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Politics & Government

President Obama Made a Stop in San Francisco Last Week

President Barack Obama made a stop in San Francisco on his California campaign tour last Monday night, with a concert rally aimed at inspiring supporters.

President Barack Obama made a stop in San Francisco on his California campaign tour last Monday night, with a concert rally hoping to inspire supporters to hit the streets in the last four weeks before the elections.

Approximately 6,000 people gathered at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, from children to celebrities, some waiting in line on the city streets many hours for $100 standing room general admission.

San Francisco 49er's players Alex Smith and Vernon Davis pumped up attendees using light hearted football analogies in support of the President's second term.

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"Now is the time we work tirelessly for a President who has for us," said San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. He said that the next 29 days are the most important for voters to rally support.

Michael Franti performed with his band Spearhead, taking a moment mid-set to explain, "When Obama took office he was handed the keys to the Titanic and told 'hey fix this.' It's going to take a second term to finish what he started."

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California Attorney General Kamala Harris spoke, "We have a choice to make for the future of our children and the future of the legacy of our country... folks from Main Street to Wall Street both must do their shares and be held accountable." Harris said that America was "bleeding jobs," loosing 800,000 jobs a month until Obama's second month in office, and two and a half years later 5.2 million jobs had been created.

She closed with, "We will walk to Nevada if that's what we need to, lets roll up our sleeves to reelect this President," before introducing nine-time Grammy winner, John Legend, at his piano.

"I believe in standing up for someone who stands up for every person in this country," said Legend, "Every person deserves good schools, should marry who they want to marry, and be able pursue the American dream. The President always says it's not about him as a man, but about the people, and each of us are important, even in states that are deep blue."

California State Obama Campaign Director, Mary Jane Stevenson, thanked attendees for "putting your money where you mouth is," and offered, anyone interested, the opportunity to "fill a van with 12 of your friends, drive to Nevada, spend 3 days knocking on doors making sure people get out and vote," all expenses paid, by texting "CA2NV" to 62262 (OBAMA), or visiting dashboard.barackobama.com.

Stevenson introduced the President of the United States, security checked the stage as the Jay-Z song, "My President is Black" played prior to President Obama's entrance.

President Obama thanked everyone for their welcome to San Francisco and said, "I met the football players. They seem like very poised, nice young men. I wish them the best of luck, until they play my Bears in week 11."

He touched on ending the war, lowering unemployment rates, new jobs, tax cuts for small businesses and middle class, bringing major manufacturers back the U.S., the importance of affordable education, same sex marriage, climate change, and lowered dependency on foreign oil.

"What we fought for in '08, is now on the line in 2012," he explained, "We spent four years cleaning it up, we can't afford another mess... we aren't there yet, that's why I'm running for another term."

He spoke of the Presidential Debate last week, saying Romney did not represent leadership, but salesmanship, and that Romney has plans for $5 trillion in tax cuts for the wealthy.

"Suddenly, a man who pretended to be Romney stood next to me at the debate and said 'what tax cut, I don't have a plan for any tax cuts'," when the crowd's boos echoed, he repeated, "Don't boo, vote."

The President chuckled as he began on health care reform, "AKA Obamacare, because I do care. I care that insurance companies don't jerk you around... everyone should be eligible for health care, and being a woman is not considered a preexisting condition."

"It doesn't just take me, the deal is, it takes all of us, I'm asking you to vote," Obama concluded, "In 2008, 47% of the country didn't vote for me. I told them 'I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, and I'll be your President too.' I'm not fighting to create Democrat or Republican jobs, I'm fighting for all American people... God bless you."

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