Obama delves into Kansas family roots

[DeepModem Mom]

LAT: Obama delves into Kansas family roots
In the deeply Republican state, the Democrat speaks about humble beginnings and unity. Also, he wins the endorsement of Gov. Sebelius.
By Maria L. La Ganga, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
January 30, 2008

EL DORADO, KAN. -- The candidate was at a loss for words Tuesday, which in this campaign is a rare occurrence.

Standing in a packed gym in wind-swept Midwest oil country, Barack Obama was trying to explain how he and the 72-year-old white woman in the audience, with her hair band and spangly blue cardigan, happen to be related. Obama had traveled here to his grandfather's birthplace to make a point about humble beginnings and possibility, about unity and shared purpose, and he was using his family's roots in deeply Republican Kansas as an illustration. At least, he was trying to....

The Illinois senator never got it quite right, but Margaret McCurry Wolf of Hutchinson, Kan. -- looking extremely proud and a little bit flustered -- was willing to explain their bond to anyone who asked. "His grandmother is my first cousin," said Wolf, who had switched her voter registration from Republican to Democrat a month ago so she could caucus for Obama on Feb. 5. "I want him to make it so bad. I pray daily for him."

The candidate is not in South Carolina anymore, where African Americans helped him to victory in the primary on Saturday. When he talks inclusiveness in El Do-RAY-do (population 12,000, 94% white), he means something just a little bit different.

At least that's what Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius stressed, when she joined Obama on Tuesday to announce her endorsement. A Democrat who once picked a former state GOP chairman for a running mate, Sebelius has gained national notice for her success in one of the most Republican states in America.

"Barack Obama has Midwestern values, values that we know about," Sebelius said. "He got them from his grandparents and from his mom," the Kansas branch of Obama's multiracial family. (His mother was white; his father was a black Kenyan.) "He understands how to bring people together across party lines," she said. "He knows about not just working for the individual good but working for the common good . . . the kinds of values we believe in here in the heartland."...

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-obama30jan30,0,584356.story?track=mostviewed-storylevel

[Fredda Weinberg]

1. Is Sebelius aware that Obama's mother sent him off the mainland?

Midwestern values? Just a slap against urbanites

[Barack_America]

2. Folks, we've finally devolved to the level of mother-bashing...

I was wondering how long it would take us to sink this low.

[DJ13]

3. That should be no surprise

"Say ANYTHING, Do ANYTHING to get elected"

We need a new name instead of "Swiftboating" to reflect when Hillary supporters try to act Republican in her name.

[cali]

5. LOL! you are a riot.

Obama's mother moved out of Kansas and that's a slap against urbanites. Wacky as all get out, that's you.

[Fredda Weinberg]

6. How dense ... the dig was from the Governor. n/t

[JDPriestly]

4. I think this was a wise move on Obama's part.

Many more American families than you would believe are of mixed racial background. You would be very surprised, we all would be very surprised to know the truth on this.