Obama rails against insider politics in Durham appearance

DURHAM (AP) — Barack Obama sounded familiar themes of support for the poor and opposition to insider politics at a rally Thursday in Durham.

The Illinois senator and Democratic presidential hopeful spoke to 4,000 supporters at North Carolina Central University.

He contrasted himself with other veterans of the Washington political scene, chiefly Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton. Obama said they’ve failed for years to develop good policies on
energy, health care and education.

The first-term senator dismissed critics who say he doesn’t have enough experience to run the White House. Obama said they want him to “stew” in the Beltway scene until they “boil all the hope out of me.”

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)