Economy, health care take spotlight
A1 They are for voucher care,” he said.
The president and vice president campaigned separately across three battleground states as delegates descended on the Democrats’ convention city for two days of partying before their first official meeting Tuesday.
An enormous sand sculpture made in Obama’s likeness served as a reminder, as if any were needed, that the Democrats were in town.
The economy is the dominant issue of the campaign, and Biden’s itinerary, in particular, underscored the threat that a sluggish recovery and 8.3 percent unemployment pose to Democrats seeking another term in power. He was in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, states that have received little attention previously as the candidates, their parties and outside allies concentrate on the areas of the country deemed most competitive. His presence suggested the race in both states was tightening.
There was additional evidence of the same concern, as the president’s senior surrogates refused to give a direct answer when asked on Sunday morning television programs if Americans are better off than they were four years ago.
“We’ve clearly improved ... from the depths of the recession,” said David Plouffe, one of Obama’s top White House aides. He sought to swiftly turn the question into criticism of the Republicans. “The Romney path would be the wrong path for the middle class, the wrong path for this country,” he insisted.
Asked the same betteror-not question that has become a staple of presidential campaigns, another top adviser, David Axelrod answered: “I think the average American recognizes that it took years to create the crisis that erupted in 2008 and peaked in January of 2009. And it’s going to take some time to work through it.”
Obama spoke on the University of Colorado campus in Boulder and made his by-now familiar plea for students to register and vote. He benefited enormously from the support of younger voters four years ago and can ill-afford a fall-off in their support — or enthusiasm — in 2012.
Obama has lately been eager to answer his critics, and he did more than that in his speech.
“Gov. Romney promised that on his first day in office he’s going to sit right down, grab a pen and repeal Obamacare,” the president said, refer- ring to the health care law by the name Republicans first attached to it as an insult.
“You know, he calls it Obamacare. I like the name. I do care. ... I don’t know exactly what the other side is proposing; I guess you could call it ‘Romney doesn’t care.’ But this law is here to stay.”
Romney has provided only a few details of his plans to replace the law he wants to wipe off the books. In particular, he says the requirement for coverage — also part of a state law he signed as governor of Massachusetts — should not apply nationally.
He proposes to guarantee that a person who is “continuously covered” for a certain period be protected against losing insurance if he gets sick, leaves his job and needs another policy.
Romney spent Sunday at his Wolfeboro, N.H., vacation home and attended church with his wife, Ann.
Aides said he would spend much of the Democrats’ convention week preparing for three fall debates with Obama, beginning on Oct. 3.
San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro delivers the keynote speech on Tuesday, followed by first lady Michelle Obama’s remarks.
Obama and Biden will be nominated for second terms Wednesday night, when former President Bill Clinton has the role of star speaker.
Biden and Obama speak Thursday.