Politics & Government

Michelle Obama Fans Line Up in Easton

Dozens of people wait in line at the Obama campaign office in Easton to get tickets for first lady's visit.

When asked why he was in line for tickets to see Michelle Obama, Ian Murphy's answer was short and to the point.

"She's the first lady. Simple enough," said Murphy, a Moravian College student and downtown Easton resident.

And he predicted that her will be the first of many Lehigh Valley stops by Team Obama and Team Romney in the next few months.

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"I think it's going be an important place in the election," Murphy said Tuesday at the , as he joined dozens of people in line for tickets for the speech by the first lady.

Tickets went on sale at 11 a.m. Tuesday for the speech, scheduled for 6:50 p.m. Thursday at Moravian's Johnston Hall. 

Find out what's happening in Eastonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Bethlehem Township resident Sandy Moher had been in line since 9:30 a.m., waiting in a portable folding chair, studying to update her real estate license. 

Although tickets for the speech were available in Bethlehem, Moher said she chose to come to Easton instead to avoid the crowds.

And she said she's a fan of Michelle Obama because "I think she's more in tune with what the everyday person needs. And I think she's been a fantastic partner for the president."

Behind her in line was Valerie Davis, an art teacher -- the school's only art teacher, she noted, after the most recent layoffs. 

She said she supports President Obama in part because she thinks he'll do more to help educators. 

As for his wife?

"Michelle has a swag," Davis said, likening her to "Jackie O," but also adding that she thinks there's substance to go with that style.  "She's not just sitting in the office looking cute," Davis said.

The stop in Bethlehem will be the last of three on Thursday for the first lady. Earlier in the day, she is scheduled for campaign stops in West Philadelphia and Montgomery County. 

Tickets are also available at the Obama campaign offices at 13 E. Third St. in Bethlehem and 1031 W. Linden St., Suite 101, in Allentown. Organizers say tickets are first come, first served. 

The first lady last visited the Lehigh Valley in 2008, when her husband was a presidential candidate. She came to Cedar Crest College with Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden.


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