Obama: "I'M IN IT TO...transform the country."

[DeepModem Mom]

The Politico: Ben Smith's Blog
February 11, 2007
Obama vs. Clinton: Not Just to Win

Egged on by an enthusiastic Iowa crowd Saturday evening, Barack Obama took perhaps his most direct shot at Hillary Clinton of the campaign season, echoing and mocking her signature phrase. (NOTE: Some observers did not agree with the writer that Obama mocked, or even "took a direct shot" at, Senator Clinton.)

“I’m in it –” he began, then echoed members of the audience in a Waterloo gymnasium: “to win it.”

Then he quieted the crowd.

“Hold on,” he said. “Yes I want to win. But I’m in it to transform the country.”

The exchange with the overflow crowd in his final event of the day Sunday crystallized an unspoken theme of his announcement speech: contrasts with Hillary Clinton. In this case, he seemed to diminish her declaration that she was "in it to win," a line with which she kicked off her campaign last month. The unspoken contast was between Clinton's presumed ambition, and perhaps her generation's self-involvement; and Obama's attempt to transform his own campaign for president into a broader movement.

"This campaign can't only be about me," he said during his Springfield announcment speech Saturday. He touted his short stay in Washington, where Clinton has been since 1992; his membership in a new generation; and, above all, his opposition to the war in Iraq....

***

Obama’s short appearance in Waterloo appeared to touch a nerve with a diverse crowd of local Democrats. “I’m fired up,” he told them, and they responded in kind.

“I’ve lived here all my life,” said Ben Bower, 19, a local college student. “You don’t see people get all frenzied up like this. It’s like at Soldier Field.”

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0207/Obama_vs_Clinton_Not_Just_to_Win.html

[illinoisprogressive]

1. At the rally in springfield yesterday, the crowd was so up and positive and cold.

[snowbear]

3. I/Progressive.. I tried to post to you on the main thread someone started...

.. After Obama's incredible speech! But that thread got pretty long, so I'm not sure if you ever saw it..

Did you go?? Did you blow him a kiss for me?

[aquart]

2. Now I'm starting to twitch a little.

"Transform the country" is what George set out to do. True, he lied about it, but I really can't hear that without a shiver of fear going right up my back.

[MaggieSwanson]

4. Link to an Iowa DUer's Live Blog of the event today...

Thanks again, pstans! :yourock:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=152x15001

:kick:

[DeepModem Mom]

6. Thanks, Maggie! nt

[illinoisprogressive]

7. Larisa, I am going to be posting something tonight. In just a bit

[thoughtcrime1984]

5. I like the fact that he insists the people be involved

And how humble he appears at all the adulation he is receiving. I think he would be the polar opposite of "The Decider" on most issues. His inquisitive, analytical mind would be an enormous change from the past two terms.

[loyalsister]

8. It's very "Dean- esque"

Anyone remember "You have the power" ?
Fortunately, he handles himself better with the media.
You are absolutely correct about his mind.
He is interested in people and their lives and their problems.