Do You Smell What Barack Is Cooking?
Presidential candidate Barack Obama visits Council Bluffs to drum up support and explain his views to voters.
Mike Gibilisco
What happens when a Democratic senator writes two best selling books, teaches 10 years at University of Chicago Law School, has a mother from Kansas, a father from Kenya and preaches a message of political change and activism?
Barack Obama, a presidential candidate, gets pop star treatment.
Obama held a town hall meeting in Council Bluffs, Iowa on Saturday, March 31. The audience greeted him with a roar of applause, an O-ba-ma chant, and a sign, which read, “Do you smell what Barack is cooking?”
During the hour-long visit, which consisted of a 20-minute speech and question and answer session, Obama addressed the main topics on his platform, which included national healthcare, renewable energy and the war in Iraq.
On the War in Iraq
Obama supports a substantial withdrawal from Iraq lasting 12 to 18 months and believes that we need to be “as careful getting out as we were careless getting in.”
Marcy Kramer, an Arts & Sciences freshman and treasurer for Creighton University’s College Democrats, attended the rally and thought that Obama’s position on the war was one of his strongest points.
“I think his stance shows that he is passionate and not wishy-washy like other candidates and politicians,” she said.
On Healthcare and Energy
Obama’s healthcare proposal includes using funding for Iraq to create a national healthcare system, which would ensure treatment to every U.S. citizen. This plan includes providing tax cuts for large companies who are able to provide healthcare plans to their employees and grouping the uninsured with civil servants to create a joint healthcare plan.
In his energy platform, Obama proposed a cap and trade system. This would fine industrial companies for exceeding carbon dioxide emissions standards and at the same time, provide tax breaks for companies that lower emissions. He said this would create a market for green technology, making it more affordable and even profitable.
Challenges
Even if these ideas appeal to voters, Obama still has many barriers to overcome for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. Dr. Richard Witmer, a political science professor at Creighton, said that Obama has three challenges he has to face.
First, Witmer said he must show that he is financially successful, especially at the beginning of his race. BBC news reported on April 4 that he raised $25 million dollars for his campaign, second only to Hilary Clinton at $26 million out of all presidential candidates.
Second, Obama must answer critics questioning his experience on a national and international level. However, at the rally, Obama more than once mentioned his short time on Capitol Hill because he said that it shows he is untarnished by the political system.
“I know I haven't spent a lot of time learning the ways of Washington,” he said, “but I've been there long enough to know that the ways of Washington must change."
Finally, Witmer said Obama must show that he can win votes in all parts of the country and in varying demographics.
“Barack can’t be seen as only a black candidate, like Jesse Jackson,” said Witmer. “He needs to show us that he is a Democratic candidate.”
Busy Schedule
And that is exactly what Obama is trying to accomplish. Currently, he is conducting a media blitz. The first week of April consisted of him driving across Iowa, holding similar town hall meetings in cities such as Humboldt, Fort Dodge and Marshalltown.
He may be doing something right.
Arts & Sciences senior Dave O’Brien went to the town hall meeting in Council Bluffs to see what all the hype was about. O’Brien values being an informed voter and wanted to be a witness to Obama’s campaign.
Even though he thought Obama’s renewable energy program was nothing different from the other candidates, he liked Obama’s emphasis on education, especially the criticisms of Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act.
He left the rally impressed with Obama’s intelligence and charisma.
“I wouldn't have a problem with voting for Obama,” he said, “and I think that he would probably make a pretty good president. Although it won't be hard to improve on what we've got now.”
Graphic by Chelsey Brown