Bald Truth: Obama, Huckabee Rock Iowa!
By Art Harris, (c) www.artharris.com, all rights reserved
In a stirring speech evoking the cadence and dreams of Martin Luther King, Jr, Sen. Barack Obama, declared victory Thursday night in the Iowa caucuses, an extraordinary moment that puts him a major step closer to a shot as America’s first black President, and dealing Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton a damaging third place finish just behind Sen. John Edwards among Democrats chasing the holy grail.
“You’ll be able to look back and say, ‘This is the moment when it all began,’” he preached in a dark suit, white shirt and baby blue pin striped tie, leaping ahead as a former underdog who won the night’s politics of expectations.
I watched CNN’s graphics show a stunning 37 per cent of the vote in his pocket as Obama stirred a diverse crowd of young and old, black and white in state that has never seen an African American win statewide..with a message of “hope.”
“This was the moment,” he went on, reaching for common ground to close any racial divide, “when we torn down the barriers that divided us too long.
“When we finally have Americans who never participated in politics to stand up and do something.
“This was the moment when we beat back the politics of fear and doubt and cynicism, where we tear each other down, instead of lifting each other up. This was the moment.”
I heard the lilt and humility of King, and the energy of a Jesse Jackson, Jr., but without any need to divide and conquer. He was offering a message of hope.
“’OBAMA, OBAMA, OBAMA!” chanted the crowd.
Mike Huckabee, the plain-talking Arkansas preacher turned governor, won the Republican party nod, stressing his Christianity as he upset Mormon Gov. Mitt Romney who outspent him by millions of dollars.
Next week, New Hampshire, then South Carolina. We’ll be watching to see if Sen. Clinton can energize her team, if her husband can make a difference (it’s a real test of his time in office) on the campaign trail and whether Obama can build Big Mo and ride the Oprah effect, and whether the Republicans start to line up behind Huckabee.
But Obama is the story.
January 4th, 2008 at 3:06 am
Normally I run as far as I can away from politics but I did watch if nothing more for the history of the moment and to see who is going to be sitting in the Oval office soon. Obama’s speech WAS inspiring. Grabbed my attention much more than Huckabee’s.
It would be nice to have a nation united other than the red versus the blue, wouldn’t it?
January 4th, 2008 at 3:34 am
I first saw Obama on Oprah’s daytime show, he’s a politician I enjoy listening to, if I wasn’t north of the border he’d have my vote.
January 4th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Obama reminds me of the John Kennedy run for president.Everyone thought he wouldn’t win either and he did.I kind of got from HRC that she thought she should get a vote because she is a woman,she was not the first woman to run.I did not hear Obama say he should get a vote because he is biracial.I would be hard pressed to pick between Obama and John Edwards.Anyone but another Clinton in office
January 4th, 2008 at 10:36 am
I don’t see it happening for Obama. If he’s the candidate, the Democrats will lose. Again.
January 4th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I would not vote for Obama simply because he is not honest and clear enough in my opinion, as far as his racial background. He, along with everyone else working for him make it sound like he is of one race, whereas he is bi-racial. I think that those who work for him want to make him one of THEIR own instead of OUR own.
January 4th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
P.S.
Sorry for the P.S.
By having Oprah root for him he made it abundantly clear where he stands. I was disappointed in Oprah for getting involved in politics, anyway. She is loved and respected by ALL and should not have taken sides. Or, Obama could have asked highly respected people from other races to root for him, and thereby make it fair and equal.
January 4th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
As an American their really was something special and amazing about seeing a black presidential candidate being able to raise his arms up in victory. Yet at the same time, its 2008. Why has it taken this long for something has seemingly as simple as this to happen??
“Jefferson once said about the United States: we where the last best hope of mankind. That’s what I want the United States to be. This is a generous and compassionate country. That’s what I want this country to stand for. Not violence, Not lawlessness, Not disorder. But compassion and love and peace. That’s what this country should stand for.”
-Bobby Kennedy
January 4th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I really enjoyed watching Charles Gibson on ABC last night explaining how the Caucus works in Iowa. It was really interesting.
I’m still on the fence as far as who I want in the White House…but I’m leaning towards one more than another.
January 4th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I think the people of this country should think hard before putting Obama in. This guy, while he may be appealing to alot of people, just doesn’t have the experience to take on the terrible mess Bush has, not only our country, but parts of the world in.
I would really hate to have to be the one to try and straighten out this mess. Bush has done more harm to more people than anyone that has ever been in the Oval Office.
It will take decades to try to right the wrongs this man has committed. Bush has us so much in debt, that I don’t know if we’ll ever be able to get out of it. China owns most of the debt, but we owe so many other countries also. In essence, they own us.
