Sen. Barack Obama speaks to local residents during a campaign stop, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007, at Nodaway Valley High School in Greenfield, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
by John McCormick
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- Seeking the last word before on-the-ground battle essentially stops for two days, Sen. Barack Obama on Sunday practiced his closing argument for the waning days of the Iowa caucus campaign.
"You know, we might just win this thing," Obama told a crowd of about 500, stumping right into the early evening on the eve before Christmas Eve.
It was the third public event Sunday for the Illinois Democrat, who earlier in the afternoon thanked people for taking time to listen during a busy season.
"I am grateful for your attention," he said during a stop in Harlan, Iowa. "I want to wish you all the happiest of holidays."
On Saturday evening, amid a heavy Iowa snowstorm, Obama rolled out what appears will be some of the key phrases he will use during his final week of campaigning before the Jan. 3 caucuses.
He told the roughly 250 people in Harlan Sunday afternoon that others have "stood up" for him throughout his life, as have activists for suffrage, labor and other movements.
"Now it's your turn," he said. "Now is our chance."
Earlier in Greenfield, Iowa, he told about 250 people he was not planning anything "radical," but does want the nation to do more to be "on the side of working families."
Then, Obama practiced some of the language he is likely to use on the stump the day after Christmas, when campaigning is going to resume at full speed.
"Our moment is now to stand up," he said. "To stand up for fair economic policies, to stand up for retirement security. To stand up for agricultural policies that actually helps family farmers and rebuilds small-town American. To stand up so that every child can go to college, to stand up for a foreign policy that doesn't think in military terms…I hope you will stand up with me."
He also reminded the audience of the clout they wield. "You, as Iowans, have more influence over who the next leader of the free world will be, than just about anyone," he said.
Although she still had gift-wrapping to do, Sheryl Dickinson, an elementary school teacher from Greenfield, said she had no qualms with candidates campaigning so close to Christmas.
"It shows how important it is to the people of Iowa that are really actively involved in trying to choose the best person," she said.
Comments
After seven years of being lost in the wilderness of oppositional presidential politics, Democrats now seem well positioned to do in 2008 what they failed to do in 2004: Replace a rogue cowboy president with a new president capable of uniting the country and resetting the nation's foreign policy and global reputation. The Press-Citizen Editorial Board thinks Illinois Sen. Barack Obama is the best candidate in a well qualified field of Democrats to make those long overdue changes. We endorse his candidacy enthusiastically.
Full story here:
http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071219/OPINION03/712190310/1018
Posted by: Paolo | December 23, 2007 7:39 PM
Why does the Pentagon hate the troops?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-armykid_webdec24,0,7313741.story?coll=chi_tab01_layout
Can this administration get any worse?
Posted by: rncbs | December 23, 2007 8:21 PM
NO more Clinton dynasty and corrupted Health Industry.
!!! VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA !!!
Posted by: kelly | December 23, 2007 8:52 PM
Cute, using Paolo versus Paulo.
Posted by: rncbs | December 23, 2007 9:01 PM
Obama just exudes civility, class, dignity, poise, authenticity, wisdom and vision everywhere he goes. It's no wonder his campaign is catching on to such a remarkable degree with voters all over the country. You can literally feel the collective energy and spirit, as millions of people begin to join forces with him at virtually the same time.
I think we are witnessing something exciting and historic - something perhaps even unprecedented here. At the end of the day, it's far beyond just Obama personally. But as the one who created this movement and is leading it, he might just ride this wave all the way to the White House...
Posted by: Michael Kniat | December 23, 2007 9:21 PM
It's almost Christmas break for Obama?
I thought Ramadon ended 10/11/07.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | December 23, 2007 9:41 PM
Never have I been so optimistic about the future.
Here's one Texas Republican for Obama '08.
Posted by: Bob Kenyon | December 23, 2007 10:05 PM
Obama is terrific and so is, by the way, the next First Lady, Michelle.
Posted by: s woods | December 24, 2007 5:26 AM
Obama has already made history and I don't think a day goes by that I don't pray for the continued spread of his message.
It's kind of important to note that anyone who cares should try and do some work to make it happen. There are a bunch of ways to volunteer. I did it, and it felt great.
best,
Peter
Posted by: Peter Nevins | December 24, 2007 5:32 AM
Obama may not have the experience but he has the integrity to be president and restore America's reputation in the world. obama for President. The Clintons have had their stint. Restoring the clintons is going backward not forward. Afterall, America is not run by a Monarchy is it?
Posted by: Marlon | December 24, 2007 8:25 AM
Christmas break? do muslims celebrate christmas?
Posted by: Stop obama winphrey | December 24, 2007 8:37 AM
Paulo,
If you're so bent on spreading false rumors, you could at least learn how to spell. The word is RAMADAN.
RACIST BIGOT!
Posted by: joseph pierre | December 24, 2007 10:13 AM
Paulo its spelled Ramadan
you idiot!
Posted by: Terence | December 24, 2007 11:23 AM
Paulo:
Keep posting your stupid comments. In fact, better yet, talk to your neighbors. You and John D with such insightful rhetoric probably help Obama more than you hurt his candidcy.
Posted by: John A | December 24, 2007 11:46 AM
The real question is how Mr. Obama or other blacks can be Democrats considering the Democrats' disgraceful past of opposing black progress. Consider this report today by author Bruce Bartlett: "What about the 200-year record of prominent Democrats. They were openly and explicitly for slavery before the Civil War, supported lynching and 'Jim Crow' laws after the war, and regularly defended segregation and white supremacy throughout most of the 20th century." Want support? Read Bartlett's article in today's Wall Street Journal. If Obama were a Republican, he would be an odds-on favorite for the presidency. But look at all the Democrats who want to deny a black his chance at the highest office in the land. So much for Democrat rhetoric.
Posted by: Kenegra | December 24, 2007 1:44 PM
Obama is a godsend for our troubled America.
Posted by: ET | December 24, 2007 4:56 PM
One of the greatest things to come out of a Barack Obama nomination will be that all the ignorant, racist and otherwise intolerant minorities will come forward to be counted.
The true greatness of that moment will be when they are welcomed rather than hated in return.
Posted by: Robert | December 24, 2007 6:21 PM
Kenegra,
Kennedy & Johnson and the "activist" judiciary did the right thing and pushed through civil-rights legislation in the 60's. Most of the "Dixiecrats" deserted the party for the Republicans as a result, and the south has been red ever since. Get a clue, bro.
Posted by: dt | December 24, 2007 6:27 PM
The fact that a Stone lives in an ocean does not mean it is capable of swimming.
The fact that some Hilary has been wanning here and there high profile does not mean she has the best experience.
Go Obama! Good luck.
Posted by: haile | December 24, 2007 6:28 PM
I have been reading everything I can get my hands on concerning this primary between the Democratic presidential candidates. But this is one of the greatest editorial board endorsements in History and when OBAMA becomes president he will surely look back at this piece as a major part of the inspiration that helped him along the way. I commend those who wrote such an exciting and moving endorsement and I hope many as myself will pass this on to as many other people as possible. I'm fired up! and ready to go!
Posted by: Jimmie | December 24, 2007 10:00 PM
I am independent will be voting for Barrack Obama. He is the one!
Posted by: jennifer schwartz | December 26, 2007 1:04 AM