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Obama Enjoying the Red and Blue of Montana

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July 04, 2008 5:19 PM

ABC's Sunlen Miller reports: Sen. Barack Obama spent the day campaigning with his family this 4th of July in a red state that he’s vying to flip to blue in the general election.

“Montanans I’m proud to be with you on the 4th of July,” Obama exclaimed the Democrat in Butte, Montana.

On his forth visit to the state, the Illinois Senator trudged out his wife Michelle, and two daughter’s Malia and Sasha. Obama’s half sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng and her family also joined the Obama’s on the campaign trail. It is his eldest daughter, Malia Obama’s birthday today as well.

“She is now 10 years old which means that I finally told her the truth that all the fireworks and stuff are not just for her,” Obama joked to the crowd gathered for the town’s annual parade.

At a picnic later, the Senator thanked the state for voting for him in the Democratic primary, and outlined how he hopes the general election will play out.

“I promise you that just about 4 months from now, just about 4 months from now we will have won Montana, we will have won the general election, and you and I together we are gonna change this country and we are gonna change the world,” Obama said.

The Senator’s remarks at a 4th of July parade and picnic were largely devoid of anything too policy oriented or political in nature.

But at the intersection where Obama’s family were sitting and watching the parade, also came another ironic intersection of sorts, on a day where Obama made no attacks or mention of his Republican opponent.

Midway through the parade route a long flat bed truck rolled by representing the Republican party of Montana – with signs promoting local politicians along the sides of the truck, as well as signs for Republican presumptive nominee Sen. John McCain. A small child walked around the picnic area wearing a sandwich board sign flanked on either side with two large McCain posters.

The presumptive Democratic nominee smiled and waved at the truck driver, as he did for every other parade float, as the vehicle moved by slowly. The crowd, in unison chanted Obama's campaign slogan, “Yes We Can.”

Although the state has a large number of Republicans, the city of Butte has a high union presence, and thus is an area where Obama has significant Democratic support.

Obama expressed some regret that because of safety concerns he couldn’t march in the parade.

“This is the first parade where I haven’t walked. But the problem is if we started walking, Secret Service is going to have to have everybody put their hands up and we decided that wasn’t going to be much fun for everybody.”

July 4, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (64)

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"On his forth visit to the state, the Illinois Senator trudged out his wife Michelle, and two daughter’s Malia and Sasha. "


Trudged out? What were they in a bag, gunny sack, or what

God ABC has problems, are they next to out source their reporting, or has it already been done?

Posted by: THinking | Jul 4, 2008 5:37:00 PM

I swear ABC you have become a piece of garbage, even beneath Fox News!!

Posted by: jim | Jul 4, 2008 5:41:51 PM

Does anyone know before this July 4th, what Obama did on his other July 4th? Did he attend Wright's Church then? This Obama seems to do everything for political motives. He has not been straight with the American voters on any issues, thus far.

Posted by: country_voter | Jul 4, 2008 6:05:04 PM

There are only 2 things wrong with John W. McBush; he kicked his wife to the curb because she got hurt(not the wisdom & character we need in the White House)He is a Keating 5 crook(not the kind of character we need for a C in C),His Hot-Headed temper is not the kind of we need in the White House, He is TOO OLD, 65 is mandatory retirement for Federal employees, and his policies are a continuation of gwb. In short,Obama in '08.

Posted by: dr1321 | Jul 4, 2008 6:17:26 PM

Instead of hot dogs, beer, and firecrackers, today would be a great day to celebrate by reading the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution. Both of them are very short but they are the two most effective documents on the planet. Most people have actually never read them. Many people have read the Bill of Rights but never the entire Constitution. Now would be a good time to do so.

Take a pad and pen and, as you read them, jot down the things that we are dealing with today that resulted in the Declaration of Independence and the things in the Constitution that are being violated. You will then have a list of the things that are causing the problems that we are now facing.

It is said that only 5% of a population will fight for their country. At this point, you still don't have to fight.

You only have to Google them and vote.

Posted by: Web Smith | Jul 4, 2008 6:24:53 PM

So, Barack Obama is "proud" to be with Montana Democrats...

Like his wife, is this his first time to be "proud?"

Interesting that in Montana, a state Obama claims he will win in the general election, one of the most sparsely populated states in the country, that he didn't feel safe walking down the street in a parade.

When a "patriotic politician" like Barack Hussein Obama and his proud family cannot feel safe in Montana, there is change we can all believe in.

What a joke...

Posted by: Jayhawk | Jul 4, 2008 6:40:39 PM

Is anyone really simple minded enough to think that states like Montana, Kansas, Florida, and the rest of the traditional Red states will actually have a chance in hell of going Blue?

Posted by: Jayhawk | Jul 4, 2008 6:48:04 PM

Obama, with his continued flip-floppin around, has definitely shown America his true "color". Its just a matter of time before his campaign starts to implode with the onslaught of the GOP. Americans have seen the "other" side of Obama and it doesnt look good. Mr Obama should have left his Chicago style of politics in Chicago instead of bringing it to the national stage. Instead of "Yes we Can", it should be "Pandering We Can!". ....Go figure, typical politician, empty suit no substance.

