VeeP writes:
When in doubt go with your strong suit and return to the campaign trail. Question is, will the teleprompter be in tow?
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I really resent this cheap, catty teleprompter remark. Obama was in Orange County yesterday here in California (he's in Burbank today for Leno).
Of all the places in California to give a speech, Obama chose the single republican stronghold in L.A. county (this county was pro-McCain, consistently votes republican). After the speech, he had a sort of free-for-all where he addressed audience questions. It was totally random - in fact, he decided to address questions on a boy-girl-boy-girl basis to be fair - talking off-the-cuff to a not-completely-receptive audience.
This is in stark contrast to Bush's modus operandi which was to visit cheering, fawning venues where his people pre-selected only "appropriate" questions that were in no way hostile to the Bush agenda. People with flags and pro-Bush signs were given prominent placements for the cameras and the occasional protester who managed to get in through tight security was sometimes visibly whisked off the grounds (almost South America junta style).
Obama gave a speech (probably off teleprompters which is understandable), but then completely winged it in his own charming, personable, self-deprecating style that won the audience over.