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...)

Follow Shawna Vercher on Twitter: www.twitter.com/shawnavercher

Comments

[mesut]

He could have easily had them removed like most do or he could have made a "joke" about their question. Instead he took the time to answer the question despite it being hecklers. It shows everyone doesn't have to agree with him but at least he takes their issues seriously. Good sign of a leader.

[aznurse]

as opposed to how a librarian holding a homemade paper sign McCain=Bush outside a public building can be threatened with arrest.

[jeg]

.. or a black newspaper reporter who just happens to be standing next to a few other press members can be told to leave, along with the person who defended his right to be there.

[littleblackcat]

Sometimes I amaze myself that I am still amazed by the foolishness of the human race. I remember very well that you need all manner of identification to be ADMITTED to any republican goings-on. I loathed then as now the idea that anyone should demand that an oath of loyalty paper needed signing in order to participate and knowing that people have been refused admission to PUBLIC MUSEUMS because they were wearing "IMPEACH BUSH/CHENEY" buttons or anti-war T-shirts makes me want to turn a gun (preferably one that somehow fires dog excrement) on republicans.
I am aware that intelligence seems to be dropping in this country, hopefully that can be reversed once education becomes something other than having students learn by rote. Everyone with some sense needs to break down the things Obama stands for to the simplest level so those with modest capacities can understand how very much they will gain with a total change in leadership. Obama himself is trying to educate people with the fact that some things will HAVE to compromised since we cannot toss out every republican in office and obstructionism is going to explode!
Obama, '08, or the nation will die. I hope it isn't already too late.

[LAB10]

Great article! This is exactly what I thought. The protest showed a direct contrast to McCain's stupid celeb ad. This goes to show that everything that's happening is pointing toward the future presidency of Barack Obama.

[afgail]

I was furious that CNN gave the hecklers so much air time to make wild accusations against Obama after the town hall meeting.. Not eally news given that they had gotten to ask their question and Obama spent time to answer all their questions.

[ThirdSection]

Don't worry about it. Barack thrives in that kind of adversity, because those who generate it tend to make fools out of themselves in the process, and our future president just keeps looking better to more and more voters.

Whoever the Republicans decide to run against him in 2012 will make Mondale's 1984 campaign look brilliant and inspired in comparison.

[serena1313]

Take a moment to note one of CNN's largest advertisers: the oil companies.

I think that explains why CNN has been especially tough on Obama.

[firewmn]

my 5 reasons I am voting for Barack Obama is:

1.) Leadership by example

2.) empathy

3.) listening skills

4.) foreign diplomacy

5.) economy

and the list can continue with .... Family values, Michelle, Sasha, Milia... just to name a few..!

[mjc]

firewmn, being able to handle demonstrators is something lots of folks...po­litician folks...ar­e able to do; Bill Clinton definitely comes to mind. What intrigued me is that those guys were asking about Obama's plans for the black community, as if he wasn't demonstrating any specific ones. Thought comes to me, should he be EXPECTED to have specific plans for the black community? Poverty is poverty, black or white or Hispanic, and solutions should target the entire spectrum.

[MiddleRoadLiberal]

They're used to black political figures (of the non-republican persuasion) only raving about black issues, especially poverty. They didn't realize Obama is all-inclusive.

[Pupadup4oBama]

Family values, Michelle, Sasha, Milia... just to name a few..!

This is my favorite one you listed. Not that it's Michelle, Sasha and Malia per se, but it's about family, it's about our future....­THAT Is what this is all about.