Thank you, Michelle Obama!

[H2O Man]

JournalNow

Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Michelle Obama campaigns at WSSU
She says her husband can help unite nation
……..
Michelle Obama stopped in Harrisburg yesterday morning, then came to Winston-Salem. She spoke in Raleigh last night.

Barack Obama earned at least one more supporter from his wife’s visit to Winston-Salem yesterday

Gwen Walter, a teacher at Forsyth Tech who has lived in Winston-Salem for 37 years, said that yesterday’s speech moved her.

"She was real, she was motivational, a very good speaker," Walter said. "I like her sense of humor, the fact that she really engaged with the audience."

"I’ve been a Hillary supporter," Walter said. "I haven’t really liked the tactics of Hillary’s campaign, so I wanted to come and hear what she had to say, and I thought she was wonderful."

More at: http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173355232403&path=!localnews&s=1037645509099


(Note: I think the Obama campaign could make Pennsylvania closer than expected. Senator Clinton had a large lead there a few weeks back, and she needs to win the primary by a large amount in order to stimulate contributions to her campaign. It’s getting very interesting.)

[H2O Man]

1. Independent Tribune:

Several of the audience members said they hadn’t chosen a candidate before Tuesday’s forum, but said Obama’s visit would likely sway them.

“It was so empowering to hear her speak,” Levina Wright said. “It was verification on what I thought about her.”

Obama told audience members that it was important for them to continue the discussion with others. Wright said she planned to call several of her friends across the country to have those discussions.

“I still haven’t made my decision but I am definitely leaning toward (Barack) Obama,” Rebecca Allen, a member of the panel, said after the event. “For the first time, I feel very engaged in this election and it was so nice to be candid about the issues.”

more:
http://www.independenttribune.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CIT%2FMGArticle%2FCIT_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173355231388&path=!news

[H2O Man]

3. The Daily Tar Heel:

Michelle Obama began her speech by outlining the ways her husband has ran a successful campaign, defying pundits who said he didn't have a chance.

She cited his success in grassroots organizing and his ability to raise funds from "regular folks" as ways he has been able to compete politically. ...

Before the speech a volunteer for the campaign urged audience members to help register voters.

"If everyone in this room got one person registered to vote, we'd be doing alright," he said.

Voter registration has been a central component of the Obama campaign, as volunteers are canvassing neighborhoods, shopping centers and college campuses to register as many voters as they can before the April 11 deadline.

More:
http://media.www.dailytarheel.com/media/storage/paper885/news/2008/04/09/StateNational/Michelle.Obama.Makes.Campaign.Stop-3311675.shtml

[H2O Man]

5. The News & Observer:

On Tuesday night, Michelle Obama said that her husband was a proven winner despite competing against "a political dynasty," raising record amounts of money, collecting the most delegates and closing the superdelegate gap with Hillary Rodham Clinton. ...

She said no candidate in the presidential race could match Barack Obama's academic or intellectual credentials and said her husband actually had more legislative experience than Clinton -- whom she did mention by name. Barack Obama served in the Illinois state senate between 1997 and 2004 and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004. Clinton was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000 and re-elected in 2006. ...

"She seems to come across very well to women voters because she is a mother and also a professional and a lawyer like Hillary," said Marie Wilson, president of the New York-based White House Project, which encourages women in politics.

"She is very straightforward," Wilson said. "She is very authentic in who she is. People are hungry for that."

More:


http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/1030379.html

[H2O Man]

6. Charlotte Observer:

HARRISBURG --This was Michelle Obama's "mom time" in her husband's campaign for president.

She'd come Tuesday to meet with 50 working women who filled a room at a Harrisburg preschool, anxious to talk to Barack Obama's wife. ....

As she's done elsewhere, Obama meets in roundtable discussions with working mothers, because she's a lawyer and mother of two daughters, ages 9 and 6. ...

A panel of five women, each with young children at Dixon Academy, told Obama that the cost of living was taking its toll.

