Published: October 19, 2008 11:23 pm      

Local woman meets Obama

While Melissa Copp was watching the second presidential debate, she missed several telephone calls. Finally, a text message told her of the opportunity to meet with Democrat Barack Obama.

Copp, 39, is unemployed having lost her office manager’s position at Premier Printing. Her husband is employed by Delphi.

“I’m on the Obama mailing list and they asked people to text their story,” she said. “Mine was selected from 4,000 entries.”

Copp’s story is she is an unemployed mother of four, with one attending college, and was raised in a factory family. Her story included that this is not the Kokomo where she grew up. Working since the age of 16, Copp said it was the first time that she has been unable to find a job.

“I was very excited,” Copp said. “There were questions I wanted to ask. Plus it was the chance to meet a possible future president, which is always an honor.”

A registered Republican, she was impressed by Obama’s story and added that her grandfather immigrated to the United States and lived the American dream.

Copp wanted to ask Obama about how her family could afford to send four children to college, the economy and women’s rights.

“It was more than a meet and greet,” she said of the visit at the Indiana State Fairground. “He stopped and talked to three of us. He looked you right in the eye, listened and answered the questions. He was honest and open.”

Copp said she asked how they could afford to send her children to college at a time when the family’s investments are going out the window.

“He has an outstanding education plan,” she said, “with the offer of a $5,000 tax credit. We have to get our kids prepared. In order to compete in a global economy they have to be prepared.”

Copp said for years she supported former President Ronald Reagan and voted for George W. Bush in 2000. She voted for Democrat John Kerry in 2004.

“We have lost grip with reality,” she commented on Americans in general. “We were looking at the world through rose-colored glasses. The world has changed dramatically, it’s time for a reality check.”

Copp said Kokomo used to have manufacturing jobs, but the trend is now toward restaurant and retail jobs.

“The manufacturing jobs being created are at a lower pay rate,” she said. “We need someone who will keep the manufacturing jobs here and prepare our kids.”

Copp said she had been active in Republican Party politics and is a pro-life supporter. She said Obama’s pro-choice stance was a concern at first.

“I looked at his voting record,” she said. “I’m not pro-abortion but believe it should be available in cases of rape or incest, and the health of the mother should be a consideration.”

Copp said she remains undecided in the race for governor between incumbent Republican Mitch Daniels and Democrat Jill Long Thompson.

She said Long Thompson has not provided enough information on the issues during the campaign. Copp said Daniels is touting job growth in the state, but instead of the $30 and $40 per hour jobs they are more in the $6 and $7 per hour range.

Ken de la Bastide can be reached at (765) 454 -8580 or via e-mail at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com