Michelle Obama still on the campaign trail

President Obama canceled campaign events on Monday and Tuesday in order to focus on the emergency response to Hurricane Sandy, but the first lady is still hitting the campaign trail in middle America.

Michelle Obama told an Iowa crowd on Monday that the president is making the hurricane "his priority."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by Hurricane Sandy," she said. "He has made this storm his priority, and he is going to do whatever it takes to make sure the American people are safe and secure.

"And the thing that we have to remember, that in times of crisis, we all pull together as one American family.  We absolutely do," she continued. "And I know that all of us are going to do whatever we need to, to help our fellow citizens as they weather this storm and as they recover."

The White House sent out an email from President Obama on Monday that directed anyone living in the path of the hurricane to Ready.gov.

"Michelle and I are keeping everyone in the affected areas in our thoughts and prayers," the email read. "Be safe."

The email was simply signed, "Barack."

The first lady stayed in Chicago overnight on Sunday in order to avoid the storm. Her schedule on Monday includes campaign events in Iowa City and Sioux City, Iowa. She will return to Chicago on Monday evening and remain there overnight.

Flights in and out of Washington, D.C., have been canceled due to the hurricane.

Updated at 4:08 p.m.

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