Five Reasons Obama Owes the Town Hall Protesters a Thank You Note

As a Tampa Bay resident with Forrest Gump-like luck, I found myself sitting literally a foot away from the protesters from Uhuru during the Obama St. Petersburg town hall. Here are some observations I think both the media and the Obama campaign might be missing if they consider the outcome of that event anything but positive.

1) Six protesters just secured 2,000 votes. -- This event was far from an Obama love-fest. Having been ostracized during the primary and the punch line for more than a few political jokes on late night talk shows, Floridians are well aware of their swing state status. A large number of attendees were still "purple" and looking to make an educated decision on which candidate to support. Also, the local history between St. Petersburg authorities and the Uhuru organization is a sore spot to many residents on both sides. Obama gaining firm but respectful control of the situation was not lost on observers in the crowd and many left the event having a lot more positive things to say than they did coming in.

2) And the grace under pressure award goes to... -- The organizers for the St. Petersburg event could not have been pleased when the protesters not only disrupted the Senator's remarks, but dominated the media coverage afterwards. But the campaign should breathe a little easier after reading the Internet comments on most of the coverage. Apparently the blogosphere has concluded that Obama's ability to calm the outbursts at the beginning of the event and then to address protester Diop Olugbala's question showed poise and restraint -- two adjectives that most likely would not have come into play under normal circumstances.

3) The following people are not paid actors. No, really. -- One of the questions I heard asked most as people were filing into the bleachers was whether or not the questions would be scripted. I remember the days of Jeb Bush's re-election campaign, when loyalty oaths had to be signed before you were allowed in the door and neatly typed question cards were handed out to camera-friendly faces. This event was a definite departure from the controlled environment strategy. While one nervous woman did read from a piece of paper, the Uhuru incident underscored the point that the town hall questions -- spanning from veterans to veganism -- were certainly not planted.

4) A protest is sexier than the economy. -- I would love to think that, had the protest not happened, that the main stream media would have given the same air time to the new economic policy unveiled at the St. Petersburg town hall, but the cynic in me just doesn't quite buy it. After all, why discuss the merits of a thousand dollar energy credit for middle class families when you can run an endless loop of six individuals chanting and holding a homemade paper banner? While many people watching the 24-hour news channels may not have walked away knowing much about Obama's unveiled economic policy, even fewer of them would be able to tell you that McCain was also in Florida at the same time. Once again, Obama wins the battle of media coverage.

5) Way to take the wind out of the sails for McCain's "He's Too Big of a Celebrity" charge. -- You gotta kind of feel sorry for McCain at this point and his inability to win a news cycle. The guy can't buy a break. The Reverend Wright tapes are leaked and then his own supporter Reverend Hagee is exposed as being anti... well, anti-everybody. He gets prime television coverage just before Obama accepts the Democratic nomination and the result is the "Green Monster" speech. (Say it with me now -- "THAT'S not change we can believe in. Heh heh.") He challenges Obama to go overseas in hopes of labeling him as inexperienced at foreign affairs and the result is that his opponent is all but knighted. Now, his campaign seems to find their stride in a cleverly concocted "You Can't Elect Obama Because Too Many People Like Him" series of ads and what happens? The ongoing debate about McCain's ads is replaced with the coverage of six people that certainly do not think Obama is cool. (No word yet on Paris and Britney's thoughts on Uhuru...)

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Comments

[provoice]

As a resident of St. petersburg, i cringed when I heard the Uhuru protestor's extended quiz of Obama... as a former newsman myself, I paid close attention to the events of the St. Petersburg shooting the group was protesting (which by the way occurred a number of years ago...)

At the time of the shooting, Uhuru witnesses testified that the "victim" was out of the car and on the ground when the police officer shot him. Yet the bullet holes clearly passed through the windshield of the car from in front of the vehicle... immediately placing a major question of credibility on the witnesses.

Other witnesses testified that the "victim" had charged at the police officer with the vehicle, attempting to force the officer to jump out of the way so the "victim" could drive away... but naturally the Uhuru group witnesses denied that charge and incited riots that caused major fire destruction of a few businesses and housing in the black neighborho­ods... thus adding to the housing and employment blight on that area.

All in all, many whites and quite a few blacks will tell you that the Uhuru group is their own worst enemy in St. Petersburg, Florida. Obama dealt with them very well.

