Michelle Obama Ready to Campaign for Husband, But Says 2012 Election 'Still Far Away'

Jan. 28, 2011 — -- First lady Michelle Obama stands ready to campaign for her husband's re-election, but says that's still a long way off and she's focusing on other key issues.

"I mean, there's so much more to do here in the present ...," Obama told "Good Morning America" Robin Roberts in an exclusive interview that aired on the show today. "I focus on what's before me, right on the work that I can do today."

"Whenever it's time to campaign and they tap me on the shoulder, I'll be right there. But until then, we've got some great initiatives...," she said. "And I'm rolling up my sleeves to get that work done, and we'll cross that other bridge when we get there."

Roberts' interview with Obama took place at Fort Jackson, the U.S. Army training post outside Columbia, S.C. The first lady visited the base on Thursday to get a first-hand look at how the Army is tackling the problem of obesity among service members.

Last February, she launched "Let's Move!," a campaign that seeks to end childhood obesity within a generation. Obesity is of particular concern for the military, she said, pointing out that some top Army officials have said young recruits are unable to train because they are either overweight or malnourished.

"It is not an overstatement to say that childhood obesity and our need for physical education and nutrition education is a national security issue," she told Roberts in a wide-ranging interview that also touched on the Tucson shootings, support for military families, the government's role in people's personal nutritional choices, and criticism of her fashion choices.

The first lady said the nation had made strides in nutrition legislation and public education, adding that the second year of the "Let's Move!" initiative would bring enhanced efforts to make more public schools healthier, as well as outreach to faith-based and community organizations.