White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., brainstormed Jun 20 with 16 of the country’s 28 Democratic governors about how to get the economy back on track; how he will use money from the war; and also urged President George W. Bush to issue a second r
The “wish list” discussion, held at the Chicago History Museum, was the first showing of party unity after a tumultuous primary between Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton, DN. Y. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who attended a private dinner for Obama the previous night, opted out of the discussion. Instead, he took an aerial tour of the flood-ravaged areas in downstate Illinois.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Obama called the meeting to hear thoughts of how to help America recover from the economic hardship spread across the countryû unemployment, bankruptcies, rising gas prices, crumbling infrastructure, and housing woes. Obama told the governors he would invest billions of dollars from tax cuts for the rich and the war in Iraq in alternative energy sources, education, health care, infrastructure and mortgage assistance.
“All of you, as governors, are dealing with these issues day in and day out. You’re the ones who see the effects on families in your states each and every day,” Obama said before each governor got a chance to share the concerns of the residents they represent. Governors from the Midwest talked about the sad state of the working class in the region, and how infrastructure repairs and manufacturing plants create many jobs that will keep families afloat.
“We have the toughest economy in the nation. In Michigan, we have the highest unemployment rate. Since George Bush became president we have lost 400,000ù400,000ùmanufacturing jobs,” said Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a former Clinton supporter. She wants a trade policy that won’t enable foreign countries to entice American companies away. Such dealings would let foreign countries set up factories with minimal to no environmental or safety standards.
Ohio’s governor echoed Granholm’s concerns about the flurry of jobs on the chopping block or already lost. Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland said the closing of a DHL shipping company location will eliminate 8,500 jobs; 2,500 jobs are on the line when a General Motors plant closes; and 3,000 workers would be terminated if Continental Airlines does not go forward with its planned expansion.
“We are in a lot of economic pain today.Within four days over the last two weeks, 10,000 to 12,000 union, living wage jobs are being cut,” Strickland said. The Ohio governor was “encouraged” by Obama and said he and the others would do “whatever it takes that is honest and ethical” to get him elected. The governor from Wisconsin said Obama’s inauguration next year could not come fast enough.
“Senator Obama, I can’t tell you how much I look forward in January to be working with a president that’s actually working with us to address the various issues that have been addressed, talked about here today,” said Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, who sat next to Obama, as another governor praised Obama for spearheading the meeting.
“This is the first time ever that a candidate reached out to governors,” said West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, who asked for funding for modernized coal technology. Other governors shared their expectations for Obama to ensure the necessary funding to keep education affordable for all, making sure that the poor was insured, to keep people employed and for an immigration policy that makes sense.
“I think we need to look at a federal capital budget, a massive rebuilding plan for this country. We can’t begin to solve the problem unless the federal government becomes a huge partner with us,” said Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, who was also a Clinton supporter. Obama will be joined by Clinton on the campaign trial June 27 in Unity, N.H.
Kathy Chaney can be reached via e-mail at kchaney@chicagodefender.com
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