MONROE - The statewide campaign to get Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., elected as the next president made stops in Monroe and Argyle on Tuesday afternoon.
Peter Harrell, Wisconsin policy director for the Obama campaign, teamed up with Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, to sell Obama to about 15 people in attendance at Monroe's Turner Hall, but also to listen to the people's concerns.
"I'm going around the state, into rural communities, to talk about Barack's vision for our country," Harrell said. "Part of that vision is to help families in rural areas and small towns. Issues facing these areas he (Obama) really understands."
Harrell is on the "Heartland Change - Standing Up for Our Rural Communities" RV tour. The group also stopped in Argyle and Platteville on Tuesday and is continuing around the state this week.
Erpenbach joined the Monroe stop to emphasize why he believes Obama should be the next president.
"In reality, we've had about eight years of 'not fair,'" Erpenbach said. "People in my district want a level playing field, and we cannot have another four years of not fair."
Brodhead resident Tom Brookman, who builds concrete homes, said he appreciates Obama's energy policy. Brookman said investment in renewable energy is important, but so is investment in conservation energy, using less of what we have.
Brookman said there's a simple strategy for defeating Obama's opponent, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
"Let him keep talking," Brookman said. "Let the truth fall where it may."
Susan Kinast-Porter, a doctor at Monroe Clinic facilities in Albany and Monroe, touched on a popular topic of the roundtable discussion, health care, or the lack of it for many of her patients.
She talked about a patient who has to find a way to pay $1,700 a month for three pills for three chronic conditions.
"I have a number of patients who don't have health insurance," Kinast-Porter said.
"Everyone who walks through Suzie's doors should be insured. Should be, but they're not," Erpenbach said. "It's OK to purchase groceries in bulk, a lot of things in bulk, but not health insurance. They won't let you."
"Insurance companies have made it impossible for us to pull together," Erpenbach continued. "It's the key to everything else. Lower health insurance costs would have a positive effect on many things."
Erpenbach cited a hospital being built in a corn field near Oconomowoc, not because there's a need for patients there, but because that side of town "is where the money is going."
He said it's time for hospitals to stop competing against each other for equipment, services and patients.
"They need to play nice and share," Erpenbach said. "If they don't, there will be language in legislation requiring them to."
Harrell told those in attendance to talk to neighbors, family and friends about Obama's vision. A personal plea for a vote complements the campaign contacting people en masse.
"It's a radically different approach in how we're reaching out to people," Harrell said.
Erpenbach is sold that Obama is the best person for the presidential job.
"There is one candidate who helps me, and one who doesn't help me," Erpenbach said. "I don't want a hand out. I just want a level playing field for people in my district."
Peter Harrell, Wisconsin policy director for the Obama campaign, teamed up with Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, to sell Obama to about 15 people in attendance at Monroe's Turner Hall, but also to listen to the people's concerns.
"I'm going around the state, into rural communities, to talk about Barack's vision for our country," Harrell said. "Part of that vision is to help families in rural areas and small towns. Issues facing these areas he (Obama) really understands."
Harrell is on the "Heartland Change - Standing Up for Our Rural Communities" RV tour. The group also stopped in Argyle and Platteville on Tuesday and is continuing around the state this week.
Erpenbach joined the Monroe stop to emphasize why he believes Obama should be the next president.
"In reality, we've had about eight years of 'not fair,'" Erpenbach said. "People in my district want a level playing field, and we cannot have another four years of not fair."
Brodhead resident Tom Brookman, who builds concrete homes, said he appreciates Obama's energy policy. Brookman said investment in renewable energy is important, but so is investment in conservation energy, using less of what we have.
Brookman said there's a simple strategy for defeating Obama's opponent, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
"Let him keep talking," Brookman said. "Let the truth fall where it may."
Susan Kinast-Porter, a doctor at Monroe Clinic facilities in Albany and Monroe, touched on a popular topic of the roundtable discussion, health care, or the lack of it for many of her patients.
She talked about a patient who has to find a way to pay $1,700 a month for three pills for three chronic conditions.
"I have a number of patients who don't have health insurance," Kinast-Porter said.
"Everyone who walks through Suzie's doors should be insured. Should be, but they're not," Erpenbach said. "It's OK to purchase groceries in bulk, a lot of things in bulk, but not health insurance. They won't let you."
"Insurance companies have made it impossible for us to pull together," Erpenbach continued. "It's the key to everything else. Lower health insurance costs would have a positive effect on many things."
Erpenbach cited a hospital being built in a corn field near Oconomowoc, not because there's a need for patients there, but because that side of town "is where the money is going."
He said it's time for hospitals to stop competing against each other for equipment, services and patients.
"They need to play nice and share," Erpenbach said. "If they don't, there will be language in legislation requiring them to."
Harrell told those in attendance to talk to neighbors, family and friends about Obama's vision. A personal plea for a vote complements the campaign contacting people en masse.
"It's a radically different approach in how we're reaching out to people," Harrell said.
Erpenbach is sold that Obama is the best person for the presidential job.
"There is one candidate who helps me, and one who doesn't help me," Erpenbach said. "I don't want a hand out. I just want a level playing field for people in my district."