Obama in Exeter
This past Monday I attended the house party for Barack Obama as a representative/ "guest". This was my third opportunity to meet a candidate running for the Democratic Party. As an intern with Channel Nine News I was able to participate in their segment "Conversation with the Candidate", thus meeting Hillary Clinton as well as Bill Richardson. Although relatively impressed with each candidate, it was interesting to be able to compare the three.
In relation to Clinton and Richardson, Obama was far more refreshing. This could be a result of the venue (a house rather than a studio); however, he seemed more candid and honest, and less rehearsed. His ability to captivate the audience is unprecedented, answering each question with a direct answer while acknowledging the individual who asked it.
Obama was not by himself, but surrounded by his family. His wife introduced him while his daughters were upstairs playing with the host’s children. Michelle Obama mirrors her husbands’ eloquence and strong will. She was phenomenal. They both instituted the precedence of family and it was unbelievable to see him as a family man, to see him merely as your neighbor, or the dad that takes his kids to their soccer games and dance recitals. He was genuine and real, which is uncharacteristic of many candidates running.
What most impressed me about Obama, however, was not in the hour that he stood on the stairs answering questions, but instead, in the two minutes he took to speak with me personally. Most of the arguments against him stem from his lack of experience and the claim that he is too young to lead the United States. My question was whether he could refute these assertions. As he shook my hand, he said it was not one's experience that always made them successful but their willingness to change and to be open to new ideas. He said that it was important to surround yourself with individuals who are smarter than you, confide in those whose opinions differ from yours, and to always tell the truth. I found his message believable.