A Houston Footnote On The Obama/JFK Effect

It was interesting to note that for Senator Obama’s recent visit to Houston, the crowd reportedly waited for several hours.

This Obama effect is now also being likened to a similar draw that John F. Kennedy had on crowds, and particularly so when he was a candidate during the 1960 presidential campaign.  I remember that effect personally. 

At one point during that race, Kennedy came to Houston for a rally at the Sam Houston Coliseum.  Ironically, that site was where the 1928 Democratic National Convention was held, although in another facility that preceded the Coliseum.  That year—1928-- was the last time a presidential election occurred when there was neither a sitting President or Vice President as a candidate for nomination to the Presidency—another historical footnote for Houston.

But back to 1960.  JFK was due here for a rally at the Coliseum.  I was a teenager experiencing my first itch of interest in presidential politics, so I decided to get myself down there.  And guess what?  Just like Obama, Kennedy was late getting there; as I recall, almost by two hours.  But just like with the Obama visit to Houston, it didn’t matter.  The crowd waited.  And perhaps the delay, with the building of anticipation, made for an even more dramatic arrival. I was on the first row of the balcony, but the tremor of excitement that erupted when he entered was everywhere.  Kennedy was a candidate with a style that captivated. It’s like mystique—you can’t explain it, but you know it’s there. Obama has it, too; that presence to light up a room. 

The descriptions of Obama’s recent visit here took my thoughts back those 48 years to that Houston rally attended by one who had been touched enough by the Kennedy effect, that he decided to attend his first presidential campaign event ever.  It would not be his last. 

It seems there were a number of Houstonians who, like myself those many years ago, did the same thing here last week in behalf of another presidential candidate. Kennedy’s momentum was building at that point in the 1960 campaign.  Who says history doesn’t repeat itself?  Sometimes it even occurs in the same locale, this one being Houston.

- Peter Roussel

Comments

[Ana]

We waited Wednesday night at UH for Bill Clinton for two hours and he was not even on his way there yet (according to his security) so we left. That was quite disappointing as I took my 16 yo cousin who became recently interested in politics. So I voted for Obama.

[Peter Roussel]

Staying on schedule is always a challenge for presidential candidates. Not doing so can affect votes as you have so noted. Most of the candidates I worked for were pretty dedicated about that--being on time. But there's always the unforseen.

Personal notes should be kept that; to yourself.

great reason to vote for the competition ... just because the one you want to see doesn't (maybe can't) show up. you don't know why, but you took offense and voted the other way. if that kind of thinking is how the rest of the democrats are (swept away by charisma and not facts and experience) we are doomed. this guy has not even finished a term as senator - he has no previous record. last time we put in a guy with no experience, we got george bush. he was elected as governor with no experience, did not even finish one term, and then was on his way to the white house by a very slim margin, but that being said, he still won. shame on us if that is how we will let another take the most powerful position in the country.

[Nathan]

Please get your facts straight before embarrassing yourself... "he was elected as governor with no experience, did not even finish one term" GW was Gov of "The Great State" for 6 years. Elected in '94 and re-elected in '98. He must have done something right.

forgive me, you are correct. but if you look at george w's prior political experience, there is none. a degree in history, but no law degree, no previous political office .. I'm afraid if we take another one like that, we will end up like we are already, or worse. obama certainly has charisma. jfk did too, but jfk had quite a bit of political experience prior to his presidency. and all politicians are late from time to time! being on the road (or in the air) has it's limitations regarding promptness.

[ljsand1027]

he was elected as governor of texas from 1995 to 2000...just staying the facts. I think thats 5 years.

[Nathan]

Regardless, I have a hard time believing that we would be any better off if a Dem was President during 9-11. There's a very good chance that we would have had numerous attacks on our soil if we didn't take to the offensive. GW has had an uphill battle from Day 1. Clinton coasted through the White House during a proseprous time. don't kid yourself that Bill won't be calling a lot of the shots as the "First Man"

Bottom line...Hillary as President scares me to death!

