Let's talk Barack: Obama campaign brings message to Main Street

By Sherrie Peif

speif@mywindsornow.com

About two dozen Windsor residents gave new meaning to the word "bipartisan" Wednesday afternoon.

Although they weren't voting on a new bill in Congress, the message about their effort rang clear: "Elect Barack Obama for president."

As introductions went around the room from the 25 people who showed up for the "Main Street" meeting at the Firedside Restaurant in Windsor, it became transparent that not only Democrats were hopping on the "change" theme, but Republicans, too.

Former Windsor Mayor Ed Starck started off the talk by saying although he's a registered Republican he sometimes wonders why.

"I'm pretty discouraged with everything I see, all the way down to our Congressional delegation," he said.

Joanne Monath agreed.

"As soon as this election is over, I plan to change my affiliation," Monath said. "The Republican Party has gone the extreme direction I don't want to go. I can't take it anymore."

The meeting was organized by Obama's Colorado campaign workers to get closer to the people who policy impacts, Matt Chandler, Obama's Colorado press secretary, said. Chandler said other towns in Colorado that will hold the 'Main Street Meetings' will be Johnstown, Sterling, Lamar, La Junta and some towns on the Western Slope.

"It's incredibly important to have dialogue, for us to reach out and touch the grass roots," Chandler said about taking Obama's message to small towns. "That's the kind of president he will be, and the kind of senator he is."

Residents discussed everything from the war in Iraq to health care to the current financial market meltdown.

Monath said her biggest concern is what Obama plans to do with the Medicare Part D program the Bush administration began.

Monath said her 91-year-old mother spends around $400 per month on prescription drugs after the Medicare program caps out.

"Usually, in June she hits the doughnut hole where she has to pay full price for her meds, and they are not able to negotiate those prices," Monath said. "One inhaler costs her $100. She can't live on her own now because of that."

Rebecca Renz said healthcare, too, was one issue pushing her to vote for Obama this November.

Renz's daughter recently underwent a heart transplant, and Renz said had it not been that the family had health insurance, she doesn't know what would have happened.

"There are parents out there who don't have insurance, and I'm scared if we don't go in the right direction, (universal healthcare) won't happen," Renz said through tears. "It seems like every day things get worse and worse, and we're having to send in the garbage collectors to clean it up."

Throughout the meeting, it appeared more Republicans were speaking up than Democrats.

Ron Worl, who described himself as a reformed Wyoming Republican, said this was an important election for everyone.

"We need a real leader," Worl said. "(Obama) does things the right way. He surrounds himself with the right people. And if you look at McCain he's always saying, 'I,' but with Obama, he's always saying, 'We.' I like that. John McCain is not his own man anymore."

Chris Ivins agreed, adding he is nothing like the senator he was several years ago.

"He was better off as a senator," Ivins said. "I don't like Sarah Palin at all. She doesn't add anything to his campaign."

The 50-50 Republican-Democrat split, with the Republican's controlling most of the discussion, didn't surprise Chandler. He said he's seen a lot of that in other town-hall type meetings in the four states he's taken the campaign to.

"He's a candidate that appeals to everyone, Republicans and Independents included," Chandler said of Obama.