[moxieme]

Somewhere, somehow, this nation has got to understand there are no superior races. The neocons have deified themselves and it is destroying the nation as a whole. they continue to subscribe to the ridiculous notion of "the great white race". Isn't that inand of itself a form of terrorism? Why is it the power brokers of this nation believe they are a mightier force than the God with whom they proclaim to have a relationship unique to any other race or culture? Nov 4 is a-coming. WE do not hold tomorrow. But should that day come and finds that Barack Obama is President, do the neocons believe, at that point, it is they who have the ultimate power, more than the God for whom they believe embraces only them?

[thebeerdoctor]

Perhaps for the cowardly neocons, the cultural shock of an Obama presidency is, for them, incomprehensible.

[Tulka2]

I have been reading down this thread about the issue of African American men not measuring up as fathers. Full disclosure: old white lady here.

Why doesn't anyone ever talk about the horrible way white men have failed their families and America?! And... let's just keep it to the post-WWII era? Most of what's wrong, has happened under their watch. I most want to point out the way the millitary industrial complex has co-opted the average white guy. Those guys think it completely fine that they have Vet benifits while we can not afford to give every baby born in this country basic vaccinations. For instance. How about the way they have sat on their daughters ambitions? Hey... i could make a long list, but it would be unseemly.

Just so as you know....? i have been married to a good man for going on fifty years. We have one child, a son, who i love dearly. My men are not in the above catagory any more than most Black men are in the catagory of deadbeats, but my oh my, there are a lot of deadbeats, black and white and some of the worst wear uniforms and make huge Corporate salaries.

[Tulka2]

You know what...? I would just LOVE to think those young black men's questions were a product of the Obama campaign think-tank. I would LOVE to think the Obama think-tank is as tricksey as that. Because, as you say, my dear. Perfect! Perfect! Maybe the simple fact is that the time is right for Obama. Maybe events themselves will conspire to get him elected. This i know for sure: McCain sold his soul and it's hard to see why. Prayer wheels spinning here.

[richdoll]

i watch the exchange on tv obama handled the situation as a leader , i felt proud he answered their question with facts that the audience may not have not known about him those militant young men did him a favor .you could tell he was in control and not polerizering . i appreciate your article it just vaildates what i already know about him.

[Khrish]

HuffPost's Pick

You know I have nothing against protest if they are informed protesters. I found that these protestors had not done their homework nor tuned in to all of Sen. Obama's speeches and policy. I feel that most of us fall into the group who need help with all the things that he addresses in his speeches and in his policies; but if the word Black community is not in front of all statements then we don't think it means us. We need to listen and understand as many of the bloggers have said above. He is not a civil rights leader; he is running for president of the "United States" and all the people in them. Please give the man a chance. For goodness sake, if you don't vote for him are you then going to vote for McCain? You see how bad off the entire nation has had it under the Bush Administration, so if you vote Republican, they promise you, as a country, nothing; and if they are elected that's exactly what you are going to get unless you are super rich. Wake up and smell the coffee; we all must win. And if you are planning not to vote....re­member....­when you don't vote, you do vote.

[lennix]

i am a AA male and it's about time that some one is telling us the truth and we do need to clean up our act and should have did it a long time ago and obama is just like cosby telling the truth and we as AA male and female have to help our selfs and show the world that we are tired of hand outs and being label by every one else we can do it and thier is no such word as we can not so tell the drug dealers the killers of our kids and the sorry ass gang members men and the women that it's time to stop being the the victims no one iso going to give us anything and if we keep letting the rappers sell us the bill of goods that its the way to make it by being gangsters and if we don't think for our selfs then we deserve what ever we get

[sarchasm]

anyone labeling themselves (selfs?) AA is certainly not.

damn! ... was I just trolled?

[k. cecile]

Too bad you have been brain washed to believe such garbage about yourself. Most African Americans do help themselves. Did you know there are more whites receiving public assistance then any other race? Sure there is a black under class, but that by no means constitutes the majority of African Americans. Did you know that all ethnicities have a certain level of dysfunction? Many of the issues involving the black underclass are systemic and the cure will take more than verbally assailing the entire race. The old "victimization" theory was created to absolve the purveyors of racism, etc. of any sense of responsibility for their complicity.

