http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08242/908065-100.stmObama, Biden visit Beaver County biodiesel plant
Friday, August 29, 2008
By Dennis B. Roddy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
MONACA -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and running mate Joe Biden toured a biodiesel plant here today and paused long enough to describe newly named Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin as "a compelling person" but unlikely to change the course of the Republican ticket.
In his first campaign stop since accepting the nomination last night, Mr. Obama praised Pennsylvania Gov. Ed. Rendell for his support of the Pennsylvania Biodiesel plant, which makes fuel from chicken fat.
He also backed away from an earlier statement by a campaign aide that criticized the selection of Mrs. Palin as putting "the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency,"
Mrs. Palin was a mayor in Alaska before becoming that state's governor.
"Campaigns start getting these hair triggers," Mr. Obama said. "The statement that Joe and I put out reflects our sentiments." The earlier statement described the choice of Mrs. Palin as historic and a sign of the progress made by women in politics.
More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
First published on August 29, 2008 at 4:27 pm