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Obama wows many in GM crowd

By STACY VOGEL   Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - 2:03 p.m.
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Hundreds of General Motors employees, local dignitaries and members of the press gathered to hear presidential candidate Barack Obama lay out his economic plan to “reclaim the American dream” at the local GM plant in a speech stuffed to the brim with Janesville references.

Employees were bombarded by reporters as they waited for Obama to finish touring the plant and begin his speech. Many of them were already declaring themselves Obama supporters, though some said they were on the fence.

Officials such as Steve Sheiffer, Janesville city manager; Sheriff Bob Spoden; Sen. Judy Robson; Rep. Mike Sheridan; and Gov. Jim Doyle could be spotted in the crowd. United Auto Worker officials held seats in the front row.

The crowd offered standing ovations at several points in Obama’s speech, especially when he spoke of ending the war in Iraq and protecting American jobs. Afterward, audience members pushed their way to the front for the chance to shake hands with and speak to the Democratic senator from Illinois.

Theresa Corwith, Janesville, a 30-year GM worker, summarized the comments of many audience members when she said Obama would provide a fresh face in the White House and allow the United States to approve its image overseas.

“I just think we’re ready for somebody new,” she said.




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unkbd
Feb 14, 2008 at 10:51 p.m.
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By the way Molly60 tell us exatly what it is that qualifies Mrs. Clinton to be president. What does it take to be president that she has and the other candidates don't. And experience doesn't count because the only ones with experience in that job position can't be elected again.

unkbd
Feb 14, 2008 at 10:41 p.m.
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Molly60....you hit the nail right on the head. GWB can "stand on a stage and talk well" (sometimes) and look what he has done for this country!!!!

DrTalk
Feb 14, 2008 at 2:41 p.m.
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Even the chef has been in the White House for eight years. That doesn't make him qualified to be President.

wisconsinheat
Feb 14, 2008 at 10:20 a.m.
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And HER qualifications ARE?
Oh, having LIVED in the whitehouse makes her qualified to RUN it.

molly60
Feb 14, 2008 at 10:05 a.m.
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Wow, doesn't anyone see what is happening? We will have another 4 more years of a Republican President. Obama is NOT ready to be our president. He has no experience, just because he can stand on a stage and talk well doesn't mean he will be qualified to be president. The republican party is hoping he will be our canidate and when the election happens they know the democrates will not vote him in. This is a set up and YOU are falling for it. Hillary maybe stern and not warm and fuzzy but she has what it takes to be President. Open your eyes people!

wisconsinheat
Feb 14, 2008 at 9:20 a.m.
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DrTalk, you unwittingly proved my point.

wonders
Feb 14, 2008 at 9:20 a.m.
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Unless you have forgotten, there are more than two candidates running for the office of President.

dillon
Feb 14, 2008 at 9:06 a.m.
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I really hope that Mr. Obama does realize that there is more to Janesville than the "precious and wonderful" (note sarcasm) General Motors plant. I guess we can thank our great state rep Sheridan for thinking of all of us again....

DrTalk
Feb 14, 2008 at 8:39 a.m.
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wisconsinheat,
"...if it's on the internet it must be true?
.If so, do yourself a favor and bookmark this site: snopes.com."

In case you didn't realize this, snopes.com is on the Internet and they don't get everything right. You should heed your own advice.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/articl...

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?f...

MajorMojo
Feb 14, 2008 at 6:09 a.m.
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I'm voting for Gus Hall

unkbd
Feb 14, 2008 at 2:56 a.m.
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pinkgirl12..... and the alternative is any better? Every time that woman opens her mouth to speak I get the feeling that I am 10 yrs old again and have just spilt kool-aid on the floor. She just shreiks. Besides exactly what experience does Hillary have? She watched Bill for 8 yrs? I don't even think she did that because she had her own political agenda. As for "'great' ideas for change" I say it's about time someone had a few ideas, because the same old crap isn't and hasn't been working for the past 8 years. I hope he does some good, America needs a wake up call and if this guy can do it more power to him.

pinkgirl12
Feb 13, 2008 at 11:46 p.m.
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If Obama become president, I will be very scared!
Yes, we need change. But with his lack of lack of experience and "great" ideas for change, we are bound for another bad four years!
Just watch the man talk! What a name dropper!

unkbd
Feb 13, 2008 at 11:15 p.m.
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I see by the interviewee that the Gazette reporter believes Mr. Obamas visit to be a natural disaster.

ame8736
Feb 13, 2008 at 7:36 p.m.
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if u are not at least partially in uniform you do not salute the flag. if you are not an active or a veteran you do not salute.

wisconsinheat
Feb 13, 2008 at 6:48 p.m.
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wonders:
Yes, that is what the picture shows. But did you read the story? A picture may be worth a thousand words, but sometimes it doesn't tell the whole story.

garyprimer
Feb 13, 2008 at 6:19 p.m.
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We sure are ready for somebody new, but I'm not sure this is the guy. His youthful enthusiasm will fade quickly if he is faced with the actual tasks. It is not going to be as easy as he thinks to make his ideas work in the real world. For example, he says he will end the war in Iraq and take that money and invest it in this country. That sounds great, but what money is he talking about? We don't have the money that we are spending in Iraq, we are borrowing it and if we pull out we are not going to get any of it back. It all sounds great, but means absolutely nothing.

wonders
Feb 13, 2008 at 5:04 p.m.
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I think if you look it up, the civilian version of saluting the flag is by placing your hand over your heart. The military, in uniform render a hand salute. Military personnel in civilian attire place their hand over their heart in form of a salute. And I went to the link you provided, and indeed it shows him standing with his hands clasped in front of him.

wisconsinheat
Feb 13, 2008 at 4:38 p.m.
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Oh, and by the way, do you know when it is appropriate to place your hand over your heart and when it is appropriate to "salute" the flag?
It's either one or the other.

wisconsinheat
Feb 13, 2008 at 4:35 p.m.
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OnWisconsin:
Why would you say that? Is it because you actually believe all of those ridiculous and false e-mails that everyone takes as fact because, if it's on the internet it must be true?
.
If so, do yourself a favor and bookmark this site: snopes.com.
.
Then before you post VERIFY.

OnWisconsin
Feb 13, 2008 at 4:19 p.m.
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I bet he did not place his hand over his heart and salute the flag.

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