Obama Visits U. Cincinnati With Two Days Left
This story was written by Taylor Dungjen, The News Record
The bodies were everywhere.
As the sun set, thousands of people lined the University of Cincinnatis MainStreet, from Tangeman University Center, past the Campus Recreation Center to University Garage, and split toward Fifth-Third Arena and Martin Luther King Boulevard. The line snaked back from the street, around the fountain near Morgens and Scioto Residence Halls and back in front of the College of Business.
Everyoneall 27,000 of the attendeeswas waiting for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama to speak at a "Change We Need" rally on UCs Main Campus, Sunday, Nov. 2, at Nippert Stadium.
The Obama supporters in attendance came from all walks of life to witness the historical event.
Diversity is what Obama brings to the tableand he knew it, as he said Look at this crowd, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Democrat, Republican, young, old, rich, poor, gay, straight, disabled, not disabled. Thats what America is about. Thats what were fighting for.
While the youth voter turnout this year is expected to be the largest turnout of young voters in history, voters of all ages have come to see Obama and hear his message of change.
His supporters are ready to turn the page on President George Bushs legacy of failed wars and failed economic policies, according to Obama.
While everyone gathered at UC was there for a political rally, the movement around Obama was able to excite audience members.
I feel energized! I worked all day today knocking on doors for Obama [in Milford, Ohio] and now Im ready to go out and do it again tomorrow, said Linda Rumpler, 60, of Loveland, Ohio.
With only one day left until Election Day, Obama pulled out his boxing gloves.
So George Bush is in an undisclosed location, Dick Cheney is out there on the campaign trail and hes delighted to pass the baton to John McCain, although its actually more of a shovel because theyve been digging us a hole for the last eight years, Obama said.
Acknowledging the personal attacks against him, Obama said, John McCain, hes spent these last few weeks calling me everything but a child of God. Thats how you play the game in Washington. When you cant win, you just try to tear the other person down. When you cant win with your ideas, you try to make a big election about small things.
Obama took time to address some key issues: health care, the war in Iraq, energy, education, the economy and taxes.
Let me see a show of hands, Obama said. How many people here make less than a quarter million dollars a year?
Nearly every hand went up.
That, by the way, includes 98 percent of small businesses, Obama said, and 99.9 percent of plumbers.
He also called for additional help from his supporters.
The change we need wont come from government alone, Obama said. It comes from all of us doing our part, in our own lives, in our own communities. Were going to have to look after ourselves, but also our fellow citizens. I can do a lot as president to advance energy independence, but everyone here has an obligation to make their homes and their businesses more energy efficient."
I can do a lot as president to invest more money into our schools, but I cant be the parent who turns off the TV set to make your child do their homework, the candidate continued. Thats your job.
Before leaving the stage, Obama asked supporters to go out and vote, and to consider themselves as individuals, but also as a team that must work to bring change and reform to the White House.
We can change this country on Nov. 4, two days from now,Obama said. Understand this, Ohio, we are not as divided as our politics would suggest. Were not just a collection of states or a collection of individuals. Were the United States. Were a community. We can steer ourselves out of this crisis.
Gov. Sarah Palin also made a final Ohio campaign stop Sunday in Owensville. She spoke to supporters about taxes, the environment and the Obama-Biden ticket. Palin also spoke today in Canton, Marietta and Columbus.