[robXdion]

Thank YOU! Some of these people are just tuning in to LIFE and believe what hear.

[Bneo]

I'm a middle aged Black male who grew up in the sixties and believed in "Black Power and Black pride". But "for the first time in my adult life", I have to admit that we are our own worse enemy. Too many of us cannot see past our own Blackness to consider the bigger picture. Obama is running for president of the United States not saviour of all mankind. He cannot deliver us from all evil!

[flatus]

Do not fret too much over this, Bneo. My sense is that these guys were paid. Why, I think that a whiff of Rove went by my nostrils as I watched it.

[razajac]

Whoa! I hadn't thought of that. A tad paranoid? Or just reality-based?

But think about it: If it's true that the Uhuru thing was orchestrated, how much more impressive if Obama was indeed able to turn it to his advantage!

[BlueZoo]

The "we" you refer to could also include all who are Americans! Kudos for your last two sentences! Obama expectations have gotten out of hand and we need to be reminded that he's just a man willing to take on all the challenges of this nation. He'll make mistakes, just as we do, but those of us who vote for him believe he's the better choice to lead this great nation.

[PoliSci2008]

Thank You Beneo!!! I share your sentiments. Never would I have thought that the young AA would have this Me, Me, Me Attitude in light of Obama's Presidential Race. They just didn't reaped the awards of the 60s & 70s when it was Black Power, Black Pride, and "when he succeeds, we all succeeds".

[Tulka2]

Ha...! I jst understood what ya'll are talking about. I could not understand at first what kind of a problem Obama would represent for Alcholics Anonomous. Nevermind.

[bayside]

Bneo, I am white and we are our own worst enemy too..I want obama because he represents most of us..He is part black (father), white (mother), born in hawaii, muslim middle name, and has a sister half asian. We are all represente­d..I m ready , so ready to see the U.S. in the 21 st century, where everyone knows, there is only one race,.....­.. the human race......­..........

[MourningDude]

BHO opposed a temporary suspension of the federal gasoline taxes to help ease prices for consumers.

His explanation was that if the government suspended the gas taxes, Big Oil would simply raise their prices to make up the difference, and pocket even more money.

Now he's saying that he will implement a Windfall Profits tax on Big Oil, and hand out that money to taxpayers to ease their problems buying gas. Of course, he never says a word about what Big Oil might do in response to such a tax hike. Don't you think that if BHO's argument about the gas tax suspension was right, and that Big Oil will just raise prices because they have an opportunity to stick it to the consumer, wouldn't they just increase their prices in response to a Windfall Profits tax?

The consumers are the ones giving money to Big Oil in the first place. It's OUR money. If you raise the taxes, they raise the prices, and you give us back our own money to pay the higher prices, how is that "solving" anything? It makes no sense, whatsoever.

And I thought people here were serious about debating real issues and coming up with effective solutions. I thought people here were all about informing low information voters. How do people expect to convince voters that they know what they are talking about when the plans are so obviously contrived and utterly ineffective?

[thesimulacra]

What school of economics did you go to and what is their refund policy like?

Oil Company sets their price for unleaded gas at 3.00. Taxes bump that up to (i'm just making this number up, it's irrelevant) 4.00. They charge 3.00 because it's the most they can charge without scaring off so many buyers that it would cause them to make less money. And they can't go much lower without eating into their cost.

Government passes a "tax holiday" on gas. The oil company is still paying just as much money for the oil they're selling, and they're still making just as much money back per gallon sold. But at this point they realize they can still charge 4.00 (or somewhere between 3.00 and 4.00), all they have to do is raise their prices, and they'll be selling just as much gas as they would have without the gas tax holiday, and meanwhile making $1.00 more per gallon in pure profit.

If government increases the tax rate on oil companies (or rather, reduces their ridiculous tax breaks already put in place) through a "Windfall Profits Tax", the oil company pays more out of pocket, but they can't conceivably raise the price of gas to "compensate" for it, because they would alienate so many consumers (by crossing that $4.00 threshold from earlier) that it would reduce their sales and they wouldn't make their money back anyway.

[123Slivy]

BHO opposed the tax holiday becuase the loss of the taxes would cost a loss of jobs and loss of funds to repair roads and the infrastructure. In states where taxes have been given up that is exactly what happened. Don't we ever learn?

