Vilsack visits Newton in support of Obama

Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack holds 2-year-old Colby Revell while talking with Barack Obama supporters following a rally Wednesday night. Revell attended the event with his grandmother, Jasper County Recorder Nancy Parrott. Jessica Lowe/Daily News

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack is passionate about reuniting the Democratic party and getting Barack Obama elected to the White House in November. The former Hillary Clinton supporter is so adamant about the need for change and the desire to have Obama win the general election, Vilsack visited Newton to help unite the Democratic party in Jasper County. “This is probably one of the most important meetings and important discussions happening anywhere in the country,” Vilsack told a crowd of about two dozen people who gathered at the UAW 997 Hall in Newton. Vilsack urged those in attendance to put their support behind the Democratic presidential candidate and lay to rest the “hurt feelings.” Vilsack noted he is supporting Obama now despite supporting Clinton during the primary. “No one, with the exception of Chelsea Clinton, Bill Clinton and Hillary’s mother, campaigned harder for Hillary Clinton than I did,” the former governor said. “I care deeply about her. ... I talked to her a couple weeks ago and she said ‘There is only one mission now and that is to elect Barack Obama because our future is at stake.’” Vilsack said the United States needs to live up to its promise of equal opportunity for all its citizens by electing the first African American president. “We should look forward to the day when America actually fulfills its destiny,” he said. “It’s up to us, the ordinary folks, the working folks. It’s up to us.” Noting $4 a gallon gas, dependence on foreign oil, the war in Iraq and the lack of health care for millions of Americans, Vilsack said it’s time voters ask themselves one question. “Just ask yourself a single question ‘Are you satisfied?’ If you are, vote for John McCain, if no, then vote for Barack Obama,” he said. “It’s clear John McCain will continue with the Bush plan. We need people to vote and to talk to friends and neighbors (in support of Barack Obama).” Volunteers with the Obama campaign are urging the Senator’s supporters to participate in a neighborhood canvas on Sunday, which is exactly 100 days until the general election. Anyone wishing to participate can meet at 1 p.m. Sunday at the UAW parking lot. “This is the most decisive election in my lifetime,” Vilsack said. “This is really an opportunity for our country to live up to its promise and to regain the trust of the world.”

Jessica Lowe can be contacted at 792-3121 ext. 426 or via e-mail at jlowe@newtondailynews.com.