Michelle Obama Booed at NASCAR Event

 

 

First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden braved the crowd at a NASCAR racing event by serving as Grand Marshals for the Ford 400 NASCAR race in Florida.  The two were there to support the Joining Forces Initiative, which helps veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

As the first lady yelled “start your engines,” the boos from the crowd were loud and clear.  The boos were especially loud when the two were introduced.   But being the professional that she is, Mrs. Obama didn’t acknowledge the negativity in the room.  The two were warmly greeted by the drivers themselves, who were not as determined to have so much hostility.

“I know this is a big day for all of you so we’re not going to take up your time because you need to be focused,” Obama said. “We just wanted to stop by and say thank you. NASCAR has just been amazing in terms of its support not just today, but everyday of military families.”

Mrs. Obama also spoke to the families of veterans.

“Everyone around the country is focused on you.  And this isn’t just an effort today,” Obama said. “ Jill and I through Joining Forces, we want to make this a part of the dialogue in this country forever.  Whether Jill or I are here or not, whether this administration is here or not, this is about the way we want this country to talk about our troops, veterans and military families forever.  We want you to feel that appreciation and that gratitude so that you know your sacrifice is not in vain.”

We get the feeling that, in spite of the boos, Mrs. Obama is going to keep on keeping on.