Obama criticizes McCain's economic plan at Dayton rally DAYTON, OH (WYSO) - Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama made a campaign stop in Dayton, Ohio Thursday where he reinforced his message of change, and used the struggling economy as a backdrop for why Ohioans can't afford John McCain in the White House. He called McCain's positions on the economy "erratic" and "unsteady".

"His first response to the housing crisis in March is that homeowners shouldn't get any help at all. Then a few weeks ago, he put out a plan that basically ignored homeowners. Now in the course of twelve hours, he's ended up with a plan that punishes taxpayers, rewards banks, and won't solve our housing crisis," says Obama.


Obama hammered the message that there is little distinction between McCain's policies and those of President Bush. He says steady leadership is needed in the White House to fix the financial crisis in the country.

The call for change is nothing new for Obama, but the attacks on the McCain campaign were more pointed than in past visits to the Miami Valley. Obama warned that the McCain campaign is trying to draw the focus away from the economy by criticizing Obama.

"Well, I've got news for John McCain. This isn't about losing a campaign, this about Americans here in Dayton who are losing their jobs and losing their homes and losing their life savings," says Obama.

The McCain campaign issued a statement in response stating that their plan represents no new expenses to the tax payers, and only helps homeowners get the relief they need.

But the Dayton crowd was very supportive of the Illinois Senator. Even hours before the speech, people filled the Fifth Third stadium awaiting his arrival. Rodney Moon lives in Dayton, and it's Obama's stance on health care and the economy that's prompted him to vote for the first time ever.

"My birthday was yesterday, I turned 48 yesterday, and I said it's time for me to vote," says Moon.

Oakwood resident Elizabeth Molinaro said she just recently decided on who she'll vote for in the election.

"I've made up my mind. I'm an independent and I'm going wholeheartedly for Obama," says Molinaro. She said that McCain's vice presidential pick of Sarah Palin swayed her to Obama. She also says that future of the manufacturing industry is a very important issue to her.

Dale Bennett is concerned about jobs, too, and hopes that Obama will win in November. He's confident and says that people are much more excited in Ohio than they were four years ago.

"People are voting early. People are registering early. They don't even want to wait for November fourth," says Bennett.

That's what Barack Obama is hoping for in this swing state. Both the Republican and Democratic parties have been focusing heavily on Ohio. While Obama continues his two-day tour of the state, John McCain and Sarah Palin are making stops as well, and appeared together at Cleveland suburb on Wednesday.




© Copyright 2009, WYSO