Rocky Mount Telegram - Obama Stresses Economy in Speech

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Rocky Mount Telegram - Obama Stresses Economy in Speech

With his jacket off and his shirt sleeves rolled up, Barack Obama asked a crowd of about 1,500 somewhat-soggy Eastern North Carolinians on Monday to believe in the potential of the middle class - and then to vote for him on May 6.

Despite heavy afternoon rains, most of those in attendance waited more than two hours outside Beddingfield High School to hear the Democratic presidential hopeful.
Telegram photo / Joel Hodges
(ENLARGE)
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama rallies supporters Monday in Wilson.

Taking several minutes during his speech to focus on issues faced by small towns throughout the eastern part of the state, Obama pledged to restore the U.S. economy by returning order to the job market.

"Unemployment here in Wilson is outpacing the rest of the county," Obama said after referring to a few local plants that moved overseas in recent years. "And folks here in Wilson are making about $11,000 less on average than the rest of the country. Meanwhile, gas costs $3.58."

Part of the problem, Obama said, is with leaders in Washington, D.C., who answer to special interests instead of the average U.S. resident.

While pledging on Monday to continue running a positive campaign focused on the issues, Obama - on more than one occasion - took aim at his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton and the presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.

"I've got big plans and Sen. Clinton has big plans, too," Obama said. "The question is, what's it going to take to come through on those plans? And that's the question you'll be answering next Tuesday. You have to ask yourself, are you going to change things in Washington or are you going to vote for more of the same? We need a leader who doesn't answer to special interests."

Obama briefly outlined his plan to help put people back to work by investing $60 billion throughout the nation on improving infrastructure. The idea is to put millions to work expanding and fixing roads, bridges, waterlines, sewers and high-speed Internet cables.

"People will tell you we can't do it," Obama said. "But if we're spending $10 billion a month in Iraq, we can invest money here in Wilson putting people back to work."

Turning toward another issue that has dominated headlines in recent months, Obama chided plans set forth by both Clinton and McCain to institute a gas-tax holiday to reduce costs at the pump.

First McCain - and then more recently Clinton - talked about giving consumers a 12-week break on taxes paid at the pump during a special summer-long holiday.

Although it seems noble, Obama said Monday, the plans would produce little in the way of individual savings and would, in turn, hamper the improvement and maintenance of roads and bridges.

"Let me explain to you that the gas tax is what pays for our Highway Trust Fund to rebuild our roads and our bridges," Obama said. "If we don't have that money then roads and bridges won't be repaired, which means folks in North Carolina won't be working this summer. On top of that, do you know how much you would save a year, on average, with John McCain's plan? Twenty-five dollars. Maybe $30. This is typical of what Washington does. Instead of solving the problem, you offer a gimmick."

Instead of a tax holiday, Obama pledged to push a middle class tax break to help families offset the rising costs of gas and other necessities.

Touching on several issues during a 40-minute speech followed by a 30-minute question-and-answer session, Obama said he wants to seek energy independence and enhance the green job market. He said he wants to revamp early childhood education and redo No Child Left Behind so teachers aren't forced to "teach for a test." And he said he wants to return the U.S. to a position of respect around the globe.

"In such circumstance we cannot afford to wait," Obama said, people in the crowd beginning to rise to their feet. "We can't wait to fix our schools. We can't wait to fix out health care systems. We cannot wait to bring back good jobs and good wages. We can't wait to rebuild our infrastructure. We can't wait to develop a solid energy policy. We can't wait to bring the war in Iraq to a close. We cannot wait, and that is why I decided to run for president of the United States of America."

Heavy rains delayed Obama's flight from Wilmington to Wilson by more than 30 minutes. Nearly one hour after U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-1st District, kicked off the event with opening remarks, Obama still hadn't arrived in the building.

Before addressing the issues, Obama took several minutes to praise Butterfield along with former Gov. Jim Hunt, an Obama supporter who also was in attendance.

Obama's visit to Wilson was part of a three-stop trip through the state that began in Wilmington and ended in Chapel Hill.

North Carolina's May 6 election is the largest state primary remaining in the Democratic race for president. Obama is counting on a large, double-digit win in the Tar Heel State to secure his nomination over Clinton, the Obama campaign said.

"We have a lot of challenges ahead of us, Wilson," Obama said. "But if you work with me, if you volunteer with me, if you march with me and if you vote for me, we can do this."

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