INDIANAPOLIS — Sen. Barack Obama had a press conference this morning, telling reporters he knows, "We've had a rough couple of weeks, I won't deny that," but predicting that if he talks to voters about their hopes and dreams he will win the nomination.
"We control our own fate in this situation, and if I'm running the kind of campaign I want to run, I think that I will prevail," he said.
I have a story in today's print edition about what the Joe Andrew endorsement signifies for Obama, who is closer to the nomination each day but slipping in polls as he keeps fielding questions about the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Democratic establishment is steadily moving toward ensuring Sen. Barack Obama's nomination for president even as more of the party's voters view him as a damaged candidate.
Mr. Obama is fewer than 300 delegates from the nomination, and inches closer with each day and each superdelegate endorsement, but he is losing ground in national polls and in the final contest states in the wake of negative campaigning, big-state losses and several dust-ups involving his former pastor.
Poll after poll shows that the Democratic front-runner's image has been sullied and that many Democrats who back his rival, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, say they won't back Mr. Obama if he is the party choice.
But party leaders such as former Democratic National Committee Chairman Joe Andrew are flocking to Mr. Obama's side, urging others to do the same and close the delegate gap so Democrats can unify in time for the fall.
Read the full story here.
Also, I was the pool reporter yesterday when Obama stopped into a VFW hall in rural Indiana. Here's my pool report:
Sen. Barack Obama and General Scott Gration went to "mix and mingle" with voters at the VFW Post 1954 in North Liberty, Indiana. The 22 people initially in the hall (which was really a bar, with a pool table, etc.) had short notice about the Obama visit, and most said they were excited to see history even if they weren't supporters. It was an entirely white crowd, which grew in the 55 minutes of the OTR stop. He also changed a few minds by doing his thang.
As Obama started shaking hands in the parking lot, your pool was ushered inside to get preset. The 5:30 news had just started and what do you know, the Dem battle was the lead story.
As he tried to leave the parking lot, a youth softball team got wind he was there and ambushed him. Your pool ran back out to witness the senator signing the arms of children in black marker, signing softballs and posing for pictures. There was a lot of squealing, including, "She's never going to wash her hand again!" Most of the kids were ages 10 to 12.
"I hope I don't get in trouble with your parents," Obama told the kids whose hands he'd signed.
"Here comes the president," shouted Austin, 12, who stuck around and later had Obama autograph his glove.
When Obama finally started to leave the parking lot, he announced, "I'm going to see if I might get a beer in there."
He entered the VFW hall when the Coors Light clock read 5:43, and within a few minutes, he told the crowd, "I'm not going to give a speech or anything, I just want to stop by … and maybe get a beer as well."
VFW Post Commander Harl Shafer, who served in the Army from 1966 to 1968 in Vietnam, got laughs from his crowd when he made Obama and the general sign the guest book as required by notice posted on the wall.
Obama greeted George L Sheneman, 80, who pulled out a yellowed letter which Obama read and thanked the man for his service. Your pooler chatted later with Sheneman, who was born in North Liberty and who said he is now an Obama supporter. The letter was one of gratitude from President Truman, written in 1947 when he was discharged from Korea. He served there before the war.
"He made up my mind today," the veteran said. "After meeting him he changed what I thought about him before. Mainly we need to get rid of what we've got."
After talking to Sheneman, Obama noticed that the pool cameras were "blocking the bartender." He looked at what the VFW members were drinking and announced: "I'm going to have a Bud." He got some hazing and then Vic Vukovits, who works for Anheuser-Busch, shouted, "I'm going to vote for you if you drink Budweiser."
He took a big sip from his icy cold can, a much better attempt than the little sip he took from that brewery in Bethlehem, Pa. last Sunday.
Mark Lichnevowicz, who owns a 34-acre farm nearby, asked Obama who he would pick for his running mate.
"You interested?" he asked, adding there is a "vetting" process to make sure the man didn't have any "skeletons."
"I haven't decided yet because I haven't won the nomination," he told Lichnevowicz, who later said he supports Obama and would like him to pick former Sen. John Edwards as a running mate if he gets the Dem nod. He said Edwards would help Obama win the southern vote but added he worried the Dems would have "no choice" but to go Clinton-Obama because he probably will need all of her supporters to beat McCain.
He also said he thinks Obama is the most intelligent candidate running and he doesn't like Clinton's "contradictions" she's made on the campaign trail.
