This Is What a Bandwagon Looks Like
ROCHESTER, N.H.—Barack Obama waited until the very end of his 49-minute speech in this 30,000-strong town before sticking it to a wounded Hillary Clinton.
Referring to Saturday night's debate between the four main Democratic candidates, Obama mentioned "one of [his] opponents" who, he said, had suggested that candidates should "stop offering the American people false hope" and that "people need a reality check."
"What does that mean?" he went on. "Does that mean J.F.K. should have looked up at the moon and said, 'Too far?'"
Obama also invoked the civil rights movement in his criticism, questioning whether such warnings should have caused Martin Luther King to stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and tell his followers, "Go home, the dream has died."
Obama made no reference to Clinton's uncharacteristic show of emotion earlier in the day. But his event here offered its own surprise, if a less dramatic one. He was interrupted shortly after he began his speech by a group of pro-life protestors chanting, "Abortion is abomination."
A large chunk of the crowd began booing the demonstrators and some tried drowning them out with Obama's semi-official slogan: "Fired up! Ready to go!"
Obama, though, remained calm. Having first unsuccessfully tried to persuade the protestors to calm down with a promise to talk to them later, he then asked, "Are you guys gonna do this the whole time, or do we need to reschedule?"
Peace soon reigned again—the demonstrators were ejected from their upstairs position—and Obama sought to calm the crowd.
"Some people got organized to do that, and that's part of the American tradition we are proud of," he said, to applause.
Obama otherwise stuck mostly to his stump speech, though with repeated use of the phrase "just one more day" as he listed the changes he promised to affect if a New Hampshire victory tomorrow were to add to his momentum.
He also referred several times to his Iowa win, saying that the huge turnout "shook up every political assumption."
His own experience of going to a caucus just as it opened and seeing young people "pouring in," he said, was "a magical moment."
The enthusiasm in evidence here made this rally seem—hostile demonstrations aside—like a textbook example of what a post-Iowa surge actually looks like.
At 3.30 p.m., a full two hours before the scheduled start, and with the temperature barely above freezing, a crowd of about 50 people were
already in line awaiting Obama's arrival.
By the time organizers opened the doors early, at 4.50 p.m., the line had swollen to perhaps 300 people and snaked around the block.
At its head was Chris Riley, a 21-year old political science major who
had traveled from Massachusetts with his mother and a friend to hear Obama speak.
Using the same elevated lexicon common to many Obama supporters, Riley said he had first been drawn to Obama by his speech at the 2004 Democratic national convention, and that it was "a dream come true" that the senator's candidacy had gone so well to date.
Asked for his take on why the candidate apparently holds such magnetic appeal for younger voters, Riley said, "He represents a change from the cynical, white Washington politician."
The capacity crowd that filled the beautiful George Gilman Adams-designed Rochester Opera House seemed equally enraptured. In fact, one introductory speaker had to warn them not to stomp their feet, lest the wooden floorboards of the 100-year-old building prove unequal to the strain.
Before giving his main address, Obama said he spoke briefly to people outside who could not get in. (Organizers estimated that about 200 people could not be accommodated.)
One of those who did get in was 29-year-old teacher Jillian Tanida.
Despite hailing from Obama's erstwhile home of Hawaii, Tanida, who is eligible to vote in New Hampshire, said she had only been "leaning toward him."
Afterwards, she pledged to vote for him tomorrow.
"I 100 per cent agree with him on hope," she said. "What we need is hope."
She said that she admired Obama because "he knows struggle, he
knows what that's like. A lot of the other candidates, I feel they don't know what that's like."
Jennifer Tuttle said she had moved from her home in New York to New Hampshire to volunteer for Obama's campaign.
A 35-yead-old video producer, Tuttle said that Obama appealed to her because of "his ability to think big. We could do with a little bit more of that at the moment."
As the crowd dispersed into the chilly air, a stall selling merchandise bearing Obama's name or image was drawing much interest. Obama t-shirts were for sale for $15, woolen hats for $20.
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 49.9
- 42.3
- Obama +7.6
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
- Spread
- Obama
- 55.9
- 36.7
- +19.2
- McCain
- 49.6
- 41.7
- +7.9
First reaction: here we go again, charismatic but substanceless figure sweeping the masses off their feet.No, not really. Read the man's books and you will find more than enough substance. And he doesn't say he's going to kick butt or close the borders or bomb some country back to the stone age.What he's going to do is think about problems and then try to solve them.The knee-jerk response is not what he is about.The people who listen to him speak want to hear that they don't have to live in fear anymore, that they they can take hold of the future themselves and do something about it, but in a positive way. Is there anything more American?
