Michelle Obama campaigns in Racine, Wis.

October 19, 2012 (RACINE, Wis.)

Mrs. Obama will be in Racine and then Wausau. Clinton will visit Green Bay.

Tickets were available to the event at the Racine Memorial Hall on a first-come, first-serve basis. Over 2,500 people crowded inside to hear Mrs. Obama encourage them to get out and vote -- and win in wisconsin.

"This state could be decided by just a few thousand of votes. While thousands might sound like a lot, I want to remind you that those votes are spread out in the entire state," said Michelle Obama.

Wisconsin is particularly important this election year as a new poll by NBC News and the Wall Street Journal shows the president in a very thin lead over Republican challenger Mitt Romney, 51 percent to 43 percent.

Recent surveys taken show Romney narrowing the president's lead in many battleground states.

Mrs. Obama pushed each person to spread the message to re-elect the president for another term, and the crowd listened, chanting "four more years."

"We have been and we will continue to do so by calling people, she suggested talking to everybody we know," said Joe Kiriaki, Obama supporter.

The first lady also encouraged to keep up their grassroots effort.

"Talk to everyone you know, your friends, your neighbors, that cousin you haven't seen in a while .... remind them what's at stake," she said.

Obama's Racine supporters say they are rejuvenated and encouraged to spread the message.

"We need to support Barack in every measure because of the changes he has made so far in his first four years so he can continue with those changes," said Janice McNary, supporter.

"She is honest, a very inspiring person," said another supporter.

In-person early voting begins on Monday, and election clerks are preparing for long lines.

The campaigns of both President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney are making strong pushes to get people to the polls starting Monday.

Republicans including Sen. Ron Johnson, former U.S. Rep. Mark Green and national committee chairman Reince Priebus were on a bus tour taking them across the state over the weekend with the same purpose.

In 2008, 1-in-5 ballots in Wisconsin were cast absentee or early.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved.

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