October 27, 2008 2:42 PM
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Obama Delivers "Closing Argument"
(CBS)
(CANTON, OHIO) - In his "closing argument" speech today, Barack Obama stressed the urgency and importance of the election, calling on supporters to keep working through Election Day.
"We can't afford to slow down, sit back, or let up for one day, one minute, or one second in this last week. Not now. Not when so much is at stake," Obama said before a crowd of over 4,000 supporters.
Unlike at most of Obama's campaign events, the crowd waved small American flags instead of campaign signs. Not one campaign sign could be found in the Canton Civic Center.
Obama spent less than 10 minutes of the 35-minute speech focusing on John McCain. As expected, he linked McCain to George Bush, blasting him for supporting the Administration's economic policies.
"When it comes to the economy – when it comes to the central issue of this election – the plain truth is that John McCain has stood with this President every step of the way," Obama charged.
He went on to accuse McCain of dodging the economy and instead focusing on political attacks, because, he said, McCain is worried about losing the election. "If you don't have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run away from. You make a big election about small things," Obama said.
"If you can't beat your opponent's ideas, you distort those ideas and maybe make some up."
The economy was the dominate issue in the closing argument, as Obama continued to defend his tax policy. Arguing that a more prosperous middle class will result in a stronger economy, Obama said.
"We've always grown the American economy – from the bottom-up. John McCain calls this socialism. I call it opportunity, and there is nothing more American than that."
McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds responded to Obama's speech saying, ""It's fitting that during Barack Obama's 'closing argument,' he was unable to support his rhetoric with a single accomplishment. What's worse, Barack Obama cannot point to a single instance in which he stood up to his own party and the Pelosi-Reid agenda of ever more reckless spending – which is no 'small thing.'"
"Barack Obama's 'closing argument' is the same old argument in favor of job-killing tax increases and massive new spending -- it's an argument for closing down opportunity while closing down our economy," said Bounds.
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