By John McCormick and Christi Parsons
DAVENPORT, Iowa -- As his campaign bus cut a swath through the Iowa countryside, a place as metaphorically white as the thick blanket of snow covering its towns and farm fields, Barack Obama today considered his place in the landscape with a sense of optimism.
Obama may or may not win the Iowa Democratic caucuses Thursday, but it will always be true that he, a black man with an African name from the South Side of Chicago, was a serious presidential contender in the heart of white-bread Middle America.
"That says something about the country," Obama told the Tribune in an interview, as his Iowa caucus campaign drew to a close. "People are willing to look beyond race, particularly on issues as important as who is going to lead the country."
"You see it in our rallies," he said as he left one and headed for another, "all walks of life."
The crowds at his Iowa events have been consistently large, and notable for the diversity of age, race and even ideology within them. Progressive caucus-goers pack the gymnasiums and auditoriums to see him. People who say they're independents or even Republicans profess interest in his themes of "hope" and "change."
Some in Obama’s circle admit to a case of nerves this week. Like many who have followed the Illinois senator’s meteoric rise over the past year, they’re unsure what will actually happen when the celebrity campaign finally goes quiet for a night and the decision lies in the hands of those who will brave the snow and ice.
But the candidate’s wife, Michelle Obama, says she isn’t worked up over it. Close friends echo the senator’s own sentiments.
Even if he loses, Obama contends, he still wins.
“Look, I don’t think there is any doubt that, even if we didn’t come in first, that we have been competitive in Iowa,” Obama said. “It indicates the degree to which race is still a factor in our society . . . That’s part of what America is about. There are these possibilities of doing things that haven’t been done before.”
The campaign has covered many miles over the past 11 months, since Obama announced on the lawn of Illinois’ Old State Capitol in February that he would seek the presidency.
He had burst onto the national political scene not three years before, when he gave his signature speech at the 2004 Democratic convention as a young and little known member of the Illinois legislature. An eloquent elegy to the ideal of American unity, the address propelled him into national prominence before he had even properly ascended to the U.S. Senate.
Still, some considered him an unlikely candidate for the White House, and wondered how much even friendly Democrats would be willing to gamble on him.
Some of those activists resided in Iowa, said Dick Durbin, the senior senator from Illinois, who encouraged Obama to run in the first place and then set to work persuading his friends and allies in the neighboring state.
“Six months ago, when I would come to a small town in Iowa, the local activists would close the door and say, ’Do you really think an African American can be elected president?” Durbin recalled today, as he campaigned for Obama in eastern Iowa.
“It was a blunt question, and an important one,” Durbin said. “In a state that has never had a statewide African-American candidate, I would talk to them about my experience with Barack in Downstate Illinois, and how well he did there.”
Over the months, Durbin and his wife, Loretta, have visited Iowa frequently, and the senator says they watched as the race question slowly faded from the discussions.
“I think they’ve put that behind them,” Durbin said. “The fact that they’ve come to see this as a real opportunity, a real possibility, says good things about Iowa and the campaigns.”
The question is by no means laid to rest. Political analysts speculate that black voters around the country harbor suspicions about how white America will treat Obama. If he does well in heavily white Iowa on Thursday and New Hampshire next week, the theory goes, more black voters will believe that he is viable and consider getting behind him.
As they strive to appeal across many demographic divides, Obama intimates generally shy away from defining things in terms of race. Michelle Obama in particular favors words like “people” and “human” over the vernacular of race and ethnicity.
“This process has been a real human experience,” she said when asked about the import of this week’s caucuses.
“It’s the culmination of talking and listening and building the kind of organization that engages people . . . People want real change and are trying to figure out what that change should look like.” Indeed, a key theme of Obama’s message is about overcoming traditional division in the U.S., between black and white, old and young, Republican and Democrat. He doesn’t offer a lot of race-related commentary on the stump and avoids simplistic discussion of the subject altogether.
While his campaign has a broad outreach program to Iowa’s black communities, surrogates such as Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) have been doing a great deal of the work. Obama himself has only visited black churches in Iowa a few times.
But with just hours to go until the caucuses, Obama spoke directly to the question as he headed to a campaign event with a largely white audience.
