Obama: "Why are you yelling?!"

Regular Buzz readers know dignified political discourse isn't always our specialty, but tonight was something else. Barack Obama's campaign rejected our request for three minutes of his time before raising money in St. Pete tonight. That pledge to party leaders in IA, NH, SC, and NV allows him to raise FL money but not actually campaign in America's biggest swing state. So here was tonight's absurd exchange, as Obama left a waterfront mansion in St. Pete after a $1,000 per person fundraiser. Shouting at the top of my lungs from the street maybe 100 feet away, as Obama walked to his vehicle:

Me: "Senator, what's your position on a national cat fund!" (No Response) Senator, can we talk to you about the Everglades!. (No response, only uncomfortable silence from everyone in shouting distance) Senator! If you'll only talk to people writing $1,000 checks, why should Florida Democrats support you?! (More silence) Will you take any questions!?"

Obama (shouting back): "Why are you yelling?"

Me: "Because you won't let me talk to you! Will you talk about a national cat fund!?"

Obama: "I'm not allowed to talk to the press, guys!"

Me: "Isn't it up to you?!"

Obama: "Nope!"

Me: "Aren't you the guy trying to lead the country?!"

Obama: "I signed a pledge!"

Me: "Why?! (Silence) Why!?"

And then Barack Obama hopped in his SUV and departed from his final fundraiser of the quarter, en route to Miami for more money-raising.

Comments

[joe]

I wonder how many statefarm reps were thre, I hear they have plenty of extra money to give, right pruitt?

Adam-

How did you miss the real news of the day today:

Bob Allen had a Birthday.

Wonder how many 20s he got in the mail?

really really say....when Florida has insurance issues, weather issues, enviro issues, and he can only talk to the special interest.

this is nothing like politics ever was, until this cycle...no one will experience a campaign built by all people this time around....so sad.

Good job Adam! Don't let them off the hook.

Obama took a pledge to speak only to rich fat cats in Florida. He and the other Democratic candidates will not speak with regular people here. Very strange.

Maybe he'll talk to you in Iowa.

The fact that Democrats in Florida are still willing to contribute to the campaigns is truly amazing. And can anyone honestly tell me that they are not campaigning while having fund raisers? I cannot beleive that they just show up, take the money, and not say a word about their stand on the issues. If you buy into this, you are indeed fooling yourself.
But, I suppose those hosting the fundraisers really don't care about the rest of the citizens of Florida, regardless of their political affiliations. After all, they continue to dump on their own.

Bad night Adam... God forbid your going to have to depend on Florida Democratic Party for the scoop. Oops! I mean the Buzzz

[Boca Grande]

Silly news media. If you want to speak with Obama in Florida you have to write a check. Democratic rules. Those guys will do a great job with health care.

people here don't understand, the pledge says they can fundraise, and they DO speak at fundraisers just the same as rallies. obama was not expected to remain speechless. It's okay, as long as you write him a check. if they want fla to count, stop giving them money to run the race without us! make iowa and new hampshire donate all the funds to run in the country. anyone in fla giving a DIME to the candidates is foolish. we should give it ALL to the congressional candidates. but not to thurman when she comes home to run.
just wake me when it's over!

Funny when John Edwards comes to town he attends the "Big Bux" event and then... always makes time for the "Small Change for BIG CHANGE." So do not lump all of these candidates together.

John Edwards is just as up close and personal w/ the regular folks as he is w/ the the more well heeled among us.
John Russell

I spoke to the good Senator and THEN I found that I wanted to contribute to the campaign. The man inspires me, and every other person I was with today at both events.

sorry Adam, I did see someone from the campaign speak with you, and by the way, didn't you have dinner with that someone the other day - at their house?

Ha ha ha! This exchange is hilarious and pitiful at the same time. A great example of politics, where money talks and bulls**t walks. Whatever happened to talking with the people and not at the people. Big politicians are too far out of touch in order to know the real problems plaguing America. They think that they can tell us what the problems are and what they are going to do about the problem they pointed out. How many of them know how much a dozen eggs cost or a gallon of milk? At least they know how much a gallon of gas costs, because they see the signs as they pass the gas stations while they wisk from one big money fundraiser to another. Say what you want about either party, but at least the Republicans stil will talk with people in Florida...