[riverhouse]

I guess you didn't hear his energy speech today. I suggest you look it up and read it. It's so far beyond M*Cain's comprehension. It's why we need an intelligent, thinking person as president.

[Tulka2]

You are correct. We are in a real pickle. The next president is almost fated to fail considering what he will be handed in January '09. Who do you want in that spot? Really?! Really!? McBush? You have got to be kidding. I do not know if Obama will go down in history as a great president. I don't know. But i certainly know in my bones and blood that McBush works for the very Corporations who put us here.

[vegangoddess]

That's right Tulka! Sen. Obama is already going down in history as a great president even before taking office. His pragmatism, judgement, demeanor and intelligence runs rings around the current circus on Pennsylvania Ave. Why he's even speaking to world leaders and advisors. He's like E.F. Hutton, when Obama speaks the world listens!

[illus2003]

The Windfalls Profit tax is a penalty the Oil companies are not going to stick it to consumers in an effort to make more money because then that will be taxed also. Understand.

[kayatarms]

One more, what Obama is addressing in the AA community is true. Time to clean up the weeds in the garden, that we don't think our neighbors can see over the fence. They are overgrown and we all see it. Cosby said it, some folks AA's didn't like it, thought airing dirty laundry...­sorry call it for what it is ... I appreciate someone is saying it, even if it happens to be coming from a presidential contender period. I am hoping that "change" will be something that can be addressed in a positive way, inclusive of all Americans!

[robXdion]

Cosby, Farrakhan etc, have all said the same things. But guess what??? They weren't running for PRESIDENT. You say 0bama isn't running for President of just AA's, then he shouldn't lecture JUST AA's. How's that?

[SDnavyPROUD]

He does "lecture" or offers leadership to many groups; consider it sign of our fractured society. People don't take the time to know their neighbors like we used to. Now people are usually either workaholics, because of lack of good paying jobs, or addicted TV and/or websurfing all night long.

[Midnightrain]

That's some real convoluted crap. You're sickening response is the problem. How's that.

[DanniD]

I'm AA and don't feel he was lecturing to me. That would be because I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing, as a parent, as an adult, as a wife, and as a member of the community he was speaking to. The only ones that feel lectured are the ones guilty of what he was talking about!

[rasthedestroyer]

what proof do you have that he lectured Black folkes????

[kayatarms]

Reading these posts, I don't know what AA's are not going out to vote for Obama, simply because he has upset some in the community who mistakenly thinks he is running for President of AA's which I will say it midly is selfish as hell. This man is running for President.­..of the UNITED STATES which includes EVERYBODY! I have never seen from ludacris to Bernie to JJackson, people who I wish would for now just sit in a corner somewhere. Just like the outburst, do these people pay attention to what the man is saying, he has a website, he gives speeches, townhalls etc. And everyone wants a piece to destroy, chew over, and it is SICKENING! He has enough to contend with, like Rovian and gang, and "they" who are not going to vote for him period. For it to be suggested by some posters here that AA's will stay home, those were not going to vote for him anyway. Bottomline, if you are DEMOCRATIC, you will vote for a Democrat, if you are anything else, well you have 4 more years of the McBush simple. The only thing the MSM has wrong, 80-90 % of AA's vote Democratic anyway! The fact that Obama is the candidate and turning out the AA vote is misleading. What may be true is the AA voter registration is up and younger AA's such as in any ethnic group is turning out or registering to vote!

[robXdion]

Seems you are addressing my post. No one has a problem with him addressing black problems. But it shouldn't be a gimmick for to gain white voters' acceptance in a campaign. That's the problem.

[democratforever1988]

the man was a chicago community organizer after graduating from harvard i do not question his credentials when it comes to caring for black people. how much have u done for black people.. thought so

[Sarahjan]

OverIt

you know what? I read Huff post regularly . McCain is turning the heat on Obama in order to get his white base energized. what is Obama is doing with African Americans? Big speech on black fatherhood, reject any legal or moral bases for reparation because of Slavery; he says very little about one million black men in US prisons?Do you think that black Americans are going to come out in droves to vote for Obama in Nov4? I do pay attention and during the primaries only 22% of Africans voted during the primaries in the state of Texas. Those who came out voted for Obama but only 22 percent of African Americans came out to vote. Do you think that Obama does not need to seek black Americans to get excited about his candidacy? Do you think all the venom written at this blog about Jesse Jackson and other African American leaders are good for Obama's chances of winning in Nov4? I hate to admit but I feel some people are setting up Obama to fail in order to clear the path for Hillary in 2012! P/S. I am a woman and black and I want Barack Obama to win.

