2008 Woodie Awards
Obama promises change, not perfection
Natalie Niemeyer & Maggie Te Grotenhuis
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
"Fired up? Ready to go!" That was the chant coming from the Rec Center at Kirkwood Community College on Nov. 6.
Presidential hopeful Ill. Sen. Barack Obama made a special appearance at Kirkwood to speak to students and the community about why he should be the next president. Although he arrived 55 minutes late the senator seemed unfazed by his tardiness and came out ready to face the voters and the media.
"I believe I can bring this country together," Obama said. "I'm not interested in fighting the fights of the past."
The presidential contender spoke on issues of health care, education, the war in Iraq and even George W. Bush.
"America is sick and tired of George W. Bush," Obama said, followed by cheers from the audience.
When talking about the war, Obama was quick to point out that it cost the U.S. around $600 billion. Later, when asked about his plan for Iraq, he stated, "We need to get our troops out of Iraq. We should not just talk to our friends, we should talk to our enemies."
Obama also poked fun at the recent media outlets speculating to whether or not he and current Vice President Dick Cheney are related.
"Everybody's got a black sheep in the family," he joked.
The presidential contender also addressed KCC students, assuring them that he will make sure students will be able to afford college.
Continuing with education, Obama spoke to the educators in the audience and promised to "invest in teachers by paying them more money." He said he also plans to put a definite end to the No Child Left Behind Act.
When addressing the issue of health care, Obama promised to put forth a plan so that "everyone in America will have health care." He promised it will be done by the end of his first term.
When a question was asked about cancer research, Obama shared a personal story about his mother's struggle with cancer and promised that if elected he will increase funding for cancer research.
The final point Obama made was about how he will handle being president, "I will not be a perfect president," he said. He encouraged attendees to participate in the caucuses, which will take place on Jan 3. Obama concluded his speech by telling the story behind his campaign's chant "Fired up? Ready to go!"
Presidential hopeful Ill. Sen. Barack Obama made a special appearance at Kirkwood to speak to students and the community about why he should be the next president. Although he arrived 55 minutes late the senator seemed unfazed by his tardiness and came out ready to face the voters and the media.
"I believe I can bring this country together," Obama said. "I'm not interested in fighting the fights of the past."
The presidential contender spoke on issues of health care, education, the war in Iraq and even George W. Bush.
"America is sick and tired of George W. Bush," Obama said, followed by cheers from the audience.
When talking about the war, Obama was quick to point out that it cost the U.S. around $600 billion. Later, when asked about his plan for Iraq, he stated, "We need to get our troops out of Iraq. We should not just talk to our friends, we should talk to our enemies."
Obama also poked fun at the recent media outlets speculating to whether or not he and current Vice President Dick Cheney are related.
"Everybody's got a black sheep in the family," he joked.
The presidential contender also addressed KCC students, assuring them that he will make sure students will be able to afford college.
Continuing with education, Obama spoke to the educators in the audience and promised to "invest in teachers by paying them more money." He said he also plans to put a definite end to the No Child Left Behind Act.
When addressing the issue of health care, Obama promised to put forth a plan so that "everyone in America will have health care." He promised it will be done by the end of his first term.
When a question was asked about cancer research, Obama shared a personal story about his mother's struggle with cancer and promised that if elected he will increase funding for cancer research.
The final point Obama made was about how he will handle being president, "I will not be a perfect president," he said. He encouraged attendees to participate in the caucuses, which will take place on Jan 3. Obama concluded his speech by telling the story behind his campaign's chant "Fired up? Ready to go!"
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