First lady to campaign for Democrats

Mark Preston and Becky Brittain
CNN

Washington (CNN) – First lady Michelle Obama is hitting the campaign trail to headline events for at least nine Democratic candidates and two Democratic committees in the closing weeks of the midterm election.

The first lady will visit five different states starting on Oct. 13 with events in Milwaukee and Chicago for Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold, Illinois Senate nominee Alex Giannoulias, Illinois Rep. Debbie Halvorson, Illinois Rep. Bill Foster, Illinois congressional candidate Dan Seals and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Obama's schedule has her wrapping up this national barnstorming tour on Oct. 27 in Los Angeles to attend events for California Sen. Barbara Boxer.

Katie McCormick Lelyveld, the first lady's spokeswoman, noted that the schedule is fluid and more stops could be added in the coming weeks.

A recent CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll shows that 62 percent of Americans have a favorable opinion of the first lady, while only 25 percent have an unfavorable view of her. Digging deeper into that data, 58 percent of independents and 69 percent of women have a favorable opinion of Obama, making her a valuable asset on the campaign trail.

Full story on the CNN Political Ticker