

[madfloridian]

2. Isn't that a great picture? I love it.

:hi:

[madrchsod]

3. obama won over 20% of the republicans in illinois

during the 2004 race in many solid republican counties in illinois. he`s going to do the same across this country.

Michelle is better at public speaking than barack is and it is no surprise to me that she can "win friends and influence people". looks like we are going to get a package deal in 2009....

oh yes...600 people-200,000 dollars...

[mucifer]

17. he was running against alan keyes here in IL

[Mad_Dem_X]

4. She's a class act

Just the kind of First Lady this country needs.

[flpoljunkie]

5. Terrific! Thanks for posting, madfl!

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. kick & r

[barack the house]

7. She deserves all the love in the world it seems to make her blossom.

[madfloridian]

8. Looks like FL Dems are coming through for her. Pic with Grace Nelson.

I am glad to see this. She had two events in Orlando yesterday, and was picked up at the airport by Grace Nelson, wife of Bill Nelson. Alex Sink, the lady who is our Chief Financial Officer, and Grace Nelson...two who can really help her here.


Michelle Obama and Grace Nelson (left), wife of Sen. Bill Nelson, arrive in Orlando for a meeting with the Adult Literacy League. (Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY)

Candidate's wife stops in Central Florida

The Democratic candidate’s wife met today with seven volunteers of the Adult Literacy League in Orlando. She told the workers about her husband’s commitment to volunteer programs.

“We’re so proud of you,” said Obama, who did not grant news media interviews during the brief stop. Having worked with non-profit agencies in Chicago, Obama posed several informed questions.

“How many adult learners can you handle?” she asked. “How do you guys do outreach?”

...."Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson’s wife, Grace, met Obama’s plane and escorted her to an Orlando fundraiser at the Lake Adair home of Ann and Bill Wallace. About 75 to 100 people attended, including a handful of Orlando’s big Democratic names.

[SteppingRazor]

13. I'm hoping Sink will take on Sen. Martinez in a couple years. n/t

[madfloridian]

14. I have heard she might.

Or maybe governor. We could use her as senator.

[psychmommy]

9. hey mad

thanks for this. it was so sad seeing the way that the media and repubs tried to define her as the angry black woman. she looks good and she is great 1st lady material. i ma glad she is getting to the know the right folks in florida. you just made my day with this.

[madfloridian]

12. I agree.

The pictures are lovely, and some very important Dems are coming through for her.

[Imagevision]

10. I'm from Ft. Myers and there was absolutly no news coverage stating she was to appear?

[madfloridian]

11. They may be doing it through email.

There was little coverage ahead of time. We got an invite to the Orlando event...but through email. I don't remember much publicity ahead of time...now that you mention it.

[madfloridian]

16. I just did a search.....very little coverage after the fact either.

Maybe the campaign wanted it that way...there is almost no coverage.

[madfloridian]

15. Kick for the graciousness of Alex Sink and Grace Nelson...

whose loyalties lay elsewhere. They are coming through now as many Florida Democrats are.