[robXdion]

0bama is doing it to himself with white advisors telling him to give patronizing lectures to black men to stir up HIS white base. It's the oldest tactic in American politics: demonize black men to increase your lead. We all want him to win, but we'll prefer he finds a new way that doesn't involve blanket ridiculing an entire group of men he doesn't know. There's MORE to black men than basketball. 0bama needs to learn that even at his age. At the root of ALL of this is the long held innate white fear blacks will rise up and seek retribution for benign and outright historical wrongs. Hence, any measure of his motivating black voters is "playing the race card" in some fearful white minds. It comes to the surface occasionally. But it's always there. The matter of race has always been rooted in white racial hostility and fear. To dismiss it as anything else is denial or ignorance of what really moves people.

[MasterHurrikane]

lol.. don't worry my community is ready to vote... u will see a wave of AA support unheard of by any political candidate in history this fall..

[laire]

robxdion,

I'm a Black man and if your a black man you know what he said is the truth,sometimes the truth hurts. We as black men are not taking care of our families the way we need to, this is just reality. When you have almost 70% of black children living in single head family this is a crisis. In some cities the high school drop out rate for black kids is close to 50% this a crisis. You can try to say he is giving patronizing lectures but he is just stating the reality of black families right now. In saying all this, there is no doubt governmental policies have not been kind to families from all races and ethnic groups and black people usually get hit harder then anyone else but government policies don't make you leave your children without any help or a safe home. I'm generalizing here but we as Black people need to step up and take care of our own, bottom line. Black people are behind Obama not just because he is Black because we like alot of other people in this country and around world see an intelligent thinking man who has a real chance of changes this country for the better!

[Sarahjan]

Has white America forgotten H Katrina so quickly? Is black discontent positive for Barack Obama’s candidacy? What is wrong with this picture? Am I missing something here?

[OverIt]

Yes, you're missing that these men do not represent the views of the vast majority of African Americans who have done their homework on Sen. Obama's record on the very issues brought up by these men. Also please do your homework on the Uhuru Movement, an extremist group with a socialist agenda.

[UnknownSoldier]

I don't know enough about Uhuru, but if the want the issues of Katrina address, I would have hoped that they at least donated some time helping build a home with Habitat for Humanity before they asked bama a question about Katrina.

I hope they knew the facts about the Sean Bell case anyone with a tacit understanding of the law would have known the Police Officers were going to be acquited.

The Jena Six case if is going to be a President and Chief Law Officer of the country don't you think it is wise not to comment on cases that are still working their way through the justice system.

So like I said, I don't know much about the Uhuru hecklers, but I hope they thought about their positions and questions before they made a spectacle.

[heal57]

'White' America has never forgotten Katrina. The whole thing was a national disgrace and people all over the world know about our dirty little secrets. Reports were so shaken up they couldn't even continue until they could hold themselves together. Bodies were floating by; I will never forget it. I'm hoping Senator Obama rights some of the wrongs when he has the power to do so. Give him a chance. Black discontent is not wanted by anyone and it's not positive for Obama.

[DasBoot]

Good points. I just hope it's true.

Whatever mistakes the Obama campaign has made, fact is that they are getting it every day from the right, from the left, from Hillary holdovers, from interest groups, from the MSM, and guess what? He is still ahead in most polls. He must be doing something right.

[michigangirl]

I, too, thought Obama handled the hecklers correctly. It showed him to be someone whose not afraid of confrontation and can handle himself without becoming confrontational. I remember when Bill Clinton was last heckled in West Virginia by a female he became angry and he argued with her. You can't be that kind of leader these days. Obama showed that someone with a different idea did not scare him. I thought it was classy to address the concerns of the gentleman. It also dispels the myth put out by the republicans that he is all show. McCain's team has been escorting people out of his events when they heckle him.

[pacats]

When O asked the Uhuru group to hold their questions until the question and answer portion of the forum, they agreed. Glad the interaction went well.