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Obama rallies voters in Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Barack Obama complimented Democratic primary rival Hillary Clinton Monday night and called for unity against Republican presidential candidate John McCain in the fall election.
Obama, a U.S. senator from Illinois, took his bid for the White House to a packed Kentucky International Convention Center on Monday night.
"She has served this country well, and whatever differences between myself and her, they pale in comparison to the differences we've got with George W. Bush," Obama told a crowd of about 8,000. "They're nothing compared to differences we have with John McCain."
Kentucky's primary election is May 20. A recent poll shows Clinton with a strong lead over Obama in Kentucky. A Lexington Herald-Leader/WKYT Kentucky poll of 500 probable Democratic voters showed 58 percent favor Clinton, while 31 percent prefer Obama, and 11 percent were uncommitted.
Kentucky's superdelegates are split on the race. U.S. Reps. John Yarmuth and Ben Chandler both say they're committed to Obama, while superdelegates Terry McBrayer, JoEtta Wickliffe and Moretta Bosley support Clinton. Gov. Steve Beshear, Kentucky Democratic Chairwoman Jennifer Moore and Kentucky Democratic Vice Chairman Nathan Smith haven't endorsed a candidate yet.
Obama spoke for less than an hour Monday night and delivered a wide-ranging speech that touched on the economy, soaring gas prices and the U.S. military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also acknowledged some "bruised feelings" during the primary elections but called for unity among Democrats, Republicans and independent voters in the fall.
"We're going to be unified," Obama told the audience.
Still, Obama took issue with McCain and highlighted the differences between himself and the Republican senator from Arizona. McCain supported policies that mirror the current administration's, Obama said.
The visit marked the first time Obama made a campaign stop in Kentucky since August. Clinton, however, has made more recent appearances and attended a Democratic fundraiser Friday in Louisville. Her daughter, Chelsea, has also visited the state and made stops on Clinton's behalf Monday in northern Kentucky and Lexington.
Obama, meanwhile, canceled a scheduled campaign stop Tuesday in Lexington and was instead heading back to Washington, spokesman Clark Stevens said. Obama's campaign has acknowledged his chances of winning in Kentucky are low.
But his performance in Kentucky's election could still help his campaign pick up valuable delegates, said Jasmine Farrier, an associate professor of political science at the University of Louisville. Voters also don't want to feel neglected, Farrier said.
"There's no harm in coming to the state," Farrier said. "Since he's already strategizing the fall campaign against McCain, it would be smart of him to lay some ground work and put out some feelers in a state that is a weakness for him."
Joe Gershtenson, a political science professor at Eastern Kentucky University, said even though Obama's chances may be slim, a better-than-expected performance could help him.
"It's not a winner-take-all system in these primaries," Gershtenson said. "So it matters."
Tony Young, a 49-year-old maintenance supervisor from Louisville, said he is supporting Obama and thought it was a good move for him to come to Kentucky.
"He offers something that's refreshing. His campaign is solid," Young said. "He's hitting all the bases, he's making all the stops."
