Obama: Education, innovation are key
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| President Barack Obama delivers a campaign speech at the Southern Maine Community College campus in South Portland on Friday. JEFF LAGASSE/ Journal Tribune |
Supporters gather at SMCC for President’s campaign speech
By JEFF LAGASSE
Staff Writer
SOUTH PORTLAND — Throngs of New Englanders descended upon the Southern Maine Community College campus in South Portland on Friday to witness a campaign stump speech by President Barack Obama.
Touting what he believed were the highlights of his administration’s accomplishments, Obama’s speech covered a wide array of topics, ranging from the repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy to the merits of the controversial health care law, which has been making headlines this week as the Supreme Court considers its constitutionality.
But with a large part of the crowd comprised of college students – those who attend SMCC were admitted to the Hutchinson Union Building Athletic Center at a discounted price – Obama took time to address tuition costs and job creation, citing out-of-control interest rates on student loans as being prohibitive to the increasing need for post-secondary education.
“Higher education in this country can’t be a luxury,” said Obama. “It is an economic imperative.”
Touting what he believed were the highlights of his administration’s accomplishments, Obama’s speech covered a wide array of topics, ranging from the repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy to the merits of the controversial health care law, which has been making headlines this week as the Supreme Court considers its constitutionality.
But with a large part of the crowd comprised of college students – those who attend SMCC were admitted to the Hutchinson Union Building Athletic Center at a discounted price – Obama took time to address tuition costs and job creation, citing out-of-control interest rates on student loans as being prohibitive to the increasing need for post-secondary education.
“Higher education in this country can’t be a luxury,” said Obama. “It is an economic imperative.”