The Griffon News

Democratic vice presidential nominee Senator Joe Biden will become the first presidential ticket member to speak at Missouri Western when he addresses the crowd at the Looney complex today.

Biden, who is fresh off his debate with the Republican vice president candidate Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin, will speak to a crowd of 500 at the Looney Complex’s reserve gym at 9 a.m on the topics of the economy and health care. He will then head to Liberty and Jefferson City on a tour to help Missouri go into the Democratic column on the Nov. 4 election.

Missouri is still one of the closest battleground states with polls showing the race is a virtual dead heat right now. The head of the Buchanan county Democratic Party, Bill Caldwell, said that the tour is what is needed to put the Obama ticket on top in Missouri.

“Pundits are saying that McCain can’t win the national election without carrying Missouri,” Caldwell said. “Biden has the charisma and knowledge related to the campaign and it will be apparent who has the edge after Thursday.”

This is the first visit from a national candidate to Saint Joseph since 2004 when incumbent Vice President Dick Cheney addressed supporters at the Civic Arena. The incident was marred by protests but campus officials are not expecting the same problems. Beth Wheeler, director of external relations, said that the Secret Service is working with local officials to ensure the campus will still run smoothly.

“Public safety officers will be at their [Secret Service] disposal,” Wheeler said. “The Looney complex and J lot will be closed and classes in the building will be moved or cancelled at the teacher’s discretion for Wednesday and Thursday. We are excited for this excellent opportunity and to put this feather in our cap and we will do everything that we can to make this go smoothly.”

Wheeler also said that the Obama handlers were here last week and that a major factor in their choice of going on campus was the Convocation speaker series which recently hosted political pundits James Carville and Mary Matalin.

“They were impressed with our repertoire of speakers,” Wheeler said. “This goes to show that what we actively do on campus helps future endeavors and events come here. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we will do our best to shine.”

The Obama campaign is also using this opportunity to bring its message of change to thousands of young voters in the midland empire. The Press secretary for the Missouri Obama campaign, Justin Hamilton, reiterated the purpose for the speaking tour during the waning days of the campaign.

“Obama thinks that the young voters are changing the electorate,” Hamilton said. “Our message of change speaks to everyone, young and old, but the young voters have an imperative need to understand that their voice is heard and their issues are being addressed.”

Hamilton also did not rule out the possibility of Obama coming to campus.

“Obama still has plans for Missouri,” Hamilton said. “He does not have concrete speaking dates yet for Saint Joseph, but he is still open to the opportunity.”

The McCain-Palin campaign has also been offered the opportunity to speak on campus but has yet to respond to the invitation.