More than 10,000 Pennsylvanians Speak Out Against Divisive Attacks, Support Obama

PHILADELPHIA, PA—More than 10,000 Pennsylvania voters – the majority of whom reside in small towns and rural areas throughout the state – have signed on to a letter supporting Senator Barack Obama as the one candidate who understands their frustrations and will stand up for them in Washington. The open letter was originally released by 21 community leaders throughout the state and an email was sent to supporters and undecided voters by Braddock Mayor John Fetterman.

"What Sen. Obama said is that over the last 25-30 years, working class people in places like Pennsylvania have been falling behind, and that politicians in Washington haven't been looking out for them," the letter reads. "He also said that, as a result, many people have become frustrated, angry and even bitter about all the broken promises. He was right."

It concludes: "Unlike his opponents who have been part of the Washington establishment for decades, Barack Obama understands the struggles we are going through. We welcomed him with open arms as he made his way through small towns and rural areas on his recent bus tour across the state. And we will work day and night from now until the primary on his behalf not only because he has heard our frustrations, but because he speaks to our hope that Washington can actually work for people like us."

To read the full letter, click here.

In signing onto the letter, thousands of Pennsylvanians from every corner of the state also shared their personal stories of the hardships and frustrations caused by Washington's failure to hear their voices and fight for their interests.

Kathy from Carlisle wrote:

We are bitter and frustrated. I worked 32 years for a auto carpet manufacturing company in PA and this June 30th the doors will close for good. (I thought I could retire from there but I missed it by 6 years). The company is relocating from an area that it has been in since 1918. It will be devastating to our local economy, not to mention all the people who will be displaced from their jobs. Frustrating? You bet ya.

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