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MEDIA MELEE AS 100 JOURNALISTS TURNED AWAY FROM D.C. OBAMA RALLY.
I just watched Ted Kennedy's endorsement speech of Barack Obama from TAP's warm conference room after Ezra and I -- along with about 100 other journalists -- were turned away from the Obama rally's press entrance after waiting an hour outside in the cold. It was an utter mad scene. Eminences such as David Brooks and Time magazine's Karen Tumulty were shuttled inside, past a mob of increasingly desperate journos from CNN, NBC, and small outlets like TAP. A few reporters had brought along their children -- on a school day no less! -- to participate in what actually felt (not to gush or anything) like a truly symbolic, historic event: The highest profile members of the Kennedy family turning out to name Obama as the successor to JFK's brand of transcendent Democratic politics.
Kennedy's speech today was much longer than Obama's, and was so energetic -- a far cry from the still witty, but elderly-seeming Senator I've seen so many times on Capitol Hill. Kennedy focused on Obama's ability to channel JFK-levels of inspiration and use good judgment on foreign policy and other issues. And he got big applause for co-opting Hillary Clinton's tag line with a huge, teasing smile on his face: "I know he will be ready on day one!" Kennedy shouted, shooting Obama a thumbs-up sign. Kennedy must have been thinking, "Muster all you've got -- this could be your last big speech."
Obama responded by saying that the program that brought his Kenyan father to the United States to study had been supported by President Kennedy, a touching story that hasn't been trotted out before.
Check out some photos from the event:
Here I am, in good spirits after we gave up on being admitted to the rally. Note the hope-mongers behind me, who are still pressing up to the door, arguing with the security guards: "No, I'm from CNN! You don't understand!"
Hordes of AU students were also turned away -- the rumor was some kids had camped outside the arena since last night.
--Dana Goldstein
COMMENTS (9)
I feel so honored to be a part of all of this. What a great time for America.
Posted by: Mark F. | January 28, 2008 3:02 PM
While I expect TAPPED to behave a certain way, it should also go without saying that the regular MSM would never greet a Big GOP endorsement with such a near-religious fervor.
However, let me suggest that TAPPED a) encourages Kyle from the next post to, instead of just shaking his hand ask him a question, and b) that TAPPED might want to CYA in case Obama ever runs into someone who'll show just how unqualified he is.
Posted by: TLB | January 28, 2008 3:51 PM
Hey there TLB: If any of the Republican candidates attracted a crowd as big as Obama does, it would be BIG news. It just hasn't happened yet.
Posted by: maria | January 28, 2008 5:55 PM
Very few "rock stars" get anywhere without promoters of various kinds. In the case of the GOP also-rans, non-ideological factors are clearly involved in why they haven't been promoted. For instance, both TomTancredo and RonPaul would cost some powerful people money, and the MSM won't stand for that.
Posted by: TLB | January 28, 2008 7:54 PM
TLB, do you really think that the MSM under-hyped Rudi and then Fred? I think the media fawned over them in near religious ferver.
Posted by: Rich | January 29, 2008 3:11 AM
Whoa, Dana - what's Ben to make of this shot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/danagoldstein/2225885181/in/set-72157603812841211/
Posted by: LTR,1TW | January 29, 2008 11:00 AM
Kennedy was wildly enthusiastic and energetic as Kerry's set-up man for appearances in the 2004 race.
Which puts the lie to the notion that Obama has brought out some sort of new side of him, but also indicates the value of the endorsement. Expect Kennedy to go out there and campaign ... hard.
Posted by: Sean | January 29, 2008 4:52 PM
The link below from Caroline Kennedy reminds me of how I felt so many years ago…hopeful that the world I would leave to my children and grandchildren and future generations would be a better place than the world my parents were leaving to me. I remember watching the race riots in the south and realizing that beating on someone or denying them the privilege of eating at a lunch counter because of the color of their skin was simply ridiculous. I remember JFK telling me that I could make a difference. I remember the echo of that statement when his brother Bobby spoke. I remember Martin Luther King talking about “All God’s Children” and I remember thinking that if I loved everyone as I wanted them to love me, my world at least would be a better place. Then JFK, Bobby and Martin were killed and I put those thoughts to rest…for awhile. About a year ago I heard Barack Obama speak and he reignited that desire in me to make the world a better place. I knew there was something special about this man, not just his diverse ancestry or his eloquent oratory skills, but noted that he genuinely cares about this country and the people in it. He touched my soul the way JFK did when I was young. You’d think that by this time (some 49 years have passed) I would have become cynical and more “realistic”. However, I have read all of Senator Obama’s position papers; heard him speak in person several times; spent hours on the NET looking for a “realistic” reason to not support him; and, I have come away thinking what I did when I first heard him speak, he is the voice of unity and hope – he is the voice of America’s future. He has the experience to lead our country and bring respect and admiration to the White House as well. Although he was an ordinary middle-class family man just a few short years ago, there is something absolutely magical in his ability to bring out the best in people. So my friends who live all over the world, I ask you to listen to the last remaining voice of “Camelot” below and then read all you can about Barack Obama. Finally, I ask those of you who will have the opportunity to vote on Tsunami Tuesday to do so with an informed viewpoint. I hope you will make the same choice I made and vote for Barack Obama.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/caroline_ad
Posted by: NvMe | January 29, 2008 6:22 PM
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Posted by: sesli chat | September 12, 2009 9:51 PM