Ohio is the most important state in the presidential election, Democratic National Chairman Terry McAuliffe told a crowd of about 400 during a rally at the Scripps amphitheater yesterday.
When we win Ohio
we will win the White House he said.
McAuliffe promoted Sen. John Kerry's presidential candidacy and Terry Anderson's bid for the Ohio Senate and encouraged grassroots campaigning and voting. Anderson also spoke to the crowd following McAuliffe about his platform. Job creation was a common theme, with students waving signs such as Terry + Kerry = Jobs.
The creation of new jobs is the most pressing issue today in our region said Athens Mayor Ric Abel, a Democrat.
Kerry will create 10 million new jobs during his term in office, McAuliffe said.
A $225 billion tax cut to 99 percent of Americans and 98 percent of businesses will also be given and education will be fully funded.
Anderson said tourism and recreation has the biggest potential for growth in the region, but if business is to grow, technology infrastructure needs to grow.
You start driving out of town
how long does your cell phone last? A few miles
he said. How many businessmen in Cleveland do you think are going to come down here and spend a weekend if they can't use their cell phone? ... I can't get broadband to my home a few miles outside of Athens. Again
how many businesspeople are going to come down here if they can't use their laptops? We need to fix those things.
Anderson attacked the Republican-controlled state government, saying the party has had control of the state for more than a decade without making progress.
Bob Taft and his crew -including my opponent
Joy Padgett -have for years been shoving the tax burden down onto working people and local businesses
he said. We are headed in the wrong direction.
Padgett, R-Coshocton, said Anderson is unaware of growth in Appalachia.
I'm very proud of the work we've done for the last several years
she said. We've laid a lot of groundwork with technology
with helping communities ... I just think that negativism of constantly talking about how everything is bad is not accurate.
Padgett also dismissed McAuliffe's attacks on the Republican party.
I am an Appalachian. I know the people of southeastern Ohio
she said. We are smart
