2012 Election Is About America's Values, Future: First Lady Michelle Obama at Grassroots Event in South Florida

She appeared at Broward College in Davie Monday afternoon at a free event

First Lady Michelle Obama told supporters at a grassroots event at Broward College Monday that the coming election is "a choice about our values, our hopes and our aspirations for our children."

"It’s a choice about the America we want to leave for our kids and our grandkids," she said at the college in Davie, just hours before her husband goes head-to-head with Mitt Romney in the final presidential debate in Boca Raton.

Michelle Obama said that in the America she wants every child should have good schools that push and inspire them; everyone, including workers of various occupations, should be treated with dignity and respect; and said that when someone stumbles in America, they are lent a helping hand until they get back on their feet.

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She also emphasized that in the country she wants to see the truth matters – so people don't take shortcuts or game the system – and priorities are kept straight.

“Because we all know good and well that cutting Sesame Street is no way to balance our budget," she quipped.

Ann Romney was in Florida on Saturday.

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Michelle Obama covered a lot of ground in her Broward College speech, from her husband's character to both of their life stories, while making an economic argument for his re-election.

When he took office, he inherited a rapidly declining economy, she noted.

“See, but instead of pointing fingers, instead of placing blame, what did your president do?" she asked. "He got to work. He got to work.”

The president cut taxes for small businesses and working families because he was thinking about hardworking people like her father and his grandmother, the first lady said.

She highlighted how the Obama administration stepped in prevent the American auto industry from going under, and how it is rebounding today.

“And yes, we have a long way to go to completely rebuild our economy. But understand this: there are more and more signs every day that we are headed in the right direction," said Michelle Obama, who also promoted the president's health care reform, and his work to double Pell grants and to keep student interest rates down.

She said the election will certainly be closer than in 2008, said it could all come down to a few battleground states like Florida – and emphasized that every vote is important.

President Obama is planning at least two days of campaigning in Florida after the debate.

The 90-minute debate will be moderated by Bob Schieffer of CBS News and the candidates will be seated at a table. Schieffer has listed five subject areas, with more time devoted to the Middle East and terrorism than any other topic.

NBC 6's Decision 2012 Coverage

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