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OBAMA IN SCRANTON.
As he's done throughout this Pennsylvania tour, Obama has given short speeches -- only around 20 minutes. He then opens up the floor to questions from the crowd, and spends nearly twice as long answering public questions, often in great detail. Signs aren't allowed inside, and though there have been many attempts to get chants started, the events definitely have more of a townhall meeting feel than the rallies that he's been known for. They're toned down. They're small. But the questions have been good, and they've given the candidate a chance to interact more with voters in places like Scranton, and answer questions of concern to them, from increasing funding for Alzheimer's research to improving veteran's benefits. One person just asked how Obama intends to reach across the aisle and forge partnerships with Republicans. Obama's response: "Democrats have got to change what we do. Even though I'm progressive, I'm practical." It's not an answer that would fare well everywhere, but here in Scranton -- working class and progressive yet still conservative in many ways -- it went over quite well.
--Kate Sheppard
COMMENTS (5)
I think KS is ready to make the move to the WaPo! Because, like them she just generally recounted what went out without discussing any of the no doubt weak questions and no doubt pat answers and without asking any good questions of her own.
I'll give TAPPED $10 if they ask this question. Might as well get it out there now, before I have to go ask it later.
Posted by: TLB | April 1, 2008 10:05 PM
I hope that he said more than that quote. I'm not even sure if that is an answer. Just a bit of blather. It is hard to imagine anyone being satisfied with such a vacuous response. What does that quote even mean??? I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt (especially since he is the most likely nominee) but he's going to have to do better than that or he'll be eaten alive this fall.
Posted by: JAB | April 2, 2008 8:24 AM
"Might as well get it out there now, before I have to go ask it later."
ROFL.... Oh, please, please, do "go ask it later." I can hardly wait to see the candidates (and the press and the crowd) react to your obvious delusional state. And what's so fricking hilarious is that you actually think that's a real "gotcha" question that the candidate will have trouble answering!
Posted by: PaulB | April 2, 2008 11:10 AM
Yep, the problem in DC is that we Democrats just don't reach across the aisle enough to those well meaning GOPers.
And people wonder why I remain neutral in this primary fight.
Posted by: howie | April 2, 2008 1:41 PM
Here's something odd. The WashTimes has a whole two-page article about one of the "answers" Obama provided.
Why didn't KS mention that "answer"?
If I'd been there and had had a chance to ask a follow-up, I would have pointed out that Obama's discussion was anything but "honest". In fact, he was lying to the audience by presenting a false choice. He was also supporting illegal activity and massive public corruption.
It's going to be fun when he finally runs into someone who knows what to ask and who isn't afraid to completely discredit him.
Posted by: TLB | April 2, 2008 3:58 PM