Sarasota Woman Introduces Vice President At Rally (Video)

To the unknowing, it would appear that Vice President Joe Biden was introduced by an ordinary senior woman sharing her story, but it turns out she's been quite active in politics.

Pattie Lanier, a lifelong Democrat, started out volunteering as a kid passing out fliers with her mom to get people to vote for John F. Kennedy.

"I didn't know much about him, but my mother said there was a lot at stake and we needed someone who would fight for the everyday American," Lanier said.

She progressed since then becoming more involved in politics, and in Sarasota County she has served on the Sarasota County and state Democratic committees, had a stint on the Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority and served on the county's Library Advisory Board. She also ran for Florida House District 69 in 2000, but lost in the primary election, records show.

Today, Lanier is retired, helps out at the Obama For America Office in Sarasota, and is a Medicare beneficiary, and says she would not be able to afford the normal health checkups without her benefits to take care of her "normal wear and tear."

She figures she would have to pay nearly $200 out-of-pocket for each check-up. She told the crowd that as a senior Obamacare has made a difference to her quality of life.

"And if heaven forbid I need a prescription, I know I'm covered and I know I won't have to pay hundreds out of my wallet to pay for my health," Lanier said.

The Obama campaign pointed out that in 2011, 1.8 million Florida Medicare beneficiaries utilized free preventive care services provided by Obamacare. And because of the Affordable Care Act, 999,452 Medicare Advantage enrollees in Florida have access to free preventive services.

But she says it is the character of the President and the way Americans are admired in the world that motivate her to help give President Obama another four years in office. She feels there are a small handful of people around the world who can bring people together. 

She went on to talk about Obama and Biden's stance on women's rights and fair pay.

"They know women are breadwinners for their families and deserve the same rights as their counterparts," she said.

Bradenton Patch Editor Toni Whitt contributed to this report.