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Re: Obama to highlight a ‘New Era of Service’ during Colo. Springs visit

cospringsrwn — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:36:47 -0000

I think much of the symbolism and effect is being lost by most people regarding this event. CO recently the absolute domain of the Republican Party where the belly of that beast, El Paso County with its well earned reputation of Colorado Springs being the example of a community holding to intolerance and reactionary politics is the venue for one of the presumptive Democratic nominee for President. Political candidates simply don't willy-nilly choose locations for political events. More than simply the careful narratives and words used by political campaigns, their actions and activities tell you much more of the story. CO and El Paso is in play. This is not day dreaming for the Obama campaign already has a robust campaign office in Pikes Peak region. Its Obama grass roots volunteer organization was considered the best in CO.

So why is Obama here? Is the UCCS vote a big catch? Is there $1000 plate gold in the Broodmoor Hills to mine? Is the military brass congregating at North Comm for the future President to talk to? Or is he having a super secret meeting with Dobson and gang up on Briargate Pkwy. HARDLY.....

He is using the symbolic back drop of CO Springs and UCCS as pulpit to move forward the call for national service. It is a non-partisan policy initiative but I am certain Obama will use the selfless service of the heavy military community here, the evangelical service and non-profits and yet he will probably call for much more. Standing in the belly of the beast he is silently challenging the RIGHT to say no to his actions.

But also he is challenging them on their home turf. Politics is about amassing and counting the votes. Most votes wins. Hillary and forces learned that lesson regardless of their hopeless math this spring. The Republicans in a down cycle year in their brand (I always like how they refer to their party as a marketing identity instead of a political ideology and calling.) Anyway in a down cycle year Obama is politically attacking McCain and the Republicans in their base.

In the Electoral Race Obama seeks to expand the battleground states. Think of it like how a football team like the old Chicago Bears attacked the quarterback in the old '46 Defense. Buddy Ryan had a simple math, I will send more from different angles and eventually take out your QB. In the national race Obama has now put CO in play, along with PA, OH, FL, MI, WI and MN. There is talk that VA and NC are also in play meaning three former Republican base states are weak---kind of like injured lineman.

By coming to CO Springs Obama seeks to get a bigger bump with the National Convention where he will be all over the local and regional news in Denver next month. Finally here is the math in CO: Ritter gathered 40% in El Paso County (42% in CO Springs) he won the state at 57%. Ken Salazar won CO in 2004 with 51.3% and got 34% in El Paso County. (Remember also that Fawcett gathered 42% of the vote as a Dem Congressional candidate in '06 also). The difference between Ritter and Salazar was in El Paso County. For CO it is all about El Paso County where if a Dem gathers 40% or more CO is theirs.

That is why Obama is here when it come down to it. The thing is Obama's campaign is very aware of symbolism, opportunity, organization and policy (meaning issues). It is far more powerful than simply wedge issues that the right have had up their sleeves for the last couple of decades.

Re: Obama to highlight a ‘New Era of Service’ during Colo. Springs visit

cospringsrwn — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:36:47 -0000

Re: Liveblog: Barack Obama in Colorado Springs

cospringsrwn — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:53:29 -0000

I too was there as part of a small group of long time volunteers and asked to sit behind the stage. You might notice me in the back row wearing a E=MC2 hat. My take. Unlike the Denver U event which was about rock-n-roll politics with a speech that is composed to connect with supporters and enthusiasts the Obama campaign is centered upon these smaller venues and using them to unveil detailing in his platform. In this case expanding the National Service Call by attempting to grow it almost 4 times is a mighty platform initiative. He further is seeking to make community service integrated in secondary education through Federal Govt monies and college service through a $4000 tax credit. This is a substantive change and one he learned the value of through his own life and experiences. This is not something to be unveiled at DU and a crowd of 19,000.

As for the cramped quarters that is what CO Springs has to offer on short notice. Blaming the campaign for the lack of venues is ridiculous and shows how the press likes to be pampered sometimes. Being a former stringer I recalled how I would be relegated to a stairwell at times but that was 25 years ago. We didn't have laptops that demanded plugs.

Conversing with the crowd it was apparent that it was not mostly composed of political supporters but individuals who were invited because of the military veteran service, peace corps alumni status, Americorp status and individuals with other service providers. I spoke with Barry whom I was surprised he was there being from PPJPC and he said because he was a Peace Corp alumnus. I did notice Merrifield, said hi to Morse and John Morris and Hal Bidlack. And yes there were a number of super Obama volunteers who got invites late when the intended invitees passed.

Obama made it clear early on he was not interested in extended applause also. The most touching moment was when he was being introduced by the Colorado State U recent graduate and she choked up, Obama placed his hand gently on her shoulder, rubbed it and said she was do well.

Now this is what is confusing so many a political observer. Obama is not a 20th Century politician nor does he possess the political conscience or the makeup of a politician of the post Nixon Era that has consumed and stagnated this nation for over a generation. He is about pragmatically solving problems that are threatening this nation and globe. He is not about winning partisan battles. So whether it is expanding Faith Based social service initiatives (where ironically more liberal-minded churches and org are gaining grants, because they are actually doing something about their community needs and not trying to use the funds promote their particular church) or seeking to expand the National Service while using it to assist middle class college students, this solves problems.

He is not fighting the continued cultural wars of the 1960's and I am 51 years old and know those wars. This is hard for many cynical or casual observers to figure out. He is liberal and progressive but not in that recent traditional sense. He is not a dove and he is not a hawk either.

What he is and remains is very human, and still connected to his humble roots, his conflicted experiences as a mixed racial man and one brought up in a struggling and broken home. One last note, did anyone hear Obama mention that his wife Michelle left her big lawyer job in Chicago once to lead the Americorps program in Chicago early in her career. Interesting.....

Re: Obama steps into the lion’s den

cospringsrwn — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:13:41 -0000

What Fisk and most people continue to understand what Obama the candidate and Obama the "Political Movement" is all about and it is not the recent partisan, superficial mindset that has proliferated and stagnated the American society for the last 30-40 years. Actually Fisk was beside himself all day looking for anyone to take him seriously outside the usual "press framing" of attempting to get the "other side's" comments. First thing is that Obama and the political movement he has ignited and fostered is not about the superficial partisan gamemanship of finding $3.2 B to pay for our nations greatest annual investment, our college students while Iraq's War could cost $5 Trillion. But Fisk was just out there sniping. My favorite one is how he continually speaks for the average Coloradoan or how he exclaimed and baited those leaving the event saying that Obama does not support the military.

What Obama spoke about was not about party or partisan but National Service by all Americans and yet Fisk and the handful of Republicans came with him saw was partisan. He snipped that the event was invitation only, heck I recall how Bush events were all invitations as well but also under one caveat, that anyone could be removed for any reason or suspected disruption and one had to sign to that effect. I know, I went to an event in 2004 and know of individuals removed from events across the country for simply bumper stickers or wearing T-Shirts.

Re: Obama steps into the lion’s den

cospringsrwn — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:13:41 -0000