January 4th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I have two problems with Obama.
1. On TV, I saw him say that he promised his wife that he wouldn’t run for President, until his girls were “raised”.
2. That if the President of Pakistan wasn’t more active in going after terriorist in his country, then he would invade Pakistan, & we would go after them ourselves.
Both statements give me pause.
I am a black woman, who once lived in Obama’s district. I remember when he first ran for public office. I have always thought he & his wife were good people. But these two statements make me question his honesty & foreign policy.
January 4th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Elle I beg to differ IMO if another Clinton wins the democrats will lose.They both have too many things against them that can be used against them.IMO a lot of people will vote republican if Clinton is nominated.I know I will cross over again if so. I sure like Hucklebbe more than Mrs Clinton and would trust him before any Clinton or what they claim they will do.
January 4th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
I wonder out of all those politicians…which is the best human being?
Probably not the one that will win.
Call me a pessimist.
That is what I am.
Sad but true…if only I had a blog.
January 4th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
ART, THANKSFOR YOUR GREAT ARTICLES NO MATTER WHAT YOUR WRITING ABOUT. I LOVE READING YOUR BALD TRUTH ESPECIALLY YOUR ANNA NICOLE UPDATES ND LETTING EVERYONE HEAR THE BALD TRUTH. I ALSO ENJOY READING JOHN NAZARIAN’S POST.
January 4th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
I am strongly looking at Obama for my pick although I haven.t yet made up my mind. I will have to wait until around Sept., Oct., then decide; Obama looks good right now hoping he will continue to do so.
HAPPY NEW YEAR ART AND GOD BLESS
January 4th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
All the candidates promise Pie-in-the sky when they are running. So…everyone should look at their past voting record to learn where they really stand on isues that are important to each of us. So, I trust http://www.numbersUSA to give me that information.
January 5th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I would never vote for anyone who had Hussin in his name like Obamba.
January 5th, 2008 at 11:39 am
I sure don’t want a religions nut in office. Huck is too “SeE, I am religious and believe everthing the bible says” kinda a guy for me. You don’t have to be ‘religious” to be a good guy. I am not anti god, but I am anti religion institutions. Catholic, Lutheren, Espis, Baptist, Methodist,Muslim, Jewish… I guess ppl pick what is most to their liking. Therefore, I pick no religion. All think they have it right. It is like choosing a car. So, I don’t want to hear about their faith, I just want to hear what they can do to re-build America and bring jobs back, healthcare problems, crime problems, fainess to all, protect our rights and land.
What they choose to do to help these and other areas will tell me what kind of a man the candidate is and whom i will vote for.
January 5th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Do not know about much about politics. Obama sometimes seems a bit naive and too trusting. America has enemies who are not interested in us being nice. JMO
January 6th, 2008 at 6:11 am
s Says:
January 4th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I have two problems with Obama.
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I agree that if he broke a promise he made to his wife, he will say whatever will appease whomever he tries to impress at any given time.
January 6th, 2008 at 6:12 am
lynp Says:
January 5th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I would never vote
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I would not want a president named “hussein”. How unthinkable! It would have been smarter for him to change his middle name when he had the slighest hint he wanted to run for president.
January 6th, 2008 at 6:25 am
Louise Says:
January 5th, 2008 at 11:39 am
I sure don’t want a religions nut in office.
—————————————————-
This is the best comment on any subject I have read coming from you because I agree. Let the President of the US preside over the country and leave the rest to the Pope or whoever else is in charge of that subject.
I do, respect the president and wish people would remember he was elected to do his best. He was not elected to check with each and every citizen before making each and every decision.
I think it is a draw between the president and Howard K. Stern on who has been more villified and harassed.
January 6th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Huckabee is a religious bigot who has no place the the office of the President of the United States. He should frighten anyone who has religious beliefs different than his fundamentalist beliefs, not just those who are easy targets for religious discrimination, such as “Mormons”. I am appalled that he has been allowed to trash Romney’s LDS religion, with impunity. Shame on those that allow him to continue his DIRTY campaign!
January 6th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Yes Art, Obama is the story.
I personally think he should get in the White House.
You watch, it will be Edwards who might possibly make it.
I will still cast my vote for Obama, with crossing my fingers and saying many prayers.
Just don’t think the world is ready for a woman…maybe one or two more generations from now.
January 6th, 2008 at 10:31 am
I think the Republicans are praying for Obama to be the candidate. There is so much being swept under the carpet as to his 2005 land purchase from now-indicted political fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko. When Rush has good things to say about a Dem it worries me.