Kim Neely said groceries once cost $40 for a week of meals. Now it's triple that. Rising gas prices made it difficult to get to work. She and her husband work for the same company and worry outsourcing could kill their jobs. ....

More:

http://www.charlotte.com/local/story/572788.html

[B2G]

78. Dixon Academy

Tres pricey.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

14. that reporter was on FM radio this morning, said Michelle is Barack's secret weapon

Rob Christenson said that about Michelle Obama. He said that if people
were undecided about Barack, or questioned his authenticity - that Michelle
convinced them that Barack is the real thing.

Christenson isn't liberal, he's sort of middle of the road.

He also said that the presidential contest was sucking the oxygen out of all
of the other contests, and the best any candidates could hope to do is to try
to ride Obama's coat tails.

[H2O Man]

28. I agree.

She connects with people. I remember when we were watching her speak, my younger son said that she should be the first woman president. She has strong communication skills.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

17. the largest crowd for Michelle Obama that did not involve an appearance with celebrity Oprah Winfrey

This was in Raleigh, our state capitol, the political hot bed of NC.

RALEIGH - Michelle Obama drew a huge and raucous crowd here Tuesday for a speech in which she argued that her husband was ready by experience, intellect and temperament to be the next president of the United States.

"The thing we have to understand in this race, North Carolina, is that Barack Obama is ready to lead," Michelle Obama told a crowd at Reynolds Coliseum that the fire marshal put at 5,700.

"O-bam-a, O-bam-a," chanted the crowd, jumping to its feet. The Obama campaign said it was the largest crowd for Michelle Obama that did not involve an appearance with celebrity Oprah Winfrey. The previous largest was 2,500 at Villanova University in Philadelphia, the campaign said.

...Michelle Obama tried to humanize her husband and their lives -- from the heavy college debts they incurred from their Harvard law school days to having her mother watch her children while on the campaign trail.

[Zachstar]

2. Good to hear she is out and doing well!

I heard her speak in a few interviews and she sounded very educated and positive! A very welcome relief from Bush and his wife in my view!

[H2O Man]

9. She will make

a powerful First Lady.

[DerekJ]

4. Happy to give the 5th Rec,

[Olney Blue]

7. She is an excellent speaker, and I admire her very much!

[cooolandrew]

8. Says it all for me. I feel she will be a 1st lady who will do America proud. Not 2 say others havent

[lefty from jersey]

10. We need more "white people."

While the crowd was indeed diverse, some students at the event questioned the practices of Mrs. Obama’s event coordinators, who handpicked the crowd sitting behind Mrs. Obama. The Tartan’s correspondents observed one event coordinator say to another, “Get me more white people, we need more white people.”

[truebrit71]

11. Aren't you just a little ray of sunshine...

:eyes:

[lefty from jersey]

15. Reverend Wright, more white people...

Get ready to hear this over and over.

[truebrit71]

18. It is not surprising to hear racist comments from the rethugs...it will be nothing new...

...Or would hearing "Monica" "Vince Foster" "Sniper-fire" "Whitewater" be any better...Newsflash the rethuglicans will attack whomever our candidate is, but if all they have is the race angle on Obama then they are in for a worse electoral ass-kicking than I thought possible...

[H2O Man]

29. We welcome those

types of ignorant and hateful statements on the part of the anti-Obama republicans. We aren't expecting to get the racists' votes. The more they sputter their poison, the more that the undecided voters will be repulsed by their message. And that translates into a lot more votes for us.

[knixphan]

37. took the words right outta my mouth.

We won't be stopped.

[Me.]

33. A Little Transparent Doncha Think?

Amusingly so

[Cha]

36. Especially the

"lefty" part. :crazy:

[Me.]

42. You Are 'Righty'

:rofl:

[cui bono]

83. LOL

:rofl:

[IsItJustMe]

64. Yep, thats what Republicans do my friend, and I and many others here have been use to it for a long

time now. Nothin new.

[cui bono]

82. Is that a threat?

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

12. WSSU is a historical black college

and besides, so what?

