EAU CLAIRE — Sen. Barack Obama casually walked towards a waiting crowd of about 300 people Sunday afternoon in the Rod and Gun Park in Eau Claire.

The senator, who is set to accept the Democratic nomination for president Thursday, donned a crisp white button-up shirt with rolled-up sleeves and dark khaki pants at an invitation-only barbeque.

“Because I’m hungry, I am not going to talk long,” he said, making a personal connection with those in attendance. “I’m looking for a brat or a burger or something.”

Although Obama warmed up the audience with a few laughs — like joking he wants to become president to get Secret Service  protection for his two daughters — he soon turned serious about the reason for his visit — to get out the word that he is the ideal candidate for the middle-class and the people of Wisconsin.

“I intend to win this election,” he said, reaching out to supporters.

But he admitted that task could be difficult. The last two presidential elections in Wisconsin were won by Democratic candidates by less than 1 percent of the vote.

“This election’s not going to be easy,” Obama said.

In an attempt to improve his odds, Obama promised a tax cut to 95 percent of Americans.

“I would give the middle class three times the amount of tax relief than John McCain’s plan does. That is not disputed,” he said, adding that the Republican’s plan only gives tax breaks to 100 million people.

“We will stop giving tax breaks to companies that shift jobs overseas and give them to companies that invest in Eau Claire.’’

Obama cited Sen. John McCain’s definition of wealth and his lack of knowledge of how many houses he and his wife Cindy own to show his opponent’s distance from the middle class.

“You get the sense that these folks are out of touch,” Obama said.

“I have respect for John McCain’s services, but I don’t have respect for his policies because they represent four more years of the same,” Obama said, in equating McCain with President George W. Bush.

During the 1990s, the average American family’s annual income increased $6,000, the Illinois senator said.

“Under George Bush, it has gone down $1,000. It is not just people’s imagination that they are feeling pinched. There is more money going out and less money coming in,’’ Obama said.

The senator also addressed the nation’s energy consumption.

“We need to cut our oil dependence by 20, 30 percent,” he said.

Obama said he is open to considering off-shore drilling, but he believes lowering consumption and providing greener options is the long-term solution.

The crowd that gathered Sunday included campaign volunteers, local Democrats and middle-class families.

Scott Campbell of Eau Claire and formerly of Chippewa Falls was given the prime spot of introducing Obama. He described the opportunity as “a thrill, an honor.”

Campbell was chosen by the campaign because he represents the middle class. He holds down three jobs, including one in wholesale plumbing, and has two daughters looking into college and one daughter who will soon be married.

“I’ve been told I represent the current economic state of the country,” he said, adding that he’s had to dip into his 401k plan and his savings account just to get by.

But Campbell said he’s been hopeful for Obama’s campaign, and he was impressed when he met the candidate Sunday.

“I was just astounded at how down to earth he was,” Campbell said.

Greg Raleigh of Elk Mound was invited to the event as an Obama supporter since before the primaries.

“He’s not tied to any money or infrastructure,” said Raleigh, who called himself an Independent. “I was glad I came. It was very intimate."

Steve Rasmus, 63, a retired real estate broker from Chippewa Falls, said he found Obama very reassuring and liked that he would pull the troops from Iraq and focus more on terrorist leaders in Afghanistan.

“I think he has good economic plans,’’ Rasmus said. “Obviously, we are in far worse shape internationally than we were eight years ago and McCain isn’t going to change that.’’

Mary Ann King, vice chair for the Chippewa County Democratic Party and a county board member, was impressed by Obama’s college education plan.

Obama said he will fight to make college affordable to students who are willing to do some community service in exchange.

“I think something that doesn’t get attention is responsibility,” King said of the community service aspect. “It’s not just a gimmick.”

King said it is important for Obama to make such stops in Wisconsin because it is a swing state.

“I’ve been told they’re down to maybe a one-percent difference in the election,” she said of the presidential race in the state.

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle echoed the sentiment.

“In Wisconsin and in Eau Claire, we have to work every single day between now and November to make sure Barack Obama is our next president,” he said.

Sen. Russ Feingold tried to evoke a little more confidence in the crowd.

“In a few weeks I’ll be calling you, Mr. President, and I’m going to look forward to this,” he told Obama.

Feingold also added his support of Obama’s choice of vice president.

“He showed terrific judgement in choosing Joe Biden as his running mate,” Feingold said of his fellow senator.

The audience seemed to agree by giving their applause.

“We had a great day yesterday,” Obama said. “I got the pleasure to introduce the person I believe will be the next and one of the greatest vice presidents … Joe Biden.”

Biden didn’t join Obama in Eau Claire. He headed back to his home state of Delaware to begin campaigning. The two are expected to meet up at the Democratic National Convention in Denver on Thursday.

Robert Imrie of the Associated Press contributed to this story.