In the usual style, he worked the room and asked everyone where they served or what they do for work. He occasionally popped some nuts in his mouth.
Obama, sleeves rolled up and Bud can in hand, vigorously shook hands with ZZ-top-style goateed auxiliary VFW member Ken Boyer, 40, who was undecided before Obama came in. His main priorities for a president are someone that will create "just a good future, something better than what I have, for my three sons."
"Things like this don't happen in this town," gushed Garrett Williams, an auxiliary member and mechanic sitting at the bar.
Sitting down with a few voters in the hall, Obama fielded questions on high gas prices and asked people how much they are paying and how much it affects them. He gave standard stump answers and made no news (Clinton, McCain plan to suspend tax is gimmick, etc.). He also talked about the foreclosure crisis, also no news.
"We're going to be fighting for you," Obama told one man who asked about gas prices.
He talked about merit pay for teachers, investing in clean energy as long-term fix. Surprisingly, your pooler heard no talk of Iraq.
The entire time he took big sips of his Bud, and finished it as he stood up. He autographed it for someone, and one member of the pool spotted a second fresh one for the senator getting passed off to Reggie. I haven't been able to confirm this yet.
— Christina Bellantoni, national political reporter, The Washington Times
Comments (11)
If his presidency is anything like his remarkable campaign effort, calm, professional, and marked by honesty and integrity in the face of so many obstacles, this country will be rise to a level of world stature that had only last year seemed utterly impossible.
I hope that Senator Obama will continue to persevere and win this primary, and then the general election.
Posted by Barry Scott | May 2, 2008 2:14 PM
Facts are a stubborn thing. Obama cannot close his 20 year old relationship with Wright because there is so much video evidence against it. On the TV program THE VIEW, Obama declared that Reverend Wright accepted that his view were inappropriate and mischaracterized. That it had offended many people. Then weeks later Wright goes on a national Hate America Press Tour? This was a blatant lie. Or worse, Obama was fooled by Wright which is kind of scary. That a possible next president can be played by a character such as Wright.
Posted by Leanza Cornett | May 2, 2008 2:30 PM
That is nice. MIxing it up with the local folk. I have been a lifelong Democrat, proud of the values and ideals the party stands for. Now, I am disappointed, disenfranchised (yea, I am one of the "no vote counts" Floridians) and really ticked off at the debacle our party has made of the whole primary season. Had we done it like Republicans, there would be a clear winner already (actually, long ago) and we would not have had this long battle. On the good side, it allows all of us to see what each candidate is made of, good and bad, and how they respond to stress, scrutiny and missteps. So play it out.
I am really, REALLY ticked off at the media for their lack of journalistic oversight early on in this campaign to expose all the skeletons in Obama's closet so we would know what to expect, BEFORE we voted. What a concept. WE all know, ad nauseaum, about Hillary's issues and at least can see her for her strengths and weaknesses and make an informed decision. Just NOW �realizing� that Obama has some serious judgement issues and associations that the Republicans are sure to exploit, is annoying and down right scary. Shame on you.
Let the voters all vote (yea, even FL and MI), let the info be out there for all to see, and let the system the DNC so "carefully" put in place 20+ years ago actually play out. Otherwise, what was the point? Note to Joe Andrews: do NOT tell us we should "end this now", and do NOT assume just because YOU have decided to back Obama, that we should all just fall in line (Sounds Republican to me) behind you. Hypocrisy and arrogance. Two things I am starting to see more and more of from Obama's camp and supporters. Ugh
Posted by sunny florida | May 2, 2008 3:02 PM
The news should highlight HILLARY HAS LOST THE ENTIRE BLACK VOTE....FOREVER !!!
This is the message currently being sent by blacks to the DNC in great numbers (and the superdelegates). There is no way Hillary will defeat McCain without the support of Black America aka the guaranteed Democratic vote. Please read Huffington Posts story on how the Hillary Camp has been feeding Obama attacks TO THE GOP !!!!! What a traitor to the Democratic Party !!!!!!!! Hillary started out with 82% of the black support. But as Blacks learned more about her (Goldwater Girl...Against Civil Rights Act '64....It was LBJ...Not MLK....etc) combined with Bill's (...fairy tale....Jessie Won S.C. too...etc.)...blacks were shocked beyond repair. (remember....we luved Bill so much we called him 'The First Black President')....but never again....WHERE'S THAT STORY. And if the DNC thinks.....'ohhhhhh....the blacks will be angry at first...but they'll come around'.....then they don't know the severity of what the Clinton's have done....This has nothing to do with Obama !!!! We (blacks) have awakened to the truth about the Clintons......and with more exposure like today's Huff story re: Hill's feeding the GOP Obama smears...our friends of ALL races will awaken soon !!!!!!!!!...THAT'S THE REAL STORY !!!!
