Obama re. rally disruptors: People got organized, that's an American tradition we are proud of

[BeyondGeography]

Protestors disrupt Obama rally

ROCHESTER, New Hampshire (CNN) – A group of about a dozen anti-abortion protestors interrupted one of Barack Obama's New Hampshire rallies Monday night. The group shouted in unison, "Abortion is abomination," forcing Obama to pause in the middle of his speech.

When the noise erupted, Obama first paused and looked up into the balcony where they were standing. "Alright," Obama said, attempting to squelch the commotion. "Alright."

The rest of the crowd soon got angry with the protestors. "No need to boo. We appreciate point," Obama said, adding that he'd be happy to talk to them afterwards but that shouting "isn't going to solve anything."

The whole incident lasted about two minutes before they were escorted out by police. Before leaving the room, one protestor yelled, "True change is ending abortion!" Change has been a major theme of Obama's campaign. Once the audience calmed down again, Obama said, "Let me just say this, though… Some people got organized to do that. That's part of the American tradition we are proud of."

"That's hard, too, standing in the midst of people who don't agree with you," he added.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/07/protestors-disrupt-obama-rally/

[NWHarkness]

1. A few words in defense of reproductive rights would have been nice

Maybe that would have gotten in the way of "bringing us together" though.

[BeyondGeography]

2. They were probably there because NARAL gives him a 100 rating

[skipos]

Hey now, don't let facts get in the way of a good Obama bashing.

He is spanking everyone in the primaries, and we reserve the right to be babies about it.

[NWHarkness]

7. I'm not "bashing" him

I'm expressing what I consider to be a legitimate concern. Which is more important to Obama, "bringing us together" or standing up for progressive principles?

[skipos]

13. You are making a ridiculous statement just because he is spanking your candidate

in the primaries. Look, he spanked mine too. No need for us to be babies about it. Obama handled himself fine, and anyone who criticizes a 100% naral rated senator for not saying something about reproductive rights at that moment is sour grapes.

[NWHarkness]

16. Why insult me?

That's hardly the way to win over my support. Many Democrats have concerns about Obama and his supporters would apparently rather sneer at us than address them.

[skipos]

17. You were being obnoxious, and I am not trying to win over your support for anything.

Obama is not "my guy."

I am 100% positive that if your candidate had protesters and handled it just like Obama did, you would be fine with it. You wouldn't say "a few words about reproductive rights would have been nice." It is nit picky bullshit sour grapes.

[NWHarkness]

20. That's a marvelous ability

I have to admire your talent at knowing what I would think. You ought to be able to turn an ability like that into big money.

[skipos]

22. No need to admire it. It is really easy to do.

When you see someone making a bullshit, nit picky, sour grapes comment about a candidate, odds are they are rooting for a different candidate.

[cali]

27. He stood up for speech something we've all been fucking bitching about

endlessly. This is so ironic, because in GD there was a post about this before much was known and he was described as looking startled, and there was the blurb about protesters being escorted out. People on the thread were bitching at him for not standing up for speech.

In case you didn't know, standing up for protest IS a progessive value.

[NWHarkness]

28. You missed my point

Standing up for free speech is certainly a progressive value. But taking one minute to say "I respect the right of others to disagree, but I will defend reproductive choice." does not stymie free speech.

[silverweb]

4. You betcha.

Of course that's why they were there... and why the idiots continue to vote against their own best interests.

They're rabid maniacs on one or two issues, and they can't see or think beyond that.

[NWHarkness]

5. All the more reason he should stand tall now

I wish he would show some indication that he understands that he is making a whole lot of good Democrats very uncomfortable. It's legitimate to worry about whether or not he will stand up for what he believes in, or if an Obama presidency will be another disappointing era of triangulation, in which progressive principles are disregarded in the interest of "getting along".

[pennylane100]

3. People get instant attention for their cause,

good or bad, by these kind of interuptions and I think it was smart of Obama not to comment on their message thus giving them a voice. However, I do not condemn their tactics, just the point they were trying to make.

[Nailzberg]

11. Kinda like not showing the drunk baseball fan running through the outfield on the TV

[silverweb]

6. Obama is 100% class.

That was just one example of democracy in action -- and Obama took advantage of the opportunity to teach the lesson.

