"CHECK" if not "CheckMATE": OBAMA'S PRIMARY WAVE

[FrenchieCat]

In the game of politics, Obama made his move this eve that put his Democratic and Republican opponents in Check. Certainly, it is not Checkmate yet, but it may be soon.

What Obama did tonight was to show his opponents something that most of us hadn't counted on. Obama turned out voters in Iowa in numbers that made his opponents realize that Obama is bound for the history books, one way or another.

The waves of new voters, many of them the (so called undependable) youth, although often discussed by the media, showed up at the right time and stayed on cue. They did not simply show up to vote, they showed up to caucus; something that requires that much more time and determination. The Iowa caucuses have been known for the exclusivity to those who "invest" themselves in their politics. Tonight, thousands showed up to participate for the first time in having their say. This feat, that we will appreciated the more we think about it, and as we see it repeated over and over again in other primary states, has made many finally see the profound effect this articulate quiet warrior could have in our electoral politics, and for the Democratic party.

Not only did Obama showed evidence of his moniker, "The Agent of Change" by changing the landscape of the Iowa caucuses, he showed that he could deliver. Iowa caucus statistics are proof that what Obama did was not simply talk; he inspired to action.

Certainly, the game will go on, and it will be interesting to see just how well Obama does next week, and on from there....but if anyone were to ask, what kind of change is this Obama supposed to be about?...make sure you point to the additional 118,000+ Iowans that turned out on a freezing day in very early January, right after a national holiday, when all of the Football games were on the TeeVee....to come and caucus. And make sure to note that those numbers were almost twice as many as had shown up to caucus just 4 short years ago when we were all raging mad and demanding an end to Bush's unelected term. Reasons to vote against Bush in 2004 were many, but reasons to vote for Obama in 2008 will be even better, cause that is how we can win.

I Can't wait to be able to say, checkmate; game over.

[truedelphi]

1. It was fun hearing that part of the reason for his win was that he

Used his national organization simply to advise those out in the trenches.

Clinton used her national organization to "be" the people out in the trenches.

The subtle message behind these strategies seems to be that
1) Obama trusts local people to help make their own way through their own situation
2) Clinton thinks that people need to be led

[FrenchieCat]

2. Getting voters out is an art of leadership.......

but folks are still reeling. They will realize that this is proof in the pudding for Obama; Agent of Change. :)

[thoughtcrime1984]

3. And for all the folks that won't vote for Obama

if he should make the GE, and you vote Repub or Bloomberg you should get the hell out of the DU community.

[FrenchieCat]

4. Like I said...folks are reeling over their loss.......

at some point, things will be clearer!

[ClintonTyree]

7. OK, newbie....

many people have been at DU for years. Many years. And Mr.162 posts is telling people who should be here and who should not? :rofl:

It's not that I'm against Obama, but your arrogance is astounding. :rofl:

[FrenchieCat]

8. We are not supposed to mention post numbers to make newbies

feel uncomfortable.

DU has been pretty much a mess tonight......in some of the posts.

[ClintonTyree]

10. There was no other way....

to point out the arrogance of that statement without bringing his DU longevity into light. There are hundreds of new posters at DU lately who seem like bulls in China Shops. Perhaps dictating who and who cannot stay here at DU would be better left for the Mods and Admins than a newbie? :shrug: Just sayin'. :hi:

[sandnsea]

5. Marshall Ganz, Temo Figeroa

Temo Figeroa …a longtime labor organizer, and the son of farm worker organizers, … was hired away from the top political job at AFSCME to be the National Field Director for the Obama Campaign.

This past weekend’s Atlanta training was lead primarily by Harvard Professor Marshall Ganz, once a National Organizing Director of the United Farm Workers and now sought-after advisor to political campaigns, unions and NGOs....He joined Ceasar Chavez as a farm worker organizer and was mentored by figures from Saul Alinksy’s community organizing movement.

http://www.ruthgroup.org/2008/01/04/obama-organizing/

Not to mention Obama's own voter registration that is noted as having changed the landscape of Chicago politics.

[FrenchieCat]

6. Excellent........

so Obama recognizes competence well! Kewl!

Thank you for that.

[FrenchieCat]

9. shameless Kick.....

cause it feels good.

[CarbonDate]

11. What's also interesting....

...is how Wes Clark's endorsement of Hillary didn't translate into actual support for Hillary among Clark's most loyal supporters.... like you... or me.

[calimary]

12. Yeah, I've been wondering about that, too. The Clark effect.

I happen to think Wesley Clark is terrific - for many reasons. I still don't quite understand why he never caught on in 2004, much less why his luster didn't help clinch it for Clinton. Is he just not that impressive to people? I think he'd at least make a magnificent VP, or maybe the new Democratic president's Defense Secretary. I just never figured that one out.