Barack Obama Holds Economic Summit on Reclaiming the American Dream

National and New Mexico Economic Experts Join Him as He Addresses
Challenges Facing Working Families
CHICAGO--(Business Wire)--
Senator Barack Obama today held an economic summit in Albuquerque,
New Mexico where he discussed some of the greatest economic challenges
facing working families and outlined his plans to stimulate the
economy and help reclaim the American dream.

"In this election - at this moment - it is time to restore that
dream for every single American and put America back on the path to
prosperity," Obama said. "It is time to not only provide a much-needed
short-term stimulus to our economy, but to finally address the
long-term inequities and insecurities that have kept opportunity
beyond the reach of too many hardworking Americans."

Obama was joined at the event by Federico Pena, former Mayor of
Denver and U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Energy; Bill Daley,
former U.S. Secretary of Commerce; Patricia Madrid, former New Mexico
Attorney General; Austan Goolsbee, an economics professor and senior
Obama economic advisor; and Bonnie Greathouse, the lead organizer for
ACORN New Mexico. Madrid announced her endorsement of Obama for
president earlier today.

During the event, Bonnie Greathouse shared with the group how at a
time when costs are rising and people are working harder just to keep
up, the families she works with are increasingly falling victim to
predatory lending tactics and find themselves without a financial
safety net.

"The working people of ACORN are busy fighting to save our homes
from predators and building a world where we can feed our families
without working two jobs," Greathouse said. "It's been good to have
this opportunity to talk to Senator Obama about how to build this
world."

Pena discussed the importance of creating higher-wage jobs,
particularly through the investment in new energy technology, and
Daley argued that an immediate injection of stimulus into the economy
by putting money in the hands of working families is critical for
restoring confidence in the economy.

"We need to start making substantial investments in energy
research, development and deployment to spur the creation of a new
industry in America which will ensure our long-term economic
stability," said Pena. "Barack Obama recognizes the importance of
taking this step, and his energy strategy puts us on the right path to
renewed economic growth."

"In order to put the economy back on track, it is critical that we
have a short-term stimulus plan like the one proposed by Barack Obama
that can deliver results quickly, as well as the kind of leadership
that conveys a desire to bring parties together to take swift action
to move the economy," Daley said.

Madrid, who helped push through some of the most stringent state
laws on predatory mortgage lending as New Mexico Attorney General,
applauded Obama's work on the issue and discussed measures to
stabilize the housing market.

"It's appropriate that Barack Obama is in New Mexico to discuss
the state of the economy and the plight of the middle class. This is a
state that has been ravished by predatory lending and fraudulent
mortgage practices," Madrid said. "And while our state has responded
with legislation, this is a problem that requires federal leadership -
leadership that only Barack Obama can provide."

Goolsbee highlighted how investment in education and training can
create new higher-paying jobs and boost the US economy.

"Barack Obama has been out front in addressing the squeeze on
working, middle class families for the last seven years," said
Goolsbee. "His program of broad based tax relief right now and
investing in the skills of our workers and the high technology of the
future will help us keep people employed and keep America the greatest
economy in the world."

Obama has announced a plan to help working families reclaim the
American dream that includes making college affordable and investing
in higher-wage job growth, protecting consumers from predatory credit
card and mortgage lending and helping more working Americans plan and
save for retirement. He also recently rolled out a package to
stimulate the economy by immediately placing money in the hands of
those most likely to spend it through tax rebates and a Social
Security supplement for seniors.

Obama's plans to strengthen our economy and help working families
reclaim the American dream can be viewed in full HERE.

Obama Press Office
312-819-2423

Copyright Business Wire 2008