After debate, Obama makes Indy campaign stop
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Marsh Grandstands rumbled as the feet of thousands of supporters stomped in anticipation of seeing Sen. Barack Obama.
Obama attacked McCain’s health care plan of giving Americans a $5,000 tax credit so they can buy already-existing plans. He also pointed out that McCain’s insurance comes from the government, yet he is against government regulation of the system. "That just burns me up," he said. Obama promoted investing in Medicare and supporting the development of new technologies. Tax cuts also made the list of topics. He promised reduced taxes to 95 percent of Americans. "If you make less than $250,000, you will not see a dime of increased taxes," he said. He criticized the McCain tax cut plan and the trickle-down economic theory. "In an economy like this, the last thing you need is to tax the middle class," he said. Obama didn’t detail his education plan onstage, but made it clear the issue would be a priority. "I will not allow countries to out-teach us today so they can out-compete us tomorrow," he said. Gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson began the rally with the campaign buzz word "change" on her lips. She took time for self-campaigning, saying that she would hold current Gov. Mitch Daniels accountable for his record when no one else will. Indiana lost 64,000 jobs last summer, according to the gubernatorial candidate. "Together we can get the state and this country back on track," Long Thompson said. U.S. Rep. Andre Carson also appeared at the rally. Carson stressed that Hoosiers should vote early to make sure that their vote is counted. Carson also detailed the historic nature of the election, saying that Obama could fix the economic crisis and that he could be the first Democratic nominee to carry Indiana since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. He also took the opportunity to remind citizens of the importance of voting. "Elections have consequences. It is no accident that our economy is failing," Carson said. Members of the campaign encouraged the crowd to sign up to help efforts for Obama in their area.
The Democratic nominee for president spoke at a rally at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on the heels of his second presidential debate with his Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain. A campaign staffer said that there were over 20,000 people, some in front of the stage on the wet, gritty stadium dirt.
Obama’s appearance was heralded by screaming supports, some of whom were at the stage level trudging through mud to get a better view while a police officer snapped a picture.
His appearance gathered thousands of Hoosiers on a rainy, cold day when most would have been indoors.
This support from the traditionally red state was reflected in Obama’s speech and the introduction given by Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind. Bayh aimed part of his introduction at those whom he termed Republicans disillusioned with the current presidency, something Obama echoed, continually connecting McCain to George W. Bush.
Obama focused much of his address on the economy and tried to bolster morale by saying that Americans can weather the economic storm.
"Together, we cannot fail. Not now. Not when we have a crisis to solve and an economy to save. Not when there are so many Americans without jobs and without homes," Obama said. "Not when there are families who can’t afford to see a doctor, or send their child to college, or pay their bills at the end of the month. Not when there is a generation that is counting on us to give them the same opportunities and the same chances that we had for ourselves."
Obama encouraged global solutions to what he called a global economic crisis. He didn’t give specifics of a plan, but said the problem isn’t just a national issue.
The Illinois senator tackled health care with the personal story of when his dying mother was still fighting insurance companies over whether or not her ovarian cancer was a pre-existing condition.
He raised his voice as he promised that insurance companies wouldn’t be able to shut out those with pre-existing conditions if he is elected.
