Feb. 5th News

January 27, 2008

Obama also has the potential to break apart the old coalitions of American politics and create dynamic new ones in their place.

His is a candidacy that gives hope to many – to African-Americans, to be sure, and the young as well as people of all races who are inspired by his eloquence and delight in the thought of the U.S. putting the final nail in the coffin of its racist past by electing an African-American to the highest office in the land.

The Illinois senator’s appeal is about much more than race. Obama speaks of hope in a way that Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton did before him. He doesn’t despair over what is wrong in America today, but points to what is right, and how we can become better.

Trenton Times (New Jersey)

We’re backing Sen. Obama for several reasons, not the least of which is that he has the ability to change the image of the United States overnight. And he understands the importance of that power, the first step toward restoring our country as a beacon of liberty and justice.

Sen. Obama has advanced an agenda of sound economic proposals. And his health-care approach, with buy-in plans, would pave the way toward the eventual goal of an all-inclusive health-care system.

He’s serious about the development of alternative fuels and is not beholden to the interests of the big oil companies.

He has displayed solid judgment throughout his career. When, as a state senator, he warned against going to war in Iraq, he eloquently anticipated the worst that has come to pass. Having never voted for the war, he’s in a better position than his rivals to begin to undo that unholy mess with a timetable for the withdrawal of troops.

… Most important, Sen. Obama represents a fresh start and a departure from two decades of the Bush-Clinton-Bush monopoly on government — and all the attendant scandals, favors, battles, special interests, failures and foibles of that time.

He’s tapped a spring of hope in the people of this country. He’s inspired us to believe that the little guy will not be lost in the business of government, but participate in it and benefit from it.

… Obama is convinced that our country is capable of better. And he has convinced us.

Rochester Democrat & Chronicle (New York)

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama [is] sparking enthusiasm at the grass roots — from public rallies on downtown streets to brainstorm sessions at coffee shops — in advance of New York’s presidential primary on Feb. 5.

… Rochester Dems for Obama has held rallies, handed out Obama literature at festivals and collected signatures so a full slate of Obama delegates could appear on the ballot in three Rochester-area congressional districts.

… "You can’t have a grass-roots organization like ours if you aren’t drawn to the candidate by passion," said Monica Leubner, a Fairport resident who is fundraising director for the local Obama group.

… Obama draws grass-roots supporters because he’s seen as a different kind of candidate and because he has successfully used new ways of getting people involved, said Richard Niemi, a political scientist at the University of Rochester.

WKBW| ABC Buffalo (New York)

Some Western New Yorkers are pumped up about Barack Obama’s win in the South Carolina Democratic primary. They organized a viewing party to watch the results come in this evening at his local campaign headquarters on Main Street in Buffalo. Supporters think the momentum from his big win tonight will carry over to Super Tuesday on February 5th.

… New York and other Super Tuesday states are shaping up to be a battleground for delegates. Obama supporters are planning an attack to cultivate more support for the Illinois senator here in Western New York.

Diana Cihak, organizer of WNY Delegates for Obama, said "If we can do very well in Clinton’s own home state, that’s going to give Obama a huge push, and I have to tell you that I think the momentum has been building for the last month and I think that we’re going to do very well."

Part of that plan includes heading out to local churches tomorrow to hand out literature on Barack Obama. Supporters are also running phone banks everyday. They say their volunteer ranks have swelled from just 40 people back in May to over 400 now.