Obama Focuses On November Ahead Of Likely West Virginia Loss

Cape Girareau, MO (AHN) - Ahead of what many exit polls predict will be a sound defeat in West Virginia, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) is campaigning in the key November swing state Missouri.

After pulling ahead in the number of pledged delegates and superdelegates, Obama has begun to turn his attention away from Democratic rival Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), focusing on the presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). Speaking with fellow Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) in Cape Girareau, Obama declared "this is a state where we will compete to win when I am the Democratic nominee for president."

There is a lot of talk these days about how the Democratic Party is divided. But I'm not worried, because I know that we'll be able to come together quickly behind a common purpose. There's too much that unites us as Democrats. There's too much at stake for our country. And there will be a clear choice on November 4," Obama explained.

"While the Bush-Cheney ticket won't be up for reelection, the Bush-Cheney policies will, because John McCain is running for four more years of the same approach that has failed the American people... That's why I'm running for President. That's why we'll be united as Democrats. Because Washington has failed the American people, and this election is our chance to turn the page," Obama said.

Obama also took aim at a consumer-friendly proposal backed by both Clinton and McCain. "Instead of gimmicks like a gas tax holiday that rewards the oil companies while doing nothing to lower gas prices in the long-term, we'll raise fuel efficiency standards, invest in alternative energy, and create millions of Green Jobs that will free this country from our addiction to oil," Obama added.