[paul carlson]

Obama rules, I am voting for him and I use to be a consevative. He is going to save our country. Finally someone arrives to clean up Bush's mess.

let's face it - women in the key position still scare men to death. if it were any other woman, regardless of party, it would still be scary to men who are used to being "in control". men and women are afraid to say they support a woman because they would be perceived as weak and emotional thinkers. get real, women are stronger mentally and emotionally and have more energy and endurance than any man could ever have. and that's what the men are scared of. the only thing women don't have is the physical strength, the chest beating testosterone that starts wars all the time. maybe that's the kind of change we need.

We don't have time to show jr. where the bathroom is in the white house. No time for him to wake up from "am I dreaming?". No time to try and please everyone just because you are in the showcase. No time for "What do I do Now?" this wasn't suppose to happen.

[Charles518tx]

It's interesting reading the back and forth from Obama supporters, Hillary supporters, and presumably McCain supporters on who has the most experience to be the head executive of this great nation. Truth of the matter is that neither Obama, Clinton or McCain have had any executive experience running a company, a government, etc.

Joe Klein said it best,"...a presidential campaign tests a candidate's ability to think strategically and tactically and to manage a very complex organization.

We have three plausible candidates remaining--Obama, Clinton and John McCain--

and Obama has proved himself the best executive by far.

Both the Clinton and the McCain campaigns have gone broke at crucial moments. So much for fiscal responsibility. McCain has been effective only when he runs as a guerrilla; in both 2000 and '08, he was hapless at building a coherent campaign apparatus. Clinton's sins are different: arrogance and the inability to see past loyalty to hire the best people for the job and to fire those who prove inadequate. "If nothing else, we've learned that Obama probably has the ability to put together a smooth-running Administration," said a Clinton super-delegate. "That's pretty important.""

I agree with Joe Klein (Time Magazine). I also give credit, where credit is due. As a result, Barack Obama has earned and received my vote.

[Izzy]

I think it is presumptuous to compare Barack to JFK, even if Caroline Kennedy hinted at that comparison after her endorsement. I was glad to see that the MA voters saw past the Kennedy endorsement and voted for the best candidate. Obama has somehow pulled off more fundraising and that's mainly why he has been on a roll lately. But Clinton raised $2.2M in less than 24 hours. Now let's see if she starts mailing partial truth booklets too.

I agree with the earlier comment: "that kind of thinking is how the rest of the democrats are (swept away by charisma and not facts and experience) we are doomed. this guy has not even finished a term as senator - he has no previous record. last time we put in a guy with no experience, we got george bush."

[Mike woodward]

follow the yellow brick road !! Glad I won't have to work after he gets in..

[Charles518tx]

Izzy,

The notion that fundraising alone is the source of Barack's wins is at best incorrect. Actually, Barack has been "on a roll lately" because he has invested more in the infrastructure of his campaign than, presuming, excuse me, mis-calculating that they would win by Super Tuesday as Hillary has gone on the record to have said.

For example, in the past 12 months, he has built up his headquarters in all the states, especially, those with causcuses. Making his campaign more prepared and ready for the long and arduous struggle to the Whitehouse. Even Hillary, concedes that Barack has the advantage with regards to caucuses.

With all Hillary's "experience", she is definitely struggling with this newcomer named Barack.

I wonder, if she and the Clinton machine do not have the capacity to beat Barack in the primary, how can we expect her to beat the Republicans in the fall?

[Gary Willson]

I have recently heard, from several sources, that a dark horse candidate named Dennis Roberts may enter the race for the presidency as an Independent candidate. I am wondering how this might affect the national election process.

