Democrat Nominee President Obama Wins Pennsylvania And The Presidency

             President Obama won the state Pennsylvania by a far margin due to many reasons. Some may be due to the fact that the state is mainly Democrat and he actually campaigned in the main cities such as Pittsburgh, which has proven in many elections to be an important city. One campaign stop came in early July at Carnegie Mellon University. Click Link or copy and paste link in URL to see coverage:

http://18ricco.newsvine.com/_news/2012/07/09/12647097-the-president-talks-about-jobs-education-and-more

    Pittsburgh was not a city for Mitt Romney due to the fact when he came for a fundraiser in July, Pittsburghers where protesting the location where he was to show up at. Romney did speak to some supporters outside Pittsburgh the same day in Irwin Pa., however has not come into Pittsburgh to speak to the public. Protesters from Planned Parenthood, One Pittsburgh, Action United, Occupy Pittsburgh and regular everyday people who had no affiliation with any group, showed up early to protest Romney coming into the city. They were not just protesting Romney coming into Pittsburgh for a campaign fundraiser but also for his views and policies on many issues.  Around a hundred protesters came out in front of the Duquesne club where Mr. Romney was supposed to hold his fundraiser and protested for a few hours. They used megaphones and yelled chants such as, “Hey Romney come out we got stuff to talk about”, “Show us your tax returns”, to list a few. They also held signs that had Mitt Romney’s face on a wanted poster that read, “Wanted For Tax Dodging”, “Release The Returns”, and Tricky Mitt”.

To see Full Video coverage of Protest and interviews Click on link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6us0fPLj0I&feature=share&list=UUynNVz0oirtpUVu0c6kIRIw

There was a small group who did not say who they were with that came shortly after the protest on Romney came, to protest President Obama.  Sometime after interviewing the anti-Obama group, through investigating reporting, it was found out that they were with Console Energy.  This was a small group of maybe ten to fifteen people carrying signs that read “Stop the War On Coal, Fire Obama”.  The spokesperson for this group was Zach Smith not saying he was from Console Energy but said his position was Public and Government Relations. Zach Smith says, “We are here to support the coal and natural gas industry in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas”. Also saying, “We had heard there were some organizations coming down here to protest Governor Romney coming into town and we are not necessary against them, but we have our issue and we just want to show support to the coal industry and natural gas industry”.  When asked what is the biggest issue you have? As well as if he could explain the signs they had meant, Zach Smith says, “Obama and the EPA are putting forth a lot of regulations that are putting a damper on the coal industry.” Replying to the signs Zach Smith says, “The signs yeah they a bit strong I think, a man no an organization down West Virginia created them, it’s such a big  thing in west Virginia and such a big industry and that is why he made them and I guess they just got relayed up to us”. 

To see whole Interview with Zach Smith click on the following link:

http://youtu.be/ni_qIiTaaBE

Protesters tried to leave a pair of shoes for Governor Romney as a token to show how hard they worked at minimum wage jobs to make ends meat. They wanted for the Governor to walk a mile in their shoes, as they say.  They were asked not to enter the Duquesne Club and were asked to leave before they could get into the club. They tried to leave the shoes on the steps after being told that if they did not leave the property the police will be called. So some protesters tried to leave a pair on the steps when they were told by another security official that they would be sited for littering if they left the shoes, so they didn’t leave the shoes.

Planned Parenthood had several women at this protest and their spokesperson was Rebecca Cavanaugh, public relations for Planned Parenthood.  Ms. Cavanaugh says, “We are here today cause Mitt Romney, throughout his campaign has made statements that are incredibly dangerous for women and most recently he said that he would, as one of his first acts as president he would close Planned Parenthood’s doors.” Ms. Cavanaugh continues to say, “You know here in Western Pennsylvania we serve over 28,000 women just in Western Pennsylvania a lone. That would be 28,000 women who would not have a place to go for their (Pap smear), breast cancer screening, STD testing and treatment and I would like to ask him where do you think those women are going to go for services.”

 To watch and listen to full interview with Rebecca Cavanaugh please click here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KbxxFMMENA&feature=colike

Calvin Skinner of One Pittsburgh talks about the fundraiser for Mr. Romney by saying, “It’s a $50,000 a plate dinner that’s $50,000 it costs us, state minimum wage you would have to work three years and three months to be able to afford to walk in there, not paying any bills, not taking care of anything that supports the working Pittsburgh family”. “We want Mitt Romney to have a conversation with the working people of Pittsburgh, of Pennsylvania, of the country about the issues of his potential candidacy, you know where does he stand on these issues?”, Calvin Skinner asked.

To see full interview with Calvin Skinner please click here:

http://youtu.be/ni_qIiTaaBE

When it came to the Republican Candidate Mitt Romney these were some of the issues that came up with not just Pittsburghers but Americans across the country. Another issue or mistake would have been Mitt Romney coming into Pittsburgh on the day of the election for a short period of time and never leaving the airport until he flew out of Pittsburgh. The Voter Id laws that were trying to be passed by Republicans in many states angered voters and also may have had a part in them losing the election. The above are issues that some Pittsburgher organizers, professionals, everyday Pittsburghers and working class people had with Mitt Romney and came from the streets of Pittsburgh, PA.

Written By: J.L. Martello / 18ricco

Photos By: J.L. Martello / 18ricco

Contact “Ricco” J.L. Martello / 18ricco

Cell: 412-583-6901

Email: martellogino@yahoo.com