SF Chron: "Missouri shows knack for picking presidents" (Obama making inroads in bellwether state)

[El Pinko]

An estimated 100,000 people listen to Barack Obama speak ...Republican presidential candidate John McCain addresses a...Republican presidential candidate John McCain waves to su... View More Images


Missouri shows knack for picking presidents
Joe Garofoli, Chronicle Staff Writer

Sunday, October 19, 2008

(10-19) 04:00 PDT Troy, Mo. -- Barack Obama's appearance before 100,000 at the St. Louis Gateway Arch on Saturday was a stunning show of strength in this red state, but a more daunting challenge awaits in Lincoln County, a bellwether district tucked into a state that almost always picks the presidential winner. How it votes two weeks from now may well signal the winner of the longest and most expensive campaign for the White House in history. But right now, there's no telling who the residents will choose. The mini construction boom that swelled this exurban region petered out well ahead of the national economic meltdown, and many here are struggling to figure out which candidate is best equipped to restart the good times.

At his new restaurant and gift shop in Troy, population 12,000, Greg Schmidt, a 55-year-old Democrat, is undecided about Barack Obama because "he just seems like a slick salesman." Across the street at the only bookstore in Lincoln County, owner Kris Survant regrets her 2004 George W. Bush vote but is still undecided and "waiting for something to hit me just before I walk in the booth." A block away, a minivan with a "Democrats for Life" bumper sticker is parked in front of the county's Obama headquarters. Next door, the owner of the car repair shop plants a McCain-Palin sign near the front door.

Just below the surface of every conversation here, as in many parts of the state, is the unspoken question: Will you vote for an African American candidate? Nobody says race affects their vote, but many know someone for whom race will count - even if it is against that person's economic self-interest.

"If things were going really well right now, I'd vote for McCain," said 40-year-old Damon Nickens, camouflage cap pulled low over his eyes as he sits near a roadside barbecue stand in Troy, an ashtray full of butts in front of him. The construction worker was working seven days a week two years ago. "Now I'm eating barbecue in the middle of the day and talking to you" - and he's voting for Obama.

[countryjake]

1. Here's pics of Obama later on Sat. at the other side of MO - Kansas City

Barack Obama addresses an estimated 75,000 people in Kansas City Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008, at a rally at the Liberty Memorial.

Obama thrills crowd of supporters at Liberty Memorial
http://www.kansascity.com/703/story/847062.html

By BRIAN BURNES and MEREDITH RODRIGUEZ
The Kansas City Star

~snip~

Obama began speaking to thousands of supporters gathered at the Liberty Memorial about 6:20 p.m. He criticized Sen. John McCain’s campaign for its focus on negative campaigning. “They are out of ideas. They are out of touch.

“Let’s talk about the issues that matter,” he said.

He described Americans struggling more and more just to keep up with their daily living expenses.

“Wages have gone down since George Bush took office,” he said. He described those who had tried to save for retirement who recently opened their 401k statements “to see so much of their hard-earned savings had disappeared.”

But he also spoke of his confidence in the American worker and innovation the country has been known for.

“It won’t be easy, it won’t be quick,” adding that he was confident the American people could build another “American Century.”

“I’m fighting for you. That’s what this election is about,” he said.




Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama waved to the crowd Saturday night a rally at the Liberty Memorial. - MIKE RANSDELL/Kansas City Star



Oh and here's the link for the article which you've posted:
Missouri shows knack for picking presidents

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/18/MNB413KCL9.DTL

[El Pinko]

2. OMG, thanks!

Can't believe I forgot the link!

[countryjake]

3. It's easy to get excited when posting pics like the one you shared...

or like this one:



Sen. Obama spoke to more than 175,000 people at his two rallies in Missouri yesterday, first to 100,000 under the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, then on to Kansas City where more than 75,000 gathered at the Liberty Memorial.




Obama rallies draw 175,000 in Missouri

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/presidentialrace/2008283863_camp19.html

[countryjake]

5. Kick & Recommend!

[Swamp Rat]

4. Geauxbama!!!

[EFerrari]

6. Front page, above the fold and all over town.

:woohoo: