Obama returns to campaign trail
Barack Obama returned to the campaign trail Sunday after a weeklong vacation in Hawaii and said he is the presidential candidate who can fix the nation’s economic woes, saying again that John McCain represents a continuation of the Bush administration.
“I’ve got news for John McCain: My plan’s not going to bring about economic disaster. We already have economic disaster from John McCain’s president, George W. Bush,” the Democratic candidate said as a union-heavy crowd roared support.
Obama spoke to about 250 supporters at Earl Wooster High School here. The event was his first interaction with voters since his family vacation, which allowed his Republican opponent to enjoy the spotlight alone when foreign-policy issues dominated the news because of the conflict in the Caucasus.
Last week, McCain, a Vietnam War veteran and 26-year member of Congress, spoke forcefully about the Russian invasion of the tiny nation of Georgia. Obama, whose response has been criticized by McCain advisers as uninformed and slow, did not mention it Sunday.
Instead, he focused on the nation’s economic woes, saying he frequently hears from voters that they are worried their children and grandchildren will not have the same opportunities they have had. “They feel as though the American dream might be slipping away,” he said. “That’s what’s at risk, and that’s what this election is all about.”
WASHINGTON
Ridge: Pro-abortion VP possible in GOP
Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge said Sunday he thinks Republicans would accept a vice presidential candidate who supports abortion rights.
But, he said, whomever John McCain picks as a running mate should defer to McCain on the issue.
McCain opposes abortion rights, but he riled some conservatives last week when he suggested his running mate could – like Ridge – support abortion rights.
Ridge is believed to be on McCain’s short list of vice presidential candidates.
LOS ANGELES
Schwarzenegger has knee surgery
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has had surgery to repair his right knee, which he injured while exercising about two weeks ago.
The 61-year-old former bodybuilder had his knee examined Saturday after experiencing some discomfort. His staff said Sunday that the torn cartilage in his knee was repaired by arthroscopic surgery.
Schwarzenegger was under anesthesia for about 45 minutes Saturday. The powers of his office were transferred to Lt. Gov. John Garamendi during that time.
Spokesman Matt David called the operation minor and said Schwarzenegger was walking on his own Sunday.
SONORA, Calif.
Man rescued after fall down mine
A man was rescued from an abandoned gold mine Sunday after tumbling more than 100 feet and spending two nights at the bottom of the dark shaft, authorities said.
A search-and-rescue team pulled Darvis Lee Jr., 34, from the mine about 6 a.m. after lowering a rescue worker and a mesh basket into the chasm, the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Department said. He was treated at a hospital for back and leg injuries and released.
Lee, of Sonora, fell down the 100-foot shaft while exploring the mine Friday night. Authorities were contacted Saturday after a friend who went with him realized Lee had not returned home.