News » Local

First Lady Provides Local Inspiration

By Jenna Hanchard

Credit: The White House

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters, Sasha and Malia, sit for a family portrait in the Oval Office, Dec. 11, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.�

February 23, 2012 Updated Feb 23, 2012 at 12:55 AM EDT

Binghamton, NY (WBNG Binghamton) It's not every day you get the voice of the Frist Lady of the United States on the other end of the line.

Wednesday night, local women turned the call waiting off and the volume up as they dialed in to speak to Michelle Obama.

The First Lady held a special conference call for Women for Obama-- a national group of campaign volunteers.

Thousands of women across the country--including dozens of them here in Binghamton--gathered at their respective Democratic headquarters to listen in.

Michelle Obama is often referred to as the President's secret weapon due to her ability to connect with the public, especially women voters.

At times, polls suggested the first lady's approval rating was higher than her husbands.

Wednesday night, her message was clear.

She said, "Thanks for having our back."

The First Lady says the women are crucial to the Obama campaign.

"Women are at the heart of our families, our communities, our economy and they're at the heart of this campaign and that's why this call is so important," said Obama in her conference call.

"I think she is extremely well liked. She is a first lady who is everywhere. She is out there. She walks her talk. She talks about physical fitness and you see it in the gym," said Linda Biemer of the Broome County Democratic Women.

Mrs. Obama took a few questions before she said farewell to help her daughters Sasha and Malia with their homework.

The local group of Women for Obama say their chat with the First Lady gave them the energy they needed to help the campaign.

To submit a comment on this article, your email address is required. We respect your privacy and your email will not be visible to others nor will it be added to any email lists.