Obama Makes His "Closing Argument"

In Ohio, Democrat Promises To Restore Prosperity And Sense Of "Higher Purpose"

(CBS/ AP)  Closing his case for the presidency, Barack Obama promised on Monday to restore economic prosperity and a sense of "higher purpose" to a tired, embattled nation.

"We are one week away from changing America," the Democratic presidential candidate proclaimed, campaigning with the confidence of a contender nearing victory.

Obama returned to the soaring oratory of his first days as a candidate. With the luxury of a lead in the polls, Obama's goal was to remind voters of why he ran in the first place - and how he differs from his Republican rival, John McCain.

"In one week, we can choose hope over fear, unity over division, the promise of change over the power of the status quo," Obama said. "We can come together as one nation, and one people, and once more choose our better history. That's what's at stake."

The campaign called Obama's speech nothing less than a closing argument. The jury is out, though, until the election on Nov 4., and McCain vows to pull out a late victory.

Obama made a strategic choice to give this speech in pivotal Ohio. He struggled to connect with working-class voters here during the primaries and lost the Ohio primary to New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. No Democrat has won the presidency without Ohio's support since John F. Kennedy in 1960.

Obama, an Illinois senator, has accused McCain of resorting to smear tactics in a desperate attempt to win votes.

"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 to a raucous crowd at Canton's civic center. "Ohio, we are here to say, 'Not this time. Not this year.'"

Unlike at most of Obama's campaign events, the crowd waved small American flags instead of campaign signs, reports CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic. Not one campaign sign could be found in the Canton Civic Center. (Read more of Gavrilovic's report from the scene)

Polls show a tight race in Ohio, which tilted the 2004 race in favor of President Bush. (Read more on the campaign in Ohio.)

For his part, McCain's core theme in recent days has been that electing Obama would give Democrats, who are on track to increase their congressional majorities, dangerous control of the government.

"My opponent is out there working out the details with (House) Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi and (Senate Majority Leader) Harry Reid, their plans to raise your taxes, increase spending and concede defeat in Iraq," said McCain, who was also in Ohio. "We're not going to let that happen."

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Horserace Blog: Vaughn Ververs Breaks Down The Candidates' Closing Arguments

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Democrats, meanwhile, argued that a one-party government could set the economy on the right track faster than one split between warring Republicans and Democrats.

"If the American people want to get something done, that's not a bad idea." said Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, said on CBS News' The Early Show. "Divided government gives everybody the ability to not do something and then point the finger at the other guy."

As the longest presidential contest in history nears a finish, Obama and McCain are dueling for the electoral riches of Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Going beyond the economic concerns that have dominated the campaign, Obama spelled out a foreign policy agenda that, again, painted him as a needed change from Bush and McCain.

Obama said flatly he would end the war in Iraq and restore America's moral standing.

"I will never hesitate to defend this nation," he said. "But I will only send our troops into harm's way with a clear mission and a sacred commitment to give them the equipment they need in battle, and the care and benefits they deserve when they come home."

Unlike in other key states, Obama has struggled to sustain a big lead in Ohio despite pounding McCain with TV ads and building a strong get-out-the-vote operation.

Ohio, which has 20 electoral votes, never really recovered from the post-Sept. 11 recession. Long a manufacturing bastion, Ohio has lost almost 250,000 factory jobs since 2000. The unemployment rate is at 7.2 percent, well above the national average of 6.1 percent.

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Ways To Win
Calculate your own path to the presidency with our Electoral Vote prediction map.

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Pennsylvania is the only state that Democrat John Kerry won four years ago that both candidates are expected to visit before Election Day. With 21 electoral votes, it hasn't voted for a Republican president since 1988, but McCain is working the state aggressively. (Read more about the campaign in Pennsylvania)

Public polls show Obama comfortably leading in Pennsylvania, though private Republican surveys show a closer race.

[mahdeealoo]

I just looked at a map of the RED and BLUE states. Wouldn''t you know that the RED (McCains) states make up an image of "thumbs down" - a reflection of their sick campaign tactics. This is how they will treat the rest of the world. Bomb baby bomb.

Smart people see through all of their trashing. They have nothing real to say, so all they can do is bully Obama. Yes, when you are in the voting booth, the association with McCain/Palin with George Bush''s face will be apparent. 4 more years of Bush, I think NOT.

If you missed 60 Minutes last night you should listen to the program on CBS%u2019s Internet site. You will find out who is the blame for the mess we are in. The first story is all about who and what caused the housing meltdown. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4546649n

[interobserv]

i promise to lay one person off for every fifty g''''''''s in taxes i lose to this kenyan muslim. drop dead america, you deserve it.