January 6th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
hmm Says:
January 4th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Elle I beg to differ IMO if another Clinton wins the democrats will lose.They both have too many things against them that can be used against them.IMO a lot of people will vote republican if Clinton is nominated.I know I will cross over again if so. I sure like Hucklebbe more than Mrs Clinton and would trust him before any Clinton or what they claim they will do.
—-
I didn’t mention any Clinton in my post. As far as I’m concerned you can replace the name Obama (in my initial post) with the name Clinton. Neither one will get the Democrats back in, imo.
I would love it if the Democrats could find ONE truly viable candidate for this election.
January 6th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Freida, I am not for sure but I beieve you can now set yourself up a blog on Roses’s site. They have made a lot of changes in their site, I’m sure they are for the good but I am computer illiterate - although I am trying to learn. I love her site. I have resigned from reading or posting on the other site because of all the hatred they have shown for Art and his site. Too much hatred in the world to experience on a web site.
To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.
January 6th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Dear Art,
Obama does ‘preach’ like…
And, President Huckabee just doesn’t sound right.
Oh, well…I try!!!
Who earns the most respect, who should we look up to?
Should we honor our elders, are they wiser than us?
What about them, instead of us?
Who will the the rest of the world respect?
Not just us little people, I mean.
Who’s who?
And, who knows what?
And, what the hell do we know, really? (sorry I cursed)
January 6th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Politics are so confusing–Politicans even worse!
January 6th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
What the heck, now CNN’s asking what if?
Whatcha gonna do when the nuclear bomb goes off and blows up one of our cities…and
Then, whatcha gonna do once that’s done?
Ouch!!!
They’re starting to make about as much sense as me.
Oh well, they say stay calm.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:33 am
Off Topic
Art, why is the homepage off centre?
January 7th, 2008 at 10:02 am
What I love about Obama is he tells what he feels. I remember the auto union being upset with him for not giving them the “pie in the sky” promise. He was honest and told them what they needed to hear, not what they wanted to hear. He has said it will take some while to fix this “mess” Hillary said she can do it in her first year. Hillary would be good in some cabinet position, if she will stop being so hateful and thinking she is “owed” something. She and Bill have sold and promised everything to get where they are.
January 7th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I think Obama knows what to do if and when the time comes. I don’t think he’s as naive as some may think. I personally think he’ll make a great president.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Experience doesn’t always make a difference. In Canada, we elected Pierre Elliot Trudeau as our Prime Minister in 1968,also on a platform of change. He was 48 years old.He had been in the House of Commons for less than 3 years….much less experience than Obama. He was Prime Minister from 1968 to 1979 and then again from 1980 to 1984.
Change and fresh ideas can be a great thing for your country.It was for ours.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
I did not get into policics except when we had the first woman who ran and I did like her but it was not the right time.I know at times I have voted for the least of two evils so to speak or for and independet canidate instead of one of the 2 major ones.A waisted vote I know but at times I just could not vote for either major candicates.I will say I do not vote a straight party line and I do not always stay in the same part I change according to the canidates that are out there
January 7th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Hmm never feel that you have wasted your vote when you vote for your personal choice. Don’t mean to be a pessimist, but, considering how messed up the voting machines are, then all the recounts that somehow go awry, it’s like playing the roulette wheel. Somehow, I feel that if we could do away with the electoral college and go with the popular vote, things would be a whole lot better. Perhaps then, we could keep the supreme court out of it. lol
IMO
January 8th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
LaVone I agree IMO we should go with the popular vote/Many things would have been changed if we had.many had the popular votes but not the big electoral college states to create a win.
January 8th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Isabel, please don’t even put Howard’s name in the same sentence with Bush.
At least Bush deserves what he gets.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:13 am
LaVone, I agree. The electoral college should be done away with. I think it’s totally unfair.
January 11th, 2008 at 3:22 am
I could vote for someone like EJ…someone that never changes and stands up, or stands for ‘The Truth.’
This person, whomever she/he may be…
That’s the person I want to lead me.
Find me.
Finders Keepers.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:53 am
I have heard Obama’s book is a gem and worth reading.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:43 am
I now have a simple but sincere message in my bumper sticker. If Hilary is elected, I will scratch off the current sticker. If Obama is elected, I will burn the entire bumper.
March 11th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
It is curious that a guy who is getting so many votes does not get comments on this site.
Is everyone busy swooning over Obama or do they not care? Can it be that bloggers are scratching their head wondering if the man gets elected, among other things, how will the country benefit from a self-pitying, negative First Lady?
March 19th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Hey Uncle Art,
Your page is great and very interesting. I am really glad you told us about it. Looking at all of these comments taught me a lot about the canidates I did not know. I hope that a lot of people look at your page before they vote and also I think kids my age should read to learn more to! It was nice seeing you the other day! We are proud of your work!