NYT: Obama "Bored" With Primary, Shaking Up Campaign Style

Senator Barack Obama is making subtle changes to his campaign style and message in an effort to strengthen his appeal to blue-collar voters and to avoid a defeat in Indiana that aides fear could give Democratic Party leaders further pause about his viability in a general election.

On Sunday, Mr. Obama went to a Methodist church in Indianapolis, the kind of event rarely on his public schedule. He suited up for a game of basketball on Friday night before television cameras. And the big, energy-filled stadium rallies that were the bread and butter for most of his campaign have once again given way to smaller town-hall-style meetings, where he is seen talking with people and not at them.

Mr. Obama is seeking to absorb the lessons of his defeat in Pennsylvania. The changes reflect concern that he is being portrayed by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as distant and culturally out of touch with many working-class Democrats, a worry underlined by her lopsided victory among many of those voters in that state on Tuesday and last month in Ohio. ...

In interviews with several associates and aides, Mr. Obama was described as bored with the campaign against Mrs. Clinton and eager to move into the general election against Senator John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive Republican nominee.

So the Obama campaign is undertaking modifications in his approach intended to inject an air of freshness into his style.

Keep reading here.

Comments

[biglith]

This primary started over a year and a half ago. How could any normal person not be exhausted unless you're a power freak like Hillary Clinton. The fact that a person of substance like Barack Obama has held up as well as he has in the face of our vulgar media culture says a lot about his character.

[democratsaint]

the presidency is 4 years,and he cant even last over a year?hell reagan lasted 8 years.

[McFlipFlop1]

Child's logic.

[Detestable]

weak. Do you really need to re-read the article or are you another Clinton/McCain talking head?

[epsiloneon]

if he can't hold up maybe he should quit, and the crap about the media is bs they gave him a free ride. It wasn't until recently that they started reporting on him, and he hates it so now he says he is bored. Obama has the words confused he is scared, scared that more of his skeletons will surface.

[Bertha40869]

Hillary, like most insane people, runs on adrenaline. You could decapitate that Jezebel, and she'd still be blubbering until November.

[biglith]

Did you read the article? Obama according to the New York times wants a new strategy that reflects his flexibility to stay fresh and deal with this primary as it evolves. If you don't think the media is vulgar, then we're living on different planets. You can bet dollars to donuts that Hillary Clinton will be out on the stump in Indiana that Obama is "bored" with them and the MSM will treat it as his latest "gaffe".

[GrammyinPA]

I too am BORED with the Democratic primary race.
I deeply resent the comment that Pennsylvania voters are racists.
The Obamamites seem to say that every race he loses, is because the voters are racists.
I am a Hillary supporter; however, I wish she would drop out and then the Obama supporters could find something else to whine about.

[democratsaint]

he was asked why he cant win blue caller voters,the bitter was his comment.ie its not MY fault,its the voters fault they dont vote for me.i dont need to change my message they need to just accept me.that is what he thinks of voters.

[KaAp]

It was not Obama on the contrary --- polls demonstrated that voters in Penn. voted according to color ... Your governor also stated that people in Penn were not ready to vote for an African American ...

It is easy to assign blame ... it is much more difficult to unpack the ideological impetus out of which this all emerged and the rationale why people of certain social classes hegemonically play out the race card.

It is not Obama ... and I as an Obama supporter am not whining ... nor have I ever whined because I realize after Wisconsin --- the race was over ... and yes Obama wins

[GrammyinPA]

It's attitudes like yours that will keep people like me home on election day.

[Conservateur]

That is what`s scary about him and his campaign.E­veryone who does not vote for him is uneducated and racist.The­y just took it upon themselves that whoever opposes Obama cannot think for themselves and everyone else but them is very stupid.I do not think people like to be those who belittle them every chance they get.They want to criticize everybody else`s choice of a candidate,but wait,you should not do that to Obama.I was watching Late Edition on CNN yesterday.­Obama`s foreign policy adviser was busy twisting words and distorting Hilary`s positions on foreign policy.Whe­n the guy from the Clinton campaign fired back talking about Obama`s statements,she started shouting him down,way to go!And these are the people we are gonna have in the WH.She was just making up positions as she went along and man,she`s just plain horrible!They are not good at responding to criticism.

If this guy becomes the President,he won`t fix anything and noone will be allowed to criticize him because you are all so scared of being labelled racists.Do not be silenced because someone plays the race card to get their way.Stand up for America,don`t let these minions throw the country down the toilet.

[undecidee]

I am bored with the process too. He never said that he was bored with the voters so don't start putting words in his mouth.

This is a brutal primary and I think that Clinton is in her element because she LOVES to FIGHT. He does not seem to do well when he have to get down in the mud and FIGHT.

The press is loving this though and they love to inject race into the whole process because the so call pundits think that it is all about race. Obama never said that it was about race or that voters are racist.