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Posted by FUBums at 09:40 AM : Oct 27, 2008

Sir, your rantings are entirely typical of the moronoc ravings I have endured listening to you right wing clowns for the last 8 years. You believe that you owe nobody, but, because you are veteran, we owe you!! You''re idea of fairness extends only to the very wealthy. The rest of us "Joes", who prop up your two bit business operations with our blood, sweat, and tears are left holding the bag, hoping that some of the wealth "trickles down". We have had enough your ***! Take your business to Ireland! I am sure TEHY will put up with your NONSENSE!

[sommertime6]

If the philosophy of redistributing wealth is a concern to you and you want to know more about where Obama stands on this specific idea, here is a link to an interview with Obama while he was in the Illinois state legislature: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iivL4c_3p
ck

[longtree-2009]

almost over, just a few more days. no matter who wins i hope it is by a decisive margin so the babbling and arguments, rants, will finally end. at least, it will end for another 4 years until it fires up again.

[white-marsh]

TURN ON YOUR CNN, MSNBC, of FOX Cable News.

As of this second, Senator McCain is trying to get the jump on Senator Obama by detailing his economic plan in his "closing arguments". McCain has a list of corporate and weak elected officials on stage with him to back his plans.

[repforbarack]

McCain Falsely Claims He Never Used The Word ''Timetable''
July 26, 2008: "I didn''t use the word timetable." said McCain. When reminded by Stephanopoulos that he had, McCain responded, "That I did -- if I did... Oh, well, look. Anything is a good timetable that is dictated by conditions on the ground. Anything is good."
McCain responding to Iraqi president Maliki''s apparent agreement with Barack Obama regarding U.S. troop withdrawal during his appearance on ABC News'' This Week with George Stephanopoulos.
FLIP FLOP: McCain has repeatedly stated withdrawal from Iraq should only be determined by conditions on the ground, "not some artificial, politically inspired" timetable and in January of 2008 blasted Mitt Romeny in a debate for using the word ''timetable''. See quote from January 30, 2008.

[repforbarack]

Obama reminds us of what''s good about America!


YES WE CAN...AND WE WILL!

[credibility2]

Is there no end to this man''s hyper arrogance? over the weekend in one of his stumps he tried mocking McCain for his closeness to Bush proclaiming that Bush had voted for him. Exactly what did this ignorant moron expect? I guess Obama is so narcissistic that he actually has convinced himself into believing that Bush should not have voted his party, Republican, of which McCain is the candidate and rather, crossed over, since everyone knows that Obama is the only one running for the office. Pathetically, his brainwashed myopic delusionals thought his remark insightful and intelligent.

[repforbarack]

I''m going to take a moment to say that I''m truly enjoying watching the desperate comments by the lunatic fringe neocon posters. The death of the neocons is right around the corner :)

[windmaster12]

Lets see:

Mccain, Bush, and the rest of the GOP-

Managed to take Clinton''s surplus,
And 8 years later they replaced it with:

Bigger Gov''t --
Though they promised Smaller Govt-

Greater Debt-
Though they promised fiscal responsibility-

The largest Trade Deficit in history-
Outsourcing millions of US jobs

The Socialization of our Financial Institutions-
With Billions in tax payer paid bailouts-
Institutional Welfare for Wall Street Incompetents-

War in Iraq and Afghanistan
Costing us 10 Billion + a month
Ridicule throughout the world--

But they did give Tax breaks and incentives to:
The upper 3% -
To Big Oil,
And the GOP Defense Conglomerates--


The Choice is Astonishingly Clear---

VOTE GOP
VOTE MCSAME

CONTINUE THE BUSH LEGACY
FOUR MORE GLORIOUS YEARS
OF GOP BS

[brucie2006]

RepForBarack
I''m going to take a moment to say that I''''m truly enjoying watching the desperate comments by the lunatic fringe neocon posters. The death of the neocons is right around the corner :)

I agree, sipping on coffee. I am enjoying watching the neocons despare to the point of idiocy. The House/Congress going Democratic and then haviang the opportunity to change or influence the Supreme Court justices -

[repforbarack]

Rep(tile)ForBarack - Not desperate, just getting ready to say, "I told you so".
Personally I can''''t lose because I''''m going to make a fortune selling "DON''''T BLAME ME, I VOTED FOR MCCAIN" bumper stickers and tshirts. They will sell like crazy when everything goes down the tubes.
(of course, since liberals don''''t know how to do anything else, they will STILL blame Bush)
Posted by ritewingman



Fine...make your money. That is the purpose of you entire existence right?
If you can''t blame bush for the past 8 years at this point then you are a hopeless nutcase.

