Obama Stumps In Plainfield
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Tim [email protected]
Obama spoke for 20 minutes and then spent about 45 minutes taking questions from the crowd. He outlined three priorities he said he will focus on if elected: a withdraw of American troops from Iraq, bringing both major parties together for health care reform, and developing an energy plan that would reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil.[[In-content Ad]]Obama said the U.S. needs to take a responsible approach to leaving Iraq. He said he would implement a plan to bring home one or two brigades per month in a gradual withdraw, which could take about two years.
Health care premiums, Obama said, are too high. He said his plan for health care reform would reduce annual premiums for the average family by $2,500.
Part of his approach to an energy plan would focus on more efficient alternative fuels.
"Fossil fuels are going to get more scarce and more expensive," he said.
Obama also addressed comments made by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright of Chicago, who he said is his "former pastor." Obama said he rejected controversial statements made by Wright calling the U.S. a racist nation.
"It reminds me we have a history when it comes to race in America. There is a lot of pent-up anger and bitterness," he said. "This country wants something different."
Obama said Americans need to focus on unity. He recalled to the crowd the words of Sen. Robert Kennedy when he was campaigning for the presidency in Indianapolis in 1968 and told a crowd that Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated.
According to Obama, Kennedy said, "We've got a choice in taking the rage and bitterness and disappointment and letting it fester and dividing us further ... or we can take a different path."
Obama said in recent weeks that idea has been driving his campaign.
"This campaign started on the basis that we are one America," he said. "We can do all these things, but we can only do it if we come together."
During his speech and question-and-answer period, Obama received numerous standing ovations from the crowd, who occasionally broke into chants of campaign slogans, including "Yes, we can."
Saturday's visit will likely not be Obama's last stop in Indiana. He said he plans to actively campaign in the state.
His Democratic opponent, Sen. Hillary Clinton, will be in Terre Haute Thursday.
As the close race for the Democratic nomination continues, Indiana's 72 convention delegates at stake in the state's May 6 primary may make a difference in this year's outcome.
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Obama spoke for 20 minutes and then spent about 45 minutes taking questions from the crowd. He outlined three priorities he said he will focus on if elected: a withdraw of American troops from Iraq, bringing both major parties together for health care reform, and developing an energy plan that would reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil.[[In-content Ad]]Obama said the U.S. needs to take a responsible approach to leaving Iraq. He said he would implement a plan to bring home one or two brigades per month in a gradual withdraw, which could take about two years.
Health care premiums, Obama said, are too high. He said his plan for health care reform would reduce annual premiums for the average family by $2,500.
Part of his approach to an energy plan would focus on more efficient alternative fuels.
"Fossil fuels are going to get more scarce and more expensive," he said.
Obama also addressed comments made by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright of Chicago, who he said is his "former pastor." Obama said he rejected controversial statements made by Wright calling the U.S. a racist nation.
"It reminds me we have a history when it comes to race in America. There is a lot of pent-up anger and bitterness," he said. "This country wants something different."
Obama said Americans need to focus on unity. He recalled to the crowd the words of Sen. Robert Kennedy when he was campaigning for the presidency in Indianapolis in 1968 and told a crowd that Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated.
According to Obama, Kennedy said, "We've got a choice in taking the rage and bitterness and disappointment and letting it fester and dividing us further ... or we can take a different path."
Obama said in recent weeks that idea has been driving his campaign.
"This campaign started on the basis that we are one America," he said. "We can do all these things, but we can only do it if we come together."
During his speech and question-and-answer period, Obama received numerous standing ovations from the crowd, who occasionally broke into chants of campaign slogans, including "Yes, we can."
Saturday's visit will likely not be Obama's last stop in Indiana. He said he plans to actively campaign in the state.
His Democratic opponent, Sen. Hillary Clinton, will be in Terre Haute Thursday.
As the close race for the Democratic nomination continues, Indiana's 72 convention delegates at stake in the state's May 6 primary may make a difference in this year's outcome.
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