Waiting for Michelle Obama in Raleigh (video by student, posted on YouTube)
What most struck me about the rally at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh was
- the intense energy of the crowd of at least 5,500, as if they did not simply come to see a candidate's wife, but that they felt they are part of a MOVEMENT, a yearning for change, and a desire to PARTICIPATE in it. To get into the event, everyone had to fill out a form with name, address, email address and voter registration information -- meaning that the campaign is building a huge network of potential supporters, not only for the remainder of the campaign, but in the years ahead, once Barack is President, as Michelle said, to push his agenda for health care reform, because a true grassroots movement is the only way to fight the special interests and to actually GET IT DONE.
- the crowd seemed awestruck and amazed that the Obamas are essentially playing the role of David to the Clintons' Goliath. And amazed that the leading candidate for the Democratic nomination is an African American man with a funny name.
- The intense energy at the Michelle Obama event was in sharp contrast to the response to Bill Clinton I observed at two events -- mostly curiosity at seeing a former president of the United States, with many people not at all certain they would be voting for Hillary. A few hundred came out to see Bill Clinton in Cary, and about 700 showed up in Laurinburg.
- I was also struck by how diverse the crowd was -- people of all ages, races and all walks of life. Not sure where else you'd see this much diversity -- maybe at a sporting event or especially at a basketball game, but not if the tickets are high-priced.
- As the crowd stood devoutly at attention, with hands over heart, reverently reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, I thought how silly the charge is that Barack and Michelle do not love America and are not proud of their country. Their campaign is so quintessentially American, so full of hope that America will soon fulfill the "true meaning of its creed -- that all people are created equal and are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, among them life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
- As for the content of Michelle's remarks, the quote that struck me most was: "Imagine having a President who UNDERSTANDS other countries and other cultures, who doesn't just react in FEAR." It seems to me for the last few years we've been far too quick to react in fear, far too quick to make judgments, far too quick to reject or dismiss what we do not understand, especially if it is DIFFERENT from us. This applies to both national politics and international politics.
- On the negative side, Michelle probably talked too long, she meandered a bit, and she certainly doesn't have the command of issues or depth of experience that Bill Clinton does. But then neither Michelle nor Bill are on the ballot, and I do wonder if so many appearances by Bill Clinton in North Carolina will give voters the impression that he's campaigning for his third term, which will strike them as UNFAIR.
- I will reserve judgment until I have a chance to see Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama up close and personal in NC.
Michelle Obama in Winston Salem (video by NANDOMULTIMEDIA on YOUTUBE)
Michelle mentioning her connection to Winston Salem State University:
Michelle on Charlotte TV:
Related:
