Obama Wows the Crowd at a Packed House at UNH
By CLYNTON NAMUO
New Hampshire Union Leader Correspondent
January 13, 2007
DURHAM, New Hampshire – In his first major campaign event in the state since announcing his candidacy for president on Saturday, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama touted his message of change last night to a 3,000-strong crowd at the University of New Hampshire.
The energy was intense as Obama entered like an American Idol contestant taking the stage, and the Democrat did not disappoint, beginning his speech with something similar to a short stand-up routine to woo the crowd.
"I don't know what you guys did this weekend, but I announced that I was running for the presidency," he said.
The vigor so apparent among the crowd as Obama took the stage would wax and wane over the next hour and half as he outlined his plan for change and took questions from the audience.Although Obama drew strong applause when he called for universal health care and a lasting solution for America's dependence on oil, it was in his criticism of the War in Iraq where he drew the most fervor.
"I think most of us now realize that we are in the midst of a war that should never have been authorized," he said to thunderous applause.
Obama drew on his outsider's status, having served only two years in the Senate, and offered himself as the alternative to the politics of old, controlled by lobbyists and backroom dealing. He criticized how trivialized politics have become, using recent paparazzi photos of himself in a swimsuit as evidence.
"A lot of us have stopped believing that politics can make a difference," he said.
Although in its infancy, Obama's campaign so far has touted a need for rapid, drastic change, and he offered a few tidbits last night on what he planned to do.
He said education must be improved by hiring more teachers and paying them more; that fuel efficiency standards must be raised and more alternative fuels put into use; and that only a political, not military, solution will save Iraq.
Obama received noticeably less applause when he presented his plan to curb illegal immigration by improving border security, putting more responsibility on employers and by giving those already in the U.S. a pathway to citizenship. He said he would not give any of them amnesty, but he also said deporting all illegal immigrants is simply impossible.
Obama was less clear on gay issues. He took a strong stand in favor of equal rights for gay couples, but said he does not support gay marriage.
"This is an issue that I think helps to describe who we are," he said.
Obama said he doesn't support gay marriage because the "marriage" label brings about fierce opposition and makes the issue a lost cause. Rather, he said he supports civil unions giving gay couples all the rights and privileges of married couples without the title.
For all information on story please see:
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Obama+wows+the+crowd+at+a+packed+house+at+UNH&articleId=676105f3-527c-4a84-a346-a6ebc58104e6
New Hampshire Union Leader Correspondent
January 13, 2007
DURHAM, New Hampshire – In his first major campaign event in the state since announcing his candidacy for president on Saturday, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama touted his message of change last night to a 3,000-strong crowd at the University of New Hampshire.
The energy was intense as Obama entered like an American Idol contestant taking the stage, and the Democrat did not disappoint, beginning his speech with something similar to a short stand-up routine to woo the crowd.
"I don't know what you guys did this weekend, but I announced that I was running for the presidency," he said.
The vigor so apparent among the crowd as Obama took the stage would wax and wane over the next hour and half as he outlined his plan for change and took questions from the audience.Although Obama drew strong applause when he called for universal health care and a lasting solution for America's dependence on oil, it was in his criticism of the War in Iraq where he drew the most fervor.
"I think most of us now realize that we are in the midst of a war that should never have been authorized," he said to thunderous applause.
Obama drew on his outsider's status, having served only two years in the Senate, and offered himself as the alternative to the politics of old, controlled by lobbyists and backroom dealing. He criticized how trivialized politics have become, using recent paparazzi photos of himself in a swimsuit as evidence.
"A lot of us have stopped believing that politics can make a difference," he said.
Although in its infancy, Obama's campaign so far has touted a need for rapid, drastic change, and he offered a few tidbits last night on what he planned to do.
He said education must be improved by hiring more teachers and paying them more; that fuel efficiency standards must be raised and more alternative fuels put into use; and that only a political, not military, solution will save Iraq.
Obama received noticeably less applause when he presented his plan to curb illegal immigration by improving border security, putting more responsibility on employers and by giving those already in the U.S. a pathway to citizenship. He said he would not give any of them amnesty, but he also said deporting all illegal immigrants is simply impossible.
Obama was less clear on gay issues. He took a strong stand in favor of equal rights for gay couples, but said he does not support gay marriage.
"This is an issue that I think helps to describe who we are," he said.
Obama said he doesn't support gay marriage because the "marriage" label brings about fierce opposition and makes the issue a lost cause. Rather, he said he supports civil unions giving gay couples all the rights and privileges of married couples without the title.
For all information on story please see:
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Obama+wows+the+crowd+at+a+packed+house+at+UNH&articleId=676105f3-527c-4a84-a346-a6ebc58104e6
