Obama stresses economy in speech
The Rocky Mount Telegram | April 29, 2008
By Mike Hixenbaugh
With his jacket off and his shirt sleeves rolled up, Barack Obama asked a crowd of about 1,500 somewhat-soggy Eastern North Carolinians on Monday to believe in the potential of the middle class - and then to vote for him on May 6.
Despite heavy afternoon rains, most of those in attendance waited more than two hours outside Beddingfield High School to hear the Democratic presidential hopeful.
Taking several minutes during his speech to focus on issues faced by small towns throughout the eastern part of the state, Obama pledged to restore the U.S. economy by returning order to the job market.
"Unemployment here in Wilson is outpacing the rest of the county," Obama said after referring to a few local plants that moved overseas in recent years. "And folks here in Wilson are making about $11,000 less on average than the rest of the country. Meanwhile, gas costs $3.58."
Part of the problem, Obama said, is with leaders in Washington, D.C., who answer to special interests instead of the average U.S. resident.
