Carter Elliott says the last three years have been hard for farmers like himself, but he believes it could have been a lot worse if President Obama was not in office.
"I just don't think most people realize what bad shape we were in when he took over," Elliott said of the President.
Elliot owns a dairy farm near Rustburg. He's also chairman of the Campbell County Democratic Committee.
As a party loyalist, Elliott let the Obama campaign use his farm Wednesday, for an event with former Congressman Tom Perriello.
"I think Mr. Elliott is an example of what America does right," said Perriello. "Here's a hardworking guy who plays by the rules, who's kept this farm that's been in his family's hands for 125 years."
The Elliott farm is just one stop on a tour the Obama campaign is making throughout our part of Virginia. The campaign is trying to highlight some of the President's policies that it says have helped ranchers and farmers.
"I'm a big, big supporter of the health care bill," said Elliott, adding that he believes Obama's health legislation will bring insurance premiums down, helping farmers and small business owners.
Republicans believe Obama's policies are holding back farmers.
"I think most farmers are afraid the Obama administration is going to put new regulations on them that will cost them money," said Republican Congressman Morgan Griffith, who represents southwest Virginia's ninth district.
Griffith believes the President has created too many new rules for farmers, without giving them ample time to comply.
"The technology necessary to comply with the regulations are more complicated," said Griffith. "Farmers and other businesses need more time than the Obama administration is willing to give them."
Elliott says all politicians could do more for farmers and the economy. He believes both sides need to work together to find solutions.
"We've got to get rid of this partisan bickering and do what's good for the country," said Elliott.
