Obama and 35,000 in Indianapolis - Democratic Underground

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Thu Oct-23-08 01:59 PM
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Obama and 35,000 in Indianapolis

Edited on Thu Oct-23-08 02:42 PM by bigtree

October 23, 2008

(INDIANAPOLIS) - Barack Obama continued to portray John McCain as out of touch with the working class, telling the crowd of 35,000 that he will stand up for them.

“Who’s looking out for steelworkers? Who’s fighting for carpenters? Who’s fighting for teachers? Who’s fighting for teamsters? That’s the president I want to be,” Obama said.

Several unions, including Carpenters for America and Teachers for America were at the rally, waving signs in support of the Democratic nominee.

“More tax cuts for job outsourcing. That’s what Senator McCain proposed as his answer to outsourcing,” Obama said, adding, “That’s the kind of economic philosophy we’ve had for the past eight years – and that’s fundamentally wrong.”

read: http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/10/23/politics/fromtheroad/entry4541260.shtml

"Sen. McCain thinks the economic policies of George W. Bush are just right for America…," Obama said. "Just yesterday, Sen. McCain strongly defended the Bush policy of lavishing tax cuts on corporations that ship American jobs overseas. He made the peculiar argument that the best way to stop companies from shipping jobs overseas is to give more tax cuts to companies that ship jobs overseas. More tax cuts for job outsourcers. That’s what Sen. McCain proposed as his answer to outsourcing. He said that’s – quote – “simple fundamental economics.”"

Well, Indiana, my opponent may call that “fundamental economics,” but we know that’s just another name for the Wall-Street-first-Main-Street- last economic philosophy we’ve had for the past eight years – and that’s fundamentally wrong. If Sen. McCain wants to defend tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas, that’s his choice. But I say, let’s end tax cuts for companies that ship American jobs overseas, and give them to companies that create good jobs right here in Indiana — in the United States of America."

By the way, did you know that there’s a building in the Cayman Islands that supposedly houses 18,000 corporations. That’s either the biggest building or the biggest tax scam on record. And I think we know which one it is. That’s the system my opponent defends. That’s the system he wants to preserve. Well, Indiana, we’ve tried it John McCain’s way. We’ve tried it George Bush’s way. And we’re here today to say enough is enough. We can’t afford four more years of their “fundamental economics,” he said.

read: http://washingtonindependent.com/14482/obama-slams-corporate-loophole-mccain

Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith caught up with Obama Wednesday in Richmond, Va., and asked him about leaving the campaign trail at such a crucial time, with less than two weeks until Election Day.

Harry Smith: I want to talk about some campaign issues, not the least of which is - your running mate, Joe Biden. ... (He) talked about, 'Well - Barack Obama's gonna be tested, within the first six months.' John McCain jumped on that and said, 'I don't need to be tested. I'm ready.' Are you more ready to be president of the United States than John McCain is?

Barack Obama: I tell - all I can say is this: We've had, over the last couple of months, I think, an interesting series of tests. And - I think that I have been steadier. I think my advisers and my team and my organization, what we've built, has - has performed - with the kind of calm resolve and deliberation that the White House needs right now. Any president is gonna be tested - by the enormity of the challenges that we face.

Harry Smith: The rancorous tone of this campaign - I was with John McCain on Monday, and I said, 'Our poll data shows that it's actually hurting you.' He says, 'I wouldn't be doing it if he weren't doing it.'

Barack Obama (laughing): Well, look. I - I mean - politics is tough. ... But I will say this: I don't think there's any equivalence between what we've been doing and what John McCain's been doing. ... Witness some of the comments that have been made just over the last several months, his last several weeks, 'Socialistic.' You know, 'Pals around with terrorists.' I mean, just - the kinds of stuff that - that I can't imagine saying about an opponent of mine.

Harry Smith: Whoever gets elected president somehow has to put their arm around the whole country and say, 'We're in this together.'

Barack Obama: Yeah.

Harry Smith: Can you do that?

Barack Obama: I can. And I think that's the tone that we've set from the beginning of this campaign. I mean, look. Is - is - is Sean Hannity suddenly gonna get on the airwaves and say, 'You know, I was wrong about this Obama guy. He's - he's my man.' No, that's not gonna happen. I mean, there's gonna be a certain - wing of the Republican party - that is - dug in and resistant to the notion that we need to change direction.

read: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/22/earlyshow/main4539871.shtml?tag=topHome;topStories

Obama heads to Hawaii this afternoon to visit his beloved grandmother, Madelyn Dunham. Dunham has become seriously ill, prompting the Democratic nominee to leave the campaign trail just 12 days before the election. This morning on CBS' "The Early Show", Obama told Harry Smith that he it was important for him to see his grandmother while she is still alert.

“My grandmother's the last one left,” Obama said.

He also expressed regret for not being by his mother’s bedside when she passed away in 1995.

“Yeah, got there too late. You know, I mean, it was sort of like this, in the sense that she had a terminal illness. We knew-- she wasn't doing well. But you know, the diagnosis was such that we thought we had a little more time, and we didn't,” Obama said, “And so I want to make sure that I don't make the same mistake twice.”

Harry Smith: Some people say there's risk involved in this, with so little time left.

Barack Obama: Yeah, well - the - yeah, I think most people understand - that if you're not - caring for your family - then - you're probably not - the kind of person who's gonna be caring for other people.

read:

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remarks of Barack Obama in Indianapolis, prepared for delivery: http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2008/10/23/prepared_remarks_of_barack_obama/?page=full

watch CBS interview with Harry Smith: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/22/earlyshow/main4539871.shtml?tag=topHome;topStories

photos from Thursday, Oct.23 - (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES)