Button Down Meets Blue Collar in Iowa

Obama courts votes before Hillary arrives for caucus battle

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 13, 2007 7:10 PM CDT

(Newser) – Advantage, Obama: He's already winning blue collar hearts in Iowa before Hillary shows up for her caucus drive. He can also talk agriculture and education with ease because Iowa's troubles resemble Illinois'. And vets he meets there resemble his grandad, a WWII soldier from Kansas. Yet the big city lawmaker still needs reminders of Iowa life: "Hogs matter to Iowans!" is scrawled across an article in his office.

Fighting a three-way battle, Obama uses techniques that helped in Illinois, including humor. He jokes about his alleged inexperience, saying, “It’s because I look young. I got these big ears. I look like Opie.” But not everyone’s laughing: One editor writes that Obama’s liberalism, religion and aura of otherness arouse Iowans' suspicion.

A young supporter shies away from presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., after a town hall meeting at the Warren County Fairgrounds in Indianola, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 12, 2007. Obama, speaking... (Associated Press)

Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at a town hall meeting at the Warren County Fairgrounds in Indianola, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 12, 2007. Obama, speaking earlier Friday at Drake University... (Associated Press)

Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks to supporters at East High School in Des Moines, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007. (AP Photo/Kevin Sanders) (Associated Press)

Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., walks to a house during a neighborhood canvas in Des Moines, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007. (AP Photo/Kevin Sanders) (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks to local residents in New Hampton, Iowa, in this Oct. 5, 2007 file photo. Obama is bringing to Iowa some of the hard work, strategy, and... (Associated Press)

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Button Down Meets Blue Collar in Iowa

Obama courts votes before Hillary arrives for caucus battle

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Edwards Cost Clinton Dearly: Penn

Ex-senator's fall from grace touches off second-guessing

Edwards Lie Cost Hillary the Nomination, Aide Says

...and hence the nomination

Obama Wins in Iowa, Again

He nets 7 delegates over Clinton as Edwards backers shift in second-round voting

Obama, Clinton Dead Even in NH, Poll Finds

McCain, buoyed by Iowa, leads Romney among GOP pack

Clinton Retools for Nastier NH Push

Campaign predicts victory, plans to play experience angle

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Button Down Meets Blue Collar in Iowa

Obama courts votes before Hillary arrives for caucus battle

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • John Edwards • Chicago • Iowa caucuses

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Edwards Cost Clinton Dearly: Penn

Ex-senator's fall from grace touches off second-guessing

Edwards Lie Cost Hillary the Nomination, Aide Says

...and hence the nomination

Obama Wins in Iowa, Again

He nets 7 delegates over Clinton as Edwards backers shift in second-round voting

Obama, Clinton Dead Even in NH, Poll Finds

McCain, buoyed by Iowa, leads Romney among GOP pack

Clinton Retools for Nastier NH Push

Campaign predicts victory, plans to play experience angle

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?