Obama 'proud' of war opposition
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By BRIAN E. CROWLEY
Palm Beach Post Political Editor
Sunday, March 25, 2007
WEST PALM BEACH — A day after Vice President Dick Cheney accused critics of the Iraq war of "hampering the war effort," Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Sunday he is "proud" of his opposition to the war.
The two men spoke a day apart and 10 miles away, Cheney in Manalapan and Obama in West Palm Beach, but the philosophical distance between the two was immeasurable.
The senator from Illinois spoke to hundreds of Democrats, who paid $100 each, at the Kravis Center's Cohen Pavillion where many got there hours before his 1:30 p.m. arrival. They lined up before the stage for a close-up view of the man whose campaign has altered the dynamics of the Democratic race for president.
Many supporting Obama are energized by his opposition to the Iraq War. Unlike his top rivals for the nomination, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, Obama opposed the war from the beginning.
"I'm proud that I was against the war from the start," said Obama to cheers from the crowd. He has proposed legislation calling for the removal of U.S. troops by March 31, 2008. "It is time to bring our young men and women home," he said.
Cheney, speaking Saturday to the Republican Jewish Coalition, said those who oppose the war risk making Iraqi insurgents believe that, "the American people do not have the stomach for a long term fight." Charlotte Arthur said after Obama spoke that she was impressed but still undecided about her choice to be the Democratic nominee.
"I want to hear more from all of them" said Arthur of Boynton Beach.
Sam Ozer, 81, a long-time Democratic activist said he too was impressed with Obama but he also remains undecided.
West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel attended but she said she is supporting Clinton. "I go to all the campaign events for the candidates if they come to West Palm Beach," she said.
Joan Joseph, a veteran campaign operative who has done some work for both Clinton and Edwards, said she is joining the Obama campaign to help him organize Florida.
U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton, is Obama's Florida co-chairman.
"I have never been more excited or more passionate about a presidential campaign or a presidential candidate, than I am about Sen. Barack Obama," said Wexler who introduced Obama to the crowd.
During his 20 minute speech, Obama touched lightly on a host of issues. He promised universal health care, improved education, less dependence on foreign oil and better relations with America's allies around the world. |
