By Jim Stanford on March 7, 2008
CASPER — Standing in a rec center gymnasium before a crowd of 2,000, Sen. Barack Obama called on the libertarians of the West to reject a Republican Party that has doubled the national debt, trampled on civil liberties and mired America in an “unwise war” in Iraq.
“It’s great to be in the Cowboy State,” Obama told the audience of ranchers and roughnecks, activists and educators, seniors and students who came from all corners of Wyoming.
In Dick Cheney’s hometown, the Illinois senator criticized the Bush-Cheney administration for spying on U.S. citizens without a warrant and other abuses of the Constitution. He also took swipes at his Democratic opponent, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, for helping Bush and Cheney take the country to war.
“There’s nothing conservative or Republican about that,” he said of warrantless wiretapping. “Everybody should be outraged about that.”
The administration’s deficit spending is “another example of where we’ve been hoodwinked,” Obama said, describing how Bush and Cheney have added $4 trillion to the national debt since taking office. “If you’re a Republican or conservative, you should be embarrassed about it, and you should vote Democrat this election.”
Obama detailed his plans to stimulate the economy by investing in green technology, saying America’s factories should be put back to work manufacturing solar panels and other innovations to meet the nation’s energy needs domestically — an undertaking he dubbed “the next Apollo project.”
He talked at length about improving education by boosting teacher pay, streamlining the financial aid process for students and providing a $4,000 tuition credit in exchange for service work.
One of his most animated moments came after attorney Kent Spence of Jackson asked him about the Bush-Cheney administration’s abuses of executive power.
Obama said his attorney general would review every executive order signed by Bush and set about reversing those deemed unconstitutional or unnecessary.
Obama bristled at Sen. Clinton’s contention that she is better prepared to be commander-in-chief. “Watch out for this politics of fear,” he said, alluding to Clinton’s “red phone” TV ad.
The Bush-Cheney administration launched an ill-advised war “with an assist” from Sens. Clinton and John McCain, the Republican nominee, who both voted to authorize the invasion.
“I won’t be browbeaten into launching a war that isn’t necessary,” Obama said.
He touted his management and leadership style and said he would appoint the best people for government irrespective of party affiliation. Again he scoffed at Clinton’s and McCain’s claims of more experience.
“Look who’s run the best campaign,” he said to a loud ovation. “Look what we’ve built from scratch.”
Above all, Obama drove home the point that the moment is ripe for change, citing what Dr. Martin Luther King called “the fierce urgency of now.” He urged Wyoming to join his campaign starting in Saturday’s caucus.
“I intend to win Wyoming,” he said, also to thunderous applause.
Posted under Democratic Party, Politics, Wyoming
Thanks for sharing Jim, see you tomorrow
How I wish I could have been at this event…since I couldn’t your reporting is greatly appreciated…Go Obama Go!!