Obama in red-state Indiana

by John McCormick

INDIANAPOLIS - In his first public appearance since last night's debate, Sen. Barack Obama was greeted by a soggy but excited audience in the heart of a state that has not voted for a Democrat for president since 1964.

"I know it's a little damp," the Illinois Democrat started.

After addressing the continuing financial crisis, Obama presented his Republican rival, Sen. John McCain, as a continuation of the Bush Administration.

"It will take a real change in the policies and politics of the last eight years," he said told an audience his campaign said totaled 21,000, packed into the grandstand and sloppy surroundings at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

"That's why the decision you make in 27 days is so important," Obama said. "That's why this is no ordinary election - because this is no ordinary moment for America."

As he mentioned last night's debate, the audience broke into cheers.

"John McCain and I each had the chance to make the case for change - to talk about what we would do differently from the last eight years when it comes to lifting our middle-class, and growing our economy, and restoring our prosperity," Obama said. "But all we heard from Senator McCain was more of the same Bush economics that led us into this mess in the first place."

Obama specifically focused on a debate question about whether health care should be a right for every American.

"I believe it should," he said. "But Senator McCain didn't say that. And when you look at his radical health care plan, you can see why."

Obama also mocked McCain's suggestions at the debate that the government should not take a much greater role in providing health insurance.

"You heard Sen. McCain say, well, we don't need any government involvement in health care," he said. "What he didn't mention is he's got health care from the government."

Obama said McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, are out to "spend the final weeks of this election attacking me" and are "out there saying all kinds of stuff."

The candidate who has long used "hope" as one of his main themes also seemed to be trying to leverage the current fears about the nation's financial condition to try to inspire a call for a greater good.

"The future generations will judge us on how we respond to this test," Obama said. "Will they say that this was a time when America lost its way, when it lost its purpose? When we allowed our own petty differences, our broken politics to plunge this country into a dark and painful recession?

"Or will they say that this was another one of those moments when America overcame? When we battled back from adversity, when we recognized the common stake we have in each other's success?

"This is one of those moments, Indiana," Obama said. "I realize you're cynical. I realize some of you are fed up with politics. I realize you're disappointed and even angry with your leaders. And you have every right to be. But despite all of this, I ask of you what's been asked of the American people in times of trial and turmoil throughout our history.

"I ask you to believe - believe in yourselves, believe in each other, believe in the future we can build together."