By Political Reporter Marshall Zelinger
m.zelinger@krdo.com

COLORADO SPRINGS - Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama (D-Illinois) spent all Wednesday in Colorado Springs.  At 11:00 a.m., Obama spoke in front of media and an invitation-only crowd of 400 at the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs.  After his 30-minute speech, Obama toured NORAD and U.S. Northern Command.  His campaign says that tour is part of his duties as a Senator and not a campaign visit.  His night ended at The Broadmoor for a $1,000/person fundraiser.  250 people were invited, meaning up to $250,000 for the campaign.

During his speech at UCCS, Obama invited Americans to become more involved.

"This will be a central cause of my Presidency," says Obama.  "We will ask Americans to serve. We will create new opportunities for Americans to serve."

Those opportunities are in the military and through volunteering.  Obama wants 65,000 more people to join the military, 27,000 more in the Marines.

"The burden of service has fallen on to the backs of our military and their families," says Obama.  "A young person joining our military must know that we'll only send them into harm's way when we absolutely must."

He also wants to increase the volunteer opportunities at AmeriCorps from 75,000 spots to 250,000.

"We need your service, right now, at this moment," says Obama.  "Loving your country must mean accepting your responsibility to do your part to change it."

Speaking at UCCS, Obama also brought up an idea he calls the "American Opportunity Tax Credit."  A college student would be eligible for a $4,000 tax credit if they volunteered 100 hours in a year.

"When I'm President, I will set a goal for all American middle and high school students to perform 50 hours of service a year, and for all college students to perform 100 hours of service a year."

Click here to view Obama's speech in its entirity.