Blogs:

Southern Maine Community College was the hub of hundreds of New Englanders who had come there to witness President Barack Obama delivering his campaign speech. As expected he focused on accomplishments of his administration covering a wide range of topics.

The array of topics discussed includes merits of the controversial healthcare law, military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy repeal and of course, higher education. Since a majority of the crowd comprised of college students, he took a lot of time dwelling on the high tuition costs and job opportunities.

Our President also spoke on the spiraling student loan interest rates and about how our country desperately needs a strong post secondary education. President Obama said that in our country, higher education is no longer a luxury. Rather, it is an economic requirement.

He said that in order to stay competitive in today’s stiff global economy, it is necessary to generate an educated workforce. He stressed on the fact that we need more technological innovation, scientific research especially in fields such as green technology. Our economy can be revitalized only with the help of the above combined with an invigorated manufacturing base.

Reflecting the sentiments of millions of Americans, Obama said that we must go back to the state where were well known for inventing, building and making.

Woolwich’s Richard Schwartz however foreshadowed Obama’s comments on job training and education. Schwartz, with his engineering background recently got a job in an aircraft manufacturing unit in Brunswick after being unemployed for the past couple of years.

He said that only after he completed a course in information technology with the help of Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc.’s case manager at the Bath Career Center was he able to get the job. He stressed on the fact that there are millions of Americans struggling to find a job out there and something drastic has to be done about this situation.

Sen. George Mitchell, during this program, argued that our country’s glory lies not in our economic or military might but only in its principals. He also pointed out that the American people are the only source of our President’s power and strength.

Much before our country grew to be a leader in economy and military, it was a great nation and we must never forget this, he said. Sen. Mitchell also said that though President Obama has made a lot of mistakes and is as imperfect a human being as everyone else, he has definitely lived up to his principals in his life.

This admission was the moment when the administration came under the critical scanner. Surprisingly, there were no demonstrators or protestors with a conservative bent of mind around the campus.

A lone man on Broadway was seen holding a sign reading “Worse than Bush”. President Obama criticized Republicans especially in view of the fact that there was no obvious opposition around. He condemned them for favouring the wealthy Americans by giving them tax cuts. He pointed out that this was one of the major reasons for our slow economic recovery.