TOP-FORM OBAMA. Barack Obama is a natural in front of this crowd. He's shouting, they're standing, the room is roaring. He says he's walked on picket lines since his days as a community organizer after college, and that as president, if he hears workers rights are being compromised, "I'll have to find a comfortable pair of shoes."
He shouts, "I'm not new to this!" He imitates a candidate embracing labor for the first time: "Oh, you organize? The SEIU wears purple shirts?" Laughter. The implication is pretty clear: John Edwards, despite his work of recent years, doesn't have as long of a history with the SEIU. Now Obama's receiving another standing ovation as he criticizes Congressional Democrats for taking too much money from big business.
This speaking style is exciting. Obama sounds more like a civil rights leader today and a lot less like an overly cautious presidential candidate. He's doing call and response, and his one-liners are cutting. But this isn't a rhetoric Obama will take on the road outside of the SEIU convention -- or at least he hasn't yet. Maybe that's a good thing; maybe a civil rights preacher persona doesn't translate in Iowa. But if you don't see this Obama, the Obama today completely at home rabble-rousing among labor activists, you can't comprehend the fervor some of his progressive supporters feel.
"Just imagine what we can do together. Imagine having a president whose life work was your life work. Imagine having a president whose life story was like so many of your own."
--Dana Goldstein
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COMMENTS (25)
Does Experience Matter? (Clinton and JFK didn't think so)
This Video Is Showing That Obama can be president because two fmr presidents were
where he is right now, history proves experience makes an either worse president( nixon, bush, vp dick cheney, defense sec.rumsfeld)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBy3AKn_2Fk
Posted by: kyle | September 17, 2007 4:11 PM
As an SEIU community organizing consultant, I am proud to read about such a strong speech by Barack Obama. Since 2004 I have been convinced that then Senate candidate Obama is exactly what America and the world need! Hope, Action, Change. SEIU should endorse him before the caucuses and primaries begin. We will never find a better person to represent our interests!
Posted by: April Vargas | September 17, 2007 5:19 PM
Barack is the ideal candidate for all woking Americans.
Posted by: Steve B | September 17, 2007 8:17 PM
Obamaq will be our Next President. He has what this country needs. We need someone who really cares to hold the Office of the Presidency.
Go Obama!
Posted by: Ethel | September 17, 2007 8:28 PM
So many of the other unions have endorsed other candidates because they are afraid. They went the safe route because the polls are telling them that Hillary is leading or Edwards cares more about the working class, which of course in untrue. SEIU has a chance to endorse the next presdient of the United States. Not because Obama is a wonderfully gifted speaker, but because he is most like them. His experiences are most like theirs. He will work for them and break down barriers. He will be a friend to the union workers of America and will completely change politics, not just install someone else's special interest groups. SEIU has a chance to make a bold statement, one borne out of solidarity. And isn't that what the definition of a union is? SEIU needs to endorse Obama.
Posted by: Mark Billingsley | September 17, 2007 8:45 PM
I was so glad to see Barack spend a day doing what i do. Yes i am a caregiver. The future is in this profession for everyone in one way or the other. Its about caring for those who have worked hard and deserve good and decent care in their elder years. I know one day i too will be there. Barack has the understanding that transcends working for the almighty dollar. I feel so honored he took on this task. Its not an easy job. At times i have to stay up or get up in the middle of the night to make sure the woman i help can get to the bathroom or have her diaper changed or make sure she stays clean. I have the utmost respect for Barack for having the foresight to understand that this profession is the one that deserves a presidential review.
Thank you Barack Obama you have respected me and the millions who take care of the elderly.
Posted by: Danielle Clarke | September 17, 2007 9:23 PM
This man will fix so many things that are wrong with our country. Thank you Senator Obama for you leadership.
Posted by: JimmieFromDayton | September 17, 2007 9:23 PM
Barack has the experience, temperament, good judgment and leadership we need.
Get on the Obama train!!!!
Posted by: Michael James | September 17, 2007 9:28 PM
SEIU should endorse Senator Obama. He is the only one that truly offers change, hope and action. The world will see the US with a new vision and the respect will be back when Senator Obama is elected POTUS. He will make this country proud again.
Posted by: Carolyn Grace | September 17, 2007 9:39 PM
Obama all the way!
Posted by: Chima | September 17, 2007 10:26 PM
Obama has actually done things for labor vs. the lip service from Hillary Clinton and others. Hope SEIU endorses Obama.
