Candidate's 'wisdom, instinct, vision' cited
By Robert Behre
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Barack Obama
Democratic presidential hopeful Illinois Sen. Barack Obama held a campaign rally at The Cistern on the College of Charleston campus and picked up and endorsement from Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry.
U.S. Sen. John Kerry returned Thursday to the Lowcountry, where he launched his 2004 presidential bid, but he came four years later to introduce and endorse the Democrat who he hopes will win this time: U.S. Sen. Barack Obama.
Kerry's appearance provided a surprise twist to Obama's packed rally at the College of Charleston's Cistern, which drew thousands of people, making it the largest political rally in Charleston in recent memory. Hundreds also stood outside along the iron fence.
It wasn't the first time Kerry has helped Obama. Kerry's decision to let the then-unknown Illinois state senator deliver the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention catapulted Obama onto the national scene.
"Charleston is a good place to remind people that since the birth of our nation, change has been won by young presidents and young leaders who have shown that experience is not defined by time in Washington or years in office. It's defined by wisdom and instinct and vision," Kerry said.
"It is the moral compass that I see and that I believe you see in Barack Obama that gives me confidence he will steer our country in the right direction. He was, after all, right about the war in Iraq from the beginning," Kerry said. "We are electing judgment and character, not years on this earth."
Kerry said Obama, now a U.S. Senator, promises a new brand of bipartisan politics that would bring citizens together to do great things. "I see Americans by the millions turned off from our democracy itself," Kerry said. "To them, politics has become a dirty word, and we've all seen too much of a politics that sells out the conscience of our country just to win an election."
Obama thanked Kerry, calling him "a man of courage, a man of conviction and a man whose life story gives him an understanding of the kind of change we need right now."
Obama talked about the need to look out for senior citizens who have lost their pensions while company presidents pocketed a bonus, and for parents who are competing with their teenagers for $7-an-hour jobs at Wal-Mart.
He said he would work to end the Iraq war responsibly, adding, "Our troops have done a magnificent job. They have been brilliant."
"We want everybody on the change bandwagon. ... To me, change isn't just the rhetoric of the campaign, it's been the cause of my life. We've been told by a chorus of cynics who will only grow more loud and more dissonant in the weeks to come. They say, 'Oh, Barack may get people excited but he's not been in Washington long enough. We need to season and stew him, boil all the hope out of him.'
"In the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope," he continued. "Generations of Americans have responded by a simple creed that sums up the spirit of people: Yes we can. ... It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom through the darkest of nights. Yes we can."
While Obama's appearance was ostensibly part of the College of Charleston's Bully Pulpit series, his celebrity status changed the format. Instead of taking questions for an hour, he spoke for only about 20 minutes, about the same length of time as Kerry, then lingered for about an hour greeting supporters and meeting privately with reporters and others.
Kerry's endorsement overshadowed one of Obama's rivals, former U.S. Sen. John Edwards, who campaigned in Charleston a few hours later. Edwards was Kerry's running mate four years ago.
The Republican National Committee put out a statement noting the similarities in the voting records of Kerry and Obama and called them "liberal soul mates."
The Obama campaign estimated the Cistern crowd at 4,500, and Charleston County Democratic Party Chairman Waring Howe said, "I've never seen this many people turn out for a rally, Democrat or Republican. This is like a political Woodstock."
Many who attended walked away with smiles. Felisa Geddis of Summerville said she has voted for Republicans for years but will vote for Obama this time. "I think just looking at the crowd is inspiring," she said. "It showed the true face of America, and that's what we need."
Paul Tetreault made the trip to Charleston from St. Augustine, Fla. "The last time I was this fired up, I was helping Bobby Kennedy" in 1968, Tetreault said.
Crystal Matthews of Goose Creek said she has been on board with Obama since the first debate in Orangeburg in April. "It's not about his skin," she said. "It's all about his character."
Reach Robert Behre at rbehre@postandcourier.com 937-5771.
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moonpie (anonymous) says...
I agree PM!
January 11, 2008 at 6:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
waterboard (anonymous) says...
All smiles, no substance.
January 11, 2008 at 6:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hey_U_Guys (anonymous) says...
Yuck! I'm in the WRONG forum.
January 11, 2008 at 7:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
akkomplished (anonymous) says...
