Barack Obama to Target GOP Strongholds

Sen. Barack Obama began a two-week tour of North Carolina today speaking about economic policy in Raleigh.

Earlier, Obama campaigned in Virginia, another southern state that the campaign is targeting. There are only about 20 weeks left until the election in November, so staying two weeks in North Carolina this early shows Obama's belief in his ability to win the state.

The campaign is focusing on registering new voters as part of its effort to win states that normally vote Republican. Other southern states that may be targeted are Missouri and Georgia.


Here is Barack's speech today.

Remarks of Senator Barack Obama
Change That Works for You
Monday, June 9th, 2008
Raleigh, North Carolina
As prepared for delivery

Before we begin, I just want to take a minute to thank Senator Clinton for the kind and generous support she offered on Saturday. She ran an historic campaign that shattered barriers on behalf of my daughters and women everywhere who now know there are no limits to their dreams. And more, she inspired millions of women and men with her strength, her courage, and her unyielding commitment to the causes that brought us here today – the hopes and aspirations of working Americans.

Our party and our country are stronger because of the work she has done throughout her life, and I look forward to working with her in these coming months and years to lay out the case for change and set a new course for this country.

I’ve often said that this election represents a defining moment in our history. On major issues like the war in Iraq or the warming of our planet, the decisions we make in November and over the next few years will shape a generation, if not a century.

That is especially true when it comes to our economy.

We have now lost jobs for five straight months – more than 320,000 since the beginning of this year. Last month we saw the biggest rise in the unemployment rate in more than twenty years. The percentage of homes in foreclosure and late mortgage payments is the highest since the Great Depression. The price of oil has never been higher and set a record on Friday for the largest one-day spike in history. The costs of health care and college tuition and even food have all hit record levels, while family incomes have fallen and the wages of our workers have stayed the same.

Read the full speech