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Last updated 11:43 am CT September 02, 2010.
President Obama Visits Missouri
The president tackled a wide variety of issues including the economy, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and education.
"If you have a bad teacher, if they can't, after being given all the support and training they need is not performing up to snuff, we've got find them another job," said President Obama.
President Obama plans to work with Iraqi leaders to help that country become more self sufficient so U-S troops can come home. That's something Gay Eisenhauer supports.
The Pinckneyville mother lost her son Wyatt in battle a few years ago.
"I like the way he's handling the military right now. When our son was killed in Iraq, he flew the flag over the Capitol in July. Our son was killed in May and he wrote us a letter, so we're just here to show our support."
Students hope to see more help for higher education.
Senior Ashley Schuchardt said, "It's very expensive and I know a lot of my friends aren't going to college because they don't have enough money."
Outside the town hall meeting, a much different vibe. People voiced opposition to the economic recovery bill.
Dressed like Uncle Sam with a pig's nose, "Joe Stiltwalker" had this to say, "His spending, his stance on abortion, and we want smaller government, less spending and we want a free America."
"Let's not playing games and pretend the reason is because of the recovery act, because that's just a fraction of the overall problem we've got. We're going to have to tighten our belts and we're going to have to do it in an intelligent way," said President Obama.
Doris Middleton of O'Fallon said, "I think we're moving in the right direction. I think we see early signs of the economy improving. It's going to be a long, arduous process, But I think we'll get there and he'll provide the right leadership to get us there."
The President talked to the crowd for about an hour before heading back to Washington, D.C.
Kevin Hunsperger
khunsperger@wsiltv.com
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