First lady dazzles N.C. crowd at Clinton rally: 'If Hillary doesn't win that's on us'

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton got a boost from perhaps the biggest star on the campaign trail Thursday -- the charismatic first lady of the United States.

Michelle Obama and Clinton spoke at an event in heavily-contested North Carolina -- which is expected to be one of the most important battleground states on Nov. 8.

The present first lady praised the former first lady during her speech at Wake Forest University, and said there is only one clear choice in this year's election.

"First ladies, we rock!" Obama said, noting that Hillary Clinton is more qualified to be president than either Barack Obama or Bill Clinton were when they entered office.

Michelle Obama has been a superstar during the last few months for the Democratic Party. In August, she energized supporters with her speech at the Democratic National Convention -- and did so again on Thursday, in her first appearance with Clinton on the trail.

Obama never mentioned Republican Donald Trump by name, but was clear in her criticisms of the controversial businessman -- telling the audience he is effectively trying to steal the election by scaring enough people into staying home on election day.

"Here's where I want to get real. If Hillary doesn't win this election, that will be on us," she said. "It will be because we did not stand with her. It will be because we did not vote for her. And that is exactly what her opponent is hoping will happen."

In an unusual move, Michelle Obama spoke at the event after Clinton -- a sign of her superstar political status and perhaps indicative of how much pull the first lady may have with swing voters.

"Seriously, is there anyone more inspiring than Michelle Obama?" Clinton asked before turning over the dais, calling her "our amazing first lady."

"You guys are pretty fired up, right?" Obama said after taking the podium. "I like that, I like that."

"I am grateful for Hillary -- for her leadership and her courage, and for what she is going to do for this country," Obama continued. "It's going to be good."

Obama even took her speech off the partisan track for a few minutes, noting that the Nov. 8 vote crossed that boundary months ago.

"This is not about Republicans versus Democrats. None of that matters this time around," she said. "No, no, no, this election is about something much bigger. It's about who will shape our children and the country we leave for them."

Early voting data has suggested that Democrats are performing well in North Carolina -- as the Republicans' lead is far narrower than it usually is at this point in the campaign.