Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

May 16, 2008 10:36:13 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

Back to the grid

Obama's Pragmatism Rooted in Hyde Park  

Posted May 11, 08 7:16 PM CDT in Politics    Most Covered

(newser) – Barack Obama was once a no-name politico on Chicago’s South Side with an Ivy League degree and few supporters, the New York Times reports. But he found allies by courting opposing groups, a balancing act that has proven effective on a national scale. “He’s looking for ways to make the tent as large as possible,” said one Obama mentor, dismissing claims that he’s “wishy-washy.”

Obama embraced more centrist views in Chicago, but remained equally comfortable hobnobbing with the elite or protesting with activists. Strong support in 2002 inspired him to eye the US Senate. Initially, he was unsure about attacking the Iraq war, but his speech against it made him famous. Obama can “frame stuff so it’s not an all or nothing proposition,” said one supporter.

Source New York Times

open commentscomments (0)

Editor Recommended

Hillary who? Obama eyes McCain, general election
Christian Science Monitor | May 11, 08

Barack takes lead in superdelegate count
Bloomberg | May 11, 08

Related News

  • Tenn. GOP Rips 'Anti-American' Mrs. O on Web

    5 hours, 1 minute ago
    Tenn. GOP Rips 'Anti-American' Mrs. O on Web The Tennessee GOP has produced a controversial internet video attack on Michelle Obama, blasting her recent remarks that she was proud of America "for the first time in my adult life." The four-minute video, released yesterday to coincide with her campaign visit to the state, features Tennessee residents boasting of their pride in America intercut with Mrs. Obama's comments. More »

  • Valerie Jarrett: Obama's Sounding Board

    May 12, 08 10:11 AM CDT
    Valerie Jarrett: Obama's Sounding Board One of the strongest voices in Barack Obama's camp is that of longtime friend and confidante Valerie Jarrett, the Wall Street Journal writes. The woman who was once Michelle Obama's boss is now "practically a sister" to the couple, and her political savvy has proved invaluable to Obama's campaign—though Jarrett is hardly likely to make such a spotlight-grabbing claim herself. More »

  • Obamas Play It Too Safe With Personal Finances

    May 8, 08 6:37 PM CDT
    Obamas Play It Too Safe With Personal Finances Barack and Michelle Obama invest their own money “very, very safely”—perhaps too conservatively, say Sam Grobart and Tara Siegel Bernard in Slate. The Democratic frontrunner and his wife only began rolling in the money recently and their portfolio—“for the most part, a collection of run-of-the-mill mutual funds"—shows a couple “who wants no risk of ever being middle-class again.” More »

  • Barack Bounces Back From Pastor Flap

    May 5, 08 3:58 AM CDT
    Barack Bounces Back From Pastor Flap Barack Obama appears to be recovering—mostly—from the furor over his former pastor's incendiary remarks, according to the latest CBS News/New York Times poll. His lead over Hillary Clinton has increased from 8 points to 12 points—50% to 38%—among Democratic primary voters, who also approve of how he handled the flap over comments by Rev. Jeremiah Wright, 68% to 22%. There's still some negative residue, however. More »

  • How Obama Won Blue Collars in Wisconsin

    May 1, 08 7:52 PM CDT
    How Obama Won Blue Collars in Wisconsin Given Barack Obama’s much-ballyhooed problems with white, working-class voters, it's instructive to remember that he clobbered Hillary Clinton in Wisconsin by 17 points in February, notes Mike Madden in Salon. If he can reconnect with those voters in Indiana—another state close to his Illinois home—he could wrap up the nomination. That is, of course, much easier said than done. More »

Obama's Pragmatism Rooted in Hyde Park
The Rev. Jesse Jackson holds a campaign sign for Barack Obama. Jackson knew Obama when the latter was campaigning in local Chicago politics.   (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Obama's Pragmatism Rooted in Hyde Park
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks to press on the plane as he headed from Chicago to Washington, Thursday, March 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Obama's Pragmatism Rooted in Hyde Park
Barack Obama won support by courting groups on opposite sides of an issue.   (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Obama's Pragmatism Rooted in Hyde Park
Obama chose to settle in Hyde Park after graduating law school and married Michelle Robinson, a Chicago native and fellow lawyer.   (AP Photo/Obama for America)
Obama's Pragmatism Rooted in Hyde Park
Barack Obama lives in Hyde Park, a prominent neighborhood on Chicago's South Side that has a history of influential residents.   (AP Photo)
prev   next
play

Threads (1 of 1)

Tags

Barack Obama  • Chicago  • Illinois  • Michelle Obama  • independents


Loading...

Loading...

Related Thread: Obama 2008

Next story from this section »

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Politics Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »