Obama ties McCain to Bush on economy at Flint rally

Obama ties McCain to Bush on economy at Flint rally
Mark Hornbeck and charlie cain / Detroit News Lansing Bureau

FLINT -- Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama came out swinging against opponent John McCain here today, saying "it's hard to believe" the Republican favors change when he has voted with President Bush 90 percent of the time.

Obama noted that the national unemployment rate soared to 6.1 percent last month, the highest jobless mark in five years, even as McCain pronounced the nation's economy fundamentally sound. He added that Michigan's rate is at 8.5 percent and unemployment in Flint is over 12 percent.

"If John McCain thinks the economy is fundamentally sound, he needs to come to Flint," Obama said this afternoon to a gathering of about 300 at Mott Community College.

"You don't have to tell people in Michigan the economy is not in good shape. But you do need to tell John McCain."

Three hybrid cars -- two Chevrolet Yukons and a Tahoe -- served as a backdrop during the appearance. Obama addressed the invitation-only crowd at a heavy equipment training lab in the college's Regional Technology Center.

Last month, the nation lost 39,000 auto jobs, the most for a month period in the nation's history. Obama supports federal loan guarantees to the auto industry to help domestic carmakers convert to alternative energy vehicles. He said during an earlier appearance in Lansing that under his plan, the United States could see a million electric cars on the road within the decade.

It was Obama's third visit to Michigan in the past nine days. He was scheduled to hold a town hall discussion on the economy in Farmington Hills this evening.

Obama and running mate Joe Biden campaigned Aug. 31 in Battle Creek, and Obama made Labor Day appearances in Detroit and Monroe. Michigan is seen as a key battleground state in a tight contest for the White House between Democrat Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain.

"And you'll see us here a lot more," said Brent Colburn, spokesman for the Obama campaign in Michigan.

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http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080908/POLITICS/809080419/1361

need this spelled out for them.