2008 Waiting for Obama
posted by on May 9 at 16:40 PM
Undergrad pastoral at the University of Oregon in Eugene, where Barack Obama will be holding a rally later on this evening.
Here’s Joseph Links, 21, a sophomore studying journalism, relaxing in the grass on the university qaudrangle:
I told him about my experiences talking to Hillary Clinton supporters in Jackson County yesterday—the concern about the flag pin, the pastor, the secret Muslim thing—and asked Links if he thought rural white voters would be a problem for Obama.
“I think it might be hard for him to get the rural vote just because of education in certain areas,” Links said. “But that’s just part of campaigning.”
Does Obama, as Clinton has suggested, have a problem with white voters?
“No, because my dad’s white and he’s middle class and he’s voting for Obama.”
Next to Links was Erika Unruh, 20, a sophomore studying education. She told me her Republican grandmother in Happy Valley, Oregon, is voting for Obama. “She thinks he has a fresh look,” Unruh said.
Does Obama have a problem with white voters?
“I really don’t think it’s going to be that much of an issue… I would like to think we’ve moved beyond that.”
Next, Kelsey Schopp, 20, a sophomore in International Studies. I asked her about Clinton’s recent contention that she’s more viable, in part, because she does better than Obama among “hard working Americans, white Americans.”
“I’ve heard that,” Schopp said. “But she definitely doesn’t have the young vote. Everyone I talk to our age is into Obama.”
You know, Obama's been absolutely cleaning up in a lot of rural areas so far. As far back as NH, he was winning in rural areas, but losing in the suburbs. He won bigger in places like ND and ID than anywhere else.
J major? I didn't realize they already taught them in the sophomore year that if you find one example of anything it constitutes a trend and you should generalize.
People are way tired of all the pro-racist spew coming out of the GOP candidates this year.
Especially in rural areas.
It's not just boring, it's so over.
Oh please. We all know that Oregon's an African American state full of elitist party activists, so their votes don't count.
A quick scan of AM right wing radio this week showed that most of the hosts are already conceding the upcoming election to Obama.
To be fair, Medved is the only one of them who is excited about McCain as the GOP nominee, so it sounds like most right wingers plan to just stay home...
That Links guy totally just blew my mind. Obama doesn't have a problem with white people because Links' father, who's white and middle class, is voting for Obama. Of course, his father also either had a kid with a black woman or adopted a black kid.
everyone Schopp's age may be into Obama, but when it comes time to actually vote (and register), they flake.
prove me wrong, kids.
Aw, I'm so happy to see my campus on here. Sadly, I won't be at the Obama rally. I'm moving away from Oregon next week for a new job and planned to spend tonight with friends. But I know that he's quite popular not just on campus but in Eugene in general -- in a city/state full of middle class white people.
What kind of camera did you take those pictures with? They're awfully underexposed.
Apparently Obama's massive popularity is starting to eclipse even the sun, judging from the photography here...
@7--the kids (and everyone else) will prove you wrong, max. i'll be out there in the U registering them tomorrow along with a lot of folks...
Even though I'm now on board with Team Obama, I just have to say: asking Ducks to comment on Obama's appeal to the working class is like asking Stevie Wonder his opinion on the new Subaru WRX STi redesign.
Could you go talk to, like, some actual working stiffs instead of right wing mouthbreathers or self-satisfied affluent youngsters? Thanks.
#7- The kids have already proven you wrong by showing up in record numbers to vote in the primaries. I don't think people who haven't worked on the campaign understand how enthusiastic and numerous Obama's young supporters are. I volunteered for Kerry's campaign and it was mostly older people that showed up. With Obama, the 20-30 year olds are easily half of the people there.
That Joseph looks like a cute kid (albeit with tragic sunglasses).
Did you get his phone number?
Woohoo!
No offense, but Obama's base is the same McGovern had before. He's going to get blown out of the water just like McGovern did, and when that day comes, I'll be laughing.
@14 Right... but now they're out of diapers- and old enough to vote! Look out, old-fella... ^..^
My mother is an 85 year old southern Republican (yep, a former Bush supporter) and a former racist in SC. She is voting Obama. Miracles do happen.
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