Barack Obama did something Wednesday that I have almost never seen a candidate do.
He was early.
The advance press material we received indicated the senator was going to kick off his town hall meeting at 12:20 p.m. It was the latest stop on his “Road to Change” bus tour. Obama had already appeared before the AFL-CIO Convention in Philly, just as his Democratic opponent, Sen. Hillary Clinton, had done the day before.
That was followed by a quick tour of the Italian Market, and then it was off to Delco.
So I was amazed as I sat in my office watching the noon news on TV when they threw it to the reporter at Strath Haven. At 10 after. I was expecting a piece advancing Obama’s arrival. Not exactly. As the reporter spoke, there in the background on the stage speaking to the packed gymnasium was Obama, already addressing the crowd. And 10 minutes early.
It was another moment in the sun for Delaware County, as both candidates make their push for votes in the crucial Philadelphia suburbs, all of which is backdrop to the April 22 primary.
The best part of Obama’s stop at Strath Haven wasn’t his stump speech, which wasn’t bad. But it was when he opened things up to questions from the audience, including the senior class at Strath Haven, kids who will be eligible to vote in this election, that things got interesting.
One middle school student had a great question. He wondered what it must be like to have your father running for president and asked Obama what his kids, 6 and 9, thought of it.
Obama’s response was perfect. “I don’t think they’re all that impressed,” he said.
Then it was off to West Chester University for a taping of “Hardball” with Chris Matthews on MSNBC. The talk host is doing a tour of Pennsylvania colleges with the candidates. In two weeks he’ll do a session with Republican Sen. John McCain at Villanova.
Both Obama and McCain now have made stops in Delco. That leaves only one candidate yet to do some face time here.
Yes, former President Bill Clinton did a rally at Penn State Brandywine a few weeks back, but his wife has not found her way here.
No doubt that likely will change before we head to the polls on April 22.
It’s now 19 days and counting. Having fun yet?
He was early.
The advance press material we received indicated the senator was going to kick off his town hall meeting at 12:20 p.m. It was the latest stop on his “Road to Change” bus tour. Obama had already appeared before the AFL-CIO Convention in Philly, just as his Democratic opponent, Sen. Hillary Clinton, had done the day before.
That was followed by a quick tour of the Italian Market, and then it was off to Delco.
So I was amazed as I sat in my office watching the noon news on TV when they threw it to the reporter at Strath Haven. At 10 after. I was expecting a piece advancing Obama’s arrival. Not exactly. As the reporter spoke, there in the background on the stage speaking to the packed gymnasium was Obama, already addressing the crowd. And 10 minutes early.
It was another moment in the sun for Delaware County, as both candidates make their push for votes in the crucial Philadelphia suburbs, all of which is backdrop to the April 22 primary.
The best part of Obama’s stop at Strath Haven wasn’t his stump speech, which wasn’t bad. But it was when he opened things up to questions from the audience, including the senior class at Strath Haven, kids who will be eligible to vote in this election, that things got interesting.
One middle school student had a great question. He wondered what it must be like to have your father running for president and asked Obama what his kids, 6 and 9, thought of it.
Obama’s response was perfect. “I don’t think they’re all that impressed,” he said.
Then it was off to West Chester University for a taping of “Hardball” with Chris Matthews on MSNBC. The talk host is doing a tour of Pennsylvania colleges with the candidates. In two weeks he’ll do a session with Republican Sen. John McCain at Villanova.
Both Obama and McCain now have made stops in Delco. That leaves only one candidate yet to do some face time here.
Yes, former President Bill Clinton did a rally at Penn State Brandywine a few weeks back, but his wife has not found her way here.
No doubt that likely will change before we head to the polls on April 22.
It’s now 19 days and counting. Having fun yet?
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