Leahy: Obama the right candidate for rural Americans

U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy addressing the Democratic National Convention: Getty Images PhotoIn his speech to the Democratic National Convention Tuesday evening, U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy said presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama would do right by rural Americans.

Leahy started his presentation by telling the delegates that he lives on a dirt road in a town of 1,800.

He went on to say that U.S. Sen. Obama would help rural families by making health care affordable, lower the price of fuel by expanding renewable energy sources, increase Internet access to rural areas and address the spike in violent crimes taking place across rural America.

Leahy also blasted the current Bush administration, and said Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain would bring more of the same if elected to a term in the White House.

"Rural America needs the change Barack Obama offers. Our communities have suffered a 10 percent drop in household income, three times the national average. As jobs continue to disappear, 8 million rural Americans now live in poverty," Leahy said.

"Through it all, George Bush and Dick Cheney have sided with big business and big oil and left the rest of us to fend for ourselves. As much as John McCain would like us to believe he's different, his economic plan offers not a single new idea, just more of the same."

Leahy, the senior U.S. senator from Vermont, will be the only elected official from the Green Mountain State to address the convention.

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• Transcript of remarks from Leahy