Michelle Obama fought back tears as she discussed her own ‘debilitating’ struggles through menopause as she challenged men to support Kamala Harris’ bid to become America’s first woman president.
The former first lady, who once against sparked calls for her to run for president herself, gave the warning at a rally in Michigan on Saturday that women’s lives would be at risk if Donald Trump returned to the White House.
Obama talked about the struggle for women to understand and care for their own bodies, whether it’s their menstrual cycles or menopause.
‘Too many of us suffer from severe cramps and nausea days on end, every single month. Too many women my age have no idea what’s going on with our bodies as we battle through menopause and debilitating hot flashes and depression,’ she said.
She then turned her speech toward the men in the audience, demanding they empathize with women’s health issues and see them as ‘more than just baby-making vessels.’
Michelle Obama spoke about her own ‘debilitating’ struggles through menopause as she challenged men to support Kamala Harris ‘ bid to be America’s first female president
The former first lady, who once against sparked calls for her to run for president herself, gave the warning at a rally in Michigan on Saturday that women’s lives would be at risk if Donald Trump returned to the White House
While Harris has backed drastic moves to reverse abortion bans set off by the reversal of Roe vs. Wade, Obama took a more rounded look at how a Trump victory could effect women’s health overall.
‘See, fellas, most of us women we suck up our pain and we deal with it alone. We don’t share our experiences with anyone, not partners, friends, or even doctors,’ Obama said.
‘A woman’s body is a complicated business… it brings life and that is beautiful but even when we are not bearing children there is so much that can go wrong at any moment.’
The former first lady described the assault on abortion rights as the harbinger of dangerous limitations on healthcare for women.
Some men may be tempted to vote for Trump because of their anger at the slow pace of progress, Obama said, but ‘your rage does not exist in a vacuum.’
‘If we don´t get this election right, your wife, your daughter, your mother, we as women will become collateral damage to your rage,’ Obama said.
‘So are you as men prepared to look into the eyes of the women and children you love and tell them you supported this assault on our safety?’
The rally in Kalamazoo was Obama’s first appearance on the campaign trail since she spoke at the Democratic National Convention over the summer, and her remarks were searing and passionate in their support of Harris.
Obama turned her speech toward the men in the audience, demanding they empathize with women’s health issues and see them as ‘more than just baby-making vessels.’
While Harris has backed drastic moves to reverse abortion bans set off by the reversal of Roe vs. Wade, Obama took a more rounded look at how a Trump victory could effect women’s health overall
‘By every measure, she has demonstrated that she´s ready,’ the former first lady said. ‘The real question is, as a country, are we ready for this moment?’
Obama added, ‘Do not buy into the lies that we do not know who Kamala is or what she stands for. This is somebody who understands you, all of you.’
Although Obama has been a reluctant campaigner over the years, she showed no hesitation on Saturday as her speech stretched from the political to the personal.
Obama said she fears for the country and struggles to understand why the presidential race remains close.
‘I lay awake at night wondering, ‘What in the world is going on?” she said.
Harris took the stage after Obama and promised the crowd that she would keep their interests in mind – unlike Trump, who she accused of only being interested in himself.
‘There is a yearning in our country for a president who sees the people, not just looking in the mirror all the time, but sees the people, who gets you and who will fight for you,’ she said.
Obama was fierce and in favor of Harris when she spoke in Kalamazoo Saturday, first reciting the critiques of the vice president.
Obama was fierce and in favor of Harris when she spoke in Kalamazoo Saturday, first reciting the critiques of the vice president
‘They accuse her of not providing enough policy detail. Some wonder, do we really know her? Is she too aggressive? Is she not aggressive enough? There are folks sowing seeds of doubt about whether she’s who she appears to be,’ she said.
‘Now, don’t get me wrong, voters have every right to ask hard questions of any candidate seeking office, but can someone tell me why we are once again holding Kamala to a higher standard than her opponent?
‘These folks know that nothing this man says or does is funny in any way. So I hope you’ll forgive me if I’m a little frustrated that some of us are choosing to ignore Donald Trump’s gross incompetence while asking Kamala to dazzle us at every turn.’
Obama made plenty of time for harsh words against Trump.
‘When the American people fired him from a job that was too big for him to begin with, he tried to steal it,’ she said.
She exclaimed at how much the idea of a second Trump term worries her for the future of the United States.
‘I hope that you will forgive me if I am worried that we will blow this opportunity to finally turn the page on the ugliness once and for all, because, believe me, if Donald Trump is president again at some point or another, that ugliness will touch all of our lives.’
