The Photos Tell the Story Why It's Time for Obama
My wife Donna, my son Matt and I went to the Obama for President open house at the Sioux Falls HQ today.
I’ve been to a lot of local Democratic events and I bet I didn’t know 80% of the people there.
Which is wonderful.
Barack Obama is bringing new people who have never been involved in politics into his tent and the state Democratic Party’s tent.
The full house had young, old, black, white, Native American, people with disabilities, and regular middle aged white guys like me.
The photos below tell the story of the new and diverse faces Sen. Obama is bringing to politics across the country and here in South Dakota.
Yes we can!
My love for the Man Crush grows even deeper.
Yes, that’s my son Matt looking bored. But he said he supports Obama too. We had to promise we’d go to Best Buy after the event. Otherwise, note the large, diverse crowd.
Member of the audience were asked why the supported Obama. I think this photo of the white lady listening intently to the the tall black man says it all. Together we can effect change.
Another telling photo. Note this lady’s engagement and passion.
This Native American man said he was there for his grand daughter, who is holding. He said Obama, like Native Peoples, looks ahead to not what is best for this generation but future generations.
My wife Donna and son Matt. Full disclosure: my eighteen year old daughter Sarah is a Hillary supporter but I still love her. So does my 75 year old dad. I’m not sure who my mom is supporting between the two.
There was also quite a line at the Obama Store, where they were selling—yes SELLING—yard signs and buttons (and tee-shirts). The line was typically 10 deep or so. Kind of like going to a rock concert, you had to get your Man Crush gear.
There are probably at least ten paid staff working out of Sioux Falls. It is obvious that Obama is playing to win in South Dakota. The organizing and voter registration efforts will be wonderful for the party.
There are probably at least ten paid staff working out of Sioux Falls. It is obvious that Obama is playing to win in South Dakota. The organizing and voter registration efforts will be wonderful for the party.
Todd Epp
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Reader Comments (13)
I wonder what South Dakotans will think when they hear what Obama has to say about "Midwesterners"
"You go into some of these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them. And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns, or religion, or antipathy to people who aren't like them, or anti-immigrant sentiment, or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."
I have a gun because I like to hunt. I have a religion because I believe in it. I'm not anti-immigrant or anti-trade, but I do think the USA needs to look out for its own interests. I'm not frustrated at all. Well, that's not true. I'm frustrated with liberal, urban, Ivy League, condescending elites looking at their noses at me. The Clintons have their share of problems, but they are from ARKANSAS - they would never say something like that.
Excuse me, "looking DOWN their noses..."
Oh yeah, the millionaire Clintons. Real down home folks.
Whom are you kidding, Ides? Spin as hard as you like -- Obama isn't trying to take away your gun or your religion. He's just trying to focus the national conversation on real problems... unlike you.
I'm not trying to distract from real issues. But first, Obama has been almost comically vague on real issues. And secondly, that statement, make to a private group in San Francisco, I think is very telling of his true mindset. As important as understanding the candidate's policy positions is understanding who the candidate really is. Up until now, I've had a fairly positive view of Obama, but that statement really hit a nerve with me - I'm afraid it is telling.
Ides: on which page of Obama's Blueprint for Change are his policies comically vauge?
It was so cool parking a block and a half away to attend the rally! There was alot of energy there and it's a great facility. I'm hoping they extend the lease past June and will do my part to help make it so.
Obama had me pegged pretty well on the "bitter" part. I tend to get bitter and discouraged when corporations get bailed out, while average Joes struggle day to day. I get real bitter when elected officials are piggily gobbling up at the trough of what lobbyists lay out for them when they forget about "we the people" and corporations have more of a personhood. I'm real bitter that we got lied into a war that is so costly in life, in borrowed money we don't even have, and the debt that my children inherit.
Folks can feign outrage or read things into what Obama says, but I've yet to hear outrage over Bush and Co's basically admitting they knew about torture, or Trent Lott bragging that he hasn't paid for lunch in 30 years.
Ides o March, perhaps you just let your shirt/skirt/whatever get ruffled by the wrong winds.
Find out where Obama is on a new SD presidential poll at the SDWC.
http://dakotawarcollege.com
(Shameless SDWC plug)
SDWC has shame?
Just asking.
Keep plugging along. There is something to be said for blog diversity even when it is shamelessly plugged.
Hmm, "the Clinton's would never say something like that?!"
Check out the Huffington Post on-line Ides of March..Evidently Bill Clinton made the same comments they are bashing Obama for when he was running against Bush in 1991.
What's that expression...People who live in glass houses?
Itztru
Too funny Skippy.......
The picture "says it all"
I looked at the picture and saw a woman listening to a man.
Thanks for pointing out that the lady is white and the man is black. When have you ever had to point out race in picture that says it all?
Actually your caption "says it all"
Alter Ego:
Bite me.
Best regards,
Todd
Here is the absolute 100% fact for all my gun loving , hunting neighbors west of my.
Obama supports gun control he supported it in Chicago which should be noted has the highest percentage of shooting victims and murder rate per capita.
I am also sorry that some of you have really been that duped. Where in Obama political background preaches diversity? Have you read any of this mans books? The people this man has surrounded himself before this campaign speaks volumes to his supposed diversity!
To the really DUMB first commenter.
1. You are taking the words out of context.
2. Clinton did say horrible things about working class folks many times, not the least of which was "Screw 'em" back in 1994.
3. The Clintons are the real elitists because they do not trust the voters to determine their nominee. They think the voters should be overturned.
4. The Clintons just pander to whomever they're talking to.
5. Hillary Clinton is NOT from Arkansas! Give me a break! She's from a lily-white, super-wealthy suburb of Chicago. Do some research for a change.