By John McCormick
UNION MILLS, Ind. - As Sen. Barack Obama sat on a picnic table this evening in the backyard of a farmhouse, it could have been Iowa.
Campaigning in advance of Tuesday's Indiana primary, the Illinois Democrat decidedly downsized the show Thursday as he traveled across the northern section of the state.
He met with small groups of voters, stopped at VFW hall and even played a quick game of P-I-G basketball here (he said he did not have time for H-O-R-S-E), all in an effort to turn his campaign's storyline past Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.
With the apple pies waiting to be cut into after his departure, Obama was asked about his opposition to a federal gas tax holiday that Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. John McCain have proposed.
"I actually voted for a version of this when I was in the state legislature," Obama responded, recalling his initial support in 2000 for a gas tax holiday in Illinois. "There was no way to tell whether or not it was being passed on to the consumer."
When he took a position against the tax holiday, Obama said his campaign "figured we'd get criticized."
Obama is aggressively opposing the idea of a gas tax holiday because he believes it would hurt the nation's road and bridge infrastructure and not reduce dependence on oil. Instead, he is pushing his middle-class tax cut proposal.
In South Bend, an earlier invitation-only event under a show barn on the St. Joseph County 4-H Fairgrounds could have passed as a scene from his Iowa caucuses campaign.
With about 100 people gathered around him on picnic tables and chairs, Obama talked about rural issues. His campaign had also kept most his events small the day earlier in Indianapolis.
Obama visited Thursday morning with about 50 residents at an assisted living center in Columbus City, where he talked prescription drugs and Social Security.
But he also made a point to talk about gas prices there, even as he acknowledged the venue for the discussion might be a tad off.
"I don't know how many people are pumping gas here at this facility and taking long drives and, you know, joy riding down Main Street," Obama told the seniors.
When Obama first expressed his opposition to the gas tax holiday, he said it would save most consumers only about $25 a month. On Thursday, he used more aggressive division to slice it to "a nickel and a quarter, 30 cents a day."
Obama called the proposed tax holiday a "gimmick" and said it had become a "McCain-Clinton proposal."
Still, with Obama talking about increased conservation at almost every stop, the timing could be called questionable of his campaign's latest fundraising gimmick: a "limited edition" Vote for Change car magnet in exchange for a $15 donation.
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Comments
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/30/ap/politics/main4060360.shtml
You fail to mention that Senator Obama vote not to eleminate the tax after the "holiday" ended. Nobody could figure out if the money actually reached to consumer. It turned out to be a bad idea then and it is a bad idea now.
My vote is for Senator Obama.
48, White, Male, Married, Professional, Business Owner.
Posted by: Deward Bowles | May 1, 2008 8:31 PM
I'm just glad he didn't flip off the Apple Pies.
Posted by: Close call? | May 1, 2008 8:32 PM
Actually, Obama was more interested in stiffing his poor constituents in Chicago. They wanted his support in notifying residents about nuclear power plant leaks but Obama's initial support went away after he started getting some nice campaign contributions from the company, whose CEO was also the head of a Washington DC-based nuclear lobbyist group. Just like Rev. Wright, those residents suited him until he felt that they were holding him back. No new politics or change here - SOS.
Posted by: Dee | May 1, 2008 8:56 PM
Senator Obama deserves an easy day, given all of the nonsense Senators McCain and Clinton have tried tagging him with! Maybe they'll criticize his choice of shoes, tomorrow!! In any case, he should be a big hit on Oprah's show, the next time he shows up there!! He sure is getting popular, maybe America is realizing how good a President he will be, when he is sworn in, in January!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | May 1, 2008 8:58 PM
I can't believe Clinton is still harping on this story. Everyone who knows economics knows that Obama's middle class tax cut is a MUCH better idea than the McCain-Clinton gas tax holiday.
The 'holiday' will only give money to the oil companies, because they'll have to raise prices due to increased demands and fixed supply. They don't keep an oil well out back that they can just tap for a few extra barrels whenever they get low.
But I guess it's true, McCain was telling us the truth when he said that he really doesn't understand the economy. Because I've yet to see an economist who thought the McCain-Clinton proposal was a good idea, let alone anything but election year pandering.
Posted by: Joe | May 1, 2008 9:07 PM
I'm really glad Obama is doing smaller venues. I think if he had done more of these types of face to face discussions with voters he would have done far better in Pennsylvania.
He's going to win this thing. He is consistent, he is calm, he is real. Hillary is in this for Hillary.
Research. Think. Vote.
Posted by: Susan | May 1, 2008 9:16 PM
Obama is so truthful and such a gentleman, that he'll bring us up not only at home but in the eyes of the world as well. Clinton, on the other hand, will have all her negativity returned to her.
Posted by: Marguerite | May 1, 2008 9:34 PM
Obama the true gentleman, will be the best president we've had in a long time and will lift us up in the eyes of the world. Clinton will reap the negativity she has sown.
Posted by: Maggie | May 1, 2008 9:36 PM
Can somebody please tell me what the Peter Paul trial is all about.
Posted by: mrtutto | May 1, 2008 10:03 PM
Just his same ole' political game playing with the people..Obama will never be President.....His aura has faded and a vote for him is a vote for McCain.........
Posted by: kaye m. | May 1, 2008 10:11 PM
The great uniter supported licenses for ILLEGAL aliens and is making government dependency seem cool. His record of partisanship does nothing to demonstrate his ability to unite. Since he agrees it is wrong to deny opportunity based on skin color,
Can he explain how denying loans to students
with better grades and fathers of equal income levels who happen to be white is suppose to unite us?
Does Barack Obama support handouts based on skin color or achievment? His slowness and half hearted condemnation of Reverand Wrong shows a his true inability to disavow black leaders who exploit racial division. This is not man who can unite us.
