WP: Democratic Candidates Begin Rust Belt Tour

[Coexist]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/29/AR2008082902372.html

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 29 -- Democratic running mates Barack Obama and Joseph R. Biden Jr. embarked on a Rust Belt bus tour Friday that aimed to capitalize on a convention that appeared to ease party tensions and ended with Obama's historic and widely acclaimed acceptance speech before a record national audience.

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The Democratic team will spend Labor Day weekend on a caravan through the critical swing states of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan, where the candidates will court working-class voters, whom Obama has struggled to attract. Biden, a native of Scranton, Pa., with a lunch-pail pedigree, is expected to bolster Obama's credentials among this critical demographic, as well as with senior citizens.

Biden, who is more easygoing and conversational than Obama on the campaign trail, showed the levity he will bring to the ticket when the pair arrived at a Pittsburgh hotel to tape a "60 Minutes" interview Friday evening and were greeted by Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. "Hey, Coach, I'm Joe Biden. I'm second-string," the vice presidential candidate quipped.

The pair held their first joint rally Friday night in Beaver, Pa., drawing about 8,000 people to a downtown park. Biden and Obama were introduced by Leo Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers, who offered a forceful testimonial aimed at his blue-collar members. "They know what it's like to struggle," Gerard said. "They're going to be there for us."