[Jack]

Mike Gravel talking to Ron Paul supporters in St. Petersburg not to long ago. Ron Paul wasn't even in Florida at the time. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6319453464943391784&q=mike+gravel+with+ron+paul&total=226&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

How about inviting him to speak just over the Georgia line...

Nice work, Adam. All the right questions. Sounds to me like someone who is not prepared to run the country.

Answering tough questions is part of the job.

[VCubed]

That was not enlightening. If all one has to do to call oneself a journalist is write a non-story about Obama, using his name as gratuitously and uninformatively as possible, then everyone should get paid for doing nothing. Hurry, don't be a turkey! Send your non-story to this non-news-reporting blog and beg for a paycheck! What a scam.

[V?]

Oh, in case you want context: Republicans pushed to move up the primary knowing Democratic rules would nix all the Democratic delegates; Republicans kept half their delegates after this useful legislation on the taxpayers' dime. They also knew ending rallies in FL would most hurt Obama, and they want Hillary to win - really, really badly! It's their only chance to take back the House, Senate, White House, or all three as the rest of us sit out the crowning of Her Ladyship, right before the Republicans start the chorus of "Off with her head!" and trounce her in the general. Obama's the only hope for changing not just the Party name, but politics. Complain all you want about those 1,000 fundraisers; until you elect Obama, the candidate who refused lobbyist, PAC and 527 donations and the smear politics that goes with them, you won't get any change whatsoever. Obama was the first to offer to run with public campaign financing, for the general election since Hillary already had gathered hundreds of thousands from people like the head of CNN's pollster company (!), a royal bundler who even erected a building with Bill's name on it in India. Only McCain took Obama up on it, way back when McCain was a frontrunner. So much for our non-bundling of multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars candidates, both Democrats and Republicans. The so-called liberal media is strangely set on crowning the biggest lobbyist/PAC/bundler as the Democratic Party choice - is the "liberal" media really the DLC media? By the way, Obama is the one who pushed for a bill to reveal those bundles of cash gathered by people who hang out with folks with way more money than you or I. And for a place online where you can see what earmarks then got passed. That's change!

V? Democrat State Senator Jeremy Ring INTRODUCED the bill in the Senate to move up the Primary.

Most of the Ds in the State Leislature voted for it.

[zenator]

Adam

Nice work. Your effort graphically demonstrates the folly and hypocrisy of the "pledge," which is being interpreted to allow Obama to address donors in Florida, but mot the press or non-donor voters.

BTW When the court challenge comes, as it will, I suspect that the "pledge" may well be found to be illegal...

[Issywise]

Obama says that he "took the pledge" not to campaign in Florida at the behest of the DNC, after the DNC disenfranchised every Florida voter in next January's primary, because "he's just following the rules." Obama says, he's "just playing by whatever the rules are."

He's no worse than all the Democratic candidates, but he's not better either. It is ironic that this highly intelligent, educated African American a seeking the American presidency a generation after the Civil Rights Movement doesn't notice that disenfranchising people is exactly what Jim Crow did.

It may not be racism behind the DNC's disenfranchisement of Florida Democrats, but the effect is the same--party leaders don't want some people to count and they won't.

And Obama "just follows the rules whatever they are."

A leader?

If they cancel American votes themselves, shouldn't we punish the rule-followers when we vote?

[Susan S]

If the Democratic race weren't neck in neck in those early states, I doubt the candidates would have signed the pledge. Unfortunately, with the bandwagon effect, they can't afford to lose there, especially in Iowa.

It would behoove Democrats and Republicans alike to stop allowing the media to write the narrative before the game is played out. We need to encourage voters to stay open and vote for their favorite candidate whenever their primary happens and not to fall for the old "inevitability" argument.

adam --

if you want to make some real press, you should you tube your exchange next time.

sounds like you did a great job.

you embarassed yourself Adam. it was a real shameful display and i was embarassed for you and from being from where you are from. I hope that Senator Obama doesn't we are all a bunch of loons.

obama already ignores us, why should we care what he thinks?

