MARTINSVILLE
Democrat Sen. Barack Obama took his presidential campaign to the region with Virginia's highest unemployment and vowed to work to improve life for middle-class workers.
"I'm not going to say all the jobs in Martinsville are going to come back if I'm elected president," Obama told about 300 invited guests - most of them blue-collar workers - who gathered at Patrick Henry Community College.
"I'm not saying the schools will be fixed," he added. "What I'm saying is that I'm going to wake up every morning thinking about you."
The Martinsville area in Southside Virginia has an 11.4 percent unemployment rate because many of its largest manufacturing plants have closed in the past 15 years.
Obama said he would end tax breaks for U.S. companies that take jobs overseas.
He pledged to push for a $1,000 tax cut for working-class families and eliminate Social Security taxes for senior citizens earning less than $50,000 a year.
The 90-minute town-hall meeting kicked off an intensive two-day swing through Virginia by Obama, underscoring the importance of the state in the fall election and heightening speculation that the Democrat might choose Gov. Timothy M. Kaine to run as his vice president.
Obama, who is expected to name his running mate this week, did not offer any clues to his selection in Martinsville or during an evening town-hall meeting in Lynchburg.
Kaine, widely reported to be on Obama's short list of candidates, is slated to appear with Obama this morning at an event in Chester. Obama is scheduled to campaign in Chesapeake this afternoon.
The event in Martinsville, a major stop on the NASCAR circuit, was held in a massive garage at the community college recently built to train students to work on racing crews. Many in the crowd were dressed in jeans and union shirts and caps. Campaign officials said many of the invited guests had been laid off.
Obama stressed his differences on economic policies with Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee. Time and again, he linked McCain with President Bush.
"How many of you are better off since George Bush took office?" he asked.
No hands went up.
"How many of you are worse off?"
Dozens of hands raised.
"John McCain, let's face it, he's got a compelling biography," Obama said. "He's a POW. That's what people think about instead of that he's going to continue the same policies George Bush has been using for the last eight years."
Obama added, "John McCain wants to apply additional tax breaks, but he wants to give them to corporations. I want to give them to working families."
He was joined in Martinsville by former Gov. Mark Warner, a Democrat who is running for the U.S. Senate. In Lynchburg, Obama was accompanied by U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, a Democrat who is not up for election this year. Obama's message there in front of about 2,000 people who packed the auditorium of E.C. Glass High School was about the same as earlier in the day.
Obama lamented to the Martinsville crowd that the middle class has been beset by layoffs and stagnant wages this decade while the price of goods and education has increased.
"People aren't sure that the essential part of the American dream - if we work hard and sacrifice, we'll ultimately benefit - is true."
He called for expanded national service programs to allow people to defray college tuitions. He promised improved health care for those who have it, and for those who don't, he said, "I'm going to see that you have the same health insurance that we have as members of Congress."
Obama offered no blueprint of how he would pay for the programs. "None of this is going to be easy," he acknowledged.
In response to questions from the audience, Obama said he is a "strong supporter" of the Employee Free Choice Act, which would guarantee unions the right to try to organize workplaces. He said illegal immigrants should be registered and given a chance to gain citizenship if they learn English and compile a lengthy record of good behavior.
Obama's performance drew rave reviews from the strongly Democratic crowd.
"I think this is one of the most significant events to happen in Martinsville and Henry County that I can remember," said Tony Millner, a retired factory worker. "I haven't seen so much energy and enthusiasm in a candidate since Robert Kennedy." Millner said he hoped Obama's appearance would draw national attention to the region's problems.
"This is the first time a presidential candidate has come here," said Elex Howard, 60, who was recently laid off from a container plant.
Howard said he hoped Obama would bring back jobs from overseas. "Anything he does will be more than the Republicans did," he said.
Warren Fiske, (804) 697-1565, warren.fiske@pilotonline.com
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This is hard
I love Clinton. Honestly, but I have to share this.
I was in Wilson, NC. when Clinton, Gore, and Co. stood directly in front of me telling tobacco farmers how they were going to help them. As president Bill assisted in persecution of tobacco. Was this good for the country/ Yes. Was it an obvious lie to desperate people who wanted to hear it? Yes.
If John McMansion visited here
he would receive more press.
Do some research about Martinsville
I think it is rather obstinate that a Democrat will visit Martinsville, when during the Clinton years mind you, all the jobs left the area. My entire family is from that area. First it was DuPont, then the linen and clothing mills, then the furniture factories. The part that is truly sad though is how quickly the people forget and are embracing this character. I say that because he was acting, he did not really promise to do anything for them. Just think you all should research before acting like Obama is some Democrat savior. When was NAFTA signed?
Obama, McBush, whatever...
They are all the same...politicians. Democrat or Republican, whatever. It is all the same garbage year after year. I'd love to exercise my right to vote, just give me someone to vote for. I don't vote just because someone is a Dem or Rep, I vote for the person, and so far, there are no people running for president worth the effort to vote. Blah, Blah, Blah....
