First Lady Speaks Highly of ‘10-Year-Olds' Phone Banking for Her Husband

"Ever heard of child labor laws?"

(AP File Photo)

First Lady Michelle Obama spoke at a campaign event in Iowa City, Iowa Sunday where, according to the transcript released by the White House, she jokingly praised children who phone bank for her husband's re-election effort.

After saying it's "breathtaking" how much power people have to influence their friends and neighbors to vote, Michelle said "young people" in particular hold sway.

The White House transcript relates:

...here’s something that I always remind young people, because I’ve met so young people over these four years who said -- told me, my parents and grandparents were not going to vote for Barack in 2008 until I talked to them and I told them what this election means for my future, and because of that conversation they voted for him. Now, that’s the power that young people can have.
And it doesn’t matter how old you are. I’ve had 10-year-olds who are on a phone bank -- (laughter) -- 14-year-olds. I mean, I’m telling you, there is power because this is your future... [Emphasis added]

The first lady seemingly upped the age from 10 to 14 after laughter from the crowd, but either way, perhaps it's a little young to be working on a presidential campaign?

Conservative commenters have drawn comparisons to a recent pro-Obama ad featuring young children singing about an America where "sick people just die" and "oil fills the sea" under Republican leadership, inquiring where the line between educating your kids and indoctrinating them falls. Others inquired how a future with unprecedented debt could be a preferable option for the children.

One commenter asked the first lady: "Ever heard of child labor laws?"

(H/T: The Daily Caller)