I won''t be here after 11/5. Once a democrat is back in office I will be ignoring this crappola. I only came here to protest bush 2 years ago.

[ekucrew]

So glad to see a majority of college students and youth support Obama.

Now bring back the draft and start sending the supportive students and youth to Iraq and Afghanistan and give US military and the National Guard troops a rest from four tours in a row. No deferments will be allowed. No sense trying to hide in the National Guard either.

[repforbarack]

Rep(tile)ForBarack - Not desperate, just getting ready to say, "I told you so".
Personally I can''''''''t lose because I''''''''m going to make a fortune selling "DON''''''''T BLAME ME, I VOTED FOR MCCAIN" bumper stickers and tshirts. They will sell like crazy when everything goes down the tubes.
(of course, since liberals don''''''''t know how to do anything else, they will STILL blame Bush)
Posted by ritewingman



Fine...make your money. That is the purpose of your entire existence right?
If you can''t blame bush for the past 8 years at this point then you are a hopeless nutcase.

I won''t be here after 11/5. Once a democrat is back in office I will be ignoring this crappola. I only came here to protest bush 2 years ago.


(whoops...typo:)

[repforbarack]

So glad to see a majority of college students and youth support Obama.

Now bring back the draft and start sending the supportive students and youth to Iraq and Afghanistan and give US military and the National Guard troops a rest from four tours in a row. No deferments will be allowed. No sense trying to hide in the National Guard either.
Posted by ekucrew


Why Iraq?
That''s a pointless/senseless distraction brought to us by lil''bush. Bring our boys home!

[standlee5]

I refuse to watch unless he puts pelosi on one side and reid on the other while he makes this speech. pelosi/reid/obama, the dynamic trio to lead us out of this ecnomoci crisis and turn us into a cute little comfy warm european country. We want pelosi/reid/obama to run the new ussa.

Vote McCain/Pelosi for a return to USA strength.

[standlee5]

refuse to watch unless he puts pelosi on one side and reid on the other while he makes this speech. pelosi/reid/obama, the dynamic trio to lead us out of this ecnomoci crisis and turn us into a cute little comfy warm european country. We want pelosi/reid/obama to run the new ussa.

Vote McCain/Pelosi for a return to USA strength.

Posted by standlee5 at 10:36 AM : Oct 27, 2008

ooops, it was such a good post too.

Vote McCain/Palin for USA strength

[flo82-2009]

know the truth about obama www.5thingsaboutobama.com

[flo82-2009]

www.5thingsaboutobama.com

AYRES,WRIGHT and the CAC

[flo82-2009]

Americans need to know the truth

Obama''s pastor of 20 years made antiAmerican remarks

www.5thingsaboutobama.com its the truth not opinion

[repforbarack]

teehee

psst! (flo82 actually thinks there''s a chance we''ll go to his website)

;)

[flo82-2009]

www.5thingsaboutobama.com

get the word out, this site is the truth

[drsam8]

McCAIN%u2019S LAST DESPERATE PLEA

JOHN McCAIN THINKS THAT THE ONLY REASON WE SHOULD VOTE FOR HIM is fear of one party rule. We should forget in this stroke of fear-mongering, his ineptitude, temperament, anger, incompetence, wrong ideas for the time, bellicose attitude, Palin''s unfitness to be President should anything happen to him, his mostly upper-crust concern for the rich, his strong alliance for the Bush policies that brought us into this economic mess, and more! He is dreaming in technicolor! What Democrats need is a strong mandate that will break the gridlock in Washington. Then they can implement a true agenda for change. Then as well, under a possible Obama Presidency, the United States can begin to rebuild its sullied image abroad under Bush. OBAMA''S CLOSING ARGUMENT should be about a strong mandate for the change we need, especially in this situation of crisis. Say no to McCain!

[seadogmb]

Scares us some more Flo......

I cannot imagine a world without Republican arrogance and incompetence at the top. Yes a John McCaAin who voted with the DuUmb 92% of the time and cerebral Sarah Palinh would cure all of that, wouldn''t they?

[cschapp]

Everyone needs to understand what B.Os true thoughts are BEFORE he got into this race....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iivL4c_3pck

barry obama has such a questionable past there is no way any American should vote for him.


