Barack Obama, the junior U.S. senator from Illinois, is the flavor of the month in U.S. politics. Fresh off the cover of Time magazine, the Democratic celebrity drew admirers and curiosity seekers yesterday when he visited Denver and Aurora.
Obama engaged in the all-American combination of commerce and politics, appearing at a book signing and an old-fashioned political rally. Fans were in line before dawn for his noon-hour date at the Tattered Cover where he was signing his most recent book, “The Audacity of Hope.” Later he headlined a rally in Aurora for Colorado’s Democratic ticket, including 7th Congressional District candidate Ed Perlmutter.
For an out-of-towner, Obama captivated the Colorado crowd, declaring that “We need a change” in Washington and citing these key issues: health care, the economy, energy and the war in Iraq.
After traveling to 15 cities last week, Obama said he sensed that the country was in a “serious mood, a sober mood.” Americans are tired of the “slash and burn” style of politics, he said, presumedly a criticism of Republicans, and then adding, “They’re tired of small and timid politics,” presumably a criticism of Democrats.
Obama said last weekend he’s thinking of making a presidential bid in 2008, and he did nothing jere to dispel the speculation. He offers an engaging personality and an unusual gift for holding an audience – drawing energy from an enthusiastic crowd in an open plaza in downtown Aurora.
Obama burst on the national scene just two years ago when he delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. He is a Harvard-trained civil rights lawyer who served seven years in the Illinois Senate. Is he ready? Will the fascination last? How will he handle the whirlwind?
As if the Time cover wasn’t enough last week, he also appeared on “Oprah.” In Sunday’s Chicago Tribune, columnist Clarence Page warned Obama, “What the media giveth, we can take away – and usually we do, shortly after the candidate announces.”
In the meantime, Obama isn’t lacking for support. “I think he can capture the imagination of the American people and give us hope,” said Eileen Pappas of Denver, holding tight to Obama’s book at the Aurora rally.
Obama is clearly aware of his admirers. Still, he came to do a job and stayed on point, rallying the crowd to his vision of a Denocratic Congress. As the crowd started to chant “Obama,” the senator told the audience they should be chanting, “Ed, Ed, Ed.”
“It’s quicker,” he said.
