Seven minutes with Barack Obama
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By Bernard Baker
Published: August 21, 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.
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Posted by ( gunter,ra ) on August 27, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Republicans are just set in there ways no matter what kind of crisis we as Americans go through. A lot of people say that obama lacks experience, but take George Bush and his experience and look where it got us. Further down in life’s misery. So if you are happy going down the road that we are, if you have the right to do so vote for McCain. I say if you want change vote Obama - no one can get this country in worse shape than Bush has done and McCain will do!!!
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Posted by ( quatar ) on August 25, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Even if Obama were white and McCain were black I would still be voting for McCain because I do not believe that Socialism is the way to run a Government. Obama is a Socialist no matter what race creed or religion he is. Does not matter. We have a Constitution and it does not need to be replaced with some Manifesto replacement.
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Posted by ( RAG ) on August 22, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Exactly who are you voting for? Yes, he admitted to Bush meeting with them, but six years to do so? No one should even be allowed to say Obama is scared of anything. He is a african american that is running for president. Don’t mistake me, it’s not about race, but if he was caucasion with the same exact campaign no one would be voting for Old Man McCain. Just my opinion.
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Posted by ( quatar ) on August 21, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Classic Socialism. It is not up to the Government to tell the auto industry how to compete. But he gives Bush credit for meeting with them to fix it. Obama knows nothing of business except how to tax them. Hugo Chavez could see Obama’s point. Take over the industry. Obama is too scared to go on Fox. They might ask him a question of substance. He would not know how to answer.
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