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Posted by wimpleman at 10:50 AM : Oct 27, 2008

SOS Different day

[aldon61]

Neither Obama nor McCain can use a "closing arguement"; that will be done by the american people next Tuesday when our voices are heard. All the candidates can do is pitch their cases before the public. We''re the closers!

[tachoma-2009]

If you are planning on voting republican or for john mccain, when you get in the voting booth just vote Democrat vote. And if you plan on voting democrat cast your vote for barack obama.

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by aldon61 at 10:53 AM


closing argument not closing activity.

[mytoosense]

November 5th, 2008 Frostbite Falls Free Press Headline:

Boris and Natasha Fail to Catch Moose and Squirrel.

[aldon61]

closing argument not closing activity.


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Posted by rudy654 at 11:04 AM : Oct 27, 2008

You''re right Rudy, but the point I''m making is that WE will closed the deal, they just spew their pitches.

[marinecwo2]

americans have become a bunch or ignorant arrogant dumasses. i hate every one of you. i''''''''m a veteran. why did i serve? so now after busting my rear for twenty five years i have to be patriotic and cough up cash for a bunch of whiny do nothings? drop dead every single one of you losers voting for obama. you think youre gonna send your money problems to me to get fixed? no way. i promise to lay one person off for every fifty g''''''''s in taxes i lose to this kenyan muslim. drop dead america, you deserve it.

Posted by FUBums at 09:40 AM : Oct 27, 2008


FUBums, I too am a veteran. But unlike you I do not hate my country. This is an election for a new President not an overthrow of a monarchy. No matter who is President, I will love this country and its people and do my best to raise my children to be better than what you are showing yourself to be. If you hate this country so much, just leave. Go to another country and see how they live and I bet you will come back to the country you bad mouthed. No matter what happens in this election, you need to still be a good American and love this great country. We live and die, rise and fall as one nation.

[frank-e1]

When is Obama going to mention getting us out of KOREA (Truman''s war) or BOSNIA (Clinton''s War) or Columbia (Who knows who''s war) or GERMANY (Roosevelt''s War) - Oh, I know, its easier to pick on Bush than discuss our foreign policy, right?

[repforbarack]

frank-e1 thinks Iraq is a real war :)

[libra127]

Sure, I''m voting for McCain. I would never vote for Hussein Obama.

Posted by mr22585 at 10:52 AM : Oct 27, 2008

So I guess you agree with Al Quaeda - they have now endorsed McCain. Evidently, they feel he helps their recruiting.

See the article in the Oct 25 New York Times by Nicholas D. Kristof, entitled "The Endorsement From He11".

Throw a blow to Al Quaeda - vote for Obama.

[frank-e1]

Oh, and another thing. I thought the Dems PROMISED to get us out of IRAQ when they took over the legislature last election. Go ahead, swallow some more lies. When the Bush tax cuts expire in 2009, make sure to check your paycheck -- bet you its less no matter who you are. nuf sed

[palin08o8]

You know what I changed my mind about Obama! I think he will be better for national security and the economy!

Plus sarah palin $150,000.00 on clothes, most Americans could have bought a home for that amount!

Besides I think Sarah Palin is really a Terrorist

Breaking News: The Terrorist Group AKA Alaska Independent party Calling on Russia to help secede from the Union
www.chilitoz.com
Extremists Mark Chryson and Steve Stoll former leaders of the Alaska Terrorist group AKA Independence Party and friends of Sarah Palin are calling on Russia to help them gain independence from the United States.

Watch video of Sarah palin addressing The Alaska Terrorist Group also known as The Independence party. They are calling for a civil war against the mainland.
www.chilitoz.com

[andrew727]

Anyone who has an ounce of intellect will vote for Barack Obama. We''ve seen what eight years of "DUH" has done to this country - does anyone want four years of "UH, UH, UH...anybody seen where my Depends are?" Worse yet, if "UH, UH, UH" kicks-off while in office, getting a trailer-tramp hussie with a SAKS Fifth Avenue appetite increasing our misery with a war with everyone else, sending even more of our adult children in service to their deaths for big oil? Those who vote for the Elephant can *** well clean up their own mess!

- Andrew, MALL727net -

[tachoma-2009]

hillaryin012 i''ve worked in my pass for tips and you always going to get an average for everyone that don''t tip someone will. you even will get people that will over tip. i never worried about getting stiffed because i felt blessed. just by focusing on the best service i could give. when you take money out the equation it makes your job easier and less stressful.

