Organizing for America | Jaime Mulligan's Blog: Seniors Town Hall in Ames

Seniors Town Hall in Ames

By Jaime Mulligan - Sep 21st, 2007 at 8:40 pm EDT

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Tags: IA, Iowa, Seniors

A grandmother, Pat, and her grandson, Chris, introduced Barack today at the Senior Townhall in Ames. Chris is the president of the Ames High School BarackStar program.

BarackStars, if you aren't familiar, are the high schoolers involved in the Obama campaign here in Iowa. (You can find a chapter near you by clicking here.)

A big issue at this town hall today was health care. One person asked Barack why the insurance companies still need to be involved the system. An excerpt from Barack's response:

Here's the bottom line. If I were designing a system from scratch I would probably set up a single-payer system...But we're not designing a system from scratch...And when we had a healthcare forum before I set up my healthcare plan here in Iowa there was a lot of resistance to a single-payer system. So what I believe is we should set up a series of choices....Over time it may be that we end up transitioning to such a system. For now, I just want to make sure every American is covered...I don't want to wait for that perfect system...The one thing you should ask about the candidates though is who's gonna have the capacity to actually deliver on the change?...I believe I've got a better capacity to break the gridlock and attract both Independents and Republicans to work together.

He also discussed the Medicare doughnut hole. The doughnut hole is a provision in a bill written by special interests that was forced through Congress by Republicans literally in the dead of night. As a result of that provision, thousands of Americans now fall into the hole each year, and are faced with paying hundreds and hundreds of dollars for their prescription medication or halting their physician-proscribed treatment. When asked whether he would fix this, Barack responded with an unequivocal yes.

Barack was asked about transparency in government. "I do not believe in secrecy. I do not believe in the imperial presidency. I believe that the vice presidency is actually part of the executive branch...I taught constitutional law for ten years. I believe in the constitution. I know that's a big change. The next president is going to need that bias towards opening up our government again." He referred people to the website to learn more about his plan in this area.

The townhall ended with a standing ovation for Barack.

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Validation for Choosing Ames Forum rather then AARP Debate | Report to Admin

By SFT Sep 21st 2007 at 11:54 pm EDT

The reaction of the folks in Ames which is a really important sector of Iowa is superb validation that Barack presenting his distinctive message on his own terms is more effective than a debate format. It looks likes the facility was full, but they don't say the numbers attending. Terrific strategic planning! Go Barack!

Re: Validation for Choosing Ames Forum rather then AARP Debate | Report to Admin

By RAH Sep 22nd 2007 at 12:08 pm EDT

I totally agree with you. I also wondered how many were in attendance. Is there going to be a video of this town hall? Would like to see it if there's one.

Iowa's Older voters ! | Report to Admin

By ♫ ❀ ✿ ♪ MsCiara, in Paris ♪ ❀ ✿ ♫ Sep 28th 2007 at 10:51 am EDT

Important work ! But we need more..But I think the campaign needs your advice. How should Barack engage older voters in Iowa? I know they are starting a faith tour. Would that be a good idea as well in Iowa ? I know that Iowa is ready for change and is embracing Barack. But, I am concerned about the elderly vote there. Thank you so much for all YOUR work ! God Bless you !

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