Indiana man to speak at Democratic National Convention
Democratic convention to highlight "real people"
By NEDRA PICKLER
An Indiana railroader, an Iowa mother and a Michigan truck driver are getting a moment at the Democratic convention to help portray Barack Obama as the people's champion and counter GOP characterizations of him as an out-of-touch celebrity.
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Mike Fisher, an Amtrak machinist from Beech Grove, Ind., will talk about Obama's visit to his house for a lunch of Subway sandwiches.
"When I saw that motorcade come down the cul-de-sac, I couldn't speak, I couldn't swallow. Within a couple minutes, he put us at so much ease," Fisher said. "I'm just a poor railroader. I've got a small house, and a family I'm trying to raise. Barack and Michelle can relate to that because of their upbringing."
He jokes that his family is the "whole ball of wax" when it comes to Obama's campaign platform — he worries about job security, with Amtrak facing tough financial times; two of his children are struggling to pay college loans; his son has a new baby and no health insurance; and his son-in-law is in the National Guard facing possible deployment to Iraq.
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