TERRE HAUTE — Clark County, Ill., resident Beverly Cornwell is concerned about the economy and the declining standard of living for many Americans.
The 58-year-old believes Barack Obama is the presidential candidate who can turn things around. She was one of more than 900 people who heard him speak Saturday at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds.
“I just think most people are worse off now than they have been for a long time,” she said. “I see a lot of people who are struggling to feed their families and keep the bills paid.”
She said she’ll “definitely” vote for Obama. She especially likes his message that the election “is not about the politicians. It’s about the people.”
Her husband, Larry Cornwell, a retired ironworker who previously served in the military, also is an ardent Obama supporter.
The most important issue to him is the war in Iraq and bringing the troops home. “What other issue is there?” said the 70-year-old. “One drop of blood shed in Iraq is an abomination … I’m speaking for the 4,000 [troops] who have died.”
Fifty-year-old Yolanda Turner of Terre Haute says Obama “is exactly what we need right now.”
“This country is in such turmoil with jobs and health care — and all our boys over there fighting in a war that should have been over a long time ago,” Yolanda Turner said. “If he can change any of that, and I believe he can, I think he’s exactly what we need.”
Her daughter, Lachelle Turner, 27, said she’s never been more hopeful and inspired in her life.
In past elections, her parents had to call her to remind her to vote. “But not this time,” Lachelle Turner said.
She likes Obama’s straightforward approach to the issues. Lachelle Turner also could relate to many of the issues Obama touched on. She’s a single mother, full-time student and full-time employee. She also knows what it’s like to go without health care.
She feels the brunt of the ailing economy every day, she said. “I think [Obama] can come in and turn all that around.”
Sean Harris, 35, of Brazil, doesn’t consider himself a Republican or Democrat. “I want the best president for our country,” he said. He wanted to hear what Obama had to say, and he’s leaning toward voting for the Democratic senator from Illinois.
The war in Iraq is at the top of his list in terms of issues. He agrees with Obama that “it’s time for the Iraqis to take responsibility” for their own country. “The longer we basically run the show for them, they’re going to let us do it,” Harris said.
Now a full-time Indiana State University student, Harris previously served in the military.
His wife, April, 37, isn’t really into politics, but she was excited about going to see Barack Obama.
“I loved it,” she said, and she learned more about his positions on the issues.
The issues of greatest concern to her are jobs, housing and health insurance. She works but doesn’t have health insurance.
She also knows a lot of people who are losing their homes. “I know I’ll vote for him [Obama],” she said.
Holly Curtsinger, 29, of West Terre Haute, was especially interested in Obama’s position on early childhood education, which he plans to make a high priority if elected. “My background is in early childhood education, so that really hit home with me,” she said.
In the United States, children often don’t start school until they are ages 5 or 6, and she believes that’s too late.
She has typically voted Republican, but she is leaning toward voting Democratic in this presidential election. “I think he has a lot of good ideas,” Curtsinger said. “I think it’s time for change” in the White House.
Trilla Stalling, 24, of Terre Haute, likes Obama’s ideas on making college more affordable and on ending the war Iraq. She also supports his views on how to make the country less dependent on foreign oil.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Valley residents say Obama can take U.S. in a new direction
- Local & Bistate
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Water rescuers
Emergency personnel wheel a man who was removed from a vehicle that had been driven into the water at Crystal Lake on Boston Avenue near 14th Street at about 9 p.m. Friday.
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For many, camping outdoors is the way to beat the heat, enjoy nature
Stringing up fishing poles in the shade of American flags, households full of Hoosiers are packing into parks across the state this weekend.
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Towns along National Road readying for next week’s miles-long yard sale
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Rose grads honoring late president Branam at commencement today
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Class of 2012 will honor the memory of Matt Branam during today’s commencement ceremony by wearing special pins with the phrase “Make It Happen; Make It Fun,” a favorite saying of the former Rose-Hulman president, who died unexpectedly on April 20.