[Lucky 13]

30. What does it being a black college have to do with anything?

So What? well it meant something to that Hillary supporter who's now considering Obama, doesn't it?

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

13. Oh, and THIS white person could have attended that event

but I know I support Obama, and I would rather see someone who is undecided
get a chance to attend the event, in the hopes that they will also support Obama.

[elehhhhna]

22. link?

[stillcool]

41. I think it's up their arse...

[democrattotheend]

26. All campaigns do this. The event coordinator just spoke too loudly.

[stillcool]

40. you are consistent...

one track mind?

[bunkerbuster1]

49. oh NOES!! an anonymously quoted "event coordinator!"

We iz finished

[demokatgurrl]

50. Were you there? n/t

[JBoy]

52. We'll never know, because they're not here anymore!

[H2O Man]

53. We'll miss him. n/t

[sniffa]

74. Ha Ha, you're dead.

[gmudem]

89. Linky poo?

Just because you say something doesn't mean it is a fact.

[samsingh]

16. kick

[PA Democrat]

19. Local news coverage of Michelle Obama has been overwhelmingly positive

from what I've seen. She even managed to favorably impress a local reporter in Pittsburgh who is very active in state Republican politics.

Another local reporter referred to her as the "closer" in that she had a big impact on closing the deal to sway voters who had been undecided about supporting her husband.

[TahitiNut]

20. She's really impressive. I don't recall being as impressed with candidate spouses ...

... as much as I am this year - with the possible exception of 1960 and Jackie. Elizabeth Edwards, Elizabeth Kucinich, and Michelle Obama are quite possibly the best 'references' their spouses could have. From all that I've read and watched and heard them say, they each seem to demonstrate an exceptional insight of human character and integrity ... and demonstrate that they're possessed of those attributes themselves.

It's my experience that spouses and mates are symptomatic of the honesty and integrity of the candidate. It is, after all, the foremost qualifier of a healthy marital relationship. (Look at the Clintons! Yikes!) Whether it was Pat Nixon or Laura Bush or Jane Wyman ... the failures in integrity of their spouses were easily foreseeable, imho.

[H2O Man]

69. Right.

I think very highly of both Michelle Obama and Elizabeth Edwards. My youngest daughter just got an invitation to the Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference in January '09. In the 5-day conference, she would have the opportunity to see President Obama take the oath, and also to hear presentations by John and Elizabeth Edwards.

[tavalon]

77. I actually adore John Kerry's wife Teresa.

She was magnificent when she came to Seattle to speak for her husband. Heck, I liked her better than Kerry.

[Eurobabe]

21. Go Michelle!

Kick and Rec'd. Thanks H2O Man, for the many articles :hi:

[elmerdem]

23. Michelle Obama vs. Cindy McCain=

advantage team Obama by a huge margin. I think that if the differences (strong working mother vs. stepford wife w/pill history, etc.) between these two is pointed out in the GE it will bring back a lot of Clinton's feminist supporters who will actually take time to see how wrong they would be for not voting or voting for McCain.

Thanks for another one H2Oman! K&R

[mmonk]

24. She does well.

I was impressed.

[H2O Man]

48. I enjoy listening

to her. She has a lot to offer this country, and this country is in need of what she has to offer.

[mmonk]

62. You're correct.

People are finding that out on the campaign trail.

[me b zola]

25. K&R!

:kick:

[newmajority]

27. Michelle ROCKS!!

She will be a great First Lady. :)

[H2O Man]

47. Indeed, she will. n/t

[Me.]

31. Nice To See

He is doing very well in Pa., but I am not expecting him to win. However given that she was 26 points ahead at one point, if the margin is 8 or less I will consider that a victory, as this was the state that was supposed to knock him off his bowling pins.

[H2O Man]

46. If it is by less

than 20 points, it is a win for Obama.

[krkaufman]

51. Ok, that's a little much. 20 points is an ass-kicking ...

... and would be unfortunate, at a minimum.

