Barack Obama’s campaign slogan went from “Yes we can” to “Yes we will” as he encouraged his supporters to make sure Michigan is a blue state in November. The Democratic presidential nominee made three appearances in Michigan during the weekend, including a Sunday rally in Battle Creek and Monday appearances in Detroit and Monroe.
“These next 60 days, we’ve got to work harder than we have ever worked,” he told the Battle Creek crowd. “You’ve got to knock on doors, you’ve got to make some phone calls, you’ve got to talk to your friends, you’ve got to talk to your neighbors.”
More than 16,000 people flocked to see Obama, D-Ill., and his running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., in Battle Creek, and thousands more attended the Detroit appearance. The Monroe event was much smaller, with about 300 people at a union-sponsored barbecue.
The appearances were part of Obama’s “On the Road to Change” tour of Midwestern battleground states. The tour began Friday in Pennsylvania. Obama switched his plans for the tour and returned to his home in Chicago to monitor hurricane damage Monday night.
Although Obama urged supporters to get involved, Biden went on the offensive, criticizing Republican presidential nominee John McCain for saying America’s economy is on the right track.
“If John believes we’re on the right track, I don’t want to be on that train,” he said.
Biden also bashed McCain for his record of voting with President Bush 90 percent of the time.
Barack Obama’s been right on every major issue, and McCain’s been wrong, he said.
Nursing senior Amy Johnson, who attended the Battle Creek rally, said she was affected by Obama’s pleas for involvement and is planning to join his campaign at MSU.
“I want to do everything I can to get involved,” she said.
Obama took a different tone Monday, commemorating Labor Day with rallies for Michigan’s unionized workers.
But before stumping, he encouraged crowd members to donate to the Red Cross’ efforts in the Gulf Coast, where Hurricane Gustav was making landfall.
“It’s a reminder that, for all our differences, we are one America,” he said.
Before a crowd that was about half union members, Obama promised to create an economic plan that supports Michigan’s unionized workers while Gov. Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin and other government officials stood nearby.
“We are going to create jobs with good wages and restore the prime of the U.S. auto industry and manufacturing in this country,” he said.
Between bites of burgers and coleslaw, supporters listened as Obama outlined his plans for affordable health care, increased educational funding and an end to the war in Iraq.
Denise Brooks, chairwoman of the Monroe County Democratic Party, said Obama is counting on union workers’ votes.
“Michigan is a swing state … he wants to relate to labor in order to get their backing,” said Brooks, who belongs to both the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations and the Office and Professional Employees International Union.
Most union workers are expected to cast ballots for Democrats in this election, Brooks said.
Obama’s visit is expected to be the first of many from both presidential candidates in the next two months.
Support student media!
Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
McCain is scheduled to hold a rally Friday at the Freedom Hill Amphitheatre in Sterling Heights after wrapping up the Republican National Convention on Thursday.
Brooks said she also hopes to organize a visit to Monroe from Michelle Obama before November.
Discussion
Share and discuss “Obama visits Mich. workers, shares vision” on social media.
