Abigail Miner/The LanternSen. Barack Obama addresses the largest crowd to attend a Columbus political event at the Ohio Statehouse Sunday.“I can take two more days of attacks, but the American people cannot take four more years,” Obama said.
Obama addressed Vice President Dick Cheney’s recent endorsement of Sen. John McCain, saying McCain’s support for President Bush’s policies allowed him to earn that endorsement.
Although Obama said he commends McCain for disagreeing with President George W. Bush on the issue of torture, Obama said he believes McCain’s support of Bush’s budget and economic policies was enough to bring “Cheney out of hiding.”
“[McCain] worked hard for this endorsement,” Obama said. “He hasn’t been a maverick, he’s been a sidekick.”
Obama’s speech covered three main tenets: tax cuts, health-care and education.
Obama’s position on tax cuts
“John McCain may be worried about losing the election, but I’m worried about you losing your house,” Obama said.
Obama said his tax cuts will exempt 98 percent of small businesses, individuals making less than $250,000 and “99.9 percent of plumbers,” Obama said.
When addressing attacks of being called a socialist, Obama said his tax cut plans are a response to the alleged failure of “trickle-down” economic policies.
“When everybody has a shot, everybody does better,” Obama said.
“That’s what happened when Bill Clinton was president. It’s simple economics.”
Obama’s plan for education
Obama said his plans for education reform will start with reconstruction of the current. “I plan to have a new army of teachers,” Obama said.
“We will pay them higher salaries.”
Concerning college affordability, Obama said his plan for education will allow any student who has served his or her country and community to afford college tuition.
Obama’s plan for health-care
Obama said his health-care plan will allow those who currently have health insurance with their employer to remain insured; however, he said his health-care plan will allow that insurance to be less expensive.
Obama said his plan will allow those without health-care to have high-quality health insurance.
“You are going to have the same health-care that the members of Congress give themselves,” Obama said.
Mayor Michael Coleman said attending the rally is not enough to support Obama’s campaign; he encouraged voters to walk from the Statehouse to Veterans Memorial to vote early.
“Some will do anything and everything to stop us from voting,” Coleman said. “Cross that bridge to freedom and vote today.”
Gov. Ted Strickland also encouraged those who attended the rally to vote early.
“This election can be wrapped up before the polls open,” Strickland said.
Amber Phelps can be reached at [email protected].