Why is it that everyone has to try and bring out the negatives in situations like this. Every candidate has some negatives so why would you focus on just one candidate's wrongdoings???? And some of you are talking like you personally know these people... GET A LIFE!!!
January 11, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldglory (anonymous) says...
All politicians put their pants on the same way!
January 11, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
desspec (anonymous) says...
Talk is easy, and cheap. All candidates must be looked at carefully to see what have they DONE, how have they VOTED, how have they truly LED? That is the only way we can get a picture of how they will perform in the future.
January 11, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
2001to5930 (anonymous) says...
Hillary Clinton will be your next President...not sure who her Vice President will be.
January 11, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gcmadness (anonymous) says...
There's something about Obama that doesn't seems right. Bash me if you will, but I smell a rat, he's hiding something. He can't be good for this country, and it's got nothing to do with his ethnicity. A previous post of mine I mentioned that Condi Rice would be a great candidate, so don't go there. I truly believe he has a hidden agenda, and this is just a wild guess, but maybe Amedena-whatcha-ma-huchie is a campaign contributor. Sorry I couldn't resist.
January 11, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
halfsheli (anonymous) says...
There are MANY things about ALL of the candidates that don't seem right. I just surely hope that those of you bashing Obama today are equally skeptical of all of the others -- yes -- including the precious GOP scumbags, too.
January 11, 2008 at 9 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
Senator Obama is a good speaker -- but "where's the beef"?
If he is offering judgment and character shouldn't he be willing to demonstrate these traits?
I am more than willing to look at 'any' such demonstration from 'anyone'. However, sound-bites don't feed my bull dog.
January 11, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Not a leader in the bunch on either side.
January 11, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
Early: If you're an African American voter then they need to clean house!
January 11, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
LOL ChrisJIII...
Early, what exactly do you mean? You've been talking out of both sides of your mouth.
PalmettoMan I can't take anyone seriously if one of their sources is CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network, founded by Pat Robertson..enough said) and Alan Keyes, a known mouthpiece who was only selected to run against Obama in Illinois because they needed a scapegoat for a horrible inevitable loss.)
Finally, EVERY politician has unsavory political connections or has made a boneheaded remark every now and then. When you disagree with a politician or his stance, please come with some real reasons instead of the usual baloney you have been spewing. It's right up there with "his middle name is Hussein" and "Osama bin Laden" supports him. And who cares what he said about Pakistan,its a corrupt regime that oppresses and kills any political opponents to their power and harbored Al Qaeda for many years without Let's not forget our current president has threatened to attack Iran for a nuclear program we can't even prove exists and did attack Iraq for one that didn't.
Look at the issues and decide whether or not you will vote for a candidate, just stop with all the BS and negativity.
January 11, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
Early,
First of all, I don't believe you own the word bonehead...its seemed to have come into my vernacular somewhere in my elementary school years.
Second, Obama has rarely thrown race in as an issue. But why wouldn't he? To not do so, would be to ignore the fact that race IS still an issue in America. (captain obvious newsflash: It is!) People bring up their religious beliefs, their cultural backgrounds and their upbringings ALL teh time.
Finally, it is nearly impossible to tell what race anyone on this board is. You would be foolish to think so. I don't know what ChrisJIII's race is neither do I know yours or anyone else. But there have been many people who have self-identified themselves as black on this board that I have disagreed with many times. Black people are not one fluid race with ONE belief system, we have many different people, class and beliefs, so to accuse someone of supporting someone's opinions because they are black is just foolish and yes bonehead-ish.
I can only say to you do better, since you are slowly working your way down in my list as far as making thoughtful and thought-out responses go with the addition of your last post.
January 11, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
wow early: let me get you a nice cup of cocoa and a blankie 'cause someone really pissed you off this morning.
i really enjoyed/agreed with your first post. it made a lot of sense and it came from a clear thinking perspective unlike a lot of people who rant about obama and really just to it to the race card as opposed to really getting to the core of things.
January 11, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Test2007 (anonymous) says...
Oh great I've missed more wonderful arguments on the P&C post.
January 11, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
oh yes and by the way, I mean to address my three comments to Palmetto Man...not you Early.
I was just generally asking you what in the world you mean by your first post, as in please clarify.
January 11, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SBenn (anonymous) says...
http://www.judicialwatch.org/judicial...
www.factcheck.org is the organization that checks all candidates to see if there statements and ads are honest!