Posted by: Dave | May 1, 2008 10:23 PM
MAybe on his day off he can figure out how his 54% payroll/income tax rate is going to be incentive to generate new jobs. Maybe economic guru Fitz can help explain it to him.
Posted by: Terry | May 1, 2008 10:25 PM
The great uniter supported licenses for ILLEGAL aliens and is making government dependency seem cool. His record of partisanship does nothing to demonstrate his ability to unite. Since he agrees it is wrong to deny opportunity based on skin color,
Can he explain how denying loans to students
with better grades and fathers of equal income levels who happen to be white is suppose to unite us?
Does Barack Obama support handouts based on skin color or achievment? His belated condemnation of Reverand Wrong shows his true inability to disavow black leaders who exploit racial division. This is not a man who can unite us.
Posted by: Dave | May 1, 2008 10:27 PM
I am happy that Mr. Obama is too much of a gentleman to play nasty politics with Hilary. She is using every breath that Mr. Obama makes against him. Somebody needs to bring out her ties with all the undesirable people she and Bill have as friends. Hilary needs to be disqualified from this contest.
Posted by: Libby | May 1, 2008 10:40 PM
Geralidine Ferraro was sold a one way ticket on the Duke University express. She was right he is a mirage, a paper tiger with no substance who happens to be black and well spoken. I know lots of black guys who are well spoken. Oh, I forgot, most of them are closet Republicans.
Posted by: Dave | May 1, 2008 10:42 PM
It took me longer than most to decide who to vote for in NC next week.
I kind of applaud myself for taking the time to do the research and follow both Obama and Hillary, even attending an event for each of them.
I want a President who really cares about hardworking people, and Hillary is that candidate.
Posted by: Barbara Coine | May 2, 2008 12:03 AM
It took me longer than most to decide who to vote for in NC next week.
I kind of applaud myself for taking the time to do the research and follow both Obama and Hillary, even attending an event for each of them.
I want a President who really cares about hardworking people, and Hillary is that candidate.
Posted by: Barbara Coine | May 2, 2008 12:04 AM
I stopped supporting Senator Obama in early March and just didn't support anyone at all as I needed to do a lot of research on Hillary Clinton.
There are a couple of things I don't like about Hillary, but overall, considering the mess our country is in, she is up for the job of President. I like her confidence above all else. Obama seems detached, he stammers with uncertainty. And he clearly doesn't have a grasp on the issues the way I feel our next President should.
I also like that Hillary continues to insist on healthcare coverage for all and her past work for children especially re education is pretty impressive. I think she "gets it" and really cares about hardworking people and will be there for us.
Posted by: Bob Calais | May 2, 2008 12:05 AM
Clinton has been 'around' for 35 years? Then she shud know what this suspension will do. NOTHING. How many more scientists, economists, advisers, congress people....economic students will it take to educate her on this? Same goes for her health care plans. She WAS there, in DC in the WH .. how come she could not get it thru then? We shud back Obama and push as one people for the change he wants us to have - ALL OF US. Or say goodbye to more contituitonal rites, liberties, loved ones ...etc, etc. Think people think!
Posted by: trups | May 2, 2008 12:31 AM
Clinton is not hurting Obama by siding with McCain's simpleton ideas. She is testing the waters for Obama and running interference. The chances for Hillary are remote at this point, however if she were to get the nomination she is in a position to remove some of the swing voters from McCain.
Posted by: hammerdown | May 2, 2008 1:27 AM
I fully support opposition by Senator Barack Obama of the "gas tax holiday" it is just short term headlines like many that will come back to haunt Hillary, just like to bomb Iran off the Map, are these types of judgement a future President, No!
Hillary is seen as a joke in the UK and Europe but as others have said Barack Obama always remains dignified, however much is thrown at him, most of it uncalled for.
Lets Hope next Tuesday the Voters send out a clear message that both Hillary and Bill are seriously damaging The Democratic Party with her arrogance that everything in the party has to be run for her benefit alone.
Posted by: John B Sheffield | May 2, 2008 2:58 AM
Wow ... I can't believe there are still people who think Barak Obama is honest!
It's a particularly ironic twist that so many Obama supporters rag on Bill Clinton lying about a marital affair when first confronted ... Obama has lied repeatedly each time he was confronted by questions about Wright.
The whole Wright controversy has been a complete shell game that has taken everyone's focus off of the fact that Obama lied repeatedly about this relationship.
Unbelievable
Posted by: SM White, Irvine, CA | May 2, 2008 3:27 AM
New Zogby poll out today:
Obama holds big lead in NC:tied in Indiana.
http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1495
Posted by: Alison | May 2, 2008 8:15 AM
Why do all of you writers always have to end your stories on the negative note when it comes to Obama and always on the (even if you have to make it up) positive note when it comes to Hillary Clinton? It's just outright disgusting!!!
Posted by: RuthieM | May 2, 2008 3:19 PM
It is worth noting that the primary in NC and IN and ultimately the election hinge on a bet by two of the candidates that low information voters will believe their preposterous assertions that a "gas tax holiday" will help them pay their fuel bills this summer.
Anyone with a high school level education in economics will tell you a gas tax holiday will actually have the effect of raising gasoline prices. The consumer will simply never see a dime and the oil companies will make even higher profits. Not to mention the fact that it might put as many as 300.000 people out of work when the country is reeling from job losses or drive our debt even higher.
It is simply impossible to even suggest that such a measure could be introduced much less pass through congress before the end of the summer given nobody but McCain and Clinton support it in congress.
We are witnessing an epic and historic clash of old and new politics, one rooted in pander and deception of the past and one with the promise of truth and transparency.
My vote is for Senator Obama
Posted by: Deward Bowles | May 3, 2008 12:22 PM