JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Michelle Obama took the stage at an "Early Vote for Change" rally at the Prime Osborn Convention Center Wednesday saying she was always happy to be in Florida.

"We always fight to come here a lot because the weather is better," she told the crowd. "We are delighted, thrilled and amazed by the response of the folks in this state. We love you."

The campaign stop in Jacksonville was part of a three-day swing by the Barack and Michelle Obama through the state with 27 electoral votes -- 10 percent of the number needed to become the next president.

Channel 4's Vickie Pierre reported hundreds of people were lined up when the doors to the convention center opened at 10 a.m. The program began at 11:30 a.m. and the First Lady hopeful took the stage before an estimated 4,000 supporters just after noon.

"And while I'd love to say that this has everything to do with my husband --- because you know I love him and he's a wonderful man -- the truth is ... but this has very little to do with Barack Obama," she told the crowd. "This race will never will be, never should be about him, he said it is about all of us, all of you -- the millions of us who are ready for change."

After acknowledging those in the crowd in the military, their servie and their spouses, Michelle Obama addressed the war, national service, health care, education, energy policy and the hardships of the current economic downturn.

"For me, these issues aren't just politics; this isn't a game -- it's personal. "It's personal for me. It's personal for every one in this convention center and every one in this state," she said. "I'm married to a man that gets it. He gets it because he's lived it. We both have."

While Florida has voted for President George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004, the latest polls show Obama leading among likely voters. Some election observers say if Republican Sen. John McCain does not carry the state, he cannot win the presidency.

Michelle Obama urged the crowd to vote early and to encourage others to vote because "we can't take anything for granted."

"Florida, we have the opportunity in this state to change the way this country is run, "Michelle Obama said. "In 2004 ... there were hundreds of thousands of people who didn't vote. We can't let this race get so close that anyone has the chance to steal anything."

After the speech in Jacksonville, Michelle Obama was to travel to Gainesville for a 2:30 p.m. rally in front of the Hippodrome Theater.