WELLINGTON - The Palms West Chamber of Commerce had its monthly luncheon Monday, Sept. 8 and representatives from Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain's campaigns were invited to speak about national health care.
Robert Maurer, a nationally recognized education manager and policy maker, spoke on behalf of the McCain campaign while State House Minority Leader Dan Gelber spoke for the Obama campaign.
Both representatives wandered off topic and touched on energy, education, taxes, and small businesses. As for health care Maurer said McCain will encourage competition, and more state involvement versus federal involvement while Gelber said Obama favored expanding governmental programs to cover more uninsured people. Gelber was able to offer more details of Obama's plan, while Maurer said a booklet had been provided to each table with all of the details.
Ingrid Gotthoffer of Lake Worth said she is supporting Obama but quickly added, "It's always about the lesser of two evils. Both candidates scare me."
As for the differences between the campaign's plans she said, "It's the same old rhetoric between both parties." And she said she doesn't think either candidate will change much.
Jason Parsley can be reached at jeparsley@tribune.com.