ASHTABULA — Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland tackled an elephant Monday in the Blue and Gold Room at Kent State University-Ashtabula.
The “elephant,” as he called it, is the issue of race in the 2008 presidential election.
“Some people may say they do not feel comfortable voting for him so we have to validate Barack Obama to our family and friends,” Strickland said. “Say to your neighbor, ‘This is our guy.’”
Strickland hosted an Economic Town Hall Meeting to share Obama’s vision for helping working families, rebuilding the country’s faltering economy, adding more jobs both in Ohio and elsewhere across the country, and putting America back on track.
Democratic candidate for Congress Bill O’Neil, State Rep. Deborah Newcomb and State Sen. Capri Cafaro joined Strickland in his efforts. About 100 area Democrats, including several locally elected officials, attended the meeting.
Strickland promises that if Obama is elected, Obama will:
n Get a health care plan for all Americans that’s affordable.
n Provide a $1,000 rebate to help families with energy costs;
n Bring an honorable end to the war in Iraq.
n Repair the U.S.’s standing in the world.
Strickland warned the group that the campaign will be tough and lies will be told about Obama.
“We must do everything we can to help Obama. … He’s not a Muslim,” he said. “The truth is he’s a young man reared by a single mom with a grandmother who helped out. … He’s just like us.”
The crowd stood and applauded the governor.
Earlier in the day, Strickland participated in the annual 11th Congressional District Labor Day Parade and Festival in Cleveland. He then spoke on behalf of the Obama-Biden campaign at Luke Easter Park in Cleveland.
Local News
Related Photos
-
STATE REP. Deborah Newcomb, Gov. Ted Strickland (center) and Bill O'Neil, Democratic candidate for the Ohio 14th Congressional District, right, show unity in their support for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama Monday during the Ashtabula Town Hall meeting on the Kent State University-Ashtabula Campus. BILL WEST
Discussion
Governor stumps for Obama-Biden at KSUA
Strickland hosts Economic Town Hall meeting
- Local News
-
-
5 homeless
Five people were left homeless Monday afternoon as fire ripped through a two story home at 1861 Footville Richmond Road.
-
Need for jobs tops county survey
Unemployment tops the list of community needs identified in a survey conducted late last year by the Ashtabula County Community Action Agency.
-
2 meth labs in 1 home
Acting on a tip, police found two working methamphetamine labs under one roof in an early Sunday morning raid at a Main Street house, said Police Chief Charles Burlingham.
-
More money woes for the Lake County sheriff
The Lake County Sheriff’s Officecut another five cars from its road patrol division last week.
-
East Sixth Street Cafe faces razing in spring
The city is tentatively set to raze the dilapidated East Sixth Street Cafe this spring, authorities said.
-
Eight indicted by grand jury
The following people have been indicted by the county grand jury. They are set for arraignment in Common Pleas Court.
-
Scamming for puppies
Pat Payment doesn’t have any puppies.
-
Commissioners hear concerns about sewers in Austinburg
Commissioners and Austinburg Township Trustees met Monday afternoon to review a lengthy punch list of items that need to be addressed before the county can accept the township’s sanitary sewer project.
-
Consultants to assess contaminated land
A consulting firm hired by the city to assess unused commercial and industrial land is fairly confident a study of the contaminated Astatic property can be properly completed, City Council learned at Monday’s work session.
-
Amputee takes one step at time
With measured breaths, Kevin Malloy stood up and began to walk.
- More Local News Headlines
-
