Seven minutes with Barack Obama

By Bernard Baker

Published: August 20, 2008

Sen. Barack Obama is in a dead heat with Sen. John McCain in the presidential race, according to recent polls, but the Illinois senator said he has a potentially greater problem with negative attacks.

Obama met privately with local media representatives Wednesday after a town hall meeting at Patrick Henry Community College’s Motorsports Complex.

“I’ll be honest with you, McCain and the Republican Party in general has been running a negative campaign against me,” the Democratic candidate said.

He took a swipe at FOX News and said if people spent a lot of time using that network to get information, they probably wouldn’t have a high opinion of him either.

Obama said his message fits what he hears people telling him.

He said people are worried about the economy and whether their children will have a better future.

He said people tell him they want solutions to the energy crisis. They want alternative sources developed such as solar power, wind power and switch grass. They want the nation’s highways and infrastructure repaired and they demand an educational system that will prepare their kids from kindergarten through the 12th grade, Obama said.

He has said he wants Americans to have the same access to health care as senators such as himself.

When told that President Bush never responded to a letter sent to Washington asking for help after Martinsville-based Tultex closed its factories more than eight years ago, forcing thousands of people out of work, Obama said he would have answered the letter and sent a response team of federal officials.

Obama said the government needs to act before a crisis arises like the one in Martinsville. He pointed to the strain in the auto industry and pointed out that Bush has been slow to respond.

“It’s no secret the auto industry is under strain,” Obama said. “It took George Bush six years before he met with the auto industry to try to figure out how we’re going to retool so we can compete in this new global market place.”

Contact Bernard Baker at or (434) 791-7986.

Contact Sarah Arkin at or (434) 791-7983.