Look at every MSM right now. They are showing rev. Wright every chance they got and try to link him and Obama once again and ask the public if they think that rev. Wright have colored Obama's mind. And by the way, they ask, do we want a person with a pastor like rev. Wright in the WH.

Blame the MSM for all these race baiting. Don't blame the candidates or their spouses. Words are spliced and diced by the MSM and then used as baits. Don't let the MSM do your thinking for you.

I don't wish that Clinton will drop out even though she can't possible win unless she steals the election. I like the process to continue so that everyone will have a chance to vote. But I wish that both candidates and their surrogates would behave themselves and talk about issues.

[newpantaloons]

Boy, you can sure tell that the Clinton's got some money after PA. The paid rabid Hillarions are out in full force! And, by the way, Grammy, it was the main stream media that came out and said that polls showed that voters in PA voted on RACE! So, I guess you can resent it til you're blue in the face, but that doesn't really change anything, now does it?

[inthecolour]

Btw, whoever wrote this headline has the word bored in quotes as if Obama said this himself.

This is misleading. You might want to change that.

[dukeman]

I went out canvassing for Obama here in North Carolina and I can tell you that people here are pumped to vote for Obama and are sick of the press trying to tear him down.

He is going all the wat.

[inthecolour]

Join the club, Obama.

I'm bored as heck.

[MiddleRoad1]

nothing like the excitement of ducking snipers, huh?

[inthecolour]

doesn't come close.

[colleen2]

When it comes to the Clintons, boredom vies with disgust.

[ObamaSuperDelegate]

On "Meet The Press", this past Sunday, Gwen Ifil and Andrea Mitchell, both said that something else was at play in PA, and that it was racism. Sure, Senator Obama has to change his game and try to connect with the so called "blue collar" workers, but he can only connect with them if they want to be connected to. Things that we do not like to talk about are alive and well in this country. He will never be able to change all minds, that resistance is set in some people. Some people, NOT ALL, would rather vote for OSAMA BIN LADEN than vote for ANY Black person! And, we all know that, and the MSM just keeps harping on the fact that this group of people are not voting for him. The way I feel about it is, I do not care if he only wins by 1 vote, as long as he beats McSame!

[REAGANRIGHT]

Barry had better start now, because he wont get the nom. in Denver. He is out of touch with the people. Hillary will get the nom. like it or not.

[donttasemebro]

And that would be, as we all know, a Republican's wet dream. You're probably getting a little hot right now, just thinking about it.

[biglith]

Dream on.

[tscurry]

Obama will get the nomination and will beat McCain. So, if you can't handle it I suggest you start looking at buying some nice lake front property in Canada

[klimtone]

I'll wait until the dollar is stronger

[Nobuks]

Oh no you don't! We don't need people like that up here. Canada isn't free of racial disparity, but they do try harder to minimize their influence. Obama is actually well liked up here. A lot of Canadians would love to have a man or woman of his candor and disposition run for office up here. If he wins the General, which a lot of us hope he does, the changing of world opinion about America will shock Americans in it's speed and intensity. Like it or not, America is the world's only remaining superpower, but it's direction for the past decade has been like that of a boat adrift. The world does worry, because we are are tied together, again whether we like it or not, in America's well being.

[drzoon]

of the three candidates who are in this race...

nobody is more hated than Hilary Clinton.

she is the best "get out the vote" candidate the republicans have. so... every time anyone talks about Hilary is taking the nomination in Denver or anywhere else, the other side just sits there and drools at the prospect.

Seriously, Hilary Clinton is the most hated candidate to run for this office in a long long time.

Her negatives are higher than George Bush's when he ran for his second term.

[Benmyoho]

Can I add, AMEN, AMEN, AMEN, and more AMEN, AMEN?

[missjabez]

I'm bored, too, Obama. Hellcat Hillary needs to drop out so you can start taking care of business: defeating McCain.

[RRH]

The blue collar voters will never defect from their advocate Hillary Clinton to Obama. Obama's PA comments in San Fransisco will not go away. His negatives are growing and have piled up more then any Clinton negatives. Obama doesn't get it and as a result will continue to lose the voters who have come to Hillary because the Clintons have always supported the middle class. Obama's elitist attitude is what keeps blue collar out of reach. He can have a bear with the blue collar but their is a big disconnect with him. He is not a closer and will NEVER get that vote. Obama cannot win in the general election. He is weak.

[Benton]

RRH, great post if it were not virtually one-hundred percent wrong in the measurable facts asserted, faulty premises that rely on those facts and erroneous conclusions derived therefrom.

[drzoon]

go back and take that stat class. you didn't do so well... or it was soooooooo long ago that you have forgotten how to read 'em.

(old folks... they tend to get in the way)

(their slow in the crosswalks too)

obama is going to just fine...