There is historic potential in Thursday’s caucuses, but Obama suggested the real pressure isn’t in being the most competitive African-American candidate to make a run in Iowa.
“I want to win the nomination, then win the general election, then govern the country,” Obama said. “I feel pressure to deliver on the promises that I make during the campaign.” That, he said, is where the potential symbolism lies.
“Any symbolic or historic significance,” he said, “would be a byproduct of success in achieving those goals.”
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Comments
"Obama: 'People are willing to look beyond race"
Yeah, everyone but Paulo the GOPer Tard.
Posted by: John E | January 2, 2008 9:11 PM
'Even if he loses, he still wins.'
Michelle Obama
Good Idea!
Let him lose all the way back to The Senate and that'll be a big win for all Americans.
We don't need The Pledge of Allegiance changed to, 'One Nation under Allah'
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | January 2, 2008 10:38 PM
Hello - I spent Christmas 2005 reading Barack Obama's first book, Dreams from my Father, and Christmas 2006 reading his second book, The Audacity of Hope. I have also seen him speak and shaken his hand. As a person who feels like an informed citizen, I can honestly say, Barack Obama, regardless of ethnicity, would make a better President than anyone running and we would be so blessed to have him as our President. I hope people across America wake up and realize that we have a rare opportunity to have an inspiring, decent leader in the White House, one who can unite this country and show the world, once again that we are a great nation which can work with other nations to solve the problems of the world. God bless Barack Obama, his Family, and his Team! Regards, William F. Slater, III - http://www.billslater.com/who_is_barack_obama.htm
Posted by: William Slater | January 2, 2008 10:58 PM
I used to be concerned about the impact of racism on his canidacy, but no more. It seems even coded racist attacks mostly backfire, like when Hillary personally apologized for a supporters suggestion that Obama had been a drug dealer.
Posted by: laurie | January 2, 2008 11:53 PM
What a candidate. I feel very lucky to be part of history making by voting for Obama. We are behind you as promissed. Go Obama.
Posted by: bubba | January 3, 2008 12:13 AM
People are NOT able to look beyond race.
Obama is about to find that out.
Racism is largely UNCONSCIOUS, deeply ingrained, and most people are not able to over-ride it.
It is sad. Obama is a great man. He should start out as Vice President. Edwards said that he would consider him for that.
Posted by: Oscar | January 3, 2008 12:35 AM
We need a man like this to lead our country. I hope Iowa canlead the way.
-Tired of "politics as usual" in DC
Obama08
Posted by: Ann31 | January 3, 2008 1:12 AM
We need a man like this to lead our country. I hope Iowa canlead the way.
-Tired of "politics as usual" in DC
Obama08
Posted by: Ann31 | January 3, 2008 1:47 AM
Obama's right - he's already won. This campaign wasn't based on race, and I can't imagine any campaign in the U.S. ever will be again. That's over and done with, and we've moved on as a country.
"I want to win the nomination, then win the general election, then govern the country,” Obama said. “I feel pressure to deliver on the promises that I make during the campaign."
I'm looking forward to that!
Posted by: Tom J | January 3, 2008 6:37 AM
Oscar, I kind of agree with you, although I wouldn't lump everyone into the same boat. I am white and definitely will vote for Obama.
There may be some who will vote for Obama just because he is black. That is wrong, too. There is also the old, "well I think everyone should be equal as long as they don't move to my neighborhood" philosophy. That's what we have to look out for. There is no longer too much of the "in your face" typr of racism anymore, but that doesn't mean that some still harbor ill feelings towards other races in their hearts and minds.
In the 50's and 60's, the only difference between racism in the south and in the north was that in the south they would call you the "N" word to your face. In places like Chicago, a white man might shake your hand and say nice things, then bad mouth you behind your back.
It would be nice if neither was around, but unfortunately it is still a part of America. I certainly hope Obama is right, that most of us can look beyond the color of one's skin.
Posted by: Steve34 | January 3, 2008 8:23 AM
So now Obama says "People are willing to look beyond race, particularly on issues as important as who is going to lead the country."