[H2O Man]

54. For her to make

a significant gain in delegates, it actually has to be by over 20 points.

[krkaufman]

57. Yes, but it hasn't been about delegates since before TX,OH,RI & VT

It's about creating a perception that Obama is fading and cannot win in November.

[H2O Man]

59. Oh, I agree.

The Clinton campaign was attempting to create that perception. Safe to say that it has become increasingly clear that Senator Clinton has lost the primary. Pennsylvania would require her to do something far beyond a moderate win to change that.

[krkaufman]

76. Well, this borders on argumentative or pedantic, but she hasn't lost, yet.

Re:

"Safe to say that it has become increasingly clear that Senator Clinton has lost the primary."

Well, she hasn't lost the nomination process until Obama clears the 2024 delegate hurdle; because enough superdelegates *may* be just that stupid.

My wholly arbitrary PA results analysis thresholds:

Clinton by < 7% : PR edge for Obama
Clinton by < 15% : PR edge for Clinton
Clinton by > 15% : big PR edge for Clinton

Obama win : effective fork insertion

[ClayZ]

32. Teresa Heinz and Michelle Obama in Pittsburgh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2iIaMofsEU

Speaking at Carnegie Mellon University, the wives of Senator John Kerry and Barack Obama spoke to a crowd about why Senator Obama is the best candidate to win the nomination. (more)



K and R

[H2O Man]

45. The democrats

who are uniting to form the Obama campaign represent the best in our society. That is as true for at the top levels as it is at the grass roots level.

[ClayZ]

85. Thank Goodnes!

Kick!


:kick:

[Mimosa]

90. Yay, I can feel the love!!!

H2O man, that really cheers me up. I'm representing the best! I needed to know that. I've been feeling a bit down lately. Thank you!!!

[Alii]

86. Great....

I was wondering if Teresa was going to actively stump for Barack...don't live in PA so wouldn't have known this. It would appear to me that her support would have as much weight as many of the politicians in that state that are supporting Hillary. Si o no?

Beat the Pennsylvania political machine by even just one vote and it will definitely be over. Actually it is over, but trying to speed up the agony...with no ecstasy.

[ClayZ]

88. Did you see Obama Everywhere..... in Pennsylvania?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x116221


Kick

[Scurrilous]

34. K & R

:thumbsup:

[ShortnFiery]

35. Michelle Obama is going to be one awesome First Lady!

I think of her as a beautiful person, inside and out.

But I must admit that I like her personality and demonstrated devotion to Barack and their two daughters. ;)

[H2O Man]

44. I do, too.

Beautiful family.

[Cha]

38. Michelle Obama is an amazing inspirational,

and motivational speaker..she makes you want to get out and take some action in getting Obama elected.

I've just heard her once when she was in California on the Sunday before SuperTues with Maria Schiver, Caroline Kennedy, and Oprah but the impression will last a lifetime.

Thanks H20 for the OP and the newspaper reviews..I really enjoyed reading them.

[H2O Man]

39. She is honest

and intelligent, and will be playing an important role in our national movement during her husband's administration, and for years afterwards.

[Name removed]

43. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[myrna minx]

55. What a wonderful First Lady she will be. n/t

[H2O Man]

56. Yes, she will.

I think that she is going to be a very positive influence on American culture in the next eight years. And beyong.

This past weekend, when I watched some of the specials about Martin Luther King, Jr., I was thinking about Coretta. This country never really got to know her well. When I read some DUers say that Michelle Obama seems more outspoken than Barack, when it comes to some sensitive issues, I think about what I know about Mrs. King. At the time of the civil rights movement, the media didn't really give much coverage to black women. That's a shame.

In the 1970s, Coretta was one of the most important supporters of Rubin Carter's defense fund. She was there behind the scenes. She was there with Ali at the Madison Square Garden, the night that Bob Dylan did the concert there for Rubin. And in the 1980s, she reviewed and endorsed the Canadians' book about Carter.

