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Obama Strikes Presidential Pose

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June 20, 2008 2:29 PM

ABC's Sunlen Miller reports: Senator Barack Obama held a roundtable with 16 of the nation’s Democratic governors Friday to discuss economic and other concerns in their states, in a setting that was remarkably presidential in its staging.

In Obama's hometown of Chicago, the Democratic nominee sat at the center of a U-shaped table,  flanked on either side by the array of governors. Obama's central seat included a podium featuring a circular seal, highly reminiscent of the presidential seal, with a bald eagle and the latin phrase "vero possumus" between its wings.

While many in the press corps scratched their heads about the meaning of the phrase, they accurately guessed that it was latin for the campaign slogan, 'Yes We Can.'  Latin scholar Matthew Crozier explains that the precise definition of vero possumus is "In truth we are able."

"Close enough," Crozier concluded.

The Senator seized the moment to praise the governors for their outside the Beltway points of view.

“I’ve always been struck by the essential common sense and pragmatism of governors, in comparison to some of the stuff that goes on Washington,” Obama said as he opened up the meeting, “You’ve got to solve problems, ultimately the buck stops with you, you’ve got to balance your budget, if you’ve got a badly drafted piece of legislation, you’re the ones who have to live with it, and as a consequence, you end up spending less time posturing and trying to score ideological points and some more time trying to govern.”

Each governor discussed the concerns in their states and praised the presumptive Democratic nominee for reaching out to them and hosting the meeting. The Obama campaign says that all of the nation’s governors – including Republicans - were invited to attend..

Issues of top concern to the governors were energy independence, health care, job loss, and education.  Governors Janet Napolitano, of Arizona, and Bill Richardson, of New Mexico, spoke about the need for immigration reform.

Obama defended the states' need to seek federal money and argued that kind of support is not always special interest spending or 'pork' as John McCain has implied, “We’ve fallen into the rhetoric that John McCain often likes to use that every bit of government spending is pork. And you know part of the reason why the public I think accepts often that characterization is because you hear stories about how congress is allocating these dollars based on politics as opposed to some clear criteria of what is needed.”

Obama was in agreement with many of the governors that one way to limit pork spending in a federal budget is to include the input  of multiple voices, not only those in Congress: “If we could create a capital budget that is also based on scientists and engineers saying here are the priorities, input from governors, it doesn’t seem to be completely driven by who happens to be the chairman of what committee, then I think it’ a lot easier to make the case, and that would be I think the start of that process.”

Four of the governors present -- Sebelius, Richardson, Ted Strickland of Ohio, and Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania – are also names that have been floated as possibilities for Obama’s Vice President. Governors Strickland and Rendell – governors of the key battleground states in the general election - supported Senator Hillary Clinton during the primary campaign. Strickland, on Tuesday, was Shermanesque in saying he would “absolutely” not be Obama’s running mate and has seemingly taken himself out of consideration.

June 20, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (114)

User Comments

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I cant believe the Obama supporters on this blogg.

Im a liberal, and proud of it. But Obama is the worst thing to happen to us.

I am going to stay home and not vote. I cant bring myself to vote for Mc Cain, but there is no way Obama can win.

He lies way too much.

Posted by: Opie | Jun 20, 2008 4:51:42 PM

Davis,

Everyone knows that Geeevil needs professional mental coaching.

Frankly, after not predicting one single thing after a year and a half from NAFTA, Rev WRight, Clinton, thesis papers, lapel pins and on and on and on, I'd be depressed to the point of suicide myself.

Everyone knows when a clown is posting and that clown is Geevil.

Barnum and Bailey are looking for him.

Posted by: Nat Turner | Jun 20, 2008 4:53:14 PM

As a college student, I wanted to believe Obama, but he just lies too much.

I tried to block it out, but I have had to accept he is a liar.

