Obama does not want to dazzle TV audiences, wants to discuss real issues

Denver, Aug.28 : Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has insisted that he does not want to dazzle a TV audience estimated to be in the tens of millions with "a bunch of a high-flying rhetoric", but instead, intends to focus on the kitchen-table economic issues facing American voters.

"The single most important thing I have to make clear is the choice we have in November between the same failed policy of the last eight years for the middle class and the new agenda to boost income for Americans and help families who are struggling," he said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

Obama is expected to address a crowd of up to 80,000 supporters on Friday at a Denver sports stadium.

According to The Times, the address is likely to contain a sharper attack on Republican rival John McCain.

An elaborate stage - complete with white columns designed to resemble a classical Greek temple or the White House - has been built for his speech accepting the Democratic presidential nomination.

Critics have seized on this as fresh evidence of a self-regard bordering on arrogance - the downfall of many an Ancient Greek hero - that had already been demonstrated by the faux presidential seal which was briefly used to decorate his podium earlier this summer.

Such is the sensitivity of the Obama campaign that it today began circulating reports showing President Bush had also used classical columns at his convention four years ago.

Tomorrow night confetti and fireworks will be shot into the air at the end of Obama's speech and, while his aides have sought to play down "the rock star theme", Stevie Wonder and the Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson have still been asked to warm up the crowd at Invesco Field Stadium.

ANI