.jpg)
Site Search
To add or update your business directory listing, click here.
► Accommodations
► Activities
► Contractors & Builders
► Dining
► Financial Services
► Gift Shops
► Health Clubs & Fitness
► Insurance
► Legal Services
► Medical Services
► NH Products
Sen. Obama says he is the candidate of real change
Print
Email
Mobile
Reader comments
By TOM FAHEY
State House Bureau Chief
Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007
Concord – Sen. Barack Obama told cheering supporters at a State House rally yesterday that he is the candidate of real change, ready to stand up to special interests.
Obama, 46, an Illinois Democrat, jogged down the State House steps and took the stage after he filed as a candidate in the New Hampshire primary.
Obama told more than 500 supporters that during his first term as president he will pass health care reform that covers all children, close the terrorist detention center at Guantanamo and reverse Bush Administration executive orders that he thinks violate civil liberties.
"People no longer want to see the Constitution treated as a nuisance," he said.
"People are tired of a government that isn't listening... that doesn't think that the role of government is to give people a little help," he said.
An opponent of the war in Iraq from the outset, Obama said he would work to restore America's standing on the world stage.
"We need a President who can bring a new face to American diplomacy; who's willing to talk not just to our friends, but to our enemies; who's willing to engage the world and say 'America's back. We are ready to lead,'" he told the crowd.
He said he would face up to Wall Street and cut tax breaks to the rich while focusing on helping American workers lower their tax burden. He also promised to continue working on improving ethics in government by putting in place limits on lobbyists and well-heeled special interest groups.
Before his speech, Obama signed a commemorative poster in Secretary of State William Gardner's office when he filed as a candidate and paid a $1,000 fee.
He wrote on the poster, "It's time for real change." He told reporters, "and it's gonna start right here in New Hampshire."
Obama has trailed behind Sen. Hillary Clinton in surveys of likely Democratic voters. But he said he thinks the type of retail politicking that marks the New Hampshire primary will help his campaign.
"We are confident we can do well," he said, saying he has a big share of those "voters paying careful attention." He said, "For the casual voter, many of them are still going to be parking their vote with Sen. Clinton because that's the familiar brand name. But when they start paying attention, I think that will only be to our advantage."
The primary is expected to be held in early January, but Gardner has not set an official date yet. National press have reported widely on Gardner's control over the first-in-the-nation nominating contest.
As a nod to that power, Obama made a joking ceremonial bow when he arrived at the door to Gardner's office.
This is the second week of a three-week filing period for candidates who want their names on the primary ballot.
All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners. © 1997-2010.
YOUR COMMENTS
Here is a little double talk from Obama (all quotes followed by conflicting statements or action).
Quote: "People no longer want to see the Constitution treated as a nuisance," he said. "Enough is enough," Obama, an Illinois senator, declared, adding that President Bush should not get "a blank check to continue down this same, disastrous path." Action: Both Obama & Hillary voted yes on this: The Senate passed, in an 82 to 16 vote, a resolution sponsored by Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) 3/15/2007 "the sense of the Congress that no funds should be cut off or reduced for American troops in the field which would result in undermining their safety or their ability to complete their assigned missions." Putting aside the fact that the troops in Iraq are fighting for Bush's failed policy and are not "defending the nation" from a real threat, the resolution is wrong to the extent that it is not Congress's responsibility to fund whatever mess the Executive Branch's gets the country into -- that's why Congress has the "power of the purse. These votes were a significant victory for the Bush Administration in the form of a blank check and a directly against constitutional structure
- al D, orlando Fl
Not putting your hand over your heart for the pledge of allegiance is definitely a change, but not for the better. Personally, I prefer a commander in chief that has a little more respect for the flag and institutions he is sworn to uphold and protect.
- John K, Burlington, MA
The Democrats as well as the Republicans have both done nothing for the middle class.Lopsided trade agreements with bi-partisan support have decimated this nation of good long term blue collar jobs, jobs which people could retire from and collect a pension. Thanks to all the Washington hacks, it is all but gone. Now they want to grow government even more, this has to stop. Every program they run is so inefficient. With that, stop telling me this Obama guy is going to change anything, he is not, stop fooling yourselves and go back to watching Oprah.
- Kevin W, Lowell Ma
real change?
5 years of record job growth
Stock market at all time highs(which 80%of working Americans have a share in through IRA's and 401k's)
No more attacks here at home,WOT is being fought on "their" turff.
The liberal media has sold the naive a bill of goods that things are all gloom and doom when indeed the economy has been the greatest story never told!
Obama,Hillary and the nanny state dems will tax and spend us all into a depression.
