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Aug. 18, 2008
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NORTHERN NEVADA VISIT: Obama: Rival just more Bush

Democratic candidate says McCain can't defend record

By SEAN WHALEY
REVIEW-JOURNAL CAPITAL BUREAU
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Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., talks with Josephine Firicano of Everett, Mass., on Sunday at PJ & Company Restaurant Saloon in Reno.
Photos by The Associated Press.



Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., talks at a rally Sunday at Earl Wooster High School in Reno.

RENO -- Sen. Barack Obama told a small crowd of supporters here Sunday that he offers real solutions to the nation's economic woes while his opponent is pushing the same tired agenda of President Bush.

Obama, D-Ill, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, said Sen. John McCain is trying to make the campaign about Obama and his experience because the Arizona Republican's own record is one of supporting Bush's failed economic and foreign policies.

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    • "No wonder they want to make the election about me," he said. "They don't want to be talking about their record because they can't defend it. So don't get fooled by Paris, Britney and nasty e-mails folks are sending out. This election is about you. It's about us."

    Obama was referring to one of McCain's ads associating Obama with the two celebrities in an effort to raise questions about his qualifications to serve as president.

    Obama made his comments to about 250 invited supporters at Wooster High School. The day before, he and McCain appeared at a faith forum at a California megachurch, where they briefly hugged.

    Sunday's visit was Obama's first to Nevada since a trip to North Las Vegas in late May, before he locked in the Democratic nomination for president.

    His last visit to Northern Nevada was in January, before the presidential caucuses.

    Earlier in the day, he met with Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens to discuss strategies for developing alternative energy. Pickens has criticized the country's dependence on oil and is pushing the development of alternative energies.

    The McCain campaign again raised the question of whether voters view Obama as someone who is "ready to lead," given his personal popularity but his "inability to close the deal" in the polls either in Nevada or nationally.

    Voters do not appear to have the same doubts about McCain, said campaign spokesman Mike DuHaime.

    Obama highlighted the differences between his and McCain's positions on taxes and the development of alternative energy.

    Obama said his tax plan provides breaks to 95 percent of Americans, while McCain's plan would give breaks to the wealthy and to corporations.

    "He's giving $300 billion tax breaks to corporations including oil companies like Exxon Mobil that have made record profits every quarter for the past three quarters," he said.

    "John McCain and I both have a tax plan, but I benefit the middle class and working families and he is benefiting the same corporations that have been making out like bandits under the Bush administration."

    Obama also said he wants to commit $15 billion a year to developing new sources of energy. This would reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil and create "5 million new green jobs" that could not be outsourced to other counties.

    "We've got a lot of sun here in Nevada," Obama said. "And we can use that to generate energy and free ourselves from dependence on foreign oil.

    "Here in Nevada, we should have solar panels all throughout the state, everywhere," he said, his remarks heralding today's energy summit in Las Vegas organized by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

    Obama said McCain is talking about the need to produce alternative energy sources, but his track record shows the opposite.

    McCain has in the past opposed tax credits needed for companies to invest in solar power, he said.

    McCain also opposed improving fuel efficiency standards for U.S. vehicles.

    "And then he's got the nerve to stand up there on television and talk about how he believes in alternative energy," Obama said. "It's just not true."

    In a telephone conference call after Obama's visit, DuHaime said the Illinois senator is offering up only rhetoric on the energy question, while McCain wants all options on the table for discussion.

    McCain is taking a "futuristic" approach to the issue while Obama's approach is to attack, DuHaime said.

    During his hourlong event, Obama also rejected a criticism from McCain that his economic and tax polices would harm the nation.

    "I've got news for John McCain," Obama said. "My plan is not going to bring about economic disaster. We already have economic disaster."

    What the country does not need is another four years of failed Bush policies, he said.

    Contact Capital Bureau reporter Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900.

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    Ted wrote on August 19, 2008 07:16 AM: To "challenge"
    For starters, read the Investors Business Daily editorials from July 29 and 30, and August 6.
    But then I understand that IBD is not something you would ever read. It is something that we "investors" utilize. "Investor" is one who has the economic and intellectual capacity to use our own resources to enhance personal situation, without government interference. If I want to contribute extra taxes to fund $1000 giveaways, it's called charity. When forced, it's socialist communism. It is exactly what Obama's REAL father attempted in Kenya in the 80s. But today there are alternatives. In a global economy watch how fast I can move my stock trading platform and outsource all my business overseas.
    And as for your personal attacks, I have more degrees than you have brain cells, including an MBA. And as a Green Beret in Vietnam, be very thankful for the distance and anonymity afforded you by the internet.


    Shoop da Whoop wrote on August 19, 2008 01:30 AM: Let's keep the White House white. Nobama 2008


    Bush III wrote on August 18, 2008 09:37 PM: And I encourage you to to vote for Bush-III.


    Polygamist Mormon "K" wrote on August 18, 2008 09:34 PM: Mormon K sez: "We can't have a president who is of mixed heritage." Mormon K. is an inbred product of polygamist, Mormon, Colorado City, AZ.

    Mormon K. is an inbred racist nut.


    Michael Green wrote on August 18, 2008 09:07 PM: Wow. I am impressed with me. I am a registered Democrat and it turns out that I can cause hurricanes.


    Challenging Ted wrote on August 18, 2008 09:06 PM: Ted said: "[Obama's] promise is wealth redistribution, to take from the rich and just give it away to the poor."

    Pretty convincing. I asked Ted: "When did Obama promise that?"

    The scholar, political scientist "Ted" replied:" To answer your question, read (if you can) any of the series of economic editorials covering the election rhetoric from the Wall Street Journal or Investors Business Daily

    Where Ted, Where? Where Ted, Where? Ted, are you still working as the maintenance guy in a psych hospital? How is your wife's drinking problem?


    Don't Misunderestimate Me wrote on August 18, 2008 09:00 PM: K sez: "Obama's desire is to shift the power to minorities which will forever weaken the US as a player on the world stage."

    Please show us what you are writing about above. It sounds pretty scary.


    Paul wrote on August 18, 2008 08:17 PM: Katrina Victim: Way to go finally it has been said and you did it very well. Thank you. I truly enjoyed your post
    One point i would like to make also is that anytime a democrates accuses you of something wrong then they are to blame for the wrong done. New Orleans was 90% Democrats at the time of Katrina.


    Paul wrote on August 18, 2008 07:42 PM: The Oboma record speaks for its self. He has no experance.
    I hope we do have eight more years of the Bush pol;icy It was perfect up until the Demoncrats took back control of the house and the Senante. When did gas start rising and when did the housing market start to fall, 2006!!!!
    And when did the Demoncrats take control of the house and the Senante again 2006> Presidents don't contro;l the economy and name me one law that a president wrote. Get a life this is not Bush's fault. When Clinton was president the house and senate was controled by the republicans. That is why we had a surplus. Name me one socialist democrate program that has worked or is working.
    God help us if the Demoncrats take over control of all three branches now. Russia will take us over as they are trying to do to Georgia. Obama will want to sit and talk. Russia dosen't sit down and talk. They agreed to a seize fire yet they are still there. Wake up America and get rid of the Demoncrats


    K wrote on August 18, 2008 03:41 PM: We can't have a president who is of mixed heritage. Obama's desire is to shift the power to minorities which will forever weaken the US as a player on the world stage. A homogenous population and rule is always better than a diluted population and power structure. We are witnessing the fall of the United States as the dominant world power and a shift of power to non-western global sectors. An election won't change that.


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