DISQUS

cospringsrwn · 1 year ago

I too was there as part of a small group of long time volunteers and asked to sit behind the stage. You might notice me in the back row wearing a E=MC2 hat. My take. Unlike the Denver U event which was about rock-n-roll politics with a speech that is composed to connect with supporters and enthusiasts the Obama campaign is centered upon these smaller venues and using them to unveil detailing in his platform. In this case expanding the National Service Call by attempting to grow it almost 4 times is a mighty platform initiative. He further is seeking to make community service integrated in secondary education through Federal Govt monies and college service through a $4000 tax credit. This is a substantive change and one he learned the value of through his own life and experiences. This is not something to be unveiled at DU and a crowd of 19,000.

As for the cramped quarters that is what CO Springs has to offer on short notice. Blaming the campaign for the lack of venues is ridiculous and shows how the press likes to be pampered sometimes. Being a former stringer I recalled how I would be relegated to a stairwell at times but that was 25 years ago. We didn't have laptops that demanded plugs.

Conversing with the crowd it was apparent that it was not mostly composed of political supporters but individuals who were invited because of the military veteran service, peace corps alumni status, Americorp status and individuals with other service providers. I spoke with Barry whom I was surprised he was there being from PPJPC and he said because he was a Peace Corp alumnus. I did notice Merrifield, said hi to Morse and John Morris and Hal Bidlack. And yes there were a number of super Obama volunteers who got invites late when the intended invitees passed.

Obama made it clear early on he was not interested in extended applause also. The most touching moment was when he was being introduced by the Colorado State U recent graduate and she choked up, Obama placed his hand gently on her shoulder, rubbed it and said she was do well.

Now this is what is confusing so many a political observer. Obama is not a 20th Century politician nor does he possess the political conscience or the makeup of a politician of the post Nixon Era that has consumed and stagnated this nation for over a generation. He is about pragmatically solving problems that are threatening this nation and globe. He is not about winning partisan battles. So whether it is expanding Faith Based social service initiatives (where ironically more liberal-minded churches and org are gaining grants, because they are actually doing something about their community needs and not trying to use the funds promote their particular church) or seeking to expand the National Service while using it to assist middle class college students, this solves problems.

He is not fighting the continued cultural wars of the 1960's and I am 51 years old and know those wars. This is hard for many cynical or casual observers to figure out. He is liberal and progressive but not in that recent traditional sense. He is not a dove and he is not a hawk either.

What he is and remains is very human, and still connected to his humble roots, his conflicted experiences as a mixed racial man and one brought up in a struggling and broken home. One last note, did anyone hear Obama mention that his wife Michelle left her big lawyer job in Chicago once to lead the Americorps program in Chicago early in her career. Interesting.....