First lady Michelle Obama’s appearance at Sunday’s rally on The Oval might help save face for President Barack Obama and the Democrats, who are in danger of losing their legislative advantage in Congress entering midterm elections.

The rally reunited Michelle with Barack for the first time since the 2008 presidential campaign, where their last duo appearance was also in Ohio. The visit Sunday targeted young, college voters who could boost Ohio’s Democratic ticket Nov. 2.

Michelle talked at the rally for just more than seven minutes, introducing herself as a “self-described mom-in-chief” whose first priority is her daughters’ health and happiness.

“When I think about the issues facing our nation right now, I think about what that means for our girls and the world that we’re leaving for them and all of our children, whether we’re leaving something better,” Michelle said, “And that’s really how I look at things.”

She stressed that her husband and Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland look at things that same way.

Though her husband’s approval ratings have fallen — though not as low as Congress’ — Michelle remains popular with the public. She received a 65 percent approval rating in a CNN opinion research poll conducted early this month. In contrast, 45 percent of those polled in a separate CNN research poll about President Obama said they approved of his actions as president.

“Michelle Obama is a very popular figure with the public,” said Gerald Kosicki, an OSU communication professor who researches polling and public opinion, in an e-mail to The Lantern. “She has not been beaten up by the savage political battles that have been waged over so many issues in the first 21 months of President Obama’s term.”

Michelle’s short speech followed a series of opening introductions by Ohio Democrats, including Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and Strickland, who all stressed the importance of young voter support for Democrats on Nov. 2. But the first lady’s speech brought a personal perspective to the campaign, Kosicki said.

“She talked eloquently about the stakes of the upcoming elections in very personal terms — what these issues mean for her family and her daughters and their futures,” he said.

Michelle highlighted her husband’s successes as president thus far, including health care legislation, education reform and compensation for military veterans. She said Barack doesn’t measure success by daily polls, “but by positive change that touches people’s lives.”

The president and first lady’s matching attire — Michelle wore a printed baby-blue scarf that matched Barack’s light-blue dress shirt — reiterated Michelle’s support for her husband.

“She and the president are a team,” said Julia Cooper, a lecturer in fashion and retail studies at OSU, “and by wearing similar blue colors, we know they are a united front.”

Cooper said Michelle’s clothing selection for the rally, a simple black cardigan with a statement-piece scarf, echoed her introductory speech.

“I think her dark, simple attire is understated and practical, just like her message,” Cooper said. “It is important that (it) is relatable, without pretense or display of wealth — her classic style, like her cardigan, tells us that she is more interested in being part of a family and community than being part of fashion week and naming her designers like a celebrity.”

But Michelle has achieved celebrity status as a fashion icon, inspiring fashion websites such as Mrs-O.org and earning a place on Vanity Fair‘s 2010 “International Best Dressed List.” Her dual role as a fashion icon and mother strengthens her positive image with the public, Cooper said.

“She is someone we all can relate to — as a mother, family person and professional trying to make the world better one day at a time … and I think that echoes the (Democrats’) message, that we are all in this together and there is no quick fix or flash here,” Cooper said.

Following Michelle’s speech, President Obama asked the crowd, “So what do you think about Michelle Obama?”

OSU student Gina Le, a third-year in psychology and English, had an answer.

“I think she serves as a positive role model for both young women and for young children,” Le said. “I really like her initiative working with obesity in America. So I think she’s definitely a good role model.”