I really dislike the way this con man has unnecessarily injected race into this campaign. It was not long ago his wife Michelle was on national television spouting that blacks "will wake up and get it" and vote for Obama. She went on to suggest that it is unreasonable for blacks not to vote for Obama.
But now he's saying that people should "look beyond race." I guess that line is for the mostly white audiences only.
So using his wife's disgraceful "vote your race" philosophy, I guess it's not reasonable for whites to vote for Obama either then. The Obama's have mistakenly brought race into this campaign in the oddest, and most arrogant, condescending and illogical ways possible. This is NOT the direction we should be moving in this country.
Once his campaign falls apart, our next step will be to get the scam artist and thief Obama of our payroll in Illinois.
Posted by: Monica | January 3, 2008 9:39 AM
Don't vote race. Think only about what the candidate says. If the majority of what he says seems to you to be the direction you feel our country should head, vote for him.
And don't let the media sway you off on tangents. They are pros at that, you know.
Posted by: Bob | January 3, 2008 9:43 AM
Wasn't Barack Hussein Obama the one that brought race into the picture with Oprah stating you have to vote for the dream, and now using reverse psych saying look above race. NObama why bring up race at all unless that's your goal. Then if you are the black candidate then announce I am the black candidate. Vote for Obama then because he is black.
Posted by: Clarence | January 3, 2008 10:12 AM
Wasn't Barack Hussein Obama the one that brought race into the picture
Posted by: Clarence | January 3, 2008 10:12 AM
I would say it was more the color of his skin that brought it into the picture...Clarence. Just like Clinton will use women and the republicans will use grumpy old white men. I noticed in your claim of "I'm not the racist,he is" statement, that you used his middle name which sounds of another race you must detest. If you think that the matter of race wouldn't come up without him bringing it up...you're a fool.
Posted by: bill r. | January 3, 2008 10:45 AM
What a crock!
Obama doesn't need to campaign for black votes ... they will vote for him simply because he is black.
Obama is a racist ... just look at his chosen church, where the message is for blacks only. But Obama needs white votes, or he is lost. This is pure self-serving political posturing. I'm sure it will work with the democratic base ... who believe idiots like Rosie ... but it's going to be a much tougher sell in the general election.
Posted by: Glasnos | January 3, 2008 11:05 AM
Did David Axelrod write this column and hand it to his minions McCormick and Parsons for DNC Swamp posting?
The article is a 9.9 on the fawning level. And the East German judge gave it a 10.
Posted by: Bruce | January 3, 2008 11:20 AM
Yea really, Obama is the one who brought race into the whole thing. His wife started the black issue and Oprah confirmed it. They pushed the issue of black vs white. Now he says he is above all that, typical politician will say whatever he feels is needed. I still want to know what the hell he has done to lead people? All he can do is talk and Dem's are good at following the talkers, they elected Clinton didn't they - twice!!!!
Posted by: quills | January 3, 2008 11:25 AM
The article is a 9.9 on the fawning level. And the East German judge gave it a 10.
Posted by: Bruce | January 3, 2008 11:20 AM
LOL!!! That was priceless, Bruce! Your ideas intrigue and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter. Do you perhaps have a blog or website where I can induldge in your refreshing brand of wit and political humor?
Posted by: brett maven | January 3, 2008 2:06 PM
Now let me get this straight. It's o.k. for Whites, Hispanics, Asians,
and any other group to vote for Obama, ecxept Black Americans. See if a Black American votes for Obama it;s just because he's Black. Now if a Black person doesn't vote for it must be because Obama isn't Black enough. Right?
Sounds silly doesn't it.
Well it is silly.
Posted by: Mr. Unite Us | January 3, 2008 5:17 PM
Looking beyond race is great... but he better hope they're willing to look beyond experience, and actual positions on issues, too, since Obama has virutally none of either.
And, exactly, makes you Obamaphiles think he represents some sort of change? He's a crooked, bought-and-paid-for, Illinois politician. ( #8 on Judicial Watch's Most-Corrupt-in-Washington hit list, which is really impressive considering he's only been in Washington for about a week since being elected. )
Posted by: David Hillman | January 3, 2008 7:56 PM