Obama reaches out to middle class with his tax plan in Glen Allen | News

GLEN ALLEN, VA (WWBT)- For the seventh time since being elected president of the United States, President Barack Obama made a stop here in Central Virginia. The president spoke to an outdoor crowd, in the middle of a rain storm at the Walkerton Tavern in Glen Allen.

Through the pouring rain, which drenched everyone, including the leader of the free world, Barack Obama made a direct pitch to the middle class, and he used an issue that is normally strong with republicans, taxes.

It came early, and stayed from almost the entire event, a soaking rain that was impossible to escape, even for the most powerful man on the planet.

"Everybody is wet already," the president said at one point.  "So it doesn't matter."

Obama, dressed in a shirt so wet that his undershirt was visible, didn't seem to mind. He launched into a passionate defense of his plan to raise taxes on the wealthy, and cut them for the middle class.

"We need someone who believes in a "middle out" economics, a "bottom up" economics," he said. "Someone who will fight for you and working class people across Virginia."

It was a message sent to Henrico voters, in one of the most important swing counties in America. Tracey Snyderman is one of the voters, and agrees.

"I feel that the people in the top two percent won't feel the difference," said Snyderman. "For people lower down on the scale, it makes a big difference."

But the president didn't convince everyone. Matt Walton is a teacher and a Romney supporter. He came to hear the president speak, but is not convinced that higher taxes of any kind will help.

"You have the top two percent of the country paying roughly 78% of the American taxes," said Walton. "That is just a huge burden right there."

Taxes, one of many issues that show a clear difference between the two campaigns, and the decision over whose plan is the best is in your hands.

According to Henrico recreation officials, there were 900 people in attendance at today's event.

In addition to his speech in Glen Allen, the president also stopped at a Berry's Produce in Mechanicsville. The president bought some Hanover tomatoes to take back with him to White House.

After his stop in Henrico, the president headed to Centerville to complete his two day swing of Virginia, a trip that once again reiterates just how important the Commonwealth will be in the fall election.

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