"What is absolutely true is that people don't feel like they're being listened to," the Democratic presidential contender said. "So they pray and they count on each other and they count on their families. You know this in your own lives.

" And what we need is a federal government that is actually paying attention. A government that is fighting for working people day in and day out making sure that we are trying to allow them to live out the American dream and that's what this campaign is about."

The audience was enthusiastic and angry at Obama's critics, The Indianapolis Star reported. Dr. Kathleen Beache, a Republican dentist from Indianapolis, wore an Obama T-shirt to the rally.

"They've been trying to paint Barack Obama as an arrogant person and hoping that that label sticks," Beache said.

Both Obama's Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, and John McCain, the likely Republican nominee, have attacked Obama for saying it is not surprising that some people "get bitter, they cling to their guns or religion or antipathy to people who are not like them."