Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: News

Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks to a group of about 300, composed of campaign workers, volunteers and independent voters Sunday at the Eau Claire Rod & Gun Park.

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, Democrat, at his presidential rally Sunday. Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold and Gov. Jim Doyle also spoke at the event.

Once is nice, but twice is better.

At least that's how College Democrat President Paydon Miller felt about Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's second visit to Eau Claire on Sunday, Aug. 24, at Rod & Gun Park.

"I didn't feel like he was trying to get the whole crowd worked up; it's like he was talking more to the individual person," Miller said, comparing the August visit to Obama's rally at Zorn Arena in February.

Many in the area were disappointed that the Democratic presidential candidate's visit was invitation-only. The "BBQ with Barack" was limited to a group of nearly 300 volunteers, campaign workers and independent voters.

Although he would have liked to attend the event, senior Nick Davis said he understands why space was limited to mostly volunteers.

"It's expensive and hard on the campaign to throw really giant events," Davis said. "A meeting like this is to gear up your volunteers to continue doing the work they're doing, so it makes sense that invitations were limited."

Obama stopped in Eau Claire en route to Denver for last week's Democratic National Convention, where he accepted the party's official nomination for president with running mate Joe Biden, D-Del.

His speech focused mainly on his plan to rescue the national economy and to provide affordable health care. Obama promised tax breaks for 95 percent of Americans, shifting tax burdens instead to the wealthy. He said he wants to focus national spending on two major projects - clean energy and rebuilding the nation's bridges and levees, simultaneously creating 7 million American jobs. Obama also promised to subsidize higher education in return for community service.

He said the $10-12 billion spent per month in Iraq could easily fund those initiatives and reverse the economy's downward spiral.

"We can put that money to work right here in Eau Claire, right here in Wisconsin," he said, "in ways that will help build a more secure economic future, which in turn will help us secure the country as a whole."

Obama acknowledged the Democrats are facing a tough election and called on the audience for their help and support.

"Ultimately, this election's not about me, it's about you," Obama said. "And whether we are going to allow ourselves to watch this country get run into the ground, or whether we are finally going to decide 'Not this time.This time we're going to try something different. This time we're going to have the courage and the will to step up and start solving the big problems that this country faces.'"

Miller said he most appreciates Obama's sincerity and consistent voting record.

"I normally don't take politicians at face value, but his entire work is up to snuff with what he's saying right now," he said. "Everything he says lines up with everything he's done. He puts his money where his mouth is and that's why I'm supporting him."

Miller said he thinks Obama's lack of experience actually makes him a better candidate to work in students' best interests.

"Clinton's been around so long that she's in a lot of corporation's pockets just because she needs money from time to time," he said. "I don't necessarily trust a person's ability to draw the line between the constituents and their funders. Obama hasn't been around long enough to pick up that baggage from all the major corporations."

Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold and Gov. Jim Doyle also spoke at the event and encouraged the audience to help intensify Obama's campaign to the White House.

Feingold said that the nation needs a president like Obama, who will move the country in the right direction, rather than focusing energy on attacking his opponent.

He said most of the change in the United States comes from the bottom up ­- normal people dedicated to public service, rather than just legislators. Obama will inspire that dedication, Feingold said.

"He's very much, frankly, like what I remember when John F. Kennedy was president. I'm old enough to remember that. He inspired a whole generation," Feingold said after his and Obama's speeches. "Barack Obama is going to do the same and the effects will be felt not just in 10 years, but in 50 years or more."

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