EAST CHICAGO -- Former U.S. Rep. Tim Roemer stumped for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama at the United Steelworkers Local 1010 Hall on Monday afternoon.

Roemer represented the 3rd District, which covers South Bend, in the Congress from 1991 to 2003, and he served on the 9/11 Commission. He has been traveling across the Midwest, talking about Obama's commitment to working families.

"One of the reasons I support Barack is he's from here -- right next door," Roemer said. "He knows what we've been going through in the Midwest. People are struggling to make ends meet, and now, with the financial meltdown, people are worried about their pensions, 401(k)s, investments for their kids' college education. Barack Obama knows that pain."

Roemer spoke to a group of 40 current and retired steelworkers for about 15 minutes. He also answered questions about trade agreements and health care costs.

Augusto Echevarria, Hammond, asked a question about Obama's stance on NAFTA and other trade agreements.

"Politicians are not always specific, so I say, give me the facts," Echevarria said. "Since Reagan, whenever politicians have been in favor of these agreements, they don't tell us the facts or how long these treaties last."

Roemer said Obama is interested in revisiting NAFTA and the U.S.-South Korea auto agreement since they lack labor and environmental protections and don't represent fair trade.

"When they ship cars to the U.S., they get onto lots within a matter of days," Roemer said. "When we ship our cars to South Korea, they stay on a ship for months at a time. That's not reciprocity."

Roemer talked about Obama's plan to create millions of "green-collar" and infrastructure jobs.

As he's traveled across the Midwest, Roemer said he's seen voters gain confidence in Obama.

"I think even three months ago people were wondering if he was ready for the 3 a.m. national security phone call," Roemer said.

"Now, people are saying they want Barack Obama to take that 3 a.m. economic security phone call."

Joliet, Ill., resident Robert Magee, who works at ArcelorMittal, said he's leaning toward Obama, but he thinks McCain isn't a bad candidate either.

"Why can't everybody come together? All we do is bail out everybody but the people who need it," Magee said.

Magee said he's concerned about what's important to everyone, "a home, a decent job, food and gas at decent prices, and fire and police protection."

Contact Christin Nance Lazerus at 648-3086 or cnance@post-trib.com. Comment on this story at www.post-trib.com.