U.S. President Barack Obama departs with a water ice from John's in… (KEVIN LAMARQUE, REUTERS )
PHILADELPHIA — Candidate Barack Obama, burdened by a stubbornly sour economy, aimed to re-energize his political base here by reminding a crowd of supporters of the historic night they elected him president.
"What I said that night — some of you remember this — I said this is not the end; this is just the beginning," the president said, taking them back to that night in November 2008. "That the road we were on was going to be difficult, that the climb was going to be steep. We didn't know how steep it was going to be. We didn't realize the magnitude of the recession we were facing and the financial crisis."
Since that mild fall night, the political mood has shifted considerably. Americans frustrated with the slow pace of economic recovery rejected Democrats in the 2010 midterm elections. The tea party movement emerged as a driving force in American politics. And some Democrats felt discouraged that Obama agreed to extend the Bush-era tax cuts, didn't push harder for government-funded universal health care, and more recently stopped short of fully supporting gay marriage.
Re-inspiring voters in Philadelphia is crucial to winning Pennsylvania, and winning Pennsylvania is crucial to winning the country. Obama's approval rating in the state hovers in the mid-to-high 40 percent range. Recent polls have him marginally ahead of Republican front-runner Mitt Romney among Pennsylvania voters.
At a fundraiser at the Hyatt at the Bellevue in Center City on Thursday evening, Obama drew deafening applause when he distinguished his vision for America from that of his opponents.
"My life is richer and our country is stronger when everybody has a measure of security and everyone has a fair shot at the American dream," he said, beginning to raise his voice. "That's our vision for America. Not a vision of a small America, but a vision of a big America, a compassionate, an optimistic America, and a bold America. And that's what we're fighting for."
The campaign is expected to be the most expensive in America's history. Obama held two fundraisers in Philadelphia on Thursday, the one at the Hyatt that ranged from $100 to $2,500 to attend, and another at the home of Comcast Vice President David L. Cohen that cost at minimum $10,000 to attend. Midnight is the filing deadline for campaign finances, which will show where Obama and his Republican challengers stand financially.
Romney also raised money in Philadelphia on Thursday, providing a sneak preview of how weathered the streets of this city will be from political visits over the next year and a half. Without saying his name, Obama acknowledged that he knew Romney had been there.
"This campaign is at its early stages. I've got a day job. I've got other things to do," he said. "But while I'm working there are going to be candidates parading around the country. And they're going to do what they do, which is they're going to attack. Here in Philadelphia, they're going to attack. They won't have a plan, but they will attack."
With debt issues at the core of every debate in Washington, Obama spoke of the need to bring down the deficit — by trillions — but not at the expense of children's education or building infrastructure. He said the nation can live within its means and invest at the same time.
In the middle of his speech, Obama was interrupted twice by people advocating for global AIDs programs. They said Obama signed a pledge in Philadelphia in 2007 to commit $50 billion to the cause by 2013.
"President Obama, we love you but you pledged to spend $50 billion," one man yelled out. "Please keep your promise." The rest of the crowd yelled over them, during the second interruption breaking into a chant of "Obama, Obama."