Pilot Obama love
Just noticed Obama's name is on the Pilot front page 9 times with 0 for McCain. This seems to be a daily occurrence. I think I'll put an automated scanner on it to track this each day. The resulting graph should be interesting.
I bet
...all the no working welfare collectors are smiling at the thought of bleeding us dry while they set on their butts.
No Record
And what has he been doing in the Senate to help middle class unemployed workers. No record = false promises.
To all those who want to support tax increases
Why haven't you already put your money where your mouth is? You can pay more than you owe right now by writing a check to the U.S. Treasury. Virtually every one of you who claims taxes are great NEVER pays extra taxes unless they're taken from your paycheck like the rest of us. If you think the U.S. Government can spend your money better than you can, give me some of it as well. I can spend it better than you, too. The only thing Barack Obama left out of this useless discussion was "I feel your pain. Then I'll feel your wallet to see what's left in it so I can take it."
sb19736
Well then, let me keep CB company. I too have no class. I am a fiscal conservative who is socially liberal.I have to support my family and pay for things like health insurance. I look at my check and I gasp at the amount of taxes I have to pay. Then I walk into a world of compromises due to failings of the goverment on every level at times due to shortages. I see people not working and making excuses. All the while seeking support I will never be eligble to receive. I worry about providing for the kids at a level I have earned and strived for. I too am tired of paying the way for others. Obama before he ever saw this race in his future coached others to receive a little bit more. No way, the money is mine. Learn to fish.
BTW, E.L. is the posterchild Obamite. I am saving the post as it say's it all. Check it out below.
Gee Whiz
Imagine that...Obama is gonna think of lil ol' me each & every morning! Now that's politics at it's finest..let me tell you. I may as well elect my mother...she also thinks of me everyday. eyeroll
Republicans destroy the economy
Bush borrowed $700 billion dollars from China to finance the invasion of Iraq. Now the bill must be paid.
McCorporate Socialist
The chances of Obama making positive change are slim, with McCain they are nil.
one sided
it seems this is all you hear about on the pilot,only about obama,more lies from another politician word of advise,don't make promises you will not keep.but as always my opinion will be deleted by the fine editing staff at the pilot,because of my personal views,talk about freedom of speech it's only free if your a liberal and have liberal points of views.this is another reason why i do not subscribe to your paper
It depends on what Is, is?
What is Obama's definition of 'senior'? If someone is full retirement age and already drawing social security they don't pay FICA on income if they work. Nor do they lose any SS benefit. Retiring and taking SS early will result in continuing to pay FICA as well as a reduced benefit check for exceeding a defined income limit. Pulling in 50 grand would entitle that worker to a SS benefit check of zero. As it should be. But Obama wouldn't have you pay the FICA on those earnings if you vote for him. Man, what a hook for the unwary. Please, examine the fine print in these campaign promises, especially the bottom line. If one is less than full retirement age then you aren't really retired, are you?
hmm, I've heard this before...
Oh yea, this is the same comment that Senator McCain got blasted by the media about when asked about the jobs in Detroit. Minus the "I'll think about you" part.
How will he help the unemployed?
Well, they say misery loves company, and the business tax increases he threatens will certainly drive more jobs out of the country, giving the currently unemployed lots of company.
Perhaps he will bring them jobs in the coal fields? Oh no, that's right, he wants to require utilities to get 15% of their power from windmills and solar cells, so less coal will be mined, not more.
The truth is that government does not create jobs. Every phony, make-work job government provides costs two from the private sector by raising the cost of doing business in the US and driving jobs overseas.
But he can think about them every morning. That should keep them warm and cozy.
The people...
The people that want to vote for NObama and want tax increases apparently DON'T pay taxes and live off of my paycheck. Sorry, I'm paying enough and can't afford you any longer. Here is a sandwich....Oh, you don't a sandwich, you want money...I thought so.
Pretty slimy but...
It's pretty slimy making false promises to people in bad financial shape but I've yet to see a politician that doesn't take these cheap shots. It's the stupidity of politics just like the blaming/taking credit simply because some guy was in office when something happened. I'll stick to not voting for Obama because he supports more taxes and larger government.
So this was the only quote Pilot could post?
They mentioned all his policies but yet could only find one direct quote to post. To be fair to both candidates, there needs to better media coverage that gives a better overall picture of what each candidates policies are. I mean if you dislike Obama and only heard this quote you'd never read further into his policies; ditto for McCain.
I would at least
elect someone who offers me change with a wink over someone who offers me more of the same failed leadership. I will vote for someone who will raise taxes over someone who will raise troop levels in a heartbeat, without remorse. After 8 LONG years of an administration with its head in the sand I will vote for atleast a change in controlling party. November can not get here quick enough then we can celebrate the victory of president Obama.