Filed under: News, Politics, President Obama, Race and Civil Rights
70-year-old Anne Roberts shed tears after meeting First Lady Michelle Obama. Voting is important, she says, because it "keeps people honest."
Though excitement and emotion ran high, the occasion wasn't a political rally. Mrs. Obama was doing her part to
promote early voting by casting her ballot at the
Martin Luther King Community Center in
Chicago.
In her hometown as part of a Midwestern campaign swing to assist the beleaguered Democratic Party, she implored citizens regardless of party affiliation to exercise their right to vote. However, her mere presence -- including taking pictures and conversing with voters, have some Republicans in an uproar. There has been a contentious debate on whether or not she violated Illinois election law by "electioneering within 100 feet of a polling place."
"Technical violation, perhaps. But what are mere technical violations of voting laws to the Obama administration!" said
Tom Fitton, president of
Judicial Watch, a conservative, non-partisan, public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption.
Mrs. Obama is a private citizen, and as such, has the same voting privileges and responsibility as everyone else. In our current political climate when the entire voting process has been questioned, and voter turnout can literally shape this country's future, it would be irresponsible for the
First Lady of the United States not to cast her vote at the appropriate time and place.
"Even if her conversations didn't constitute electioneering, they almost certainly violated the broader Sec. 17-29 ban on engaging in 'any political discussion within any polling place,'" said Charlie Spies, an election attorney with Clark Hill, PLC.
This unfounded attack shows just how much some Republicans are intimidated by the "Obama Effect". It is not the fault of the Obama administration that citizens are excited about what they represent, and it shows the pettiness of those conservatives who will leach unto any and every reason to disparage the First Lady -- including, but not limited to where she takes her daughters on vacation, her wardrobe, her physique, her complexion, and last but not least, her right to vote.
It is imperative that voters -- especially those who are disenfranchised and historically discriminated against be encouraged to participate in this process. As Mrs. Obama said, It is important to "... get everyone out there voting. This one counts, as much as the other one."
***The First Lady was scheduled to continue campaigning in Colorado, Connecticut, New York, Washington State and California for House and Senate candidates. Over the weekend, she is to appear with the president in Ohio, the first time they've campaigned together since 2008.***
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Mike Stewart, AP
Getty Images North America
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