Democratic Presidential Candidates are making their way through Jones County to get their messages out one last time before the caucus on January 3.

Senator Barack Obama held a rally at the Berndes Center on December 13. Senator Chris Dodd also made a trip to Monticello, stopping at the Renaissance Center on December 15. In addition, visits to Anamosa are planned by Senator Joe Biden on December 21. He will be at Pizza Ranch at 10:30 a.m. Dodd will also stop in Anamosa this weekend. He will be at the Anamosa Senior Center on December 22 at 4:30 p.m.

During his visit to Jones County, Obama told the crowd of about 200 people that we need to change the way we do business in Washington. He went on to say that his campaign has attracted people from all walks of life and encouraged everyone to caucus on January 3.

One of the changes he hopes for in Washington is limiting lobbyist power. He said he voted to limit gifts from lobbyist and met resistance from fellow legislators.

“It wasn’t just republicans that were fighting me,” he commented.

Obama added that he doesn’t take money from federal lobbyists or PACs.

Obama also talked about making insurance available to all Americans. He said he would try to make sure that everyone got equal treatment and would allow people to keep their plan if it was working for them. If it wasn’t working, a government plan would be available.

Veteran care was also a topic Obama touched on and said that one in four veterans are homeless in America.

“If you’re a veteran, you shouldn’t be homeless,” he added.

Obama favors brain trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)screening for all veterans and included that when PTSD goes undiagnosed, veterans will sometimes self medicate with drugs and alcohol.

He stated that he would also make it the responsibility of the Veterans Administration to find records for veterans. Currently ,they must track down their own records.

Expansion of childhood education would also be a priority if Obama were elected president. He said kids who don’t receive early childhood education often fall behind in school.

Obama would also support professional development for teachers and change No Child Left Behind in a fundamental way. “There is nothing wrong with tests, but what I do object to is a reduction of art, music and history,” he said.

He added that he would make college more affordable and offer a $4,000 tax credit to those whose jobs give back to the community.

Some could also have all of their education expenses forgiven by teaching in an inner city or becoming a firefighter.

After Obama spoke, people gathered around to talk with him or get a photo or autograph.

In an interview with local reporters after he spoke, Obama discussed how he would pay for all of his proposed programs.

“Everything we’re proposing, we pay for,” Obama stated.

Healthcare would be paid for with funds saved through preventative medicine.

Veterans programs would be funded by ending the war in Iraq.

Education reform would be paid for through eliminating federal programs that aren’t working.

“I believe in the idea of pay as you go,” he included.

Obama said he doesn’t think the national deficit can be eliminated overnight.

“What I know is we can start by bringing the War in Iraq to a close,” he said.

When asked about whether or not he would support stem-cell research, Obama said he would sign the bill, which has repeatedly passed the House and Senate, only to be vetoed by President George W. Bush.

“There is nothing unethical about taking embryos that are being discarded and use them for research,” he included.

“He fits my philosophy that this is our land to have and hold and pass to the next generation,” said Joy Adams of Monticello, who briefly spoke with Obama.

Whitney Fortman a 17 year-old from Monticello said she plans to caucus and is leaning toward Obama. She added that she has tried to meet as many candidates as possible.

“I think the younger generation needs to take initiative and if they want change, they need to be part of the change in the world,” she said after getting Obama’s autograph.