KANSAS CITY — Sen. Barack Obama picked a St. Joseph Democrat out of the crowd Tuesday.

State Rep. Martin Rucker was one of six supporters the presidential hopeful selected to ask him questions after he talked economics with American Airlines workers at its overhaul base in Kansas City.

“The gentleman right there,” Mr. Obama said, pointing to Mr. Rucker, who was itching to veer the discussion to health care costs with a raised hand.

The South Side native addressed Mr. Obama with the same greeting he gave to Bill Clinton when he first campaigned in Kansas City: “Thank you, Mr. President.”

Mr. Obama replied, “Oh, don’t say that. We’ve got a little more work to do.”

Mr. Rucker said St. Joseph’s animal science industry prompted him to attend several conferences this year with the Missouri Biotechnology Association, which exposed him to one of the reasons for rising health costs — prescription drugs.

“I’ve heard that part of the reasons for the costs being so high is that our FDA is understaffed to get new drugs on the market ...,” Mr. Rucker said. “Do you have a plan to better staff the FDA that they might be able to help lower the cost of prescription drugs?”

Absolutely, Mr. Obama answered.

He said prescription drugs are cheaper in other countries because they negotiate with drug companies for lower prices.

“But we don’t do that and the reason is because we’ve got special interests, the drug company lobbyists that fought those provisions in the prescription drug bill that now is a part of Medicare,” he said. “And it’s an example of how we’ve got to fight against special interests in Washington. That’s why I don’t take back from you. That’s why I don’t take money from lobbyists.”

Mr. Obama agreed that the FDA has staffing problems, but he pointed to another weakness.

Drug companies’ financing of the FDA has led to the approval of some risky drugs and the rejection of some medications that should’ve reached the market, he said, noting the timely process generic drugs face.

“As president, I want to staff an FDA with the best scientists, the best experts and their goal is going to be, ‘How do you get safe drugs farther?’ Not how can they ensure the drug companies make a profit.”

Alyson E. Raletz can be reached at alysonraletz@pgco.com.