Hiatus Interruptus: Obama’s Reno Campaign Stop
Photo courtesy of J.B.
That was fast wasn’t it? Okay, something important happened today–so important in fact that I was compelled to emerge from my all of a sudden very short hiatus–Obama came to Reno. Yes, I said Reno. He also made the obligatory pilgrimage to Comma Coffee in Carson City. See what you started Joe Biden?
While Hillary Clinton tried to out “black” Obama yesterday with her conference call endorsement announcement (uh, she actually succeeded I think), today, Obama spoke to the AP about his ability to win over rural voters in the Silver State. Except he was talking about Illinois rural voters. His support of liquefied coal and ethanol legislation probably has something to do with his Illinois rural support. That won’t work in Nevada (see Gibbons and lack of coal in Nevada), but, praising the gaming industry just might.
So today’s appearance. First of all, Obama was late and it was hot. And sunny. And did I say it was hot? Obama was pretty good–but he’s no Hillary Clinton in person, and no, that’s not because he is not a Caucasian woman, she just out performs him in every way except wage and support of the war in Iraq. If you’ll remember, many people cried actual tears at Clinton’s appearance–if that’s not rockstar power–I don’t know what is. Obama is more charismatic on TV, Clinton less so. Why? Well, personally, I think it has something to do with the fact that he is a young, black man rather than an older white woman, but that’s me. I find Obama’s stance on troop redeployment just wrong and I think he knows it. Yes, he denounced the war–yes–good. But I don’t think he is giving us a realistic solution. There is no way we can safely have all combat troops out of Iraq by whenever he said next year, and I am hardly a hawk. I think its a little irresponsible to say it.
Besides the war and civil rights, health care and education where the big topics of the day which brings me to Obama’s health care plan. Its not universal. Enough said. Why start from a position of compromise?
Don’t misunderstand me–I like Obama. I like that he is the latest dish, the new kid on the block, that he is thoughtful and intelligent, young and handsome, not to mention politically gifted. He’d probably make a fine president–hell–Tracy Morgan would make a better president than who we have now. But, I was not inspired. I’m not saying others weren’t, but I wasn’t. In a way, that is what makes Obama formidable—he symbolizes positive change simply by showing up.
As a commenter on Dullard Mush noted, the crowd estimate reported by the AP seems inflated.
Now, back to Redemption Song.
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Well, I was never much of a Tracy Morgan fan. Until 30 Rock that is. Now I just might vote for him for President. I wonder if he did coke like our current commander-in-chief?
OK, Myrna, I usually agree with you on most everything but I’d have to say that 4,000 was a fair estimate, if not short. Why?
I was stuck over on one of the bridges and had to watch the man through the leaves of a tree. The “treehuggers” view of Obama. Being forced to the outer limits of the event gave me a broader view of the crowd. People were sticking out of things, standing in and on things, hanging from things. They were everywhere. It was by far a larger crowd then Clinton’s was.
And crying. Well, I don’t know who you sat next to but the people I was standing around were crying.
I don’t think we were crying because of Obama. We’ve had enough and we are all looking for hope.
I agree with Christiane’s assessment (KJFK), Obama speaks to our “better side”. He gave people hope that we are still the good country we’ve always been and that we can get that back in the world’s view.
I haven’t had a chance to see if my photos came out yet. I’ll post them later if they did.
One thing I’ve noticed is that from the Edwards crowd to the Clinton crowd to the Obama crowd. It gets bigger everytime. Why?
I don’t think it is about individual candidates as much as it is that more and more people are looking for answers and change and hope from the Bush “you are on your own” agenda that we have been squashed by in the past 6-7 years.
We are lucky to have such good choices in candidates. Can’t wait to see what happens if Gore jumps in.
BTW, for the geeks out there, take some time to watch old JFK campaign footage. Who does he remind you of?
OK, Myrna, I usually agree with you on most everything but I’d have to say that 4,000 was a fair estimate, if not short. Why?
I was stuck over on one of the bridges and had to watch the man through the leaves of a tree. The “treehuggers” view of Obama. Being forced to the outer limits of the event gave me a broader view of the crowd. People were sticking out of things, standing in and on things, hanging from things. They were everywhere. It was by far a larger crowd then Clinton’s was. So I guess I disagree with the poster over at Dullard Mush.
And crying. Well, I don’t know who you all sat next to but the people I was standing around were crying.
I don’t think we were crying because of Obama. We’ve had enough and we are all looking for hope. And I, for one, am ashamed of what this country has stooped to under Bush and Cheney’s large asses sitting over us heads.
I agree with Christiane’s assessment (KJFK), Obama speaks to our “better side”. He gave people hope that we are still the good country we’ve always been and that we can get that back in the world’s view.
I haven’t had a chance to see if my photos came out yet. I’ll post them later if they did.
One thing I’ve noticed is that from the Edwards crowd to the Clinton crowd to the Obama crowd. It gets bigger everytime. Why?
I don’t think it is about individual candidates as much as it is that more and more people are looking for answers and change and hope from the Bush “you are on your own” agenda that we have been squashed by in the past 6-7 years.
We are lucky to have such good choices in candidates. Can’t wait to see what happens if Gore jumps in.
BTW, for the geeks out there, take some time to watch old JFK campaign footage. Who does he remind you of?
His support of liquefied coal and ethanol legislation probably has something to do with his Illinois rural support.
Could it have also had something to do with the fact that his opponent was Alan Keyes, a certifiably crazy, certifiably black man who didn’t live within 1000 miles of the state — and whom Obama outspent 10-1?
Is that his plan for beating McCain or Thompson?
I’m clearly not an objective observer or commentator on this matter, but Hillary wasn’t inspiring to me at all. (over at
Hug High).
I’m not even going to bother saying “wow” so far as Obama goes.
Thank God he is running. I hope he is our next President.
Mike -
I heard the Hillary town hall didn’t go well in Vegas either(rumor at this point – would love some hard facts). I guess she showed up late (45 minutes) and then people started to leave early so she cut the Q&A section short and started to work the room.
People complained that Dubya was a policy novice, and incapable of having a competent foreign agenda. Well, if Bush was ill-prepared for foriegn affairs, then what is Obama? The guys is a junior Senator in a labor-heavy state and has never ran for office in a highly contested election.
Furthermore, when is the last time a Senator won the presidency?
Answer…..Never!
JFK was a Senator.
Rory, exactly 15 of our presidents were mere senators before attaining the highest office.
Check it here
Granted, Nixon was the most recent, nearly 40 years ago.
many people cried actual tears at Clinton’s appearance–if that’s not rockstar power–I don’t know what is.
Yeah, rockstar power, couldn’t possibly be her appeal to a bunch of hysterical, drama-wrought women in attendance, could it?
Nice, blatant sexism is always an attractive personal quality, asshole.
So, what I’ve gleaned from all of this is that you’re supporting a Tracy Morgan/Tina Fey ticket? I do like Morgan’s tough stance on toll roads…