Candidate Roundup, February, 2008
In February, 2008, Cincinnati was visited by four candidates
for US President and two surrogates for those candidates.
I saw them all, I heard them all, and I photographed them all at their rallies.
| Candidate (linked to photos) |
Thoughts and Impressions |
|---|---|
| Mike Huckabee Feb. 26, 2008 |
Venue: Suburban conference center. Security: None visible. Audience: A few hundred; mostly sweet, downscale, white families. Introductions: Woman warmed up the crowd with long rant about abortion and fetal sanctity. Introduced couple with two children that had been "rescued frozen embryos." Photo op for Huckabees. Speaker: Did well in the band; attacked those who disagree with his positions as "wack-jobs"; got lost in a rant on slavery. Summary: Not playing with a full deck. All kitsch, no cooking. |
| John McCain Feb. 26, 2008 |
Venue: Run-down theater near downtown. Security: Nothing to write home about. Cops, but no scanners. Audience: Several hundred, mostly professionals, lots of older white guys. The stage was crowded with dignitaries, including the very creepy Mike Dewine. Introductions: Disastrous bigotry by Bill Cunningham. Speaker: Sincere cold-warrior, nothing to offer except lower taxes and more war. Summary: Seemed a bit tired, a bit lame, and a bit over the hill. |
| Barack Obama Feb. 25, 2008 |
Venue: University basketball arena. Security: Thorough, with scanners and wands, but I got in to the media area with home-made press credentials. Audience: Over twelve thousand people, many university students, lots of black people from across the economic spectrum, lots of white middle class men. Introductions: Mayor Mark Mallory focused on Obama's career; crowd went wild when Mallory announced his super-delegate endorsement for Obama. Speaker: Pretty good, but not "A" game. Stumbled on a few details, but eventually got his stride. Didn't live up to hype, but did live up to expectations. Summary: Seemed tired, a bit over-done, but resilient and ready to go the distance. |
| Hillary
Clinton Feb. 23, 2008 |
Venue: Community College Gymnasium Security: Thorough with metal detectors and TSA people in charge. Audience: About two thousand; mostly middle-aged white people. Others well represented. Introductions: County Commissioner David Pepper focused on Clinton history and strength. Governor Ted Strickland escorted Clinton to the stage and continued the descriptions of her qualifications and promise as President. Speaker: Excellent speech. Seemed to be in command of facts and figures. Seemed least effective attacking opponent for touting hope. Summary: Ready to go the distance. |
| Michelle Obama Feb. 15, 2008 |
Venue: Music Hall Ballroom near downtown Security: Light Audience: About fifteen hundred. Evenly split Black/White, Young/Old, all very enthusiastic. Introductions: County Commissioner Todd Portune focused on both Obama histories and contributions. Announced super-delegate support for Obama. Speaker: Exuded strength, confidence, and competence. Summary: Clearly a strong woman praising a strong candidate. |
| Chelsea
Clinton Feb. 13, 2008 |
Venue: Downtown bar/restaurant. Security: Light Audience: About two hundred; mostly young urban professionals. Introductions: (not heard) Speaker: I saw the prep and wrap-up for this event, but did not hear the speech. I came later and watched and listened for an hour as Chelsea interacted one-on-one with a wide range people. She demonstrated great agility moving between topics and contexts, and showed she had a thorough command of the information and positions of the campaign. Summary: Clearly an eloquent spokeswoman for her mother's campaign. |
Hillary Cincinnati Headquarters, Saturday, March 1, 2008
Barack Cincinnati Headquarters, Saturday, March 1, 2008
Home, March 2, 2008
