People who are anti-establishment and who are not insiders or
who are not a part of the status quo, are looking toward U.S.
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill) and his campaign to lead them and the
rest of the country.
These are the Believers Obama speaks of in his campaign--except
they aren't really a part of his campaign--yet. They are the
so-called fence riders, independents, disillusioned Republicans
or youth.
They seem to have been waiting for a man like Obama to show up
and lead them into a new century and a civilized, more refined
America.
The free Obama rally held Saturday morning at
Nashua High School, in northern New Hampshire, was filled to
capacity and in overflow sections. Many people wanted to see for them
selves the crowd and hear the message of hope Obama has been
delivering across the country.
Parents who have older children who are Obama supporters, are
now becoming Obama supporters themselves.
One C-Span caller said Obama is energizing the youth. She
admitted that she graduated high school in 1968 and is ready
for the excitement of her youth that presidential candidates
exuded.
Many who spoke to C-Span reporters Saturday at the rally,
expressed that they either never attended a political rally or
felt they had no real choice among candidates or wanted to get
a taste of Obama just in case their Republican candidate didn't
make the cut.
Words like truthful, logical, trustworthy, wisdom and
inspiring have been used by callers in New Hampshire to
describe Obama as a person and as a presidential candidate.
These people believe he is a candidate of change.
Explaining to the crowd that he moved to Chicago after college
to work for a group of churches in a South Side grassroots
movement, he admitted he was used to long hours and low pay.
That job paid him $12,000 a year and carfare.
He worked with the program for three years setting up job
training and other social service programs.
All eyes are now on Obama if all eyes weren't on him already.
The momentum of winning the Iowa Democratic Caucuses seem to
swing right into play in New Hampshire on Friday night before a
frenzied crowd at the 100 Club Dinner and Saturday morning at
the high school.
He encouraged them to vote and to vote for him. He promised to
be persuasive.
He asked of the undecided in the crowd to show their hands. He
pointed out to his campaign workers there were a lot of them.
"I'm putting you on warning. We are coming after you today,"
the charmer said with a smile.
He spoke of the Iowa win to the crowd. He spoke before a sea of
people at the high school about having three days to prove
himself to them and to change America.
Many of the signs expressed love and he expressed that love
right back.
His whole campaign seemed to be based on love--for America.
"We have a chance to come together as Democrat, Republican and
Independent... and say we are one people. The time has come to
move beyond the anger. It's time to move beyond tearing
opponents down and instead bring the country together.
He said he is about healing fractures in the country
but is he only an anomaly? A spectacle?
Has he obtained superstar status and in the minds of voters
and thus stands on a pedestal?
No, because after his speech Friday and again Saturday at the
high school, he descended the platform, came from behind the
podium and walked amongst his people.
Those with signs of support, the undecided, those with camera
phones poised to snap photo pressed against him as he and shook
hands and greeted the people. He answered questions, had copies
of his book waved at him for an autograph. Boom mikes and
television cameras were thrust into his face. He looked to be
at home there in that environment among the regular people like
him who have not quite given up hope--those who still believe.
It puts one in mind of Biblical stories where Jesus is
described as pressing through the crowds--the throngs of people
who would show up to here his voice. Obama is a draw, a magnet
and many people are sticking to him.
I heard a man holler out, voice resonating with hope, "Barack
we're all betting on you man. We're all betting on you," as the
end of the event played out on C-span.
During his speech he basically said vote for honesty,
believe in action instead of talk, believe in the American
Dream again where everyone in the country really gets a chance
at success and the common man doesn't suffer from basic needs
going unmet--like in undeveloped countries.
"I know what it's like to see a loved one suffer," he said.
Obama told the story of his mom, who while sick with cancer and
dying in a hospital bed, was still reading insurance papers to
see if her treatment would be covered. He said she had just
gotten a new job and wanted to know if she was covered. He said
she spent the last few years of her life reading insurance
papers. She died at the age of 53 never, getting to see her
grandchildren.
He capitalized on his boldness in front of automakers in
Detroit.
"That's what people are looking for -- an honest assessment of
choices we have to make. America is back and we are ready to
lead once again. I will not hesitate to strike against those
who mean us harm but I will bring troops home," he said.
He said he is not running because of a long held ambition or
because he thinks its his turn but because of--quoting the Rev.
Dr. Martin Luther King--the fierce urgency of now.
"This isn't about me. It's about you and saying we can do
better than we've been doing," he said.
But how to go about change? Turn the hear up on the
Republicans?
No, he said it's best to engage with opponents and figure out a
comparable solution--the lawyer in him talking--about negotiating
a good deal.
On both sides, there have been casualties, so bringing all who
feel disenfranchised together is a good strategy.
"We don't need more heat--we need more light."
Obama's grandfather fought in General Patton's Army, he said,
during his speeches and his grandmother stayed home with the
baby and later worked on an assembly line making bombs.
He talked about being raised by a single mother and those World
War II era grandparents--making him a bridge of generations.
He talked about not having much by way of luxuries but having
an education and hope--something that his nay sayers say have
made him idealistic and in the words of some of his opponents
-- unelectable.
"I should not be standing here ..and there is no other country
on earth where I could be standing here, so yes, I believe in
hope," he said.
However, the going is going to get tough and Obama is nowhere
near the end.
"I know it's going to be tough...but there has never been
meaningful change in this country unless somebody somewhere
stood up (for what is right). That's how the colonists threw
off the evil empire...slaves became free."