See both these sites to see who NOT to vote for!
January 11, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
Early: I wish that I could say the same about you!!!
January 11, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Test2007 (anonymous) says...
You know what statement needs to be banned next year? RACE CARD. That has to be the most overly used statement on this board. When someone of color mentions their race, "ooooooooh the RACE card". We don't live in a colorblind society. That is only true in sci books and foolish futuristic novels. Personally, I would be more suspicious if he didn't bring up race. Why the hell shouldn't he?
Personally people seem to forget that Obama is half white and half black (African). They keep calling him black. Sorry bud but he isn't. He's BIRACIAL. His Mom raised him by herself basically and no one includes her in the equation at all. Truly sad but I have to honestly say I don't expect better.
January 11, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LindaJune (anonymous) says...
Can somebody please tell me where Hilary's 35 years of experience comes from? She's been elected to the senate only, right? Or am I missing something?
Why does the press, and the other candidates, let her get away with that absurd statement? I guarantee you the republicans will not.
And crying because the campaign has been hard? What does she think the presidency will be like? A cake-walk? Please. The women of NH were snowed. I am one woman who would like to be inspired by the first female presidential candidate (should she somehow get the nomination). I am not feeling very inspired right now. Just sick and tired of the Clintons' spin.
January 11, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eaw429 (anonymous) says...
Linda,
Read the following information about Hillary, it may enlighten you:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_...
January 11, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hondais1 (anonymous) says...
archduke, Conservative can also mean "cautiously moderate or purposefully low: a conservative estimate" or
"traditional in style or manner; avoiding novelty or showiness: a conservative suit". Maybe Judicial Watch is just not a showy, obnoxious site or they just keep a low profile...??
January 11, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Rich_Hamlin (anonymous) says...
SCdeacinNYC- You have attacked the "sources" but not the information given by the sources. All the facts can be independently verified. I for one saw the original website for the church. Additionally, Alan Keyes gave his commentary on an undisputed fact -- Obama's oppositon to the Born Alive Protection Act. You might dispute Keyes' commentary, but none of the facts are disputed by anyone. So, in summary, Palmetto Man's statements stand, and you are revealing yourself to be unwilling to engage the facts.
January 11, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Test2007 (anonymous) says...
Palmettoman - I almost laughed. Sorry, I did laugh at your comment. Your ancestors came in 1678 and committed cutltural genocide. Your ancestors weren't REAL americans and technically you aren't either. pssh, now you have me ranting! I hate that whole "real" american rant that people go on and on about. None of us were the "originals" but if I had to choose my money it wouldn't be on your ancestors. Stop using crazy divisive terms such as "real" americans. It invalidates any points you may have.
RichHamlin - Sorry, it's just that anytime someone mentions Alan Keyes as a source for anything I immediately stop reading. It's a habit I had gotten into. Truly hard to break.
January 11, 2008 at 2:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
now_ready1 (anonymous) says...
And now ladies and gentlemen, a blast from the past - take it away 1969
http://patriotfiles.org/Pledge.htm
January 11, 2008 at 7:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Get_On_Board (anonymous) says...
We can't let Washington insiders do to South Carolina what they did in New Hampshire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHyX0Y...
January 11, 2008 at 7:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yvesanthony (anonymous) says...
There we go again. Former president Clinton after blasting senator Obama of a " fairy tale" remark went on Al Sharpton radio to explain his word. If that rings the bell. The monica story... It depens what you mean by "is"... At least he recognizes the duty and obligation of the African American to vote for senator Obama. In quote :" If you decide to vote for senator Obama, I respect you,because it is a sense of enormous pride in the African American community and it should proud. He is an impressive man." I wish I was an African American to be part of this HISTORIC MOMENT. Oprah Winfrey did her part, so do other african americans. South Carolina there is no false hope, there is no specific book to teach you how to be president. So many times I see good judgment prevails over experience. So do your part.
January 12, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iReachable (anonymous) says...
supporters can help your candidate score here:
http://www.ireachable.com/vote
In particular, SC voters can cast and manage your 08 choice even after your state primary is over. As candidates drop out of race or out of your favour before the final nomination you have chance to move your vote. You also get to manage your vote upto the final election in Nov.
January 12, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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