Posted by: David | Jul 4, 2008 7:00:26 PM

The Obama campaign continues to amaze me with their ability to do the right things.This July 4th visit to Montana is a case in point. Small town America with little to win in what should be an easy red state-but his visit projects just the right image-including his family and the American flag with him in the national news coverage. Like Obama or not-someone in this campaign knows what they are doing-and you have to credit the guy at the top-Obama himself. They've raised more money than any campaign in history and have a ground organization unequaled by any other in politics. In Colorado (where I live) the Obama camp has 15 offices with 165 paid and thousands of volunteers. Obama bumper stickers and yard signs are everywhere. I've yet to see any for McCain, and he just opened his first office with one staff member.Colorado is supposed to be a swing state, but if McCain stays within 15 points I'll be amazed. If Obama runs the nation half as well as he has this campaign we will be in for a great 8 years. Obama08-Change, Hope, Progress, and for a change someone with brains in charge.

Posted by: John | Jul 4, 2008 7:02:07 PM

Thank you, ABC, because I have learned from this article what Senator Obama was doing on the last ten July 4ths:
1998 -- Michelle gave birth to their daughter Malia
1999 -- Malia's first birthday
2000 -- Malia's second birthday
2001 -- Malia's third birthday
2002 -- Malia's fourth birthday
2003 -- Malia's fifth birthday
2004 -- Malia's sixth birthday
2005 -- Malia's seventh birthday
2006 -- Malia's eighth birthday
2007 -- Malia's ninth birthday
2008 -- Malia's tenth birthday in Butte, Montana
What a treat to know someone with a birthday on Independence Day. Can't we lighten up a little on the good senator on his daughter's birthday? If her father gets elected president we will have birthday parties in the White House on July 4th every year. Won't that be nice?

Posted by: Joseph Ponessa of Montana | Jul 4, 2008 7:02:49 PM

David, You post the same thing everytime...Your an emty suit with no substance.

Posted by: jen | Jul 4, 2008 7:03:02 PM

I can see Obama sweeping across the Northern Plains. Especially if the economy stays as bad as it is.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

Posted by: matt | Jul 4, 2008 7:34:02 PM

This bitter old white guy would sure be proud to have the Obama's over for a BBQ sometime.
Eric Hussein Miami

Posted by: ericmiami | Jul 4, 2008 7:39:46 PM

Looks like bigots don't take off for the holidays.

OBAMA 08

It will be a pleasure to see your life a living hell when Obama becomes POTUS.

Posted by: Omentum | Jul 4, 2008 7:47:57 PM

My life has been one for the past seven years .... feel my pain.

Posted by: Omentum | Jul 4, 2008 7:49:03 PM

JGM, the messiah has shifted positions on so many topics, so many times, it causes me to feel faint. How can you determine what he really stands for or believes? The Obama religion seems to reside totally on faith.

Posted by: Jose | Jul 4, 2008 9:01:12 PM

Wow, this was a great event and a fine way to celebrate the Fourth of July. I'm delighted to read the coverage here and think the whole thing looks pretty darn good for November. Better yet, in fact for the next four years, with a president who truly does embrace all the people, not those in either the red or blue states.

I think the word "trudged" is just some kind of mind-cramp as it makes no grammatical or logical sense. You don't trudge somebody, since it is not a verb that takes an object. I can't imagine what could have been intended as it sounds so negative yet puzzling as a word choice.

Posted by: Fairfax Voter | Jul 4, 2008 9:09:08 PM

Why do we continue to cover Muslim Obama? John McCain will carry on the glorious achievements of the Bush administration! Why just today, 200,000 Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds marched in joyful unity thru the streets of Baghdad, waving American and Iraqi flags, in a "Thank you America" parade. And wasnt it nice that Maliki invited Bolton, Wolfowitz, Pearle, Libby and D. Feith, all hard-nose Jews who helped plan our liberation of Iraq, to watch from the viewing stand? "Every generation must thank its Jews" noted A. Chalabi, the new Iraqi oil minister to Bush's unofficial press secretary, former male prostitute Jeff Gannon, "and now we are thanking ours!" Bush forced the Chinese to revalue their currency, creating over a million new jobs here at home, he sealed our border from more illegals, the dollar is stronger than ever, Condi Rice was nominated for the Noble Peace prize for bringing peace to Israel and its neighbors, Ossama Bin Laden was captured and hung till dead -- what over two years ago now -- and gas is down to $1.24 a gallon! Thank you Bush, for one of the greatest presidencys in history! Obama? Who needs him? We need McCain to carry on the glorious programs of Bush and Cheney!

Posted by: mike stalin | Jul 4, 2008 9:21:15 PM

Obama
Type: Wife Beater Politician
Definition of what a Wife Beater Politician is: (1)it is a politician that tells you he loves you and keeps BEATING YOU WITH MORE TAXES, (2) lying cheating politician (3) puts flags back on the trick, but does it again

Don't believe him my union friends, no way will get raises with this guy. WE see right through him.

Posted by: Red-Man | Jul 4, 2008 9:25:43 PM

I'm one of the 18 million who voted for Hillary and I can promise you that I will never waste my vote on that lying, deceiving empty suit.

Posted by: brigitte | Jul 4, 2008 9:29:30 PM

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