"This is a person-to-person campaign," Michelle Obama told the noontime crowd. "Barack is going to demand that you stay at the table of democracy forever."

The brief campaign stop - part of the lead-up to Super Tuesday's primaries and caucuses - drew young and old.

The Hillary Clinton campaign also reached out to Utahns Monday, hosting an evening video town-hall meeting at the Salt Lake City-County Building. Senior adviser Ann Lewis was on hand to represent Clinton.

During her speech, Michelle Obama spoke of her formative years growing up on Chicago's gritty south side.

"When you look at me, I don't want you to see the next first lady. I want you to see the product of public education," said Obama, crediting outstanding teachers and her working-class parents, who sacrificed to send her to Princeton.

That kind of opportunity has since moved beyond the reach of many, she said, a condition her husband pledges to change.

Hearing Michelle Obama's compelling personal story resonated with Salt Lake City resident Susan McCain.

"We were very excited about having a McCain in the White House or at least a woman my age," McCain said. "But now Barack is the only one that makes any sense."

While Barack Obama's humor and good looks have given him celebrity status, Kurt Wolfgang, a University of Utah senior majoring in International Studies, urges voters to look deeper.

"He actually has the intelligence and judgment to do what the country needs," Wolfgang said.

While here Monday, Michelle Obama also met with M. Russell Ballard and Quentin L. Cook, both apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In an interview after her speech, Michelle Obama said the couple's visits to Utah have given people a chance to "touch us and hear us."

"If there are people with brains in their head, Barack will reach out to them. It's part of uniting the country."

cmckitrick@sltrib.com