If this country had taken the opportunity to really listen to Coretta, we might have made some advances quicker than we did. Some folks might have asked why she seemed angry? But if they had an open mind, they'd have learned she wasn't angry. She was strong, intelligent, and not afraid to tell the truth.

Those same attributes define Michelle: strong, intelligent, and not afraid to tell the truth. This nation will benefit from those qualities in Michelle.

[myrna minx]

70. Thank you for your thoughts about Coretta Scott King.

She is a hero of mine. I find the comparison of Coretta and Michelle to be quite striking and true. I am excited to have someone like Michelle as First Lady, for all of the reasons that you have stated. While we as a nation did hot heed the lessons that Coretta tried to teach us, we are now poised for a new opportunity to grow and change for the better.

[sonias]

58. I saw her in Austin at the University of Texas

What a gracious woman and wonderful speaker. I loved her. :loveya:

I thank her too. For all the hard work she has put into Barack's campaign and for keeping their daughters as close to normal as possible. Michelle's Mom has a lot to do with that. They have a wonderful family network.

I am so happy people are giving them a chance. Go hear them both, if you can.

It's time - yes we can!

Sonia

[H2O Man]

60. "It's time --

yes we can!'

Oh, I like that. Thank you.

[knixphan]

61. Michelle Obama vs. Cindy McCain

Humans 1, Cylons 0

[sonias]

63. I agree that Michelle would be a much better First Lady

But hey Cylons aren't all bad. Some of them have been helping the fleet, even after they realize they're Cylons. A good Cylon wants to be human.

Maybe Cindy would be better compared to a Stepford wife ala Laura Bush. I'm just saying. :eyes:

Sonia

[mod mom]

65. Sen Obama has never missed at parent teacher conference for his daughters!

Sorry if this has been discussed but I've been busy working on the "Postcards for Pennsylvania" project and missed a lot. When I heard this about Sen Obama I thought:

:loveya:

What a dad!

[H2O Man]

67. I like that.

That is nice.

[democrank]

66. Thank you for posting this, H20 Man.

Can you imagine what could be if citizens started internalizing Barack`s and Michelle`s uplifting message of hope? Imagine those youngsters trapped in projects believing "YES WE CAN." Imagine if we began a national war on poverty? Imagine if we offered treatment instead of prison to non-violent drug offenders? We`re better than how we acted under the Bush regime. A lot, lot better.

[H2O Man]

68. Yes, indeed.

I know that some of our fellow democrats have become so hardened by the experiences of this administration, and the other republican criminals, and who have a difficult time taking hold of the message of hope. But that will begin to change .... and when the way people think changes, their behaviors change; when their behaviors change, they begin to make changes around them. The Obamas understand that, and that is the direction that we are heading.

[Ysabel]

71. k and r (n/t)... :) :) :) :) :)

[Me.]

72. Seen This?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQFIsfQKBuU

[H2O Man]

73. Great!

I had not seen that one. Thank you for posting the link. My daughter watched it here with me, and she thanks you, too!

[Me.]

79. U R Welcome

:hi:

[yellerpup]

75. The Obamas are going to be a great First Family.

Thanks for letting us know of the great coverage the Obama campaign received in North Carolina. I love women who are fierce in their intelligence, and Michelle Obama is awesomely inspiring. :kick:

[mcollier]

81. Awesome Thanks for the post

The Obamas are the People's Choice.

[muffin1]

80. She is quite simply

a goddess. I love her, and to see them together...it's Camelot all over again.:loveya:

[shellgame26]

84. The first time I heard her

speak was in an interview with Larry King. I was blown away by how articulate she is. She has a natural ability for verbal lucidity I think even more so than her husband. Watch out for this one.

[Political Heretic]

87. I have a huge crush on Michelle Obama

Barack be damned! :P

[SunsetDreams]

91. Thank you Michelle!

Your grace and spirit light up a room :)

You will be an awesome First Lady! I love the way she works with children too, and I suspect she will spend part of her time as First Lady, doing just that.