News > April 29, 2008

By Caitlin Kenney | Senior writer

Senator Barack Obama made his first appearance in Winston-Salem a week before North Carolina’s May 6 primary.

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Sen. Obama speaks to approximately 2,000 people at the Joel Coliseum Annex. (Haowei Tong / Old Gold & Black)

Speaking in the Joel Coliseum Annex on April 29, Obama addressed major talking points of his campaign as well as recent developments, such as the proposed “gas tax holiday” that he opposes. The session consisted of a speech that lasted about an hour, followed by a 30 minute town hall-style question session.

Of the proposed “gas tax holiday” that would lower gas prices for the summer months, Obama said: “The two ‘Washington’ candidates in this race have proposed a gas tax holiday. John McCain made the proposal and then Hillary Clinton said ‘me too.’ It would last for three months and it would save you on average of half a tank of gas, or $25-30.” Obama said that some economists think the gas holiday might actually raise gas prices. He opposed taking money from the highway trust fund, which he said might also temporarily eliminate jobs in highway construction.

“This isn’t an idea designed to get you through the summer, it’s an idea designed to get them through an election,” Obama said. “I want to solve the problem, not just patch things up to get through an election.”

Solving persistent problems was a major theme of Obama’s speech, as well as transparency and accountability in government.

“We have to change how politics is done in Washington so that it’s responsive to you, not the lobbyists and special interest groups,” he said.

Obama made very few comparisons between himself and his Democratic opponent, Senator Hillary Clinton. The only two issues on which he discussed Clinton were the gas tax holiday and accepting funds from lobbyists and special interest groups.

“This is an area where Senator Clinton and I differ,” said Obama. “I don't want to be answerable to them. I don't believe we can bring about change if we’re taking money from the folks who are responsible for the current problems. They will not drown out the voices of the American people.”

Obama went on to address a full range of issues, including the Iraq War, health care, education and energy. In regards to the war, Obama said “We are in a war in Iraq that I believe should have never been authorized and never been waged.”

Obama said he sympathized with the 47 million Americans without health insurance and the millions of children across the country who, “despite the slogans are not being prepared for this global economy, are being left behind.”

He pledged to provide health care to every American by the end of his first term.

“We are spending $10 billion a month in Iraq and if we can spend $10 billion there, we can spend $10 billion right here in North Carolina,” he said.

“In these circumstances we can’t afford to wait,” Obama said. “We cannot wait any longer and what I was betting on when I decided to run was that the American people were ready for change.”

Though harsh on Clinton on one or two aspects, Obama did speak about unity in the Democratic Party.

“I know that people are concerned,” he said. “What are you going to do to bring the party together? How is the party going to be unified?

“The one thing that we know is that come November the name George W. Bush will not be on the ballot. But John McCain is running for George Bush’s third term. We cannot afford John McCain in the White House. That will unify the Democratic Party.”

In differentiating himself from the competition, Obama cited his planned tax cuts for the middle class.

“I’m still the only candidate to propose a tax cut for working class families, people making $30,000, so that the average family is saving $1,000 a year,” he said.

Following his one hour prepared speech, Obama fielded six questions from the audience. Topics discussed ranged from African and foreign aid to winning the white working class vote.

One young man identified himself as a college senior and said that he had skipped a couple classes to attend the rally. “I think it was a good decision,” he said. He questioned Obama about the situation in Darfur.

The final two questions came from audience members who appeared to be between the ages of 10-14.

A young girl asked “How are you planning to stop the Iraq War?” while a young man asked “What can truly be done to make sure no child is left behind?”

Obama responded to both questions, supporting a phased withdrawal of troops from Iraq over a period of 16 months and early education and teacher training to improve education. He also complimented the young audience members.

“That’s the next generation talking,” he said. “These young people are making me optimistic.”

The event was at capacity, with a line stretching around the building and into the parking lot. One crowd member seated in the front row admitted to lining up as early as 5:30 a.m.

At 12 p.m., Barak Obama hit the stage with a standing ovation from the crowd, about a third of whom stood up when asked if they had participated in Obama’s campaign – going door to door, making phone calls or providing meals to the campaign team.

The 115 North Carolina delegates represent the largest group of undecided Democratic delegates and will play an important role in the final push towards the Democratic nomination.

Most polls show Obama leading, such as an American Research Group, Inc. poll indicating that Obama leads with 52 percent, Clinton trailing with 42 percent.

The North Carolina primary occurs May 6, and early voting has already begun. Indiana will hold its primary on the same day.