Posted by: Suzie | Jun 20, 2008 4:54:30 PM

News Flash

Georgia and North Carolina - DEMS

Posted by: Omentum | Jun 20, 2008 4:56:04 PM

It never was about the party for me. My ideal ticket would be one with both parties, but that's not going to happen. I would agree with you, but as a patriot who has also traveled this patriotism is world patriotism. When I was abroad, I was happy as hell to be an American citizen just for the things that this country has afforded many. I also got to see how our policies damage other countries. I also wa s at the receiving end of a not so welcomed america. You know the first thing people asked me when traveling in the last four years when they heard my American accent was, "Do you believe in God?" And that was in England. I refused to play such a silly game but I did demand what from this person, 'what could have been going through their mind that would possess them to ask such a question.' There was no response in a voice filled with accusation. When we were more patriotic we also had a better relationship with the world, a better economy, a better cost of living. Who's policies will take us where? I want to hear you define patriotism, since you posed it, Sue. response.

Posted by: Kaitlyn | Jun 20, 2008 5:29:51 PM

Nat, I am just asking you to keep it real. You stay in your lane. I am feeling you otherwise, but really?

And I am not a person to be threatened. I am not a girl scout, never have been, never will be. I am not a conformist. I enjoy hearing good insightful, sometime's funny dialogue at everyone's expense. But that was a bit misplaced...so are you...?

Please don't condescendingly call me "sweetie."

Posted by: Kaitlyn | Jun 20, 2008 5:36:50 PM

Kaitlyn,

Ok, got it in full.

Is Nader your leading candidate?

Posted by: Nat Turner | Jun 20, 2008 5:40:53 PM

Obama has disappointed a lot of us younger voters by going back on his word this early. What next?
We've been duped people.

Posted by: jeff | Jun 20, 2008 7:02:36 PM

Obama has disappointed a lot of us younger voters by going back on his word this early.

What word was that?

Posted by: JP | Jun 20, 2008 7:04:43 PM

A Presidential like seal now? Was the man just born arrogant or did he major in it at Harvard? Is this the emperor's new clothes? If he looks presidential, he acts presidential, he'll be President? Not of these United States. Come on, PUMA's! Let's get going!

Posted by: jdona | Jun 20, 2008 7:28:58 PM

What did the two that said General election say?

Rass had BO up by 6 recently and Gallup had him up by 3.

Your boy may have peaked a little too early.

Posted by: Nobel | Jun 20, 2008 7:32:50 PM

Hey can we get a little bit more info on McSame? Is he still the GOP candidiate. I've kind of lost track in all the important events surrounding Senator Obama. But I do appreciate the cookie recipe from McLame's spouse. Think she has one for beer too? Now that's a cookie I think is important. I would also like to know where she get's her hair and face done! Marvelous darling, simply marvelous!

Posted by: McSame More Info Please | Jun 20, 2008 7:33:33 PM

False gods...

Posted by: randy | Jun 20, 2008 7:37:41 PM

Looks like 34 govenors had some inportant work to do...

Posted by: Frank in FL | Jun 20, 2008 7:38:48 PM

I hope this was on film, the 16 govenors listening to the wanna-be-president. After the election, this Kodak monent will be priceless. President McCain will find the hunor in this picture.

Posted by: Josh | Jun 20, 2008 7:41:45 PM

I know Obama has no allegiance to the Republican governors, but I would respect him more if he had invited ALL governors to this meeting. Doing so would have shown that he is truly interested in ALL citizens and is willing to cross party lines to find solutions. Sorry, but Obama let me down big time with this one. This meeting just shows he's only willing to listen to and help those who support him. A potential president needs to appeal to a greater audience.

Posted by: Missy M | Jun 20, 2008 7:44:45 PM

I get sick to my stomach when I think about how stupid the people in this country are. There is something seriously wrong here. It's like they live in a fantasy world. Hillary was 100% for the USA, you don't know this guy from Adam, as they say. Is he a plant? The rest of the world will be laughing at us before you know it. Well, all great empires in history have fallen, I guess it's the US's turn.

Posted by: BabyGirl | Jun 20, 2008 7:47:02 PM

I agree Babygirl. The country is blind!!

Posted by: MB | Jun 20, 2008 7:49:00 PM

Davis,
There is about 3.5 million. Go McCain !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: June | Jun 20, 2008 7:53:33 PM

I can hear it now. "What do we do now"? I didn't know that would happen! The man never was and never will be qualifie to run this country, he has no business holding the Democratic, hello!!!! Democratic nomination to run for president, I'm sorry.

Posted by: BabyGirl | Jun 20, 2008 7:56:49 PM

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