President Barak Obama and Vice President Joe Biden spoke to an audience of around 9,500 on the importance of early voting, foreign policy, the auto industry and a contagious “condition” referred to as “Romneysia”. They spoke at Dayton’s Triangle Park with many Wright State students in attendance.
Biden spoke first and was followed by the president. The running mates both began their speeches with a plug for early voting.
“Two weeks from today, Americans all across the country will step into the voting booth,” said Obama. “Here in Ohio, you can vote early. Here in Ohio, you can vote right after this event.”
Biden began his introduction by praising the president’s performance in the foreign policy debate from the previous evening.
“Last night we saw the commander in chief in command of the issues,” Biden said.
“You guys got to see what I see everyday for the last four years, a president who clearly understands America’s interests around the world and has the courage to pursue and protect those interests.”
Obama talked about the importance of creating jobs domestically, giving tax breaks to small businesses, cutting dependence on foreign oil and making college affordable for students.
“I want to make sure colleges and universities keep their tuition low so our young people can get a college education,” said Obama.
The president also spoke of his administration’s foreign policy accomplishments, including the ending of the Iraq war and the killing of Osama Bin Laden. Obama criticized Romney’s foreign policy ideas, claiming that they are “all over the map”.
“America needs leadership that is strong and steady,” Obama said. “Unfortunately, Governor Romney’s policy is wrong and reckless.”
Obama criticized Romney of pandering to acquire votes on issues such as the Iraq war and the auto industry bailout, saying that if Romney were in office during the economic plummet, that their might not be an American auto industry today.
“The auto industry supports one in eight Ohio jobs,” Obama said. “It’s a source of pride to this state, it is a source of pride to our country, it is a source of pride to generations of workers.”
Obama joked that his opponent has acquired a case of “Romneysia”, a “condition” that prevents him from being consistent on issues.
“If you’ve come down with a case of Romnesysia, if you can’t seem to remember the positions that you’ve taken not just four years ago, but four days ago,” Obama said, “you don’t have to worry because Obamacare covers pre-existing conditions”.
Wright State student and Obama supporter Dominique Briggs was pleased by the turnout for the event, as well as the diversity.
“You see lots of people from all different ages, all different places, all different races, even, just coming to support someone who’s done a good thing for our country.” Said Briggs.
Wright State Student Danielle Devaughn agreed, emphasizing the impact that the upcoming election will have on college students and financial aid.
“It’s the future,” said Devaughn, “It’s very important for us to vote so we don’t get into debt issues once we get out of college.”
