PHOTOS: Barack Obama attends a townhall meeting today in Watertown, South Dakota.

[flpoljunkie]

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., gets a hug from a baby as he greets supporters in Watertown, S.D., Friday, May 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)


Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., center, shakes hands with supporters, in Watertown, S.D., Friday, May 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)


Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at a town hall meeting in Watertown, S.D., Friday, May 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)


Blake Paulson, 10, listens during a town hall meeting with Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Friday, May 16, 2008, in Watertown, S.D. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)


Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., right, speaks at a town hall meeting in Watertown, S.D., Friday, May 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)


Supporters listen during a town hall meeting with Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Friday, May 16, 2008, in Watertown, S.D. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)


Supporters listen during a town hall meeting with Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.,Friday, May 16, 2008, in Watertown, S.D.
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)


A woman raises her hand to ask a question during Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., right, town hall meeting in Watertown, S.D. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)


Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., listens to a question during a news conference after a town hall meeting in Watertown, S.D., Friday, May 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

[Zachstar]

1. Thanks for posting!

[flpoljunkie]

23. Thanks! Here's a few more from this event--love the girl's hand made Obama shirt!

Kelsey Englund,10, wears a T-shirt supporting Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Friday, May 16, 2008, during a town hall meeting in Watertown, S.D. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)


A group of children stand on a support beam as they listen during a town hall-style meeting with Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Friday, May 16, 2008, in Watertown, S.D.
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)


Supporters listen during a town hall meeting with Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Friday, May 16, 2008, in Watertown, S.D. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

[myrna minx]

2. Thank you for posting.

:kick:

[Tatiana]

3. Children love him! n/t

[Lerkfish]

4. wonderful, wonderful photos! thank you.

[flpoljunkie]

12. Thank you, Lerkfish!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. Note the little kid in the first picture

reaching out to Obama with a smile. Now think back to the kids who have looked at Bush warily.

[AtomicKitten]

6. the kid in the first photo looks ANXIOUS to jump in Barack's arms

kinda like the nation will in November :D

[flpoljunkie]

10. His dad seems so pleased. Did you see Tom Daschle in the second photo?

[Muttocracy]

21. thanks for pointing out - he's mixed in w/ secret service there! nt

[graycem]

15. I think this is one

of the best "baby" pictures yet. I know it's so cliche when candidates do the baby-kissy thing, but that's just melting because of his lil' face and how he seems so eager. :loveya:

[AtomicKitten]

16. my fave

[graycem]

19. I like that one too..

I've swiped several I've seen posted here lately and that's one of them. He's a baby-kisser natural.
:D

[Muttocracy]

20. yeah, eagerly reaching toward him, not being passed like a football. the kid looks thrilled. nt

[AmandaSD]

36. That's My Son!

Hi-

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful comments about this
picture. It is a picture of my son. My husband took him to see
Obama in Watertown, SD. It was very surprising to us that he
threw himself into Obama's arms. He usually is a pretty shy
kid. When he jumped into his arms he said, "Hi Barack
Obama." Sen. Obama then asked him his name and his age.
Sen. Obama then commented on his dinosaur shirt. He told my
son he was a good boy and gave him a hug before handing him
back to my husband. 

Later that night in Sioux Falls I was able to meet Sen. Obama
along with my mother and sister. I told him how the little boy
he met that morning was my son. He responded with,
"Really?". I also thanked him for coming to South
Dakota. 

He is so genuine and so caring. He truly means what he says.
He was so comfortable meeting other people and truly speaking
with them. Some political candidates just look uncomfortable.
I am so glad to be voting for such an inspiring and honest
candidate. My mom used to talk about how JFK was so impressive
and inspiring to her when she was growing up. Now I know what
she means. 

Thanks,
AmandaSD

[AtomicKitten]

37. wonderful story with that picture!

welcome to DU! :D

[graywarrior]

7. I love it that he holds the attention of kids.

[Tarheel_Dem]

25. Is it any wonder The Big Dog is so pissed at Obama? Obama's a

natural, just like Bill, and I think that irritates the hell out of him. Like Bill, Obama can fill stadiums with a few hours notice. He's a natural communicator and orator, like Bill. And come November, he'll be a very powerful & influential leader of the party, like Bill used to be. The similarities are striking.

[Hoof Hearted]

31. What IS a wonder is why you felt the need to turn a positive thread into a bash and hate.

You think you can win without Hill's supporters? REALLY?

Is that a gamble you want to take?


I don't think it'll ultimately go there (new poop about to hit the fan) but that's beside the point.

[Tarheel_Dem]

32. I guess that works both ways, huh? I really don't see how my post

was "bashing" as you call it, just making an observation. You see, unlike others here, I don't give a shit who you vote for. You are but one disgruntled keyboard commando in cyberspace. Thankfully, most of the electorate don't get their news from you.

Let's face it, both candidates run the risk of not being able to attract the other's supporters. Empty threats no longer bother me. If Hill & Bill want to take down the party because they've been rejected by it, then so be it. Perhaps an even stronger third party will emerge.

And all the lies you, Taylor Marsh, Larry Johnson, and the right wing fling at Obama seem to make him a stronger and more vetted candidate for the general. So I say...have at it!

:hi:

[JimGinPA]

8. Great Job, As Always

K&R

[flpoljunkie]

9. Thanks, JimGinPA!

[Hope And Change]

11. K & R!

Keep them coming.

[The Ghost]

13. But, but, but ...

i thought working class whites dont like him. Oh thats right, its the prejudice working class whites that dont like him.

[Shine]

14. I think it's impossible to take a bad picture of the man.

:D

:patriot: K & R! Thanks! :hi:

[goclark]

38. I marvel at the way he photographs

Amazing, simply amazing!

[goodhue]

17. great photos

thanks for posting them

[Scurrilous]

18. K & R

:thumbsup:

[catgirl]

22. Great pics (as usual)!!

[tblue]

24. This is giving me chills! I LOVE the little guy reaching out for Our Next President!!!

[Tarheel_Dem]

26. fpj, I'm tired of thanking you for my daily "pix fix", especially the ones

with the kiddies. This guy's a natural. My grandmother used to tell me that babies and animals are the best judges of character (LOL). Thanks dude.
:hi:

[flpoljunkie]

27. MORE PHOTOS: BARACK OBAMA in Sioux Falls, S.D. (Can't start new post til 3:35PM)

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., leans against the wall while waiting backstage before a rally in Sioux Falls, S.D., Friday, May 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)


Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., waits backstage before a rally in Sioux Falls, S.D., Friday, May 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)


Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, and his national trip director Marvin Nicholson (John Kerry's former body man), foreground, wait backstage before a rally in Sioux Falls, S.D., Friday, May 16, 2008.
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)


Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at a rally in Sioux Falls, S.D., Friday, May 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)


Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, waves after speaking at a rally in Sioux Falls, S.D., Friday, May 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)


John Zephier, of the Sioux Tribe, listens during a rally for Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in Sioux Falls, S.D., Friday, May 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

[mystieus]

28. Great!

[flpoljunkie]

29. Thanks, mystieus!

[Tarheel_Dem]

30. I'm so glad you're here fpj. Whenever I'm feeling a bit tired or sad,

I look for your latest posts, and I'm instantly lifted. Thanks again for all you do. GOBAMA! These will be classics someday:

[anigbrowl]

34. This last one is superb...an American whose vote means more than most

[DU GrovelBot]

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[AzDar]

35. Beautiful pix!