by John McCormick
FAIRFIELD, Iowa – It was a funky way to end a fairly traditional day of Iowa campaigning.
While Iowa is often viewed as mile upon mile of cornfields, this town is a little different. It's home to the Maharishi University of Management and there were plenty of flip-flop sandals on hand as Sen. Barack Obama arrived Tuesday evening.
With C-SPAN cameras rolling live, Obama gave his most animated effort of the day, delivering a forceful 34-minute speech to hundreds gathered around the town's square.
The southeastern Iowa community has many followers of the international transcendental meditation movement. And it's one of the best places in the state to deliver an anti-war message.
"I am proud that in 2002 I stood before a crowd about this size. Bush was at 60 percent. The war was popular at the time…The drums of war were beating," Obama said. "I was in the midst of running for the United States Senate and I stood before this crowd and said this is a bad idea…I wish I had not been right because we are now here. And let's face it, there are no good options in Iraq."
Obama gave his speech facing the east, just as entrances to many new buildings are designed here to point toward the rising sun. He said he is hopeful for the country the more he campaigns.
"I get teased sometimes for talking about the politics of hope because people, particularly reporters, tend to get cynical," he said. "He's peddling hope again. He's a hope-monger. But that's OK. I don't mind. I have good reason to be hopeful."
We'll see what Wednesday brings, as Obama campaigns in southeast and central Iowa with his family. They will not only be celebrating the 4th of July, but also the birthday of Obama's daughter, Malia, who is turning nine.
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Comments
Just wanted to say Happy Independence Day everyone. I hope we remember that only together, can we face the challenges ahead.
This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis
Posted by: bill r. | July 4, 2007 8:32 AM
"If all men were good, none need be brave."
-- Aristotle (I think?)
Posted by: [INSERT CLEVER POST NAME HERE] | July 4, 2007 9:18 AM
For those of you that appreciate freedom and independence - Happy Independence Day.
Posted by: Terry | July 4, 2007 9:33 AM
"The war was popular at the time…The drums of war were beating."
- BO
The drums of war may have been beating, but I'd hardly say "the (idea of) war was popular at the time."
As I recall, polls showed the nation evenly split UNTIL the war began. At that point, the cry to "support the troops" pushed many who had reservations into the "pro-war" group.
Only in the past year has the tide turned.
Unlike many of those lemmings, I held my reservations - realizing that at the end of the day we were going to have to replace the ol' boss with a new dictator. To me, that wasn't worth the death or dismemberment of tens of thousands of Iraqis and Americans.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | July 4, 2007 9:33 AM
Actually he's a HYPE-MONGER. Nothing but a snake-oil salesman
Posted by: Terry | July 4, 2007 9:40 AM
bill r.,
Don't forget that lawn buddy.
Merry Independence Day!
Posted by: Doug Zook | July 4, 2007 9:58 AM
The "Maharishi University of Management"?
According to the school's website, it was founded by the "Maharish Mehesh Yogi", "the Vedic sage", and features learning via "Transcendental Meditation". A 2 minute video of the Maharish Mehesh Yogi can be downloaded from the website.
All in all, a very fitting place for the Maharishi Obama to give his usual proposal-lacking speech.
Posted by: Bruce | July 4, 2007 10:26 AM
He's a hope-monger. Nothing wrong with that. Happy 4th to all including you neo-con war-monger windbags!!!
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | July 4, 2007 11:39 AM
I'll second that, Bill R.
Posted by: John D | July 4, 2007 12:48 PM
Barack Obama brings hope; Bush & Cheney only bring despair.
Posted by: BC | July 4, 2007 8:08 PM
"Obama gave his speech facing the East"
Of course,that's where Mecca is....
Hmmmm?
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | July 4, 2007 8:10 PM
Bruce,
drop the racism. It's insulting to all of us.
Posted by: Mrs. Jesus | July 5, 2007 4:03 AM
Mrs Jesus,
HUH?!
Where is the racism in Bruce's comment?
Are you saying that simply pointing out Obama's lack of gravitas is racist? How so?
If I were to say the same thing about Fred Thompson would I be guilty of racism too?
Posted by: [INSERT CLEVER POST NAME HERE] | July 5, 2007 10:41 AM
Mrs. J, drop the calling folks racist nonsense! It's just plain insulting!
Posted by: John D | July 5, 2007 10:45 AM
"Obama gave his speech facing the East"
Of course,that's where Mecca is....
Hmmmm?
Paula
Posted by: Paula | July 4, 2007 8:10 PM
He's a Christian moron.
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | July 5, 2007 11:13 AM
Logic Prisoner, why did you call Obama a Christian moron?
Obama isn't stupid, and who cares about his (or any candidate's) religion anyway?
Posted by: Anonymous | July 5, 2007 11:45 AM
More on Obama's appearance, from politico.com, a site the Swamp often cites:
"FAIRFIELD, Iowa -- Sen. Barack Obama drew his heartiest welcome of a two-day swing through Iowa in the state's capital of inner peace.
To the frustration of the cameramen in the Fairfield town square, Obama delivered his remarks facing east, with the setting sun behind him blotting out their shots.
But here, there’s a power even higher than the television networks: Obama had positioned himself in alignment with the rotation of the earth, in accordance with the teachings of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, whose followers moved en masse to this small Iowa city more than 30 years ago.
...
After September 11, the Maharishi was briefly back in the news when he introduced an antidote to terrorism called “Invincible Defense Technology,” and reliant on the meditation technique known as “Yogic Flying.”
We've finally discovered Obama's defense policy: "Yogic Flying"!
Posted by: Bruce | July 5, 2007 12:39 PM
The people in Fairfield are awesome. I don't live there but I had the chance to meet and talk with many of them. They shrug off derisive comments with good humor. Town-gown relations are good, there are a lot of smart people there, and the area is prospering. Their TM-style meditation has been adopted by mainstream medicine for its health benefits.
I saw Obama's Fairfield speech on C-SPAN, and it was among his best. The people really responded to him. Check it out if you get the chance.
Posted by: Geoff | July 11, 2007 12:03 AM