Jackie McPherson is a TV reporter in Marion, IL, for ABC’s WSIL affiliate. She’s also the future Mrs Darren Jones-McPherson; and enjoys BBQs and visiting Palm Springs. Below is her dispatch from Obama’s stop in Missouri yesterday. See more of her work here.
Obama Stops in Cape Girardeau
By: Jackie McPherson
jmcpherson {at} wsiltv(.)com
CAPE GIRARDEAU,MO– Instead of campaigning in West Virginia Tuesday, Barack Obama seemed to be looking ahead to the general election, making a stop in our region.
The Illinois Senator held a town hall meeting at the Thorngate manufacturing plant in Cape Girardeau.
Many political analysts say Missouri could be a swing state come November.
Instead of talking about Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama had a different name on his lips during his speech: “A vote for John McCain is a vote for George Bush’s 3rd term.” Obama told the crowd at Thorngate Limited that unlike the Republican presidential nominee, his focus is on the middle class. “We’re going to provide an income tax cut to ordinary families, like the ones who work in this plant, that’s worth up to $1000 per family, per year,” Obama said.
After speaking for 30 minutes, Obama took questions from his audience. Many asked about rising gas prices. “I’m going to invest 150 billion dollars over 10 years on alternative fuels” Obama said.
It was a speech that seemed to be well-received. Obama had plenty of supporters in the crowd. Even those who couldn’t attend the invitation-only event parked themselves out in front of the manufacturing plant, holding signs and hoping for a glimpse of Obama.
“He’s rallied the youth like no other candidate since Kennedy” says Brooke Clubbs, a Jackson Missouri voter. “It’s an exciting time.”
Of course, there are some who wonder if Obama’s message of change can actually change things in Washington.
“I think he knows what he’s talking about and I believe him. I guess I worry- how is he going to do all these things?” says Mary Bock from Perry County Missouri.
Perhaps Obama can address that concern, next time he’s back in this area.
“We’re going to spend a lot of time in Missouri and make sure we win this state” he told the crowd in a closing statement.
TAGS: Barack Obama, election, George Bush, Hillary, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, mccain, NATO, obama, political
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