Obama makes his move
Michael Mayday
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Features
It's over 90 degrees out and throngs of people are pushing their way
into a Minor League Baseball stadium.
Presidential candidate Barack Obama and running mate, Joe Biden held
their rally Tuesday night at C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle Creek, Mich.,
an hour away from Hillsdale College. Obama's presidential campaign tour
is taking him through the Midwest to key battleground States. Michigan
is one.
As the crowd of 16,000 pass through security, they're reminded to leave
all chairs, bottles and banners behind. Paramedics stand by telling
people to keep hydrated as they're herded to the stands, the outfield or
the infield.
As the crowd of 16,000 gathers to hear only two people: Senators Barack
Obama and Joe Biden.
A parade of speakers, including Sen. Debbie Stabenow and State Sen. Mike
Schaur led up to a 30-minute delay while Obama's tour bus ran behind
schedule. They were tolerated, others were not. Two campaign organizers
were booed off stage as the impatient crowd chanted "Obama, Obama, Obama."
After four hours of standing in the heat, Obama and Biden arrived. The
crowd greeted the two stomping and chanting "Yes, we can! Yes, we can!"
as Both Senators stepped onto the stage.
"Folks, my name is Joe Biden, and I used to play centerfield," Biden
said. An uproar ensued.
To get Michigan to swing his way, Obama said he'd "Work with the auto
companies to provide them the grantees, the loans the resources to
retool, So that the high efficiency cars of the future…are built right
here in Michigan."
Obama also said he would stop giving tax breaks to companies that are
shipping jobs overseas, and reward those staying here.
"We're going to give those breaks to companies that are investing right
here in Michigan," Obama said.
The message was straight to the point: we can change America.
"Today that basic bargain that has defined America for over two
centuries, which is work hard and you'll get ahead. For the first time
in a long time that bargain is in question," Biden said, "It's not just
the worker on the line, it's every worker up the line."
A roar of approval meet each promise the candidates uttered, just as any
mention of John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, elicit boos
and jeers.
"We're going to give tax breaks to 95 percent of American families,"
Obama said, "because you guys need a break right now."
* *
"I've learned as I have traveled all across this country: it's that the
American people are hungry for change," Obama said.
Obama's speech repeated his mantra: change on Capitol Hill, change in
politics, and change in America.
One thing that may not have changed much though was his speech.
Kali Bird a graduate student from Michigan State University thought
Obama's Battle Creek speech was, "Very similar to the DNC speech."
This similarity has floated some concerns that Obama hasn't successfully
explained how he make change.
"I think before I'd vote for him I'd want to hear more details," said
Colin Kremer, a fellow MSU grad student, "But I'm definitely not voting
for McCain."
John Dahl, a 37 year old father from Lansing, laughed at mention of the
Republican nominee. Dahl considered McCain's pick for Vice President, "a
joke".
"It's a poor attempt to get Hillary voters," Dahl said, "I think it's
good for Democrats, because it's going to be suicidal for Republicans."
Republicans will get to state their case at a McCain rally in Sterling
Heights, Mich., on Sept. 5.
Correction:
The printed Obama article has given misleading information regarding Obama's plan for Michigan's Auto industry. The corrections are as follows:
$150 billion will go towards clean energy programs.
$50 billion will go towards economic stimulus.
A $4 billion aid package will go to Michigan's fledging auto industry. It will consist of federal loans and tax credits.
The Collegian apologizes for any confusion this may have caused.
into a Minor League Baseball stadium.
Presidential candidate Barack Obama and running mate, Joe Biden held
their rally Tuesday night at C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle Creek, Mich.,
an hour away from Hillsdale College. Obama's presidential campaign tour
is taking him through the Midwest to key battleground States. Michigan
is one.
As the crowd of 16,000 pass through security, they're reminded to leave
all chairs, bottles and banners behind. Paramedics stand by telling
people to keep hydrated as they're herded to the stands, the outfield or
the infield.
As the crowd of 16,000 gathers to hear only two people: Senators Barack
Obama and Joe Biden.
A parade of speakers, including Sen. Debbie Stabenow and State Sen. Mike
Schaur led up to a 30-minute delay while Obama's tour bus ran behind
schedule. They were tolerated, others were not. Two campaign organizers
were booed off stage as the impatient crowd chanted "Obama, Obama, Obama."
After four hours of standing in the heat, Obama and Biden arrived. The
crowd greeted the two stomping and chanting "Yes, we can! Yes, we can!"
as Both Senators stepped onto the stage.
"Folks, my name is Joe Biden, and I used to play centerfield," Biden
said. An uproar ensued.
To get Michigan to swing his way, Obama said he'd "Work with the auto
companies to provide them the grantees, the loans the resources to
retool, So that the high efficiency cars of the future…are built right
here in Michigan."
Obama also said he would stop giving tax breaks to companies that are
shipping jobs overseas, and reward those staying here.
"We're going to give those breaks to companies that are investing right
here in Michigan," Obama said.
The message was straight to the point: we can change America.
"Today that basic bargain that has defined America for over two
centuries, which is work hard and you'll get ahead. For the first time
in a long time that bargain is in question," Biden said, "It's not just
the worker on the line, it's every worker up the line."
A roar of approval meet each promise the candidates uttered, just as any
mention of John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, elicit boos
and jeers.
"We're going to give tax breaks to 95 percent of American families,"
Obama said, "because you guys need a break right now."
* *
"I've learned as I have traveled all across this country: it's that the
American people are hungry for change," Obama said.
Obama's speech repeated his mantra: change on Capitol Hill, change in
politics, and change in America.
One thing that may not have changed much though was his speech.
Kali Bird a graduate student from Michigan State University thought
Obama's Battle Creek speech was, "Very similar to the DNC speech."
This similarity has floated some concerns that Obama hasn't successfully
explained how he make change.
"I think before I'd vote for him I'd want to hear more details," said
Colin Kremer, a fellow MSU grad student, "But I'm definitely not voting
for McCain."
John Dahl, a 37 year old father from Lansing, laughed at mention of the
Republican nominee. Dahl considered McCain's pick for Vice President, "a
joke".
"It's a poor attempt to get Hillary voters," Dahl said, "I think it's
good for Democrats, because it's going to be suicidal for Republicans."
Republicans will get to state their case at a McCain rally in Sterling
Heights, Mich., on Sept. 5.
Correction:
The printed Obama article has given misleading information regarding Obama's plan for Michigan's Auto industry. The corrections are as follows:
$150 billion will go towards clean energy programs.
$50 billion will go towards economic stimulus.
A $4 billion aid package will go to Michigan's fledging auto industry. It will consist of federal loans and tax credits.
The Collegian apologizes for any confusion this may have caused.
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