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Seeing the first lady in person was "historical" for Stamford residents Phyllis Wilkerson and Mary Bryan. "She's the first African-American first lady," Wilkerson said.
But Michelle Obama means even more than that to Wilkerson and Bryan, who went to the Palace Theater on Monday for her appearance in support of Attorney General Richard Blumenthal's run for the U.S. Senate.
"Her issues are positive," Wilkerson said of Obama.
"She seems to be very concerned," said Bryan. "She doesn't give the impression of just being political. She's hearing and understanding the needs of the people at this time."
Before Obama's appearance, Wilkerson, Bryan and other audience members heard from Nancy Wyman, candidate for lieutenant governor, and U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, who is seeking re-election to the 4th Congressional District.
Both rallied the crowd with reminders of the 2008 political victories and admonishments that the Democratic Party cannot rest on its accomplishments.
"Change does not come easily," said Himes. "Justice doesn't just happen." He also reminded crowd of the vitriolic turn politics can take.
"The president of the United States has stood in the fire of some of the most hateful rhetoric that this country has seen in a long time," he said.
After Himes and Wyman charged up the crowd, there was a lull, with a 90-minute gap between opening addresses and the moment the woman everyone was waiting for finally took the stage.
For Wilkerson, Bryan and others, however, any fatigue that set in during the break evaporated when Obama arrived and was greeted with an outpouring of applause and shouts of approval.
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