Greg Jones
Posted by Greg Jones | May 2, 2008 3:06 PM
Sen. Barack Obama had a press conference this morning, telling reporters he knows, "We've had a rough couple of weeks, I won't deny that," but predicting that if he talks to voters about their hopes and dreams he will win the nomination.
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Hopes and dreams may be inspiring to shallow minds, but for those of us living in reality, hopes and dreams talk is not going to work.
We want to know what you have done...that gives us a good indication what you will do.
Obama has a heard of radical friends....he hasn't done anything for this country.
Posted by Jen | May 2, 2008 3:13 PM
The man is a class act. Pure and simple.
Posted by festinog | May 2, 2008 3:18 PM
Christina: I am a former Clinton/Gore 1992 Campaign worker who is also a resident of one of Hillary's adopted "home states" of New York. Periodically I find my way to your posts and find them very telling in their simplicity. This one in particular tells a story of a very honest, hard working, decent man running for President up against a Clinton Machine hell bent on painting him something that he is not, trying to distort who he is and scaring the hell out of Americans, some of whom are too caught up in their own life drama and survival, to verify the accuracy of the fraudulence of the Clintons. What is happening is a damn shame. Hillary has a bigger problem if she loses the nomination. She is alienating a growing portion of the local electorate, many of us here in New York will turn into activists to insure that she is never re-elected in New York. Her blind ambition has led her to run a destructive campaign to divide America. I am not a paid staffer of any campaign so I can say it, Hillary is a Monster swimming in the cesspool of political corruption that her husband has laid for them.
Posted by Christopher London | May 2, 2008 3:21 PM
Apparently. the news media control the polls and creates the bogus figures. Some Americans say they will vote for Clinton or Obama, but in reality they will vote for McCain. Obama is a GREAT guy, and he is more genuine than Clinton, but their policies are the same..Universal health care, I am wondering where all the money will come from????? I am satisfied with the present health care system, the only thing that needs to be taken care of is the people who needs Health Insurance, not a Universal Health, which will not even pass in congress. We need to look at the URGENT needs. They will raise our tax again,,,Hillary is a pathological LIAR and panders a lot. I am a DEMOCRAT that likes McCain and the policies are acceptable. This man is CREDIBLE and REALLY GENUINE and I will definitely VOTE for HIm.....
Posted by Robby | May 2, 2008 3:23 PM
When he isn't being judged on forwarded emails, media hype, and Hillary gutter politics....when people can see, hear and judge for themselves, he always comes out on top. I tried to see him in Cleveland in March of 2007, but the crowd was so enormous, we had to view the rally from on an adjoining building on a mega TV. Some want to kiss the Blarney Stone or have their water blessed by the Pope. I just want to shake hands this with wonderfully intelegent, brave, honest ethical man. I just can't understand anyone supporting Hillary and her baggage of lies, fraud, etc. over this honest, ethical human being. I hope the people of Indian can store their fears away and see the light. That they can see Hillary's "user" tactics and not be fooled. I hope they make history and put this primary stuff to bed by voting for the better person...Obama!
