Jul 27, 2008 5:29 pm US/Central
Obama Addresses UNITY '08 Convention In Chicago
He Says Talking to Voters About American Economy Is First Order of Business
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama speaks to attendees at the UNITY: Journalists of Color conference at McCormick Place convention center July 27, 2008 in Chicago, Ill.
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Senator Barack Obama says talking to voters about the ailing American economy is his first order of business, now that he's back from Europe and the Middle East.
Meanwhile, likely Republican nominee John McCain says Obama still "doesn't understand" Iraq.
As CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports, Obama's worried about the trip's political impact here at home, even as two new voter opinion surveys show he gained ground while overseas.
It was his first public appearance since returning home. Barack Obama told a national conference of minority journalists in Chicago that the world leaders he conferred with were impressed.
"If you talk to the people I met with, they feel confident that I know what I am talking about, what I'm doing." Obama said.
Some American voters may also have been impressed. Two new voter opinion surveys show him widening his lead, with the Gallup Poll giving him a nine percentage point margin over Republican John McCain.
For his part, McCain was less than impressed. He suggested Obama's irresponsible to call for withdrawing troops from Iraq in 16 months, even if Iraq's prime minister agrees. McCain claimed that winning the Presidential election is more important to Obama than winning the war.
"Sen. Obama doesn't understand. He doesn't understand what's at stake here," McCain said.
Obama insisted the heart of his opposition to American involvement in Iraq is linked to the domestic economy.
"We can't keep spending $10 billion a month in Iraq at a time when we've got enormous pressing needs here in the United States of America," Obama said.
Taking a question from the audience of minority journalists at the UNITY '08 convention at McCormick Place about affirmative action, Obama criticized John McCain for endorsing a proposal that would end it.
"I am disappointed though, that John McCain flipped and changed his position," Obama said.
Obama also said Afghanistan's weak government and rampant drug trafficking are hampering efforts to fight al Qaeda terrorists who often take refuge in neighboring Pakistan.
Obama also offered these statements when he addressed the crowd of journalists at the UNITY '08 convention Sunday: he said conditions in Iraq are improving, and American troops helped stabilize Iraq and consolidate political progress among that country's factions. But that in Afghanistan, more American troops are needed to stabilize the area and that Pakistan must do more to deny terrorists a safe haven.
Obama added he will be talking to some key economic advisers Monday about a possible second economic stimulus package and ways to reduce high energy prices.
The senator and his wife arrived at Midway Airport Saturday night after a week-long overseas trip where the senator met with world leaders. The trip was intended to show Obama on an international stage, and ease concerns about his ability to be commander-in-chief.
Sen. McCain was invited to address the convention, but he said that he could not attend because of a scheduling conflict.
The UNITY convention brings together minority journalists from across the country. They've been meeting here this week for workshops, networking and other activities.
CBS 2's Pamela Jones contributed to this report.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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