Obama's (Very Young) Fund-Raiser Delivers Predictions, Extended Baseball Metaphor

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By Azi Paybarah

January 25, 2008 | 2:57 p.m

Barack Obama’s youngest fund-raiser might be 19-year-old Arthur Leopold of Manhattan. Today he gave me a brief interview over (appropriately) instant message. Below are some excerpts, beginning with his answer to my plea for predictions about February 5:

arthurleopold (2:44:07 PM): Contrary to popular belief, New York isn’t a winner take all state. We’re going to win a large chunk of delegates here in New York, and we’re really looking at a Feb. 5 surprise--the support here is incredible.

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Most campaigns would beg to have the support and volunteer-power that Senator Obama has here in New York.

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arthurleopold (2:45:00 PM): The Obama/Clinton rivalry here in New York is very similar to that of the Yankees and Mets rivalry. The Yankees are your home-town favorites, but the Mets always have a solid team—a team that has made it and won the World Series. In the end, though, if a New York team makes the World Series, you’ll be cheering for that team, just as we’ll be supporting whichever Democrat gets the nomination; this year, I think the Mets will prevail.

azipaybarah (2:46:55 PM): don't mets and yankee fans hate each other

arthurleopold (2:47:11 PM): we like each other more than we like the red sox