The pair appeared Tuesday morning at an economic round table discussion with Democratic governors in Denver. In her speech Monday night, presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama's wife made repeated references to her Chicago roots. And that brought big cheers from the Illinois delegation in the audience.
Connections can be made through speeches. But the Obama-Biden team took the direct approach Tuesday at smaller events before the official convention business, where they can speak to Democrats on the issues most important to them.
Following her big speech, Michelle Obama made the rounds of select Democratic events. She introduced her husband's running mate. And Biden also spoke at a separate event to delegates from his home state of Delaware. And he got emotional when he talked about being asked to run for the vice presidency.
"This is a great honor being nominated Vice President of the United States," Biden said. "And it is an honor, and I'm proud of it. I don't mean in any way to diminish it. But it pales in comparison to the honor I've had representing you."
Senator Ted Kennedy got a rousing response Monday for his rallying call to Democrats as he fights his own battle against brain cancer. Kennedy told the crowd that nothing would keep him from this gathering. And Michelle Obama created a verbal and visual portrait of the importance of family to the Obamas and the values they hold dear.
"We want our children and all children in this nation to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work hard for them," Michelle Obama said.
"I was on the floor, so I called my wife who was back home with the kids, she was overwhelmed," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel, (D) Illinois.
"She really connected with the audience. She told a very compelling story. And of course, when the girls came out, I just lost it and just started crying because it was so incredibly touching," said Chicago Ald. Sandi Jackson, 7th Ward.
