Saturday, February 09, 2008

Omaha Crowds for Obama

Obama, Chelsea elevate caucus turnout expectations
BY ROBYNN TYSVER
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Any fears Nebraska Democrats had about paltry turnout at their first-ever caucuses may have vanished this week amid high-profile visits from Barack Obama and Chelsea Clinton.

About 10,000 people poured into the Omaha Civic Auditorium to hear Obama on Thursday. Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton attracted hundreds at her stops in Lincoln, Grand Island and Omaha.

Top that off with a Lincoln visit today by Michelle Obama and it all adds up, party officials believe, to higher-than-expected turnouts for Saturday's caucuses.

"We're preparing for big numbers," said Kris Pierce, executive director of the Douglas County Democratic Party.

He had predicted last week that 8,000 people would attend Douglas County caucuses.

But after a high-profile week in which the Democratic presidential battle remains wide open, Pierce has upped his prediction to 15,000. read the rest.


michelle obama in lincoln.
you've gotta love michelle
Michelle Obama visits Lincoln
BY PAUL HAMMEL
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

LINCOLN — America needs a president who not only talks of change but also has the inspirational leadership qualities to unite a divided and cynical nation, Barack Obama's wife said Friday.

"There is something new in the air, and it starts with inspiration," Michelle Obama told about 1,500 people at the Lied Center for Performing Arts.

Obama said her husband has demonstrated an ability to work across party lines and with diverse groups. She pointed to his efforts in passing health care legislation, ethics law changes and tax credits for working people while a state senator in Illinois.

"Barack wasn't there to make friends; he was there to make change," said his wife, a Harvard-educated attorney, as is her husband.

Michelle Obama, in her 50-minute talk, said the nation has grown cynical and divided as people talk more about what can't be accomplished than what can.

She said the American dream is slipping away from many "regular folks"; good jobs are disappearing, salaries are not keeping pace with the cost of living, catastrophic health problems lead to bankruptcy, and the quality of public schools varies block by block.

Obama said it's growing difficult for many people to become teachers, nurses or social workers because the cost of an education and the loans needed to finance it are difficult to pay at the salaries they will earn.

"Things have gotten progressively more difficult for regular folks in this country," she said.

The 44-year-old mother of two daughters impressed Friday's audience with her speaking skill and her own ability to inspire.

"It's kind of overwhelming," Lincoln salesman Rich Urwiler said of the crowd's enthusiasm. "I think they're taking away the values issue from the Republicans."

"She was fantastic," said Leola Bullock, a 79-year-old civil rights activist from Lincoln. "It makes you believe that America is for all people."

Michelle Obama spoke a day after 10,000 people packed Omaha's Civic Auditorium to hear her husband. U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson introduced Michelle Obama on Friday, and Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler and former Lt. Gov. Kim Robak were among those attending. read more