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Vigo County Jail Log: May 26, 2012
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Thursday and Friday, based on jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers but are not final until the Vigo County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
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A fallen soldier returns home
An Army carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of Spc. Arronn D. Fields early Thursday morning at Dover Air Force Base, Del.
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Official touts trade with northern neighbor
A top Canadian diplomat told a Terre Haute audience Thursday his country was “disappointed” when President Obama at least temporarily rejected a proposed transcontinental oil pipeline from Alberta to Texas.
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Caution urged for summer’s kickoff
Lane restrictions in construction zones on Interstate 70 and other highways around the state will be lifted to accommodate holiday travel for the Memorial Day Weekend.
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Letters delivered
Several positions will be eliminated this summer at the Terre Haute mail processing facility as the U.S. Postal Service begins moving the operation to Indianapolis, a U.S. Postal Service spokesman has confirmed.
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Companies seek Vigo tax abatements
Two Vigo County companies are seeking tax abatements for expansion projects, one of which is included as part of a county incentive package.
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High-speed chase suspect caught in West Virginia
The suspect in a cross-country, high-speed chase originating in Terre Haute last week was reportedly in federal custody Thursday evening.
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Second victim of deadly I-70 semi-trailer crash identified
The Vigo County Coroner’s Office has identified the passenger of a semi-tractor crash on May 16 in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the 12-mile marker.
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Burn ban in effect for Vigo County through holiday weekend
Vigo County officials have issued a burn ban effective Thursday and remains in effect until 8 a.m. Tuesday.
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Brazil remembers a Fallen Son
A small town seemed sadly quiet Wednesday, waiting to honor a local fallen warrior.
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ISU OKs four-year degree guarantee
Indiana State University has announced a four-year “graduation guarantee” for students enrolling this fall and beyond.
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Schools surpass goal for Riley
The lives of about 5,000 children in Vigo County are touched each year by Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, and now, the Riley Children’s Foundation has been touched with gratitude by students in the Vigo County School Corp.
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Historic preservation proposal discussed during open forum
More than three dozen people turned out Wednesday to ask questions about a proposed Terre Haute ordinance that would set up a formal process to preserve historic properties in the city.
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Banks of the Wabash workers getting festival ready to roll
Concession stands and amusement rides lined the lawn, waiting for a crowd.
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Search on for Gibault walkaway
The Indiana State Police are seeking help in finding a juvenile who they say walked away from a Vigo County treatment facility Sunday evening.
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Graduate college in four years? ISU ‘guarantees’ it
Indiana State University has announced a four-year graduation guarantee for students enrolling this fall and beyond.
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School bus crashes into central Indiana home
A school bus rumbled through the backyard of a suburban Indianapolis home and crashed into the side of the house.
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Markets swoon, oil prices fall as anxiety about Europe takes hold
The threat of a financial crisis spreading from Europe shook markets on Wednesday. The euro dropped to a nearly two-year low against the dollar. Oil prices sank to their lowest this year, and stocks took another fall.
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The closing of St. Ann Parish: Shuttered parish will help others live on
St. Ann Parish celebrated its last Mass on Sunday.
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Foreclosure lawsuit questions dog mayor
Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett said Tuesday he is “100 percent” certain the foreclosure suit filed against him by GMAC Mortgage on his eastside home will be resolved within the next “couple of weeks.”
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TB case cause for concern, not panic
A suspected case of tuberculosis at a Vigo County middle school is cause for concern, but health officials are taking appropriate precautionary steps, says Union Hospital’s chief medical officer
Dr. John Bolinger said the suspected TB case at Woodrow Wilson Middle School “is a concern,” but Vigo County and state health departments “are there to handle situations like this. They’ll do the right thing.” -
Woodgate residents considering legal action
Residents came in force Tuesday to try to compel the Vigo County Board of Commissioners to change how a development is progressing near Woodgate subdivisions in southern Vigo County.
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