First lady to campaign in Gainesville, Tallahassee

President Obama to campaign in South Florida later next week

First lady Michelle Obama speaks at Mayport Naval Station on Aug. 22.

Michelle Obama will appear at campaign rallies in Gainesville on Monday afternoon and Tallahassee that evening -- her second visit to Florida in 30 days.

Doors to the event at the O'Connell Center will open at noon Monday, with her remarks scheduled at 3:30 p.m. The Tallahassee Leon County Civic Center will open to the public at 4 p.m., with the event scheduled to begin at 6:55 p.m.

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Alachua and Leon counties are among the few areas of north Florida that are heavily Democratic, and Monday's appearances are seen as an effort to rally President Barack Obama's base.

The president is expected to attend campaign events in Miami and Tampa later next week.

Tickets to the Gainesville event -- which are free -- became available Thursday evening at these locations:

  • Organizing for America office, 2727 NW 43rd Street
  • Organizing for America office, 315 SE 2nd Avenue
  • Alachua Democratic Executive Committee, 901 NW 8th Avenue, Suite A-3
  • The Oak Grove at Santa Fe College, 300 NW 83rd Street
  • University of Florida Box Office, O'Connell Center, Gate 1, Gale Lemerand Drive and W. University Avenue

Tickets to the Tallahassee event became available at 9 a.m. Friday at:

  • Organizing for America office, 704 W. Madison Street
  • Organizing for America office, 541 N. Monroe Street
  • Organizing for America, 17 E. Jefferson Street, Quincy
  • FSU's Oglesby Union Courtyard, 75 N. Woodword Avenue

Jermaine Miller was in line at 6 a.m. Friday morning to get tickets for the Tallahassee event. He says his mother and Mrs. Obama have the same success story.

"My mom grew up the way Michelle (did) -- as a single mother. And then later she taught me how to, you know, manage on my own," Miller said.

Leon County Commissioner Kristen Dozier said the flood of people seeking admission is proof there is no lack of enthusiasm for the president.

"We've heard a lot this last year about enthusiasm gap, and I just don't see it manifesting," Dozier said. "It's not just about conventions and people who are on the ground volunteering for Obama, but just out on the street people who want to continue to support the president, who are willing to show up, who are excited about the first lady."