Corey Noles photo Ron Yersak of Dexter takes a moment to greet Democrat Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama.

The union factory produces men's suits and has been a long time staple business in the Cape Girardeau community.

Escorted in by U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, a poised Obama walked into the crowd of about 200 people and spoke clearly as a candidate who stands to be the likely Democrat nominee.

Corey Noles photo Sen. Obama's visit was to meet with workers at Thorngate, Ltd. in Cape Girardeau in an effort to reach out to working class voters as he begins campaigning for the general election.

The event, considered by many to be Obama's general election kick-off due to being his first campaign event in a non-primary state, began with comments regarding not Hillary Clinton, but Republican challenger John McCain.

"While the Bush-Cheney ticket won't be up for re-election, the Bush-Cheney policies will," Obama said Tuesday evening. "Because John McCain is running for four more years of the same approach that has failed the American people...Just look at where he stands and you'll see that a vote for John McCain is a vote for George Bush's third term."

The main focus of the meeting, however, dealt with the nation's economic situation and what Sen. Obama feels he can do for not only the country, but Southeast Missouri, if elected.

"There is a reason that a record number of Americans think that we're on the wrong track," he said. "We've lost hundreds of thousands of jobs just this year. The cost of everything from health care, to a tank of gas, to college tuition has skyrocketed while wages have stayed stagnant. Millions of American families are facing foreclosure.

"Meanwhile, Americans have lost faith that Washington can or will do anything about problems they face day in and day out. Because the troubling statistics only begin to tell a story found in communities and at kitchen tables across the country. It's a story of empty factories shut down forever because the jobs have been shipped overseas and nothing took their place. It's the story told by a mother who can't sleep because she can't afford health care for her sick child; a father who lost his job but can't afford a tank of gas so that he can look for a new one; a family that doesn't know where they'll be living in a month or a year because they're about to lose a home.

"It's a story of an American Dream that is slipping away. And what the American people need at this defining moment is leadership that restores the fundamental American belief that you can make it if you try in this country -- that your dreams matter more than the demands of special interests or the convenience of political posturing. That's why I'm running for President. That's why we'll be united as Democrats. Because Washington has failed the American people, and this election is our chance to turn the page."

When asked by an audience member about what he would do about factories leaving the country, Sen. Obama made a couple of suggestions.

First, he said he sees promise in the energy sector as it continues to grow in the search for alternative fuels and decreasing our dependence on not just foreign oil, but oil in general.

"Instead of gimmicks like a gas tax holiday that rewards the oil companies while doing nothing to lower gas prices in the long-term, we'll raise fuel efficiency standards, invest in alternative energy, and create millions of Green Jobs that will free this country from our addiction to oil," he said. "Instead of a blank check to fight an endless war in Iraq, we can end this war, restore our military, finish the fight against al Qaeda, and invest some of those dollars to put millions of Americans to work rebuilding our roads and bridges, laying down new rail lines and new broadband, and making sure that all of America can compete and win in the 21st century."

Second, the Presidential hopeful took a stab at international trade agreements that have taken many thousands of jobs away both the nation and the Southeast Missouri region.

"It's about time we had a White House that enforced our trade agreements," Obama told the workers. "Because we can't keep on. I want to stop giving tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas and I want to crack down on other countries that aren't allowing our products into their markets...We can compete with anybody, but we can only compete if we're on a level playing field."

Education

During the question and answer session portion of the event, Obama heard a question from a nine-year-old girl who wanted to know what he will do for public schools.

He responded by outlining his four-part education plan for the future.

First, he said he would put more money into early childhood education. He said that many children today go to pre-school and even kindergarten already behind.

Second, he suggested paying teachers more money and suggested coupling that with more and better training.

"Our teachers just aren't well paid," Obama said. "While they say you don't teach to get rich, teachers do deserve to live a middle-class life."

He also pointed out that with baby boomers reaching retirement age, training more teachers is also going to be very important.

The third part of Obama's education plan revolved around expanding after school and summer school plans.

"This may be especially important in more rural areas right here in Missouri where during the summer students may not be able to get a bunch of activities that keep them learning," he said. "Some of these extra-curricular activities can make a really big difference and also keep them out of trouble."

Sen. Obama's fourth suggestion was to give every American student $4,000 for college tuition in exchange for community service time.

"Everyone wants the best for their kids, but at a certain point it just becomes unbearable," Obama said of the increasing cost of higher education.

One thing he emphasized was that this would not be strictly for people seeking a four-year degree, but also for people seeking two-year degrees or vocational training.

"They may go to school for two years, get a skill, go to work and then five years down the road need to retrain," he said. "They might need to brush up on a skill or train for new technology, but I want this to go to the non-traditional college students as well as traditional college students."

During the event, Obama heard questions from Dexter residents Ron Yersak and former State Senator Jerry Howard regarding things ranging from John McCain to the war in Iraq.

For more information:

http://www.barackobama.com

cnoles@dailystatesman.com