PRESS RELEASE from Obama for America
Oct 7, 2008 at 10:02 AM


Indiana Amtrak Machinist to Attend Presidential Debate as Guest of Michelle Obama  

Meeting for lunch at Beech Grove Resident Mike Fisher’s home this spring, Barack and Michelle Obama listened to the uncertainty the Fisher family faced when Mike’s worksite planned to make job cuts

 

Indianapolis, IN – Today, the Obama-Biden campaign announced that local International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAWA) and military family member, Mike Fisher will travel to Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, October 7th to attend the second presidential debate as the guest of Michelle Obama.

 

Fisher, who works as an Amtrak machinist, saw his worksite lay off employees but his job was saved. Mike and his wife Cheryl have been married for 32 years and have three adult children, one grandson and two grandchildren on the way. Cheryl works as a technologist in the Breast Center at St. Francis Hospital in Indianapolis; she was also invited to attend tonight’s debate but could not due to work and the pending birth of their youngest daughter, Abby’s baby. Mike and Cheryl are also proud military parents because Abby’s husband will return from Army National Guard training this week and may be deployed to Iraq this fall.

 

Fisher said, “I’ve been a machinist with Amtrak for more than 20 years. I am thankful that I didn’t lose my job but it was a real stress on my family for a long time. There are just too many Hoosiers facing challenges like ours and many of their jobs are leaving the country. Barack and Michelle grew up dealing with the same challenges most of us face. They were raised by working folks, and it’s pretty clear that he can relate to working people and those who are struggling. I trust Barack Obama to do the right thing for all of us and that's why he’s my choice for president.”

 

Barack and Michelle Obama met the Fishers in Indiana last April when they had lunch at their kitchen table and discussed issues facing working families. Mike Fisher also introduced Barack Obama at another Indiana event and shared his story at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.

 

The Obama-Biden economic plan will give a tax break of up to $1,000 to working Hoosiers, end tax breaks for corporations that ship jobs overseas, and invest in the manufacturing sector to help create 5 million good-paying, green jobs here at home. Read more about the plan here: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/

 

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