acastro@mavs.coloradomesa.edu

The third time’s the charm. Last Wednesday, President Barack Obama spoke in front of a crowd of over 2,400 supporters at the Grand Junction High School Gymnasium. This marked President Obama’s third visit to Grand Junction. The President visited Cross Orchards Living History Museum in September 2008 and Central High School in May 2009. Obama’s first appearance in Grand Junction was the first time a presidential candidate spoke in Grand Junction since Harry Truman.

Thousands of people braved the heat to wait in line for hours to see the President speak. Although doors did not open until 2:30 p.m. ticket holders began to line up outside the school at 8 a.m.

“My least favorite part of the event was waiting in line in the hot sun,” senior Megan Velarde said.

Because of the heat, paramedics were on the scene with a few event-goers being treated after fainting. A woman was also carried out from the bleachers after passing out inside the gym.

Obama spoke for nearly 30 minutes, hitting on big points such as education, health care, women’s rights and bringing the troop’s home.

“Iraq is on its own now,” the President said in his speech. “It’s time for America to rebuild now.”

Focusing on America and getting back on track is one of the strong points in President Obama’s plan for re-election. Affordable education, Obamacare and taxing the rich were the main subjects in his speech. Obama believes in taxing those that make over $250,000 a year a little higher, and giving those who make under that amount a tax break.

Obama’s plan on taxation is quite different than that of opponent Mitt Romney’s plan to cut an additional $5 trillion in taxes for the wealthiest 1 percent.

A consistent chanting of “Four more years” happened throughout the entirety of the event, and “Forward” signs were given out to attendees.

One thing that wasn’t present at the even were protesters. The Western Slope Conservative Alliance organized an anti-Obama rally at Sherwood Park, a few blocks away and out of sight from all the ticket holders waiting to go inside.

Velarde, who has seen the President all three times he’s been in Grand Junction was very pleased with the event.

“I enjoyed his entire speech. I’ve seen him before, but this time he spoke of what more needs to be done.”