Cleveland Plain Dealer Article
Obama's rivals, especially Hillary Clinton, love to say how Obama is all rhetoric but no substance. Basically, they are saying his message of hope and a "better tomorrow" is stupid and useless.
But let me ask you: Without hope, where would any of us be today? Where would we, as Jews, be without the hope of Moshiach? Where would the US be if the revolutionaries didn't hope to win or if the abolitionists and the North had given up and allowed slavery to continue? The list can go on and on and on. So, I ask, what is wrong with hope if it leads to a better life?
I'd like to quote most of an article from the Plain Dealer. It speaks for itself:
Barack Obama campaign rally in Toledo draws thousands
Toledo- Over and over again, on subjects ranging from the economy to the influence of "fat cat" lobbyists to the war in Iraq, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama asked the same question of his followers: "Are you ready for change?"
The ear-busting response delivered the answer.
On Sunday afternoon, Obama delivered his hope-heavy message for a better tomorrow to 10,000 people packed inside the University of Toledo's Savage Hall. Organizers said another 5,000 gathered outside, unable to jam into the campus arena.
Obama said he launched his campaign on a bet that Americans - many trapped in real-life stories of struggle and hardship - want something different for their country. He decried the critics who label the movement one of blind optimism.
"The reason you're here, the reason I'm here, is that nothing happens without someone deciding to hope," Obama said.
Obama pulled his campaign bus into Toledo while crisscrossing Ohio to spread his message. As he did in cities like Chicago, New York and Miami, Obama addressed leaders of the Cleveland Jewish community Sunday morning, according to his campaign and attendees. About 80 people - supporters of Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton and John McCain - asked questions about e-mail rumors, his faith and his Israel policy in a meeting at Landerhaven. On Saturday, his tour had swept through Cleveland, Akron and Columbus. Today, he's scheduled to roll into Cincinnati and Dayton.
The intense focus on the state coincides with the approaching primary in the hard-fought - and increasingly combative - race for the party's nomination.
Polling results released last week show Obama trailing Clinton among Ohio voters. However, survey trends show Obama - riding the momentum of 11 straight victories to Democratic front-runner status - cutting into Clinton's once-large lead as the February calendar flips forward.
Political analysts say primary losses in delegate-rich Ohio and Texas on March 4 would essentially dash Clinton's hopes.
Obama referenced Clinton once in his speech, mentioning the "little discussion" he's having with her over the North American Free Trade Agreement. The pact - adopted during Bill Clinton's term in the White House - draws frequent criticism in union-heavy Ohio for causing job losses.
Fliers distributed by the Obama campaign labeled Clinton a NAFTA supporter. Clinton lashed out at Obama for the literature on Saturday, accusing him of misrepresenting her position and engaging in a smear campaign.
Obama delivered a reply in Toledo: "You can't take credit for everything that's good in the Clinton administration, then not take credit for what people don't like," he said.
The line brought a deafening roar of adoration from Savage Hall's energized crowd.
So did Obama's words about creating jobs, establishing universal health care and bringing home the troops in Iraq. "I love you, Obama!" one woman shouted as he worked through his platform. "Love you back," he replied.
Obama's followers spoke passionately about their candidate and his ideas. Gloria Williams, 49, called him an inspirational figure and a "prophet of change."
Dave Wilson, 30, of suburban Detroit, marveled at the scene. "There's something happening here," he said.
Plain Dealer Reporter Laura Johnston contributed to this story.
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