Butterfield hopes Palin addresses area issues

U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield says he is excited that a vice presidential candidate is visiting eastern North Carolina today, but he hopes Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin specifically addresses the issues affecting his constituents while she is here.

Palin, the Republican veep nominee, is scheduled to speak tonight at East Carolina University's Minges Coliseum. Doors open at 4 p.m.

Butterfield, a Wilson Democrat whose district includes Pitt County, said he has grown frustrated by her decision to opt for a “smear campaign” since joining Sen. John McCain on the GOP ticket rather than addressing pertinent issues such as the economy, health care and foreign policy.

Butterfield has endorsed Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee.

“(Gov. Palin) is welcome in eastern North Carolina and we are going to be listening very carefully and watching to see if there are any glaring omissions from her statements,” Butterfield said. “I'm confident that at the end of her trip North Carolinians will see what I see, and that is there is a stark difference between Barack Obama and John McCain, and those associated with them.”

Specifically, Butterfield said he would like to see Palin elaborate on why McCain favors deregulation of the financial services industry. He said he also would like to hear her thoughts on how the image of the United States can be repaired worldwide.

Butterfield joined several current and former elected officials Monday in Raleigh where he endorsed Obama's economic plan. The event was originally scheduled for Sept. 29 in Greenville, but congressional meetings regarding the $700 billion bailout legislation forced a postponement.

He said logistical concerns prevented the stop in Greenville this time.

U.S. Reps. David Price, Bob Etheridge and Brad Miller, former N.C. Gov. Jim Hunt, N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and N.C. Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand joined Butterfield at the State Farmers Market Restaurant for Monday's event.

Contact Brock Letchworth at bletchworth@coxnc.com or (252) 329-9574.