[andrea]

what a blatant smear, adam.

further background information about the situation is needed to put your "snapshot" into context and to be ethical in reporting--what you have done reflects more of a tantrum on your part than good reporting.

i am truly disappointed in you and your reporting.

[HCB]

Cat fund?

Good job Adam. I agree with the you tube comment--although, what's happened to the press when the newspaper guy has to hire a cameraman to follow him around? By the way, if he's all concerned with the pledge, why does he have at least one full time staff person--Ashley what's her name--going around talking with non-donor electeds trying to get them to endorse Obama. She's also doing "grassroots" organizing with local people. Why isn't that campaigning?

[HCB]

What has "campaigning" ever been other than a way to call people to say, "did you see me on tv? Can you send me some money?" Cut out the tv time and expense and go directly to the money. Same campaign message only it's delivered directly to the money instead of pretending to "talk to" the voters. Remember - the reason money is important is most people vote for the candidate with the most money because that's who they hear from mostly. No ordinary voter takes the time for real consideration - they buy a politician the way they buy a tv - watch the ads and pick the one that best tickles the fancy. But the money - they pay attention to the candidate. They research and listen to see what a candidate is promising on taxes and trade and other things that might affect the stock market. They don't care about education or health care - they've already got it. They care about what more they can get and they grill the candidate accordingly. That's why the democratic party while in control of the house and senate can't do a damned thing that Bush doesn't like. They don't know how to do anything except talk a lot and whine.

With the way the FDP is operating - arrogantly while screeching "we're more important than any of the rest of you" - any candidate with any sense is going to WANT to stay away for anything other than money. Just like republicans don't want to be too close to Bush, democrats don't want to be to close to Florida. It's not hanging chads this time. It's looney tunes.

Instead of yelling your nonsense questions just to put on a show but with no real expectation of doing anything other than showing off, why don't you go to the FDP and ask them some important questions. Like, who will the PARTY back as a candidate? Like, what does the party think should be the platform? And so forth. Boring, I know.

FINALLY!!! Being a jerk pays off!!!!

Adam,

You missed the real story of the day. Obama DID stop to thank supporters (non donors) who greeted him just over the Snell Isle bridge on Sunday night.

Should have been there!

Groundbreaking report by Adam “I love Hillary” Smith.

“Amazing news on how someone who signs a pledge, actually stands by it.”

What is this world coming to?… how dare we expect integrity!

That’s it, I’m voting for Dubya next time…

[Rob]

Bro, you could have been tased. Be careful.

"... as Obama left a waterfront mansion in St. Pete..."

... and, who own the place?

[DR]

Surprise, surprise! All this political crap is crooked. The need to raise $250 million to get a job that pays $200,000. This country isn't run by big businesses is it?

[Bob]

Too bad Obama didn't have a Taser with him. Now that would have been some "breaking" news. Candidate or not, who would want to speak with someone yelling at them as they walked to their car? I get more respect from the Williams Park residents.

[Mary]

I would have ignored you too!! And you need to stop bashing Obama ...what the hell has Republicans done for this country? Beside lead us into a collective bankruptcy..and kill all of our young men with a senseless war that should have never taken place!! I think Obama should be the next president, we need someone like him! I know Im voting for him.

[Julienne Ford]

I was there at the fundraiser. I was absolutely apalled at his lack of manners. I am no-longer voting for him. I wish I hadn't given him my money.

“If you'll only talk to people writing $1,000 checks, why should Florida Democrats support you?!”

Nice work Adam… real hard-hitting, non-biased, issue-based journalism… the National Enquire would be proud of you. When should we expect your next riveting story on Britney Spears and her haircuts?

I was one of those supporters Barack Obama stopped to talk to on Snell Isle.

He shook every hand, hugged a lot, and signed lots of books and signs. A gracious and humble man who respects the "small dollar" volunteers -who many don't have any $$ to be contributing.

Barack Obama recognizes the "value" of grassroots supporters - they are worth more than any "big dollar" donor can contribute.

Obama '08

Julienne - I doubt your existance. sorry. You weren't at either party I attended.

