Obama to Focus on Economy in ‘Closing Argument’ Speech

Christopher Cooper reports from Chicago on the presidential race. Barack Obama will deliver his “closing argument” at a midday rally in Ohio today, telling voters he is the only candidate willing to make a clean break with the “era of profound irresponsibility’’ fostered by the Bush administration and roping rival John McCain to the unpopular sitting president. With the longest campaign in presidential history winding down to its closing days, Obama picked Canton, Ohio, to deliver his speech, a small town in an important electoral state that the Illinois Democrat failed to win during the primary season. Obama’s speech, judging from excerpts provided by the campaign, will focus almost entirely on the economy. In it, Obama lays claim to the political middle, claiming, as numerous presidential candidates in the past have done, that he can end gridlock in Washington and its dependence on partisan politics and special interests. “In one week, you can put an end to the politics ... (link)