He looked past the obvious rudeness of the protestors, acknowledged them, and thus defused their attempts to disrupt. Exactly like he defanged O'Reilly the other day.

This is the candidate I want leading our country and being our face to the world.


GObama!

[BeyondGeography]

9. Someone gets it

:thumbsup:

[Critters2]

10. "Alright. Alright."....? That's taking advantage of an opportunity?

I'm getting more scared all the time.

[Thrill]

8. Obama is so positive!!

[jeff30997]

12. That man is a real diplomat imho.

Imagine what would have happened if pro-choice peoples had done that at a Repuke rally.Ouch!

[NWHarkness]

14. Well, that's my concern

I don't want a diplomat who will negotiate with the right wing fanatics, I want a leader who will fight them.

[madrchsod]

15. he did--- it`s just you did`t notice how he did

"I don't want a diplomat who will negotiate with the right wing fanatics, I want a leader who will fight them." we have had that kind of thinking for the last 7 years years and the majority of americans and the citizens of the world grow weary of it

[NWHarkness]

18. I disagree

I believe that the majority of Americans are finally ready to reject the conservative agenda. At long last, we have an opportunity to move this country in a progressive direction. Why should we not take that opportunity?

When I hear a candidate promise to "bring us together" I can't help but ask what progressive ideals we are meant to set aside in ordr to acheive that goal. Which rights should gays forsake in order to get along with the Christianist fanatics? What concessions will workers be exprected to make in order to get along with big corporations? How much should the uninsured pay so that we can get along with the insurance companies?

I keep asking Obama supporters, which is more important, standing up for progressive values, or "bringing us together". I never get answered, I only get insulted.

[RaleighNCDUer]

21. IMO, here, he did both. nt

[madrchsod]

24. your issue was with the right wing and christian fanatics

which i agree there is no way to talk to these people...as a somewhat unorthodox christian i have found it`s useless to talk to. what my concern is that by not finding a common ground with "people on the other side" that we limit our opportunity to fight very things you mention. these issues effect people and their families whether they are democrat or a republican. as a progressive we need to drag the party off the god dam fence so we can at least get those who are looking for some answers to listen to what the democrats have to say. what i see are a lot of republicans and independents that want a change and who will vote democratic because we offer them hope and ability that their kids will have a future. progressive values are what bring us together.

by the way i`m not happy with any of the candidates expect dennis

[nebenaube]

19. I don't know anymore....

There's so much stagecraft and disinformation and neurolinguistic programming out there. "Some people got organized" Hm mm, There could be two meanings to that statement; just how difficult would it have been to get volunteers and script something like that? Just ask yourself if it would even be illegal? So the protesters got booked for disturbing the peace... Big deal, especially if it would pay the house payment for a while. Then there's Hillary's emotion and the quiver one gets when they are not acting; it should have been there but I didn't hear it.

Self-service gas pumps turned us all into gas station attendants and this administration has turned many of us into intelligence analysts. These past seven years has turned me into such a cynic. It is impossible to really know who to trust or what to believe anymore.

So there's no point checking to see if a mushroom cloud appears somewhere or somebody gets tazered or goes off in mall or at school or whatever the next scandal is (281 and counting last I heard). I don't think the people of this country are sick but the system is and there does seem to be very dark forces at play (see google for "ritual child abuse and or finders" and tell me that the MK-ultra Research didn't just get outsourced, and that they trained assassins and journalists and commentators). There! see why I have to go now?. Did you have nuclear nightmares as a kid, I did. The nightmares are back now in a brand new flavor and as incongruent as it seems the subject never involves the middle east or "Islamofacists". So good night DU, I know who I really wanted to vote for, I know who I am voting for in the primary and I know who I have to vote for.

Logging off, drooping out.

and the chorus sings: "We'll all go together when we go!"

[AtomicKitten]

23. I think he handled this nicely.

[Critters2]

25. When did his logo change again?

Courage and vision now, huh? It's hard to keep up!

[madrchsod]

26. he gave them a weggie.....

:rofl:

[Leopolds Ghost]

29. Nobody's mentioned the "freedom-loving, dialogue loving" folks had protestors carted off by POLICE

In the best and most ancient of American traditions.

Funny how this is a big deal when antis at Bush rallies are arrested. Americans only believe in freedom of assembly for people who they agree with.