Obama gives it the old college try

[jefferson_dem]

Obama gives it the old college try
Students urged to attend caucus vote
By Mike Dorning

Tribune national correspondent

December 8, 2007

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa

Josh Mahoney, a 6-foot-1, 237-pound linebacker for the University of Northern Iowa's winning Panthers, stood on a platform at the campus gymnasium to introduce Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and roused the crowd with his promise.

"I personally am going to drive 41/2 hours from Sioux Falls, S.D. I'm going to come all the way back here, and I'm going to caucus," Mahoney said. "It's probably going to be the most important election of your entire life."

Younger voters -- much less college students from out-of-state -- have not historically played much of a role in the Iowa caucuses. In the last presidential caucus here, only 11 percent of participants in the Democratic caucuses were younger than 35, according to the state party. Less than 4 percent were 18- to 24-year-olds.

Yet with only a month to go before the caucuses and two of those weeks a period when many voters will be preoccupied by holiday celebrations, Obama devoted most of a three-day swing through Iowa this week to college campuses, making appearances at six Iowa schools. And at the cost of some negative reaction from Iowa political commentators, his campaign actively urged Iowa college students from out of state to return to campus for the Jan 3. caucuses that fall in the midst of winter breaks for most of them.

"Your futures will be decided by the decisions made in the next few years," the Illinois senator said at the University of Northern Iowa. "So I believe you will turn out. But don't make me look bad. I don't want to wind up on Jan 3. with people saying, 'See, he was wasting all that time with young people.'"

Younger voters and particularly college students are among the strongest supporters of Obama's presidential bid but it remains an open question how significant a role they will play in the presidential contest.

A national poll of 18- to 24-year-olds released this week by Harvard's Institute of Politics found Obama leading Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York in contrast to other national polls that have Clinton ahead with the overall public. Obama topped her by a nearly 2-1 margin among students at four-year colleges.

At the University of Iowa this week, students trudged through sleet and snow to see Obama at a 9 p.m. rally. At Grinnell College earlier in the evening, students were turned away at the door as a gymnasium crowd reached capacity.

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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-college_satdec08,1,7515268,print.story

[madrchsod]

1. "And at the cost of some negative reaction from Iowa political commentators,"

:rofl:......can`t let them college kids legally vote!..... :rofl:

[DaLittle Kitty]

2. Young Obama Supporters are Also Among the "Greenest", We Need to Savy Them Up Fast

Yes there is a very youthful and politically inexperienced/naive group of supporters out there who have gravitated to the personally charismatic Obama. It is because of this naivete' that they miss crucial aspects not only of his policies but his less than standout performance when he is jousting with his opponents on stage. As far as Obama/Oprah goes this will bring some more likely "naive" people out... Hopefully before they caucus or vote they'll compare this guy and his prospects regarding his electability as compared to sayyyy... John Edwards?

There is really very little negative to attack with John Edwards. So he is wealthy. All of the candidates save Dennis Kucinich are clearly outside the poor house as well. Obama does not earn much directly, however little mention is given to his wife being quite financially successful?

As for John Edwards, I’m really tired of hearing about John Edwards’ big house. FDR came from wealth, JFK and RFK came from wealth.

John Edwards came from the lower working middle class and earned his wealth. It’s what you do with your wealth and opportunity, not that you have it.

How much does Hillary spend (daily) on her hair/makeup/botox? etc.? I'll bet that Hillary has a staff plastic surgeon administering "touch-up" as necessary.:shrug:

John Edwards has been on the front line with working people and unions for years now. Paul Krugman’s column a couple days ago again made it clear why Obama is NOT ready for prime time. Obama's health care plan not only does NOT reach ALL Americans, but his arguments against those being promoted by Edwards and Clinton are based on flawed Republican talking points. He’s starting his efforts to win a battle for health care while putting his own team back in their own end zone. He did this as well by referring to Social Security as being in “crisis.” (of course Hillary returned the favor by saying that a plan to extend the payroll social security tax (FICA), to those earning income above 97,000 dollars was a “trillion dollar tax increase on the middle class.” :wtf:

Columnist Ellen Goodman penned a great piece recently entitled “Obama Can Unite, But Can He Fight?” that asks the basic question “Did Democrats go down in the last two Presidential elections because they were locked in a stale old fight, or because they lost that fight?” Ms. Goodman goes on to say that “Obama is a notoriously uneven performer. (Double clutching on the drivers licenses for illegal immigrants after having over two weeks to prepare is a PRIME EXAMPLE). He often commits the MOST AMATEURISH of candidate mistakes... NOT ANSWERING THE QUESTION IN THE TIME ALLOTTED even going beyond the sometimes additional time given and STILL NOT ANSWERING THE QUESTION!

Plain and simply Obama is in addition to everything else totally inexperienced to compete at this level mano y mano! Alone on a stage, he is often eloquent and inspirational, if I may use an Oprah word, however on the debate platform with his opponents, he is, well, considerably less impressive. Temperamentally he prefers to be above the fray. :eyes:

Eleen Goodman goes on to say that the 2008 general election campaign against ANY Republican will take place IN the "fray” and closes noting that “There’s still a difference between being an ICON of Change and an AGENT of CHANGE!

There IS a difference as well between being a fine philosopher king and a strong presidential challenger. :think:

From an Illinois voter ”I reiterate, I supported Obama for senate in my home state, but if you want to see the FIGHTER that the Democratic Party needs in the coming general election campaign see John Edwards’ speech at the recent DNC meeting (available through his website). You will see what a committed and passionate campaigner looks like, one who will make no apologies for core democratic beliefs and programs. :kick:

www.johnedwards.com I'll post the link to the DNC speech. THIS SPEECH IS THAT GOOD! It IS a general election speech by John Edwards! :woohoo: :applause: