robinson assisted his brother-in-law throughout the latter's 2008 presidential campaign, including campaigning for him during the iowa caucuses and campaigning and giving speeches for him in a number of other states, sometimes combining campaigning with recruiting visits. he introduced his sister michelle before her speech on august 25, 2008, the first night of the 2008 democratic national convention, which gave him his largest national exposure. he was also on stage following obama's victory speech in grant park after his election as president on november 4, 2008.