Spring Break
Former Miss. governor stumps for Obama in College Station
By: Amanda Grosegbauer
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: News
Former Gov. Ray Mabus, D- Miss., backed Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and agreed with many of the candidates' proposed policies at Sweet Eugene's coffee shop Thursday.
Mabus, national co-chairman of the Obama campaign, served as governor of Mississippi from 1988 to 1992, and was the U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1994 to 1996.
Mabus said he became an Obama supporter in April 2007 for two reasons. "First, politically, Obama has shown that he can win diverse support and [he] is bringing a large number of people back into the political process," he said. "Secondly, I'm tired of people telling us that we are different from one another-black or white, North or South - Obama is the first candidate in a long time who tells us we are the same. More than anybody else, Obama has a chance to unify this country."
Mabus has campaigned for Obama across the state saying the campaign is paying attention to rural locations as a way to rejuvenate a voting block often neglected.
"Every vote matters," Mabus said, citing an experience while running for governor where he won by just six votes and another where he lost by four.
He stressed his belief in Obama's health care plan and related the story of his own daughter, who, at 15, was unable to get coverage because of pre-existing asthma.
"Obama wants everyone to have the same access to health care as he has as a U.S. Senator," Mabus said.
Mabus said with his experience in the military and as a diplomat, he can relate to Obama's stance on foreign policy and national defense.
"Having a strong defense means using good judgment as to when to use military force and when not to, as well as taking care of our troops when they are away and when they return home," said Mabus, and cited specific laws that Obama passed that increased veterans' rights.
Daniel Dick, a junior political science major, said he liked the governor's comment that Obama believes that foreign policy should be smart and aggressive, not just the latter.
Dick agreed with what the governor said about the South, in that it is amazing that 40 years removed from the civil rights movement an African-American can be so appealing to the Southern state. "All people like Obama because he is so sincere in his beliefs and commitment," said Dick.
But many critics say that Obama's lack of experience that could limit his abilities as president.
"It is the broadness of these experiences that not only qualifies him, but has prepared him for this position," said Mabus. "Obama's greatest proof of leadership ability can be seen in his great capacity to inspire."
Editor's Note: Amanda Grosegbauer, a staff writer for The Battalion, has volunteered for Barack Obama's presidential campaign.
Mabus, national co-chairman of the Obama campaign, served as governor of Mississippi from 1988 to 1992, and was the U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1994 to 1996.
Mabus said he became an Obama supporter in April 2007 for two reasons. "First, politically, Obama has shown that he can win diverse support and [he] is bringing a large number of people back into the political process," he said. "Secondly, I'm tired of people telling us that we are different from one another-black or white, North or South - Obama is the first candidate in a long time who tells us we are the same. More than anybody else, Obama has a chance to unify this country."
Mabus has campaigned for Obama across the state saying the campaign is paying attention to rural locations as a way to rejuvenate a voting block often neglected.
"Every vote matters," Mabus said, citing an experience while running for governor where he won by just six votes and another where he lost by four.
He stressed his belief in Obama's health care plan and related the story of his own daughter, who, at 15, was unable to get coverage because of pre-existing asthma.
"Obama wants everyone to have the same access to health care as he has as a U.S. Senator," Mabus said.
Mabus said with his experience in the military and as a diplomat, he can relate to Obama's stance on foreign policy and national defense.
"Having a strong defense means using good judgment as to when to use military force and when not to, as well as taking care of our troops when they are away and when they return home," said Mabus, and cited specific laws that Obama passed that increased veterans' rights.
Daniel Dick, a junior political science major, said he liked the governor's comment that Obama believes that foreign policy should be smart and aggressive, not just the latter.
Dick agreed with what the governor said about the South, in that it is amazing that 40 years removed from the civil rights movement an African-American can be so appealing to the Southern state. "All people like Obama because he is so sincere in his beliefs and commitment," said Dick.
But many critics say that Obama's lack of experience that could limit his abilities as president.
"It is the broadness of these experiences that not only qualifies him, but has prepared him for this position," said Mabus. "Obama's greatest proof of leadership ability can be seen in his great capacity to inspire."
Editor's Note: Amanda Grosegbauer, a staff writer for The Battalion, has volunteered for Barack Obama's presidential campaign.
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