[McFlipFlop1]

From Real Clear Politics:

RCP Average, 04/10 - 04/27, Obama +7.0
Rasmussen Tracking ,04/24, Obama +8.0
Gallup Tracking, 04/24 - 04/26, Tie
Newsweek, 04/24 - 04/25, Obama +7.0
USA Today/Gallup, 04/18 - 04/20 , Obama +10.0
ABC/Wash Post, 04/10 - 04/13, Obama +10.0

[Gould123]

Can someone on Huffington tell me why there is no article here about what "Britain and the Middle East Nations" are saying about Hillary's Crazy statements of obliverateing Iran? She has the whole world talking about how crazy she's acting and how her words has already hurt a tense situation and no one is talking about it! I know obama wants to run a clean campagne and he believes this is the way to do it, but this also needs to be addressed! What face and attitude we show the world and Nations around the world is important to not only us, but the world AND THE WHOLE WORLD IS TALKING ABOUT IT, BUT US.

[queenisabella]

didn't you notice how the mainstream media handles the primaries??? it is utterly shocking
how many important issues regarding Clinton and the hubby are NOT brought up, same for the one you are mentioning, it is incredible that such a statement and the international reactions are not hashed out by the press, but no..flag pins are much more relevant. It is actually starting to scare me what it is being fed to a less informed (but wide) audience . I too wish some of that was brought up by Obama, these are political issues not dirt throwing.
I would think the superDs and the party are taking this in consideration

[queenisabella]

many will vote for McCain and not for Hillary when time comes
Clinton is the one who couldn't close the deal, she had huge advantage and did herself in
you are ignoring the incredible coalition of voters Obama gathered in many "white" states, PA was an expected win for Clinton, it helped her hyped up things but did not change the race
Did you check the Clinton's tax returns?? middle class indeed and very preoccupied with the poor folks, right!
why is being poised, calm, thoughtful, steady, intelligent , presidential considered a weakness?
Hillary has shown an hysterical, desperate demeanor that is very scary if you are to imagine her in office, McCain would win for sure, all they have to do is pull out the endless dirt on her and some is quite current or some of her political errors, especially her vote on the war.
By contrast, on REAL issues, when they are finally discussed in the general elections, McCain will loose on war, economy, healthcare matters, I can't wait to see the debates, you didn't get it yet but B O is a man of steel and huge strength, he doesn't need to scream to make that point.

[lifebylisa]

I'm scared to think of Clinton or McCain in an international meeting. Many countries that we have to negotiate with don't see women as the same level, she will be torn apart. What, does she think tears will help her then, I think not...McCa­in, will throw a temper tantrum, and TKO someone at the table. The only one I see acting like a mature, rational adult is Obama. Hopefully more people will actually think it all the way through. My God, I have a child at home freaked out that the world is going to end because of all the chaos right now.

[queenisabella]

didn't you notice how the mainstream media handles the primaries??? it is utterly shocking
how many important issues regarding Clinton and the hubby are NOT brought up, same for the one you are mentioning, it is incredible that such a statement and the international reactions are not hashed out by the press, but no..flag pins are much more relevant. It is actually starting to scare me what it is being fed to a less informed (but wide) audience . I too wish some of that was brought up by Obama, these are political issues not dirt throwing.
I would think the superDs and the party are taking this in consideration

[meleon]

Preach it. TheClintons are masters at the game and if they didn't disgust me so I'd be rallying for a national holiday to honor " Bill & Hill and the misenformed populous who believe in them no matter how much they have lied, are lying now, and will lie in the future." Or how they will "say anything - do anything - be anything for the sheep they hope to lead."

[DustyRebel]

We're bored too...and chomping at the bit to go after McCain!

[HopeGirl]

Thank God Obama has the good judgment to be bored. Everyday the same old game.

[JackieW]

Fix your headline, Huffington. Obama did not say he was "bored". Misleading, sloppy journalism.

[queenisabella]

YES that really bothered me too, very, very misleading

[flyguy14222]

Sorry to see you are bored Obama. That speaks volumes to the voters you are courting now and those you have yet to.

[cballen]

it does, because they are bored of this tit-for-tat playground tactics too (idiot)

[drzoon]

i was bores with HIlary a long long time ago...

now i just gag when i hear her voice

[drzoon]

(bores-not "bores")

[Jey]

Glad to see Obama is going to change his strategy. He has got to get into rural America if he wants to win. Indiana is full of rural areas and he needs to concentrate on southern Indiana where the support for Hillary is 3 to 1. Take a bus tour - wander Indiana. Make stops in small town America, shake hands, ask why they're hurting - get in touch with them. They're begging for a candidate to do this. You would blast Clinton out of the water if you would do this.

[ejay579]

No to downplay the value of the rural vote but I heard the other day that Indiana is more urban than rural. It is also younger than PA.

[sk7326]

It it still a good election strategy for the rest of the season. He has the city part of Indiana in excellent shape. But shore up rural support. He will need it to make some hay in WV and Kentucky, which while unimportant from a delagate perspective, is important from narrative creation.