Obama Draws 100,000 in Missouri

[GamTrak]

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- A record-breaking 100,000 people cheered Sen. Barack Obama under the Gateway Arch on the Mississippi River, by far the biggest stateside crowd drawn by the Democratic nominee.

"All I can is, wow," said Obama, surveying the sea of supporters, including a few watching from trees and nearby balconies. His home state of Illinois was right across the muddy river.

The huge turnout seemed to confirm that Missouri, the ultimate bellwether, is within reach for Obama this year. Republicans are blanketing the state with robocalls and direct mail, trying to erode support for Obama, but also down ballot as well. Democrats hope to pick up two House seats in Missouri, and could win the governorship.

Obama disputed allegations by Sen. John McCain that he was sparking class warfare by proposing a tax hike for the wealthy, and tax cuts for the middle and working classes.

"My opponent's been talking a lot about taxes in his campaign," Obama told the crowd. "But here's the truth Missouri -- we are both offering tax cuts. The difference is who we're cutting taxes for."

He framed it as a moral debate. "It comes down to values," Obama continued. "In America, do we simply value wealth -- or do we value the work that creates it? For eight years, we've seen what happens when we put the extremely wealthy and well-connected ahead of working people."

At an event in Florida yesterday, McCain described Obama's tax plan as "welfare." In a radio address today, he cited his friend Joe the Plumber's assessment of Obama's tax plan as "socialism."

"And a lot of Americans are thinking along those same lines," McCain said.

Obama retorted, "Senator McCain has been attacking my middle class tax cut. He actually said it goes to 'those who don't pay taxes,' even though it only goes to working people who are already getting taxed on their paycheck. That's right, Missouri -- John McCain is so out of touch with the struggles you are facing that he must be the first politician in history to call a tax cut for working people 'welfare.'"

Obama was joined by Sen. Claire McCaskill, an early supporter who has become one of the Democratic nominee's most effective surrogates. The Democrat was a surprise winner in 2006, beating GOP incumbent Sen. Jim Talent by winning support in the rural and more conservative corners of the Show-Me state.

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[littlebit]

When Obama made the statement he was going to "spread the wealth" around, it was more than reasonable to question exactly what this "spreading the wealth" around involves. The people we elect hold our lives in their hands and to ask questions is our only defense, regardless of who the candidate is. The old adage, "Believe nothing that you hear, and half of what you see" never seemed more fitting than it does during presidential campaigns.

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:

Socialism refers to a broad set of economic theories of social organization advocating state or collective ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods, and the creation of an egalitarian society. Modern socialism originated in the late nineteenth-century working class political movement. Karl Marx posited that socialism would be achieved via class struggle and a proletarian revolution which represents the transitional stage between capitalism and communism.

Socialists mainly share the belief that capitalism unfairly concentrates power and wealth among a small segment of society that controls capital, and creates an unequal society.

All socialists advocate the creation of an egalitarian society, in which wealth and power are distributed more evenly, although there is considerable disagreement among socialists over how, and to what extent this could be achieved.

And, no, I'm not voting for McCain, either. LOL. I'm just trying to figure out how you can spread the wealth around but not destroy capitalism.

 

[RobWin]

Socialists mainly share the belief that capitalism unfairly concentrates power and wealth among a small segment of society that controls capital, and creates an unequal society.

It does,,,here's the facts, [ame="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=449294564876413449"]The Capitalist Conspiracy[/ame]: An Inside View of International Banking

 

[GamTrak]

I'm just trying to figure out how you can spread the wealth around but not destroy capitalism.

This is another instance where we will just have to wait and see.

 

[littlebit]

This is another instance where we will just have to wait and see.

I agree. Whomever wins the office, it will be an unprecedented burden for them to face. I sincerely hope they have the wisdom to lead and a real vision for the citizens of this country. Personally, I wouldn't mind a little wealth distribution thrown at me, but I think I'll postpone any shopping trips for the present.

 

[GamTrak]

Obama raises record $150 million in one month

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama raised more than $150 million for his campaign in September, breaking the record he set the previous month, his campaign said on Sunday. :yahoo:

Obama's prodigious fundraising has been a key in the race against Republican Sen. John McCain, allowing Obama to blanket the air waves with advertisements in the run-up to the Nov. 4 election.

The Obama campaign said it HAD 632,000 new donors in September to bring ITS total to 3.1 million. It said the average donation for the month was less than $100.

With more than $150 million in September, Obama more than doubled the $66 million he brought in for August, which had been a record.

Unlike McCain, Obama, an Illinois senator, chose not to accept public funding for his campaign, freeing him to raise millions privately.

Obama's campaign has purchased a half-hour television slot at prime-time on Oct. 29, six days before the election, to make a closing argument to the American people.

Obama, who was in North Carolina on Sunday to appear at a "Change We Need" rally, has shattered all records for campaign fundraising, in part due to his Internet presence.

Big donors also have been an important source of cash for his campaign. Last week, he spoke at a big fundraiser in New York that featured performances by rock legends Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel. oke:

Obama raked in $9 million last month at a pair of glitzy Hollywood fundraisers, including one where singer-actress Barbra Streisand performed.

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