As part of improving the nation’s economy, Obama said, the first step is to “clean up the mess” and stabilize the housing market, which has contributed to a decline in jobs, he said.

The second step is to “use our tax code in a smarter way,” Obama said. “When middle class folks get a tax cut, then the economy grows from the bottom up. We’ve tried this outdated thinking that says you give more and more to the top and somehow it trickles down, and that’s just not how the economy works.

Step three, Obama said, is to develop the “green jobs” he mentioned before, to replace lost jobs that have been sent overseas.

A fourth step is to reinvest in infrastructure. Obama stated that the country is in need of infrastructure repairs and development that would provide much-needed “public works” jobs for those in the construction trades who are out of work.

In addition, he hinted at a goal of developing a strong, nationwide train system, saying that travel by air and by car have become expensive and cumbersome.

“In the end, the most important thing we need to do for our economic health is to improve our education system,” he said.

In answering one audience member’s question about No Child Left Behind, Obama said that while the goal of higher standards is important, the legislation fails to provide funds for reaching the goal. In addition, he said, the assessment of student progress is based on “just a single, high-stakes standardized test.”

Obama said he wants to work with educators to reform No Child Left Behind, but that the other part of student achievement is not within the power of government.

“It’s up to parents,” he said.

The senator said he intends “to tie the issue of affording college with the issue of national service.

Obama also addressed the Iraq war, saying he has considered it “an enormous strategic blunder” from the beginning.

He reiterated his plans to begin bringing troops home over a 16-month period, and to require the Iraqi people to take responsibility for their government.

Obama ended his remarks Saturday by saying that currently the two candidates are essentially tied in the state. “Indiana, historically, in presidential elections, is very tough on Democrats,” he said, adding, “That goes to show you this here is a change election.”

The electoral votes of the state have not gone for a Democrat candidate since 1964. The latest Howey-Gauge Poll from Friday shows McCain leading Obama by two percentage points in Indiana.

Deb Kelly is a reporter for the Tribune Star of Terre Haute.