Big crowds for Obama signal that 2008 contest is wide open
realcities.com
<<...Indeed, many Democrats noted that they like the fact that he's a newcomer to national politics, with just two years in the Senate.
"We're looking for somebody new," said Carol Williams of Manchester. "People are tired of the same old stuff, the same old politics. All the rest of them are part of the old boy, old girl network.
"Barack is eloquent and charismatic. He has the same charisma as John Kennedy," she said. "I know; I worked for him here in 1960."
She wasn't the only one who likened Obama to President Kennedy.
"He's passionate and he's young. It's a Jack Kennedy thing," said Carol Backus of Manchester.
If Obama exudes a JFK-like charisma for some, he doesn't share Kennedy's 14 years of pre-presidential experience in Congress. Some Democrats said they didn't mind his lack of experience; others said it would be a significant hurdle.
"The pedigree is important, but the ability to connect to people is more important," said state Sen. Lou D'allesandro of Manchester. "He's a very attractive candidate."
"He may be a little light on experience," said Rolf Bremer, the party chairman in the town of Brookline. But he said he was willing to look at Obama largely because he doesn't think Clinton can win...>> |
