Barack speaks about Kansas disaster

Barack Obama noted that the National Guard did not have sufficient equipment to deal adequately with the tornado disaster in Kansas. Because of the ill-conceived war in Iraq, the all-volunteer Army and National Guard have been stretched thin.

In the Wichita Eagle, the senator said:

Governor Sebelius was right to question the diversion of the Guard’s resources and personnel overseas. There’s no question that this has undercut our emergency preparedness and our homeland security...

We cannot afford to learn a lesson about unmet needs each time a disaster strikes. The National Guard is the essential mechanism through which states prepare for and respond to emergencies. If your administration chooses to divert state resources to assist the military overseas, this gap should be filled in order to protect Americans at home."

Michelle speaks of husband's 'moral compass'

Michelle Obama drew crowds larger than some other candidates are her first solo visit to New Hampshire. There she mentioned that her husband has the type of experience that makes a difference, ""I know that experience is important but experience without the sort of moral compass is not enough."

She made specific mention of her husband's experience as a community oranizer, civil rights lawyer, law professor and state lawmaker.

Unlike many other Ivy League lawyers including some running in the primary, Obama did not go to work for corporate America but chose to work as a street level organizer for meager pay.