Sen. Barak Obama: This new political star may eclipse his rivals

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nj.com/columns/ledger/moran/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/1179292329251190.xml&coll=1

This new political star may eclipse his rivals
Wednesday, May 16, 2007

He is a skinny guy, and his ears stretch out from his head as if they are straining to take flight.

He is a black man seeking a job that's always been reserved for whites. He wants to be commander in chief in a dangerous time, but has never been close to battle, and can claim no experience in diplomacy.

But if you were in the War Memorial in Trenton during a town hall meeting of union workers on Monday, you could see why Sen. Barak Obama is the hottest property in politics today.

"No question, he has a magnetic force that the others don't have," said Charlie Wowkanech, head of the state AFL-CIO.

Obama brought the crowd to its feet twice -- first when he demanded a withdrawal from Iraq beginning immediately, and later when he promised to deliver universal health care, even if that means raising taxes on the rich.

But it wasn't just the big moments.

FULL story at link.

[aquart]

1. Uh huh. Still waiting.

[Captain Hilts]

2. His campaign just called me and asked for $200. I told them, truthfully, that I was unemployed...

and then they asked for $58.

I like him a lot, but this call did not go over well with me. I've no doubt the other candidates are doing the same thing.