You would have to be there to feel the magic, no matter what they do...they CANNOT kill the dream! Obama, to many, is the dream..we are tired of lies, we are tired of war,we are tired of the same old political snow jobs. To see and hear Obama was for me a reawakening of the dream and the hope that we, as Americans, are better than what we have had for the last eight years! You go Obama, I share your dream!
MRichardson
Obama is an expert dispenser of pabulum about "transcending", "healing", and "uniting", but his policy proscriptions are mostly of the sort that the Democratic Party wisely abandoned decades ago. He wants to do away with secret ballots to encourage more unionism, despite how unchecked unionism hobbled the domestic auto producers; He wants to raise capital gains taxes up to 28%, when even Clinton thought that level was too high and cut them to 20%; etc.
Is it worth electing an inexperienced President advocating Mondale-era economic policies just so we can feel good about ourselves for voting for a black candidate? Is the symbolism that more important than substance? That's what many New Yorkers believes when they elected David Dinkins as New York's first African American mayor. After that experiment in symbolism, they sent Rudy Giuliani in to right the ship.
Symbolism is extremely important to America's standing in the world. Just because Barack Obama's substance is not aligned with Fred's views doesn't mean it is lacking. Honestly, Fred, you don't sound like the type of person who would feel good about voting for any liberal. Trying to diminish Obama's momentum by blaming American voters for being too racially sensitive is very weak sauce. I mean, really??!!??
Let's all be realistic, every politician sells the American people a "dream", but there's a time when the "status quote" such as Clinton or Bush has to be stopped. We all know politicians are full of sh&*. Americans has to say, " No more" , we want something different, we want change! Eight years of Bush, but another four of Hiliary "come on now" obviously Hiliary has experience, but her . Lets try something different. Let's give Obama, Edwards, or Mccain a chance for change.
Let's all be realistic, every politician sells the American people a "dream", but there's a time when the "status quote" such as Clinton or Bush has to be stopped. We all know politicians are full of sh&*. Americans has to say, " No more" , we want something different, we want change! Eight years of Bush, but another four of Hiliary "come on now" obviously Hiliary has experience, but her . Lets try something different. Let's give Obama, Edwards, or Mccain a chance for change.
Stephen A. Sidorak,
The rest of the world has different priorities than Americans; they are far less interested in the complexion of our leaders than their policies. We should focus on policies too, instead of skin color. I don't think the two black Secretaries of State appointed by President Bush materially changed our standing in the world.
I didn't write that Obama's policy ideas lack substance, just that they don't match his post-partisan rhetoric. They are old-school liberal policies in a shiny new, post-partisan package. If that's what voters want fine, but the problem is that most voters don't seem to be paying any attention to what Obama's policies are.
I also wouldn't characterize as "racial sensitivity" the motivation behind voters' attraction to Obama. Supporting Obama is a status marker for upscale whites, a way of showing that they are more sophisticated and superior to red state Americans, whom they imagine are mostly ignorant bigots (never mind that the President elected by those red staters appointed more blacks to his cabinet than any previous President). Supporting Obama because he is black is no more racially sensitive than driving a Prius.
I will be happy with either three candidate's, as long as it's not a republican.
Noooo republicans please!
If Hillary hangs on they may can count on certain things to happen. Obama, overconfident, may begin to exude a certain arrogance and cockiness that turns voters off. He appears by his body language and ever escalating oratory that he is on the verge of making some major line gaffe that makes him sound like he has sainted himself. If the Clintons can convince folks he will eventually be considered reactionary and almost radical, they may get folks to start noticing it now.
Barack's "lack of substance" is a matter of political expediency. He doesn't need to get into policy wonk
YET, so why should he?
He's charismatic, brilliant, and committed. Let's applaud his strengths. His weaknesses are the GOP's concern.
"His weaknesses are the GOP's concern."
Do you want the most capable candidate or the most capable President? If Obama gets elected President, his weaknesses will be every American's concern.
Hillary did have one telling analogy: People vote for Obama today because they like him; that's exactly why they voted for Bush -- he was the guy more people wanted to have a beer with than Kerry.
Barack Hussein Obama is a "Motivational Speaker"
Obama gets by Hillary as people are just tired of the Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton program with the American Presidency.
Dems also know Hillary will be a "Lighting Rod " for the GOP which in the back of their minds spells disaster for them down the road.
Dems also know in the back of their minds that Obama is a complete "Rookie" as he was just a "State" Senator two years ago, (Doing what State Senators do best - Park dedications, Baby seat laws and Street namings). Obama lack of experience will play in the back of the minds of the Dems.
Jim Kelly - NY Conservative Campaigns
Why is Obama doing so much better than anyone could have predicted several months ago?
Primarily because there is a real sense of personal decency about the man. He wants to unite us! I think its wonderful that we have a candidate that both black and white Americans can feel equally good about.
