Obama Campaigns in Londonderry

When Barack Obama brought up this week’s debate, the crowd at the apple orchard let out a scream.

TAPE: well New Hampshire last night we had a debate....(applause)

Obama said the third and final debate gave voters a chance to see the McCain attack strategy in action.

He said at a time when the country is facing economic hardships, they aren’t interested in hearing politicians bicker.

But that didn’t stop him from revisiting one of his testy exchanges with his Republican opponent.

TAPE: last night senator McCain said that George Bush won’t be on the ballot this November. He said, I don’t know why you are running against George Bush. I said, I am not running against George Bush. I am running against all of those policies of George Bush that you support Senator McCain. (applause)

Tying McCain to President Bush is a central theme of Obama’s campaign.

In his speech in Londonderry, Obama repeated his concern for how the middle class is faring in these tough times.

That message was attractive to 39-year old single mom Michelle Broadhurst.

Broadhurst, a lawyer, was recently laid off.

She is a life-long Republican, from a family of hard core Republicans.

So hard core, her nine year old daughter stopped speaking to her, after Broadhurst said she was going to an Obama rally.

Despite the grief she’ll get at home, she says she can’t help but think about who will help her and her kids.

TAPE: the healthcare plans, his education plan, making college somehow more affordable, he’s actually describing how he’s going about doing those things. I am not hearing that from John McCain. Just sort of, I can fix it, I can do it, don’t worry about it.

Obama’s popularity- at least according to polls- has only improved as the market has plummeted over the past few weeks.

The Democrat told the Londonderry crowd of several thousand that this sort of lead makes him nervous.

TAPE:...for those who are getting a little cocky, I’ve got two words for you, New Hampshire. I learned right here with the help of my great friend and supporter Hillary Clinton.

Obama is referring to the New Hampshire primary, when the weekend before the election polls suggested Obama had a comfortable lead.

Clinton went on to defeat Obama by two and a half points.

Walking back to her car along the highway, Andover, Massachusetts resident Katherine DeLude says she’s anything but cocky.

TAPE: I think there are dstill dirty tricks, left to pull. Whether voters get turned away from the polls. What happens in some of the swing states, with voters not getting to vote.

The Obama campaign is hoping that kind of hang-wringing encourages people to stay involved.

DeLude says she and her husband plan to keep phone banking until Election Day.

For NHPR News, I’m DG.