[holley]

it appears Obama was the most prepared to run for president.. Hind sight is showing this to be as simple as the adolescent story of the Tortise and the Hare.. Hillary the Hare , under estimated Obama the Tortise . she continues to mention experience is key, yet her inabilty to run a successful campaign makes her appear a freshman in a presidential primary . There was no message, no inspiration , no example for young girls to want to follow in her foot-steps. if anything she showed women what NOT to do.
her ranting and raving only leaves me to cringe at the thought of her negotiating the safety of the US with the likes of middle eastern enemies who have shown they have no regard for human life, be it thier own or that of an American. she has grasped @ straws along the way, and seems clueless to what the American people are really looking for in life.
if she could have raised her bar versus attempting to lower anothers , she might have done equally as well as Obama or better. we all watched and learned that Americans are smart, intelligent beings as a whole. And the tearing down of another doesnt make you the better candidate.
so I'll end with Good luck to the Clintons, they now have a life experience that will teach future presidential candidates from here to many years ahead . be it democrat or republican .

[MJM]

Why anyone would want Obama in office with NO Experience is beyond me. Look at Bush for goodness sakes. For that is exactly what Obama will be like. So the guy is charming its no reason to endorse him.
I hope Hillary can pull through. If not I don't want to be the one to say I told ya so.
The only thing one can hope is Obama gets great running mate with a lot of experience if not we are in for 4 more years of Bush and God help us.

[Gabacho]

Anyone who votes for Obama is out of their mind. Change? That's an empty promise, and no one can tame the government monster. Obama is smooth and talks well, but so does any car salesman at Landmark Chevrolet. Obama is a Muslim, and all you liberals will eventually have all your "pleasures" taken away. Sharia Law will be a reality if this man gets elected. He is a Wassabi Muslim. He was taught to hate infedels, and I can guarantee you that he does. He has fooled many fools.

[Gabacho]

To all conservatives; vote for Hillary on 3/4/08. Let's keep her and Obama's battle going. They can destroy themselves from within. Their true colors will show.

[Gabacho]

Nathan, did you say "Obama Rules"? Did you say Obama can clean up Bushes mess? If you knew anything, then you would realize that Bush was forced to deal with the mess left by the Clintons. While Bill Clinton was shoving cigars up Monica and cuming in her, on her, and on her dress; Muslims were killing infedels. While Bill Clinton was lying to the American pulblic, under oath; Muslims were killing infedels. While Hillary was claiming that she was uaware of Bill's behavior; Muslims were killing infedels and planning to kill many in the USA. They succeeded on 9/11. This terrorist act was planned long before Bush took office.
Although Bush has turned out to be a "flaming liberal"; it is not fair to blame him. The Clintons are to blame. If Hillary gets back in office; tell her to bring back the Whitehouse China that they stole from us.

[JB]

This conservative Republican is voting for Obama.

Discovered Obama about 18 months ago. Read his books. Listened to him. Why?

George Bush and big corporate money has sold the middle class down the river.

Plan to celebrate at the Houston Rally tomorrow night.

[Byron]

Found this on the web and thought some might find it interesting so I quote who I believe was Rudolf Steiner who said

"empty phrases", such as Rule By The Will Of The People, The Free World, Individual Freedom, and so on. These phrases are largely devoid of reality in our socio-political structure; here the pervasive actuality is the power of money over Men and over life. And where the empty phrase rules in language, mere conventions — rather than living human contact — rule in social life, and mere routine — rather than lively human interest — rules in economic life. And: "It is only a short step from the empty phrase to the lie." Again, this is especially true in politics and economics, for the prevalence of empty words makes possible the falsification of realities."

In my opionon Mr Obama's whole campaign is empty phrases the most popular being "Change We Can Believe In" and I don't feel that's the candidate for the future of America.

Its so clear that the economy will go in a tailspin if Barack Hussein Obama wins the candidacy. His phenomenom comes from the young and 90% of African Americans who mainly are voting for him because he's of their kind. A sorry state of affairs.

This was spawn by the media hype and those who backed Barack Hussein Obama from the git go. Even when he was brought to task about him latching on to pass Dead polictical people's pharses, his followers holler, foul, no fair. African Americans are voting for him for the wrong reason, its sad to say. To them its a popularity contest.