Obama’s first Ohio general election stop focuses on seniors, Social Security

Barack Obama: speaking in Columbus with wife, MichelleCOLUMBUS -- Barack Obama's first Ohio campaign stop of the general election focused on a demographic Obama had trouble winning in the Democratic primary against Hillary Clinton - seniors.

During the one hour event at Oakleaf Village, a retirement community in Columbus, Obama spoke on his "Change That Works for You" tour about health care and the Iraq war but emphasized Social Security. He was joined by his wife, Michelle, and Gov. Ted Strickland (D-Lisbon).

"Americans who've worked hard their entire lives earned the right to retire with dignity and security," he said.

Obama said Washington is no longer working to guarantee a secure retirement, and a secure retirement is no longer a guarantee for the middle class. He said Washington has an obligation to secure "one of the most successful programs in American history."

Obama presented his plan for making Social Security solvent to the several dozen seniors, saying he didn't think anybody should have to work late in life, not because they want to but because they must in order to put food on the table.

"We have to protect Social Security for future generations without putting the burden on seniors who have earned the right to retire in dignity," he said.

Obama listens to questionObama said the first thing that is needed to fix Social Security is to adjust the cap on the payroll tax. He said that what the cap means is that most middle-class people pay the tax on every dime of earned income. The payroll tax is capped at $102,000. Anybody who earns over $102,000 pays the payroll tax only on the first $102,000 of their income.

"You have billionaires and millionaires who are paying, after the payroll tax, only a tiny fraction of their earned income," he said.

Obama said adjusting the payroll tax would help fund Social Security without shifting the burden to seniors.

Obama said he would eliminate federal income taxes for seniors earning less than $50,000 a year and only people earning $250,000 or more would be required to pay more Social Security taxes.

"Ninety-seven percent of Americans will see absolutely no change in taxes under my plan," he said.

Barack ObamaObama said presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain's position of supporting private retirement accounts deviates from his earlier stance on the issue. He said McCain had previously said he would consider raising the payroll tax cap and is now attacking Obama for the suggestion.

"It leads us to wonder if he's had a change of heart or a change of politics," Obama said.

Both candidates have been emphasizing economic issues on the campaign trail, as polls are indicating the economy is the top issue among voter concerns.

The event targeted seniors, as Obama lost voters 60 and older to Hillary Clinton during the primary by nearly 70 percent.

Also on PolitickerOH.com:

Obama must work on weak senior support