Sen. Barack Obama collected flowers from supporters as he left his hotel for a rally on the old main lawn of Penn State University on Sunday. Chicago Tribune photo by Zbigniew Bzdak.
by Mike Dorning
HARRISBURG, Pa.— Barack Obama hit the bowling lanes and walked the factory floor, hoisted the local brew and even nursed a calf as he introduced himself over the weekend to the working-class residents of hardscrabble towns in the valleys and mountains of southern Pennsylvania.
In the first days of a bus tour that marks the opening of Obama's campaign in the Pennsylvania primary, a candidate who has done best among the young, the well-educated and African-Americans devoted much of his time to well-publicized visits to habitues of blue-collar America.
There was Johnstown Wire Technologies, which supplies wire used to make Slinkies, where the Illinois Democratic senator walked among giant coils of cable while steam rose from vats behind him. And Pleasant Valley Lanes in Altoona, where Obama exchanged his polished black oxfords for a pair of size 13½ blue-and-white Velcro bowling shoes.
At Altoona's Original Texas Hot Dogs, where nothing costs more than $2.15, Obama salted his fries generously and shoved a Texas dog into his mouth. And at Penn State University's research barns, he nursed a calf with an oversized baby bottle.
"Come on, buddy," he coaxed as his charge slurped.
Pennsylvania's April 22 primary is the next event on the Democrats nominating calendar and a state that includes a heavy representation of the white working-class voters Obama has had difficulty with elsewhere.
The state's Democratic establishment, led by Gov. Ed Rendell and including the mayors of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, is aligned against him. And his rival Hillary Clinton is favored in early polls.
Despite Obama's lead in national polls, the campaign has stressed the political apparatus arrayed against him here. Local ally Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) unfailingly introduces Obama at campaign events as an "underdog" in a "fight," drawing a parallel with the struggles of financially pressed families.
His try at bowling certainly provided no easy victory. He was reduced to asking an 8-year-old for pointers and cheered when he finally bowled a spare in the seventh frame.
"Let me tell you something," Obama said, turning to the crowd. "My economic plan is better than my bowling."
Responded one bystander: "It has to be."
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Comments
The March 30 Honolulu Advertiser has a column about Sen. Obama's "tutu"(his "typical white woman" grandmother) that is must reading for anyone delving into his character, judgment, and credibility.
After reading that column, I concluded that(1) his grandmother was NOT the "typical white woman"
Obama insinuated in his speech but a role model (2) that his book should have been dedicated to his "tutu(s)" and not to his America-hating, white-hating, etc. black racist spiritual adviser and (3)
that Sen. Obama and his comments in his book and speech are disturbing.
Posted by: concerned | March 31, 2008 7:50 AM
More politcal show from the Great Pretender! JAFPo!
Posted by: Paul | March 31, 2008 9:34 AM
And why don't we know more about the grandmother that raised him after he split living with his ma and her second husband?
Posted by: geraldinetoo | March 31, 2008 10:39 AM
Pennsylvania needs to wake up and see Hillary as she really is. Promise anything to win. What are her accomplishments for them in 35 years, her push for Bill and NAFTA.
Posted by: fm | March 31, 2008 1:06 PM
Pennsylvania needs to wake up and see Hillary as she really is. Promise anything to win. What are her accomplishments for them in 35 years, her push for Bill and NAFTA.
Posted by: fm | March 31, 2008 1:10 PM
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...
Posted by: jacksmith | April 1, 2008 3:50 AM
DON'T BE DUPED !!!
Large numbers of Republicans have been voting for Barack Obama in the DEMOCRATIC primaries, and caucuses from early on. Because they feel he would be a weaker opponent against John McCain. And because they feel that a Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama ticket would be unbeatable. And also because with a Clinton and Obama ticket you are almost 100% certain to get quality, affordable universal health care very soon.
But first, all of you have to make certain that Hillary Clinton takes the democratic nomination and then the Whitehouse. NOW! is the time. THIS! is the moment you have all been working, and waiting for. You can do this America. “Carpe diem” (harvest the day).
I think Hillary Clinton see’s a beautiful world of plenty for all. She is a woman, and a mother. And it’s time America. Do this for your-selves, and your children’s future. You will have to work together on this and be aggressive, relentless, and creative. Americans face an even worse catastrophe ahead than the one you are living through now.
You see, the medical and insurance industry mostly support the republicans with the money they ripped off from you. And they don’t want you to have quality, affordable universal health care. They want to be able to continue to rip you off, and kill you and your children by continuing to deny you life saving medical care that you have already paid for. So they can continue to make more immoral profits for them-selves.
Hillary Clinton has actually won by much larger margins than the vote totals showed. And lost by much smaller vote margins than the vote totals showed. Her delegate count is actually much higher than it shows. And higher than Obama’s. She also leads in the electoral college numbers that you must win to become President in the November national election. HILLARY CLINTON IS ALREADY THE TRUE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE!
As much as 30% of Obama's primary, and caucus votes are Republicans trying to choose the weakest democratic candidate for McCain to run against. These Republicans have been gaming the caucuses where it is easier to vote cheat. This is why Obama has not been able to win the BIG! states primaries. Even with Republican vote cheating help.
Hillary Clinton has been out manned, out gunned, and out spent 4 and 5 to 1. Yet Obama has only been able to manage a very tenuous, and questionable tie with Hillary Clinton.
If Obama is the democratic nominee for the national election in November he will be slaughtered. Because the Republican vote cheating help will suddenly evaporate. All of this vote fraud and republican manipulation has made Obama falsely look like a much stronger candidate than he really is. YOUNG PEOPLE. DON’T BE DUPED! Think about it. You have the most to lose.
The democratic party needs to fix this outrage. I suggest a Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama ticket. Everyone needs to throw all your support to Hillary Clinton NOW! So you can end this outrage against YOU the voter, and against democracy.
I think Barack Obama has a once in a life time chance to make the ultimate historic gesture for unity, and change in America by accepting Hillary Clinton’s offer as running mate. Such an act now would for ever seal Barack Obama’s place at the top of the list of Americas all time great leaders, and unifiers for all of history.
The democratic party, and the super-delegates have a decision to make. Are the democrats, and the democratic party going to choose the DEMOCRATIC party nominee to fight for the American people. Or are the republicans going to choose the DEMOCRATIC party nominee through vote fraud, and gaming the DEMOCRATIC party primaries, and caucuses.
Fortunately the Clinton’s have been able to hold on against this fraudulent outrage with those repeated dramatic comebacks of Hillary Clinton’s. Only the Clinton’s are that resourceful, and strong. Hillary Clinton is your NOMINEE. They are the best I have ever seen.
“This is not a game” (Hillary Clinton)
Sincerely
jacksmith...
Posted by: jacksmith | April 1, 2008 3:51 AM