The New Generation Of Banging Hardtechno

bertram123 · Posted: Thu 13:14, 13 Oct 2011 Post subject: Republican pollster

Republican pollster Frank Luntz said of Barack in January 2007, “Everyone can see themselves in Obama. He is the definition of the American dream, the definition of the American promise. . . . Conservatives see him as clean cut and businesslike, while moderates see him as a problem solver. Liber als see him as a man from a multicultural background who breaks down racial and other barriers.”13 the exPloratory commIttee On January 16, 2007, Barack took another step toward a presidential bid by posting a message on his Web site and sending an email message to his Web site subscribers about forming a presidential exploratory commit tee. Addressing the message to his “friends,” he wrote, “As you may know, over the last few months I have been thinking hard about my plans for 2008. Running for the presidency is a profound decision a decision no one should make on the basis of media hype or personal ambition alone and so before I committed myself and my family to this race, I wanted to 92 BARACk OBAmA be sure that this was right for us and, more importantly, right for the coun try.” He went on to say he didn’t expect to find himself in the position of exploring the possibility of a presidential run just a year before, but that he had spoken to so many people who were hungry for a different kind of politics. Describing decisions made in Washington during the prior six years and the problems that he said had been ignored, he said that, while all the problems facing the United States were challenging, what he con sidered the most challenging was the smallness of America’s politics, and that is what he wanted to change first a change of politics and a coming together around common interests and concerns as Americans. In the last paragraph of the message, Barack told his readers that he intended to file papers to create a presidential exploratory committee, and during the next several weeks he intended to talk with people around the country, listening and learning about the challenges and opportunities. He added that on February 10, in his home state of Illinois, he would share his plans with his friends, neighbors, and fellow Americans. He asked in the mean time for suggestions, encouragement, and prayers, ending the message by saying he looked forward to continued conversations in the weeks and months to come. 14 Although his announcement of an exploratory committee was low key, the message gained speed quickly. His supporters were eager to hear his decision, believing he was the future for America and the alternative to the status quo; his detractors were quick to note his lack of experience and noted over and over that they didn’t know what he stood for. Barack’s appeal on the campaign trail, his unique background, his opposition to the Iraq war, and his fresh face set him apart from the others already in the race; this, combined with the fact that many Americans were hun gry for a political change, made him a confirmed top contender for the nomination. kenya’s reactIon to Barack’s candIdacy Barack’s decision to run for president would be no surprise to the citizens who lived in western kenya, Barack’s ancestral home. They knew their favorite son was destined for great things. Barack’s grandmother, now in her mideighties, who encouraged his father to study in the United States, said, “I have had a dream you see, a recurring dream. . . . I have seen Barack surrounded by soldiers in dress uniform. At first I did not understand it, but now I realize it is because he is president.” His grandmother added that when she first met Barack on his first visit to kenya, she knew he was special and “praised God” that he had been able to have such a good OBAmAmANIA AND THE ANNOUNCEmENT 93 education. “Here we all believe education is the key . . . his father had al ways talked about how well he was doing at school. When he came to stay with us the first time it must have been difficult, but he never let it show. He ate the same food as the rest of us, eggs, goat, sometimes fish.”