Thousands pack Toledo stadium to rally for Obama

OhioChick

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Thousands pack Toledo stadium to rally for Obama

February 24, 2008

TOLEDO - The first Barack Obama fan arrived at the University of Toledo at 3:45 a.m. today, anxious to see the political phenomenon.

By 3:45 p.m., Savage Hall at the university was packed with more than 10,000 adoring supporters, who listened to gospel choirs, mariachi bands and chanted “Yes We Can,” the trademark slogan of the surging Obama campaign.

“I love the talk of change, like guaranteed medical coverage for children and the $4,000 grant for college students,” said Angel Beene, a 31-year-old Toledo resident who brought her 8-year-old son Derick Daniels to his first political rally.

“I like change too,” Derick chimed in.

And Obama didn’t disappoint.

“The American people are ready for something new; politics that aren’t about tearing people down, but lifting people up,” he said. “If we could just come together and get beyond the divisions, which politicians sometimes make worse … then there is no challenge we couldn’t solve, no destiny we couldn’t fulfill.”

Speaking in a state almost as economically challenged as Michigan, Obama delivered a populist message, saying he would end tax breaks for wealthy individuals and businesses that ship jobs overseas, renegotiate trade deals that have cost Americans jobs and offer a health care plan that would bring better days for the 47 million Americans without insurance.

But, speaking in Toledo, just an hour away from the headquarters of the domestic auto industry, Obama once again took a shot at Detroit, repeating the story of how he delivered a tough message about fuel efficiency standards to the Big 3 during a speech to the Detroit Economic Club last May.

“We can’t let Toyota and Honda dominate the fuel efficient car market,” he said. “We’ll work with the Big 3, but I’ve told them they’ve got to raise fuel efficiency standards to 40 miles per gallon.”

He said the audience at the Detroit Economic Club got quiet and offered little applause to that message.

“But it’s not just about telling them what they want to hear, but what they need to hear,” Obama said.

He also took shots at his Democratic rival Sen. Hillary Clinton for her complaints about a mailer that he sent to Ohio voters about her positions on trade policy and health care.

“The Clinton administration championed NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement) all the way,” he said. “Now, you can’t take credit for everything good in the Clinton administration and then not for things you now say you don’t like.”

Ohio and Texas voters will go the polls March 4 in contests where Clinton has been a front-runner, but has seen her lead slipping in recent days.

Obama has been drawing crowds in the tens of thousands in both states and has a distinct advantage among younger people, African Americans and white men.

Audiences members cited Obama’s message of change and the tone of his campaign as reasons to support the Illinois Senator.

“The transformational differences in our politics, that have pitted red against blue and driven wedges between parts of our community are done,” said Ohio State Treasurer Richard Cordray. “We’re done with that and we’re going to turn the page.

“Barack Obama offers the great hope of turning the page and changing the destructive state of our politics and we believe he’s the best choice for Ohio families,” he added.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080224/NEWS15/80224050

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