[brock]

The real question is, What morons are throwing their money away by giving it to Obama? Yeah, real sound investment there, boys. Hillary's had this race sealed up for months, and we have posers in Saint Pete getting suckered by donating money to a guy who is vying to be Hillary's wingman. Way to go, suckers.

brock, well said. Why even have a race? we all know that every frontrunner goes on to win. Just do an initial poll, determine the frontrunner and give all the money to him or her. Oh, and apparently, there are a whole bunch of posers out there as Obama was ahead of Hillary in fundraising last quarter. Adam, nice work. I wish the national press corps worked as hard and demanded answers from the leaders who lied us into a war.

[Pam]

"Her Wingman"! Hillary doesn't have a snoballs chance in hell!! Obama's gonna win this.. watch!!

signed campaign signs? kinda sounds like campaigning to me...

[Ron McAndrew]

Excellent job Adam! When you catch em shouting from the left and the right of the mouth it reveals what is really within the person........in this case, Mr. Obama.

why aren't more of the nasty little repukes serving in iraq? so many of these vile little repiglican creeps post ad nauseam from their cushy offices stateside, but they will not volunteer to serve in the war which their cretinous leader initiated. how about it, scumbags? why haven't you volunteered for this war?

Why isn't Adam serving in Iraq?

[Joshua]

"National cat fund"? Were you trying to interview Senator Obama ... or President Garfield?

[Joshua]

(Googling ...)

It turns out that a "cat fund" is a catastrophe fund for insurance in case of hurricanes, etc.

[Jeff Gonzalez]

Thanks to everyone that attended last night at the Main home, and thanks to supporters on the Snell Isle brige.Julianne Ford,you didnt attend anything,and his manners were flawless.Adam, Im sure your aware of Obama taking time to stop and speak to reporters in Tampa, only to have one jerk ask why he was breaking his pledge by stopping to speak to him.Blame his response on that reporter,not him.The question you seemed most worried about was why only rich people with $1000 dollars were allowed,its simple we had limited space, and its called a fundraiser.

Well said Jeff, as I was at the Scarritt's place in Tampa and you're absolutely right, the Tampa Trib "reporter" asked Obama what he was doing giving the press a moment - way to smack down a candidate while he tries to help you make your deadline.

Maybe be a bit more receptive rather than in Attack mode. As my mother always said, you get more with honey than vinegar.

oh by the way, Adam you missed a golden moment - a couple of teenage boys who are being mentored via the Big Brother program were honored to speak to the good Senator yesterday. Again, Adam, its not what $$ you give, its the attitude.

btw - you want a good interview, interview those boys, just let us know where to send the pics.

[donnamain]

Julianna Ford did not attend Senator Obama's fundraiser last night, as I personally greeted every guest that did attend. Senator Obama did address the issues speaking to the guests at length and answering questions after making his remarks. He is an incredibly bright, humble, and gracious man who deserves a chane to be our President and try to get us out of the mess that George W. has gotten us into. At least 15 pre-teens and teenagers were at the event and Senator Obama took the time to greet and converse with all of them. Additionally, I spoke to several supporters that he stopped and talked to off of the Snell Isle Bridge on the way over to our home. I don't know why people are calling Senator Obama an elitist, when he clearly would be a president for all people. He'll get the nomination.

maybe "julianne ford" is john russell? we all know how kooky and crooked jr can be. jr is not an honest, nor honorable fella.

brock - gotta a question for ya? how many times have you been polled? your neighbor? your parents? your kids?

me? nadda, zip, zilch. I'm not going by those polls and I'll laugh in your face when those polls make YOU eat crow.

I'm ready for a change; so Barack Obama has my full support. You want more of the same, go ahead and vote for HRC - but don't come crying to me when you're stuck with "grandpa fred" or "boys are serving by helping me get elected" mitt, or the "15 hours at Ground Zero" Rudy.

He prolly meant the pledge not to campaign in FL since you guys got greedy and moved your primary.

Isn't "Julianna Ford" French for Mustang?

[John]

DO NOT VOTE FOR ANY of these frauds like Obama & Hiliary.

They only want to take from Florida. They won't campaign or answer our questions but want our cash.

