Obama speaks at fundraiser

CINCINNATI (AP)— Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois came to Cincinnati on Tuesday evening for a fund-raising event, as the pace of visits by top presidential contenders continued to pick up in a state that was pivotal in the 2004 election.

Hundreds of people paid from $50 to $2,300 at Obama’s visit to a downtown Cincinnati hotel. There was no immediate estimate on how much was raised.

Obama talked about hope for change, and pledged action on a broad range of issues including the Iraq war, energy conservation, education funding and closing the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, prison. He said the United States would lead by deed and example.

“We can do those things,” he told the crowd. “And I have confidence in my capacity to lead this country in that direction.”

Obama then headed back to Washington, where the Senate has been debating Iraq war legislation.