Posted by Cheryl | May 2, 2008 3:43 PM
When this campaigning first started out, I had strongly hoped that there would be a Clinton/Obama ticket. Although I did not think Obama was ready for the presidency, due to his lack of experience, I thought eight years as VP would season him. However, now after all these months of campaigning, I can honestly say I would not vote for him in any capacity. I am sick and tired of his camp's guerrilla tactics. He talks of change, of being a unifer, etc., etc., etc., and yet, at every turn, his campaign has caused dissent and division amongst voters and the party. But what really gets me is the slyness of it all. They carefully inject race into the issue, hinting that people who don't agree with Obama are racists, or they must be stupid, uneducated hicks. Someone asks a tough or uncomfortable question, and suddenly that person is a negative campaigner, or Obama's not being treated fairly. Frankly, some of the comments I've read from Obama supporters are just downright despicable. Don't get me wrong, I know some Hillary supports are inappropriate, but it seems to me the trashiness of the Obama camp far outweighs Hillary's supporters. But what I really question, is Obama's role in all this. Is he aware of and condones these sly tactics? If so, then his message of being above the fray is clearly as phony as a three dollar bill. And if he is unaware of his campaign's tactics, then what does that say about him as a leader? Well I am neither a racist, nor uneducated, but I can clearly see there is serious problems with Obama. He has an extremely sketchy track record. He claims that he's going to do a lot of stuff, but he talks very little about how he is going to accomplish it. Don't believe me? Check out his website. Also, a number of his past associations are being questioned. Whether or not they should have sway in the voting, they will no doubt be fodder for the Republican party. And lets face it, the guy has a rough month and he's wilting like a flower out of water. What in the world would he do in November, when he really has to face a negative opponent? I mean, let's be real, compared to what the Republicans will do, the Clinton campaign has pretty much been a cake walk. I'm sorry, no matter how you slice this pie, Obama is a poor choice.
Oh, and for the "dead" guy/girl?? Obama was not in office for the war vote, so who is to say how he would have voted? However, since his track record since on the war, has been the same as Hillary's, I'm guessing he would have voted "yes" too.
Posted by Angela | May 2, 2008 8:40 PM
MY FELLOW "BITTER", STUPID, WORKING CLASS PEOPLE :-)
If you think like Barack Obama, that WORKING CLASS PEOPLE are just a bunch of "BITTER"!, STUPID, PEASANTS, Cash COWS!, and CANNON FODDER. :-(
You Might Be An Idiot! :-)
If you think Barack Obama with little or no experience would be better than Hillary Clinton with 35 years experience.
You Might Be An Idiot! :-)
If you think that Obama with no experience can fix an economy on the verge of collapse better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) led the greatest economic expansion, and prosperity in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot! :-)
If you think that Obama with no experience fighting for universal health care can get it for you better than Hillary Clinton. Who anticipated this current health care crisis back in 1993, and fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds to get universal health care for all the American people.
You Might Be An Idiot! :-)
If you think that Obama with no experience can manage, and get us out of two wars better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) went to war only when he was convinced that he absolutely had to. Then completed the mission in record time against a nuclear power. AND DID NOT LOSE THE LIFE OF A SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER. NOT ONE!
You Might Be An Idiot! :-)
If you think that Obama with no experience saving the environment is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) left office with the greatest amount of environmental cleanup, and protections in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot! :-)
If you think that Obama with little or no education experience is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) made higher education affordable for every American. And created higher job demand and starting salary�s than they had ever been before or since.
You Might Be An Idiot! :-)
If you think that Obama with no experience will be better than Hillary Clinton who spent 8 years at the right hand of President Bill Clinton. Who is already on record as one of the greatest Presidents in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot! :-)
If you think that you can change the way Washington works with pretty speeches from Obama, rather than with the experience, and political expertise of two master politicians ON YOUR SIDE like Hillary and Bill Clinton..
You Might Be An Idiot! :-)
If you think all those Republicans voting for Obama in the Democratic primaries, and caucuses are doing so because they think he is a stronger Democratic candidate than Hillary Clinton. :-)
Best regards
jacksmith... Working Class :-)
p.s. You Might Be An Idiot! :-)
If you don't know that the huge amounts of money funding the Obama campaign to try and defeat Hillary Clinton is coming in from the insurance, and medical industry, that has been ripping you off, and killing you and your children. And denying you, and your loved ones the life saving medical care you needed. All just so they can make more huge immoral profits for them-selves off of your suffering...
You see, back in 1993 Hillary Clinton had the audacity, and nerve to try and get quality, affordable universal health care for everyone to prevent the suffering and needless deaths of hundreds of thousands of you each year. :-)
Approx. 100,000 of you die each year from medical accidents from a rush to profit by the insurance, and medical industry. Another 120,000 of you die each year from treatable illness that people in other developed countries don�t die from. And I could go on, and on...
OBAMA AIDE: "WORKING-CLASS VOTERS NOT KEY FOR DEMOCRATS" :o
DEBATE! DEBATE!! DEBATE!!!...
Posted by jacksmith | May 3, 2008 12:04 AM