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Senator thrills crowds at Butler

By SYDNEY BLAND
Traveler Staff Writer
action@arkcity.net

Barack Obama, the Illinois senator high from Monday's Kennedy endorsement, focused his thoughts Tuesday on Kansas and winning the traditionally red state. His visit comes one week before Kansas' presidential caucuses where less than 27 per cent of Kansans are registered Democrats.

Yesterday was similar to any other day -- in Siberia. It held frigid temperatures, high winds and blowing snow. But this was not Siberia - it was El Dorado, Kan., --and Kansas Day, no less.

The gymnasium at Butler Community College in El Dorado was packed.

Hundreds more were lined to the streets faced with wind chills in the negatives waiting to get a glimpse the senator vying to represent the Democratic Party as its presidential candidate.

The reception for Obama, however, was anything but icy.

A party atmosphere - complete with Tina Turner's recording of "You're the Best" and Kool and the Gang's "Celebrate" - filled the gym.

At 11:45 a.m., 2,300 men, women, children, Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, white people, black people - Americans - filled the bleachers. There were no hecklers, no rioters, no signs - only people from the heartland of America waiting to hear what this Harvard Law School grad with Kansas ties - his mother from Ft. Leavenworth; his grandfather an El

Dorado native; his grandmother from Augusta - had to say.

Obama was scheduled to take the podium at 12:40 p.m. By 12:53, the crowd broke out in anticipatory chants while Sam and Dave's "Hold on, I'm Comin'" played over the PA system.

For approximately 40 minutes, Obama spoke of tax cuts for senior citizens and the middle class, affordable health care, federal aid for post-secondary education and keeping up with the cost of living.

"It is time for us to come together and start solving problems," he said. "Nine billion dollars a month spent on the war in Iraq could be spent right here in Kansas."

One of the biggest crowd pleasers was his view on education. He discussed the elimination of standardized testing as a benchmark.

"We need to invest in every student's education," he said. "I don't want teachers teaching to (standardized) tests. And I don't want us to stop providing art and music and poetry and history. . . "

Obama implored the audience to stand with him and join him on his journey; to caucus with him to win Kansas, to win the nomination, to win the primary, the presidency and ultimately, "together - you and I - we can transform the nation."

After his speech, Obama introduced Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as his friend. Sebelius began by endorsing Obama for his White House bid.

Sebelius has impressed Democrats nationally by election success and was chosen by party leaders to give the prestigious Democratic response Monday night to Bush's State of the Union address.

She is coming off a year as head of the Democratic Governors Association, a group that Bill Clinton once led. She has previously been on the committee that listed potential vice presidential running mates and is seen as a possible Cabinet appointee in a Democratic administration.

"Barack Obama has Midwestern values," said Sebelius. "Values that we know about. He got them from his grandmother and his mom."

According to Sebelius, she is endorsing Obama because he understands how to bring people together across party lines. He understands how to give people hope for the future. He understands the transformational value of education. He doesn't just talk about these things, he lives them; he breathes them. He will lead with those values, she said.

"Barack has the ability to bridge generations for the betterment of the country," said Sebelius.

This is the first time in years the Kansas caucus could make a difference with its 32 voting delegates to the Electoral College. This is the first time in decades Kansas, along with 21 other states, will host a caucus on Super Tuesday. No Democratic nominee for the White House has won in Kansas since Lyndon Johnson in 1964.

After the rally, the Obama entourage - accompanied by Gov. Sebelius - greeted people in downtown El Dorado as he made his way to Susie's Chili Parlo, a quaint, home-owned cafe.

"I haven't had anything to eat all day," said Obama. "What do you suggest?" After greeting a small number of late-lunch customers at their tables and taking time for multiple photo ops, Obama dined on a bowl of chili and enjoyed a large piece of pie.

When asked if rumors of being the vice presidential running mate were true, Sebelius said, "Don't believe everything you hear."

As she was walking away, she smiled and said, "You shouldn't listen to rumors."

According to Obama, Kathleen is certainly on several short lists. We are so far from that point, though, he said. We need to win the nomination first. I haven't thought that far ahead.

Above: Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama thrilled a large crowd during his appearance Tuesday in El Dorado.