Why is Huckabee doing so much better than anyone could have predicted several months ago?
There seems to be a sense of humility, and a real desire to help those less fortunate. I don't think there is anything "un-republican" about caring about others - at least I hope not.
Also, he has a wonderful sense of humor, that comes across as genuine. He's doing well for the same reasons Obama is doing well on the democratic side. Most of us are tired of "angry and divisive" politics. Both seem like they would make a genuine effort to bring us together!
I'm just thankful I can forget, for a moment, the horrors of the past 7 years. Let those of us who feel the same way have our moment. It will not last. If Hill & Bill win, expect another 4-8 years of hate and vitriol from the repugs.
When people want and vote for change what they usually get is the same old bs in a shiny new package. Nothing is going to change that this time around. Regardless of how pure of heart a president is, he or she still has to work with the other branches of government and put on about 100 different "hats" to get any thing done and be effective. Being an effective communicator is only one of those hats. Personally, I would like to see more of a record that indicates whether he can actually run something, like say, a state government. Unfortunately, he has no executive experience that I know of, and has been working in government as a state senator until about the time my little girl was born (she's going on 3).
Oh yes, I'm sure the republicans will love an Illinios liberal and only say nice things about him.
The type of person who would line up go to an Obama rally is the type of person who, 700 years ago, would line up to see the King and Queen in a parade and gladly take their cap off when they passed by: unsure of themselves and their society, and otherwise decidedly *not* indepedent-minded.
The key problem with Clinton/Bush is their shared arrogance. Clinton with all her experience declared herself the inevitable nominee of the Democratic Party. What kind of neophyte naiive politician makes that kind of prediction? She also looked inside herself when it came time to stand up against the Iraq war and with all her experience decided to support the President. If her experience keeps leading her to make mistakes it is not really experience at all just a series of errors that reveal her incompetence. Barack Obama is the only person who can heal this country and make it great again. O-Bama!
I was born, raised, educated and live in Iowa. I am a conservative Republican. I was one of those who crossed over to vote for Obama. I am also 50 years old and not one of the 20% of caucus goers who voted for Obama. I was one of the "seasoned" adults (you would think we weren't the majority based on media coverage that Obama's main draw is to the under 30 crowd). Obama is a symbol of what America could be and he draws people like me, not because of any particular issue, but because he offers the promise of bring people together to resolve real national problems. This is his main appeal to people who are sick of the same partisan infighting and avoiding coming together to figure out solutions. Democrats, Independents, Republicans: we are all Americans who care about our families, our interests and our country. The politics of division practiced by the Clintons and Karl Rove must end. This is Obama's appeal.
"heal this country" - people need to get some perspective. Kenya is a country that needs to heal, not this one.
"make it great again" - the greatness of this country isn't tied to a political ideology. Democrat, Republican, it doesn't matter. This country *is* great and will continue to be so.
So get your head out of the clouds and start examining issues and policies.
WE WOULD LIKE TO RETURN TO THE PERIOD OF
RECORDS SET
- The only president ever impeached on grounds of personal malfeasance
- Most number of convictions and guilty pleas by friends and associates*
- Most number of cabinet officials to come under criminal investigation
- Most number of witnesses to flee country or refuse to testify
- Most number of witnesses to die suddenly
- First president sued for sexual harassment.
- First president accused of rape.
- First first lady to come under criminal investigation
- Largest criminal plea agreement in an illegal campaign contribution case
- First president to establish a legal defense fund.
- First president to be held in contempt of court
- Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions
- Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions from abroad
- First president disbarred from the US Supreme Court and a state court
GO HILLARY
I see a long screed about Bill Clinton on here ...psst the last time he could run for office was 1996, that was 12 yrs ago. The quest and call for change by voters left and right is an acknowledgement of the failure in particular of this admin. in all facets of governing . The war in Iraq ,which has made us less safe, katrina , the burgeoning power of corporations, the lack of affordable health care, the outright ownership of our government by special interests,lack of response to global warming , weakening and gutting of protections for the U.S. consumer,and worker(toys , food from china, tainted meat plants,mine safety ,etc.) ,our failing infrastructure ,roads etc., a deficit that took over 200 years to get to has doubled in 8 years. If the american people continue to vote politicians into office who think that government is inherently evil , non functional ,and corrupt , don't be surprized if you get government that is evil ,non functional and corrupt.
Jillian's speak was great I loved it, oh and Mrs.Tanida its me Kim if you can by any chace read this and U ROCK I really miss you!!!!!!!!! good luck with th baby:)
P.S. she's my teacher at least she used too be
I really miss you I feel like crying cause I miss you so much...well anyway bye!
Mrs.tanida Its me kim again this is my email angel_kim96@yahoo.com