I have no idea whether Barack Obama plays poker, or even likes cards, but last night, in a masterful performance here in Phoenix, he flashed that million-dollar smile and laid down four aces. I believe he is now on his way to victory in Arizona.
We were in the venerable (that means old) Veterans' Memorial Coliseum, original home of the Phoenix Suns. With Super Bowl preparations nearing a fever-pitch, it was amazing that any venue could be secured. So basketball player Obama used the hall, in front of nearly 15,000 fans, to "posterize" both Clinton and McCain w/a thunderous slam dunk!!! Fast Break w/me to the jump to check out the score....
As the Coliseum filled up, rocked by Stevie ('Signed, Sealed, Delivered' & 'Higher Ground'), McFadden & Whitehead ('There's No Stoppin' Us Now!), Curtis Mayfield (Move on Up!), Earth, Wind, & Fire ('Shining Star'), and Jackie Wilson ('Higher'), the excitement and anticipation began to build.
A VERY Diverse crowd, w/many Women and Latinos, was ready to go, urged on by the Maryvale HS Band.
ACE #1 First up, preceding the Main Event, was Rep. Raul Grijalva, a true powerhouse throughout Southern Arizona, from Tucson to Yuma, who leads a very-impressive turnout operation. He switched from Edwards to Obama the day before John dropped out, but you'd never have known it. He delivered a full-throated and highly-enthusiastic endorsement of Obama and everything he stands for, promising good things for the southern part of the state.
Ace #2 Now, to big applause, Caroline Kennedy and Gov. Janet Napolitano ascend to the stage, explaining the two stools behind the podium. Caroline's sweet smile envelops the room. The introduction praises both her notable career and excellence as a Mom and person. While her remarks are brief, she, of course, invokes her Dad, and the hope he inspired. Chills traverse the crowd in the warm arena.
Ace #3 Now comes the Thunder!!! A tumultuous ovation greets the introduction of Gov. Janet Napolitano, highly-popular in her second term, leader of the Western, Democratic, and National Governors' Associations, and Campaigner for Barack in Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona. I've never seen Janet quite so obviously-happy and enthusiastic!!! This is no act--she really, truly believes in this guy, and it shows!!! I cannot begin to tell you how loyal her following is among women in this state, particularly among educators (she is a true champion for education at all levels), but also among Republicans, Independents, Working Women, women of every description. With Janet's strong backing, Barack will win among women in this state---write it down!! Janet is also powerful w/another key demographic in this state--Seniors!!! She OWNS Sun City!!! She has been consistently attentive to Seniors' needs and interests, and they have reciprocated.
....which leads us to....Ace #4 THE MAN HIMSELF!!! We've all seen him speak, in person and/or on the tv. There are few (including Clinton and McCain) who are unfamiliar w/his oratorical skills, his ease at speaking honestly, openly, and convincingly with his audience. But let me focus on what I think was different about this night. First, good as he is, I was a bit distracted sometimes on tv by his slightly halting reliance on notes or a teleprompter (I know, it's nitpicking, but I have come to expect near-perfection from this guy!!!). There was none of that tonight--not a note or teleprompter in sight. And his body language bespoke an incredibly-powerful quiet confidence. I couldn't get over how totally comfortable he was with himself and what he had to say.
Like a skilled shot-blocker slamming away a pesky shot, he forcefully dismissed the charges that his preference for diplomacy over military action was somehow weak or naive, nodding to Caroline as he quoted her father's "We should never negotiate from fear, but should never be afraid to negotiate!!!". He similarly swatted away such faux charges as "false hopes", clearly evincing his profound understanding of the barriers that exist and sacrifices that will be necessary to achieve our hopes.
Barack spoke for over an hour, and you could have heard a pin drop. No one wanted to miss a word. But the money shot came on immigration. Apart from Rep. Grijalva, there had been no Latino speakers, and, in a successful bid to keep the presentation clean and not detract from the main event, he dispensed w/the pro forma acknowledgements of all the Latino Leaders there present to support him, and, characteristically, chose instead to lavish praise on the enthusiastic volunteers, everywhere evident.
Before his speech, though, he had met w/Latino Leaders, including former Sen. Majority Leader Alfredo Gutierrez, whose daily talk show on Radio Campesino (owned by the UFW, btw...) boasts the highest listenership of any in Metro Phoenix, English or Spanish, and former House Minority Leader John Loredo and Rep. Steve Gallardo.
Tonight, Barack once again took the lead, utilizing new language and staking out a somewhat new position, shifting the tone to one of profound and unapologetic acknowledgement of, and respect for, the central role that human rights must play. In a moment that should have made Jimmy Carter proud, he foreshadowed this stance by an increased emphasis on human rights as he discussed foreign policy.
But on Immigration and Latinos, while he conceded that legitimate border issues must be treated seriously, both for security reasons and to protect American workers, he movingly gave a human face to people often dismissed in a passive voice as 'illegals' and worse. He spoke of people and children, and insisted that we must deal honestly with these critical human stories, needs and wants.
This stands in sharp contrast to the very-vocal Haters in this state, from 'Round-em-Up' Sheriff Joe Arpaio, to State Repug Chairman Randy Pullen (who, btw, HATES McCain), to state Sen. Russell Pearce, sponsor of an initiative that would challenge the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution to deny citizenship to babies born in this country, who he most despicably refers to as "Anchor Babies"!!!!
Yes, Barack laid down four aces last night in Phoenix, and I am confident that, come Tuesday, he'll walk off with the pot here in Arizona!!!
(full speech viewable at Azfamily.com)
Oh, and, by the way, from what I saw here last night of his quiet but profound confidence, if I were Hillary Clinton, I would approach tonight's first-ever one-on-one face-off with no small measure of trepidation!!! I predict a Debate Win tonight for Barack!!!