[washcapitals]

So I guess you agree with Al Quaeda - they have now endorsed McCain. Evidently, they feel he helps their recruiting.

See the article in the Oct 25 New York Times by Nicholas D. Kristof, entitled "The Endorsement From He11".

Throw a blow to Al Quaeda - vote for Obama.


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Posted by libra127

The NYT is in the tank for Obama. I would expect some type of article like this. What about an article on Obama''s illegal funds? Not saying he received them because its all speculation, but last time I heard there was an invstigation

[nycsense]

this election is almost as big a joke as all the losers lining up to suck obama. you bunch of worthless losers make me sick. americans have become a bunch or ignorant arrogant dumasses. i hate every one of you. i''''''''m a veteran. why did i serve? so now after busting my rear for twenty five years i have to be patriotic and cough up cash for a bunch of whiny do nothings? how about working three jobs like i did? oh no, cant do that. 200 billion to the chocolate city and it still is junk. zip to houston and its all fixed? why because welfare morons cant do anything but suck off the public teat and complain. drop dead every single one of you losers voting for obama. you think youre gonna send your money problems to me to get fixed? no way. i promise to lay one person off for every fifty g''''''''s in taxes i lose to this kenyan muslim. drop dead america, you deserve it.


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Posted by FUBums at 09:40 AM : Oct 27, 2008

Wow, typical racist Texan. Now we know what you''re all about buddy. You and people like you are slowly going the way of the dinosaurs and good ridance.

[libra127]

The NYT is in the tank for Obama. I would expect some type of article like this.

Posted by WashCapitals at 11:31 AM : Oct 27, 2008

Yes, the New York Times published an excellent editorial a couple days ago endorsing Obama. Every intelligent person (heck, even unintelligent ones) should read it.

But are you saying that the Al Quaeda website which Kristof is quoting as endorsing McCain is...well..."in the tank for McCain" ? Yeah, I guess they are. That''s the point.

[libra127]

The NYT is in the tank for Obama. I would expect some type of article like this.

Posted by WashCapitals at 11:31 AM : Oct 27, 2008

Yes, the New York Times published an excellent editorial a couple days ago endorsing Obama. Every intelligent person (heck, even unintelligent ones) should read it.

But are you saying that the Al Quaeda website which Kristof is quoting as endorsing McCain is...well..."in the tank for McCain" ? Yeah, I guess they are. That''s the point.

[marinecwo2]

Only 13.4% of America is black.White people are in control. White people need to step up and take full control. Elect John McCain. A true American...


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Posted by mr22585 at 11:44 AM : Oct 27, 2008

What makes him a true American and not Barack Obama? Obama was born in Hawaii, where was John McCain born??? Quit making yourself look racist and uneducated. If you want to attack policies, fine. But not that he is black or muslim or any other rediculous non-factors.

[repforbarack]

"Not all McCain supporters are racists.
But all racists are McCain supporters."

[lucasnico]

Alaska''s biggest newspaper, the Anchorage Daily News is endorsing Barack Obama.....ta daaaaa!!

[strangeworld]

"Only 13.4% of America is black.White people are in control. White people need to step up and take full control."

There''s an ever shrinking number of people that share your concept of voting for someone based on their race, and that''s good. I''m voting for the person that I believe will do what''s best for the citizens of America, not the one who shares my skin color. At this time, the people f the US should be coming together to make the US a better place to live. The republicans seem to have no concept of this unity and as always are campaigning on issues that will divide the country. It''s time to vote out republicans from the local courthouse to the Whitehouse.

[skyhawk761]

Your candidate has bar none, the most liberal onesided partisan voting record in Congress - how is that an example of unification????


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Posted by pelosilover at 12:03 PM : Oct 27, 2008
+ report abuse

The last 8 years of conservative voting and policies has wrecked this country. I am going in a different direction with my vote, and that will be a vote for change.

[strangeworld]

What the republicans are not telling you in this election is that when the US had it''s greatest periods of growth, the tax rate on the wealthy was much greater...in fact the top tax rate in 1957 (Eisenhower administration - a republican) was 91%. If the "trickle down" economics that the republicans and McCain embrace would actually work, we wouldn''t be in the middle of a financial meltdown right now. There''s no mystery here folks, there''s no evidence that the GOP economic model has helped the US in the long term, in fact the great depression was caused by the same economic model that McCain and the rest of the republicans embrace. The GOP is out of touch with the average citizen of the US, McCain is above all worried about his wealthy campaign contributors and their bulging pocket books.