- Dave, Sunapee
Vote republican and do away with the middle class.That will help all those rich people and make the middle class vanish.We cant afford another Bad president.We need someone that cares about all americans(not just rich ones)The best thing we can do is get out and vote,dont be blind to think your vote wont matter.Our elderly are also struggling with the high cost of fuel,food,medicine.This has to stop.we need change not the same old politics.TO JACK look what the republican president has done to USA,again like veitnam we are in a war destroying a country that we will have to rebuild.How many of you rich republicans want to pay the cost of your choice.I cant afford it with the cost of living where its at.The terrorist have more rights than we do.Look how many illegals are unaccounted for.Oprah wants people to become involved and vote,she isnt telling you to vote her way,but get out and be involved.Last election she didnt endorse anyone but rallied to get people to VOTE.
- karen shutt, manchester
I believe he is actually working towards middle class, and that politics is all about persuasion and manipulation. They aren't going to say what we don't want to hear, but tailor things to what we do want to hear. They have their beliefs too, and if we really study up on our democrats/republicans, we might not be fooled so easily. It's going to be an interesting voting season...
- Corie S., Manchester, NH
Obama is telling people what they want to hear. I saw him on an interview with Oprah (makes me angry she is using her status to promote a political person) and someone asked him a question - he did stop talking though he didn't seem happy about it and when the person was done - he started talking again and paid very little to the question he was asked.
- Emily, Manchester, NH
Yep...... He's the candidate of real change. One problem, he dosen't have enough respect for the Pledge and our flag to put his right hand over is heart.
- Rick Szczesniak, Flint, MI
The people really want change, of this there is not doubt. But, not all people understand that the only candidate who will make good on his promise of change is Ron Paul. Do you know what the Council on Foreign Relations is and what they do? Senator Obama is a member and so is Clinton; perhaps you should undertand the conflict of interest and other implications involved in a CFR membership? If you want real change vote for a person with a long record of integrity and respect for the rights of the people over those of the State, vote for Ron Paul.
- Seth, Stratham
Barack Obama is the one candidate who can make a real difference because he knows how to bring people together and unite them with a common purpose. He is intelligent, honest (a rare quality in a politician!) and hard working. He has 20 years of experience in public service and a demonstated commitment to protecting our environment, ending the war in Iraq, and eliminating the secrecy and backroom dealings that have characterized the current administration. With Obama as our president, we will be able to hold up our heads with pride as Americans because we will finally have a leader with some integrity who respects our country and the constitution upon which it was founded.
- Kemlo Aki, Weare
Indeed, barack Obama is an ideal leader for the present day generation.He can be a good unifying factor for the Americans and the peoples of the world.Going by his message of peaceful resolution of the world's conflicts, America can not go wrong to have such a leader at the helm.We need a world that takes care of other people and nations for the sake of mutual peace.Go ! Obama Go!
- Edgar Shiluwe, Lusaka Zambia
We can't change the world but we can surely make a dent. This country was built on morals and beliefs. When it was first conceived, it was propped up on ideals and hope. Things can change but its going to take positive thinking and optimism. Obama is the answer and his perceived lack of experience effects nothing. What he brings to the table is the ability to have people believe in things that are bigger then themselves. I am my brothers and sisters keepers. He brings me hope and that is much more important to me than a terrorist threat. Terrorists win when they bring fear to the people. I, for one, am not scared of terrorists. I am not fearful of an America that lost its way. Bring hope and optimism in your hearts and nothing can shake you. Even if he doesn't win the nod he has allowed me to take something away from his campaign. . a sense that there is hope out there, even if others still can't get over their fears.
One more thing. . . anything but Hillary. Having a Bush or Clinton in the White House for the last 20 years is not what America is about. What have we become?
- Dave, Philadelphia, PA
Only the strong will survive. Only the most consistant, most credible, most sincere, most responsible, most authentic, will survive and win. The person that will not survive or win is the one who takes for granted the USA through empty promises, manipulates the public by using them and buying votes, switches viewpoints, and has no experiance to account for. Success and respect is something they must earn, we all know how the differance between being used and being treated fairly. We all want to survive the war on terror. Who do you trust to make that happen? It might mean staying in a war to make that happen. Don't be fooled by propaganda, nonsense, and manipulation. Read , learn, and know your facts. Be smart. Do the right thing, vote for a strong and experianced Republican. There really is no other choice.
- Jack,, Brentwood, NH
There is no change with this guy. It is all the same anti Bush rhetoric, no solutions to our troubles with the mid-east. All the same the rich get all the breaks, so lets raise taxes on the working class. All these people want to do is grow government, after all that is the business they are in; the government business.
- Kevin W, Lowell Ma
OBAMA ROCKS!!!Lets get out and VOTE.Its time for change,before the middle class doesnt exist anymore.HOPE can bring us through many things.
- karen shutt, manchester
NOTE: If you have visited this page before, newer comments may be hidden. Press F5, or hold down the Ctrl key while reloading or refreshing the page. (Another option for Firefox users is the Clear Cache add-on.)