Obama, McCain backers rally around Valley

By Marcia Moore
The Daily Item

October 05, 2008 09:02 am

— Supporters of the two major presidential candidates attended separate events in the Valley Saturday to rally voters.
A group of about 30 people, many of them clutching small American flags, gathered in Sunbury’s Cameron Park Saturday morning to attend the Women for Obama Rally to talk about why they want the Democratic senator from Illinois elected president.
A few hours later, about a dozen Republicans for Sen. John McCain attended the opening of the McCain-Palin headquarters on Routes 11-15 in Selinsgrove.
At the rally in Sunbury, Juli Cooper said Obama is the ideal choice to bring “fresh new ideas, absolute candor and honesty” to the White House.
“He’s our last and best hope,” said Cooper, vice chairwoman of the Union County Democratic Committee.
Describing herself as a pro-life Democrat, Beth Gesumaria, of Selinsgrove, said Obama’s vow to expand the federal WIC program that provides nutritional services to low-income women and children demonstrates his support for pregnant women and mothers.
Although Obama’s pro-choice, she said, his efforts to raise the minimum wage and assist women raising families have a direct impact on children’s lives.
Health care is the main reason Jennifer Curley, of Selinsgrove, backs Obama for president.
He’s outlined a reasonable and affordable plan to provide health care to children, she said, while McCain’s offer of a $5,000 family tax credit doesn’t go far enough in addressing soaring costs.
“Obama’s not just a candidate for women, he’s for everyone,” Curley said.
At the McCain headquarters, Carolyn Conner said the Republican health care platform is more family-friendly than Obama’s plan.
“Obama supports abortion and he’s very weak on end-of- life issues,” she said,
Office employees Peggy Shelley, Jeanette Bostian and Kim Tramutola said the Arizona senator’s government and Vietnam War experience make him the right candidate to lead the U.S. at a time when the economy is on shaky ground and troops remain in Iraq.
“He’s very concerned for our safety. I know we’re still in trouble, but I’ll sleep better at night with McCain as president,” Tramutola said.
She views his advanced age of 72 as an asset and not a weakness.
“He survived cancer and five years as a prisoner of war,” Tramutola said. “He’s kicking to save America and he’s shown more integrity.”
Shelley and Carolyn Conner each have children serving in the military and said McCain’s plan for a gradual reduction in U.S. troops from Iraq is the most sound approach.
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