By Rachel Lippmann, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – A mostly white crowd at Mehlville High School in south St. Louis County found plenty to cheer about Tuesday in a speech by Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden.
It was Biden's first appearance in St. Louis since officially becoming Barack Obama's running mate.
He hit heavily on economic themes, including the pending takeover of Anheusuer-Busch by Belgian brewer InBev, and job cuts at Chrysler facilities in Fenton.
Some of the Chrysler work will be picked up by plants in Canada.
Biden suggested directing $20 billion in tax breaks provided to companies with Americans working oversees to companies that stay here.
"Build American, make American, make sure Americans have the job, make it made in America!" he said to rousing applause.
Biden did not bring up the name of his Republican counterpart Sarah Palin much in his nearly hour-long address, mentioning her name only in connection with attacks on John McCain's economic and foreign policies.
He left harsher criticism to surrogates like Congressman Russ Carnahan, whose district includes the high school. Carnahan attached McCain for pandering to the political right by selecting the "inexperienced" Palin.
"And there's no way you can dress up that record, even with a lot of a lipstick," Carnahan said to laughter and applause.
Some students in the audience said they were pleased with the Democratic plan to offer a $4000 tuition tax credit to students who complete community service.
Biden will be back in St. Louis in October for the vice presidential debate at Washington University.