Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. , hugs Pamela Cash-Roper after she spoke at his economy speech, Monday, June 9, 2008, at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, N.C.  Roper, a lifelong Republican, told the crowd that she and her husband are struggling because of medical problems, losing their jobs and the high price of gas and prescription drugs. AP Photo logo AP Photo 17 months ago

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. , hugs Pamela Cash-Roper after she spoke at his economy speech, Monday, June 9, 2008, at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, N.C. Roper, a lifelong Republican, told the crowd that she and her husband are struggling because of medical problems, losing their jobs and the high price of gas and prescription drugs.