I say take the money & don't come back, not even in Nov 08'

[Michael]

Well, folks, I was actually there last night. Let me answer the question on the cost for the people who attended: ABOUT $5,000 PER PERSON LESS than what George W. Bush fundraiser events cost in 2004. K? And to the person who wrote they they wanted their money back because he didn't discuss the issues - you couldn't have been there to hear the Senator's twenty minute speech covering ALL of the major issues. And then he fielded about 10 questions. He was warm, friendly, approachable and kind. He also wasn't railing from a partisan perspective. One of his comments was: "we need healing in this country and we need to break down the barrier that's been built the last six years, that is dividing us."

I will not be voting for Hiliary, Edwards, nor Obama.

They ignore Floridians, I ignore them.

I will be voting fore a true candidate no matter what party he is from.

Who wants my vote?

Fred Thompson? Guliani?

Campaigning/fundraising started way too early this season because of you and the rest of the media! Adam, you should be thanking Obama instead of stalking him and yelling at him, at a private function, no less. You were looking to trash him...it's your M.O.

[Sound Off]

Oh Sheeeeeeeeeese! Voting for a "true" candidate? Then don't vote for the liar Giuliani. I attended a rally prior to the 2004 Presidential election, where Rudy said: "you must vote for George Bush; because we need this war in Iraq. Iraq supports terrorists and we know they have Weapons of Mass Destruction. We need to keep the war in Iraq, so the terrorists in Iraq, don't come over here." YEAH, RIGHT!!! In other words, Giuliani is a liar, just like Bush. I'd cast my vote for ANYONE, in ANY party, before I'd vote for another lying Republican. It's the Republicans that have caused gridlock in the Senate and who refuse to respond to US, the voters, who sent a strong message last November: "we want our troops home." Our troops are in the middle of a civil war; and they shouldn't be there. Vote Republican if you want more of the same: last seven years.

[Gene Smith]

3:30

I have the sneaky feeling that you would not have been voting for a Democrat in any case.

Sen. Obama is a worthy candidate for President and would serve us all well, IMHO. It's too bad this little petty party squabble is obscuring important things like that. Let's all just evaluate the candidates on their merits.

Now there is a novel idea!

Adam is doing his job, asking questions and reporting the answers.

Now I know Republicans want Democrats to lose Florida. Republicans get the next president and Democrats get to tell the DNC, "Take that!"

[Leelyn]

I was at the party at the Main's last night. Barack Obama spoke for about 1/2 hour on the issues that face America today. More importantly, he spoke about the answers he will propose to solve these issues and his vision for America in the future. I am a retired Social Worker and he brought tears to my eyes as I thought of how much "hope" he can engender in this caustic, negative society.
I found him to be an honest,articulate,knowledgeble intelligent,thoughtful and humble man.

He was incredibly generous with his time last night. He spoke to everyone there individually and thanked us all for OUR time and our support. He signed books and chatted with the many youngsters who were there.

I believe those who say that Julianne Ford was not in attendence last night as there is no way that anyone who WAS there could possibly criticize Baracks manners. He was the epitome of graciousness.

I will vote for Barack Obama because I will be proud to have him represent me and this nation that I love to the rest of the world.

I was one of the younger people at the fundraiser and I have to say Obama has won my vote. He shook my hand and asked me a couple of questions, suprisingly wanted to get to know me. He was very polite and thorough in answering the questions everyone had to ask. Like Jeff said it was a fundraiser so of course people will pay to help out his campaign. I have alot of faith in him and he hit all the right notes at the fundraiser. I walked out the door while the reporter was yelling. He just seemed annoying and cared more about bashing Obama than getting real answers to his questions, and when you go into something like that disrespectfully than expect to be ignored.

Obama 08'

[HFT]

i agree with uncle jeffrey :) senator obama was completely intelligent and down to earth; after meeting him last night i will definitely be voting for him in '08. i cannot wait for someone intelligent to lead our country; someone that we can acually trust to make beneficial changes and who can bring americans back together. dont buy into the sh*t that all these misinformed people are saying about obama, if u met him you would have a different opinion.

[Pat]

Let me preface this by admission: I am a registered Republican, presently disappointed with the leadership of our country. There. I've said it...
Months before Barack Obama announced his candidacy, I heard him speak on television and was very favorably impressed. I have been quietly observing him since, at the same time trying to hold onto my faith that all of our country's problems were just temporary and would get better very soon. Isn