Posted by: MT | September 17, 2007 10:28 PM
This is an amazing man, who is a born leader!! When Barack Obama is President the world see us differently...he will not only unite us as a country, but restore our respect in the world. Our grassroots campaign is vast and growing everyday...I encourage everyone at SEIU to join us and change not only the country, but the world!
Posted by: Linda | September 17, 2007 10:32 PM
Barack is "Fired Up & Ready To Go!"
Posted by: AG | September 17, 2007 11:17 PM
I have followed Sen. Obama for some time now. I am a 42 year old that has NEVER voted before. I am learning first hand that I and MILLIONS of people got our country into the sham it is in because we did not pay attention. Now we are paying attention and Barack Obama is the choice of every person who cares about this world. He cares for every human(even repubs). He is going to make one hell of a president. I cant wait!
Posted by: Laura Hubka | September 17, 2007 11:24 PM
labor, environmentalists, human rights activists... it's time for ALL progressive activists to get behind this candidate. The roots of all our problems lie in the ways our government addresses them. Obama is the first candidate in decades who has the experience, credibility, and strength of character to truly change Washington from the inside out. We need this so badly. Step it up people. Take a risk. Make this happen. Our future depends on it!
Posted by: Jcole | September 18, 2007 12:47 AM
I've looked over the candidates from both parties, and when I started looking at Obama, the rest paled in comparison. This guy is the best candidate our country has seen in generations. He's about humility, respect, compassion, faith - the REAL Christian values that we seem to have lost during these last few decades of attack and counter-attack.
I hope we deserve him, I hope America gets to know him in time. I pray that he wins.
I'm white, 53, Catholic, a moderate who voted for Bush 1 twice, Clinton once, Bush ll, then Kerry.
Posted by: A.E.G. | September 18, 2007 4:04 AM
When Sen. Obama had to walk in the shoes of a SEIU worker, HE WALKED IN HER SHOES.
Sen. Clinton played follow the nurse around for a day. And "new to the labor cause" John Edwards did who knows what.
That's the difference between Sen. Obama and the others - Sen. Obama digs in. In the minds of the others, I'm sure they think they're too good to do manual labor (with their multi-multi millionare status and all), hence, follow the SEIU nurse around day.
Can you actually believe that what Hillary Clinton or John Edwards say today is what they will do tommorrow? NO.
But you do know that you can TRUST that what Barack Obama says he will do, HE WILL DO.
Posted by: Tammy, Denton, Maryland | September 18, 2007 9:02 AM
Working people need Barack Obama in the White House. He has walked in our shoes, shared our dreams and fought for our rights.
Spread the word to everyone you know so that we can elect the right man for the job.
Posted by: Michaele | September 18, 2007 10:06 AM
Barack Obama is a working man's candidate and as such he fires up and inspires me. He reminds me of a young Abe Lincoln - tall,lean,lanky and he has a certain "glow" wit and charm that makes one feel that he sincerely cares...he handles dignity with humility and I was amazed to read at the huge group of experts he has backing him up in writing and making policy. He is the candidate that we, the boomer" generation was promised long ago when we were told that "someday your generation can lead and we will see if YOU do a better job." Let's elect him and see.
Posted by: Bryan Lovsness | September 18, 2007 10:34 AM
Barack Obama is a working man's candidate and as such he fires up and inspires me. He reminds me of a young Abe Lincoln - tall,lean,lanky and he has a certain "glow" wit and charm that makes one feel that he sincerely cares...he handles dignity with humility and I was amazed to read at the huge group of experts he has backing him up in writing and making policy. He is the candidate that we, the boomer" generation was promised long ago when we were told that "someday your generation can lead and we will see if YOU do a better job." Let's elect him and see.
Posted by: Bryan Lovsness | September 18, 2007 10:34 AM
Obama is the real deal! Let's get him nominated and elected! Wear those Obama t-shirts and buttons and let others know why you are supporting him.
Posted by: Emilie | September 18, 2007 3:44 PM
I hope SEIU endorses Senator Obama. He is sooo deserving of this endorsement, and he's the only real deal!!!
Posted by: RuthieM | September 18, 2007 4:00 PM
For the first time I am so excited about The U.S. Presidency. I can not wait until inaguration day. It's going to be a celebration for all of us to see President Barack Obama!!!!!!
I'M SOOO EXCITED!
Posted by: Darrell | September 18, 2007 5:51 PM
I was compelled to vote for Gore and Kerry...I am inspired to vote for Obama!!!
Posted by: Justine | September 18, 2007 6:44 PM
Dude.
Did someone post a link to this blog post on some Obama site or something?
Posted by: nimh | September 19, 2007 9:02 AM