YEREVAN, OCTOBER 28, ARMENPRESS. US first lady Michelle Obama has appeared for the first time during this presidential election race with Hillary Clinton, whom she called "my girl", reports BBC.

At a rally in the swing state of North Carolina, the former rivals heaped praise on each other's commitment to public service, women and children.

Mrs Obama said Mrs Clinton was the most prepared candidate for the presidency ever, including both their husbands.

The display of unity follows past friction between the two of them.

But on Thursday the two sought to convince the crowd their relationship was more than a political alliance born out of shared interests.

Mrs Clinton, meanwhile, is hoping that some of the first lady's popularity rubs off on her.

The event at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem drew some 11,000 people, one of largest crowds of Mrs Clinton's campaign.

The former secretary of state spoke first to promise that as president she would continue with the "legacy that President Obama has built".

She praised the first lady, saying: "Seriously, is there anyone more inspiring than Michelle Obama?"

Then Mrs Obama took to the stage, saying of the former first lady: "Yes, she is absolutely ready to be commander-in-chief on day one.

"And yes, she happens to be a woman!"

She said Mr Trump's strategy was to "make this election so dirty and ugly that we want no part of it".

"They are trying to take away your hope," she told the crowd.

Mrs Obama also called Mrs Clinton "my friend" and described their shared experience of raising children in the White House.

The two were promoting Mrs Clinton's plan to deliver $500m (£411m) in funding to states that develop anti-bullying initiatives.

But the Clinton campaign hopes Mrs Obama's imprimatur will help galvanise female voters, especially black women.

Like many of her predecessors, Mrs Obama has hewed closely to non-partisan issues, focusing on healthy eating and support for military families.

While she was first lady, Mrs Clinton had an office in the West Wing and made a doomed attempt to overhaul US healthcare.

While Mrs Clinton harboured political ambitions beyond her husband's presidency, Mrs Obama does not seem interested in pursuing her own political career further.