EBENSBURG — Former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle, an early supporter of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, visited a local personal care home Friday drumming up support for Obama.
Daschle, who represented South Dakota for 18 years and was a Senate majority leader, shook hands with and spoke before approximately 40 residents and workers at Rebekah Manor.
Following the stop in Ebensburg, Daschle made campaign stops before a labor group at Penn Gables Restaurant and at Obama Headquarters in Johnstown.
He said that Obama – in contrast to GOP contender John McCain – is a strong supporter of Social Security, Medicare, universal health care and closing a gap in coverage for drugs under Medicare’s Part D.
McCain has called for privatization of some of the Social Security program and cutbacks in some Medicare programs, Daschle said.
The United States is the only industrialized nation in the world without health care for all regardless of their circumstances, he said.
“As you decide how you’ll vote, make sure you’re aware of those differences before you vote,” Daschle said.
Two residents said that they’ve already voted by absentee ballot. Democrat Leona Strittmatter, 89, a former Patton resident, declined to reveal who got her vote, but said that she’s been closely following the campaigns of both Obama and McCain.
Republican Minnie Davis, 88, a lifelong resident of Ebensburg, said she voted for Obama because “we’ve needed new blood. He’s the one who can do the job.”
But the decision was not an easy one, she said. She said she “weighed everything. The economy was a big factor, and the war, too. A lot of our boys didn’t come home.”
Over the years, Davis added, “I’ve always split my ticket for the one I felt was best able to do the job.”
Two aides at the home, Michelle Toth and Nancy Bodenschatz, both of Ebensburg, said they will be voting for Obama on Tuesday because “he wants to rebuild the middle class.”
Local News
Former senator visits region to promote Obama
- Local News
-
-
Proposed bill would expand use of traffic-light cameras
Some call it the hand of “big brother,” others are convinced cameras at signal lights would be effective in curbing red-light runners and ultimately saving lives.
-
Minister's trial date set
An issue has been resolved over the report from an examination of a girl allegedly taken by her mother to a Bedford motel to have sex with a traveling minister, clearing the way for a trial.
-
AP: Almost half of new veterans seek disability
America’s newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a historic rate, claiming to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.
-
Geistown beginning crime watch program
Residents will patrol Geistown streets in the coming weeks as part of a community watch program.
-
Persons of the Week: Nanty Glo vets will remember fallen comrades
Michael Kurtz, Tom Kasecky and Steve Kasecky will be among members of the Loy A. Douglass Post 3489 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Nanty Glo who will be honoring fallen veterans today, Memorial Day.
-
AG candidates face potential conflicts of interest
Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general have family ties that could pose a conflict of interest for the one who is elected as the state’s next chief legal officer.
-
Lawmakers: Capitol rallies unpersuasive
Nancy Richey stepped to the podium with a microphone at the Capitol rotunda with the hope that the right people would hear her message.
-
Richland closer to new chief
The search for Richland’s next police chief is winding down.
-
In brief: Thunderstorm downs trees, knocks out power
A late Sunday afternoon thunderstorm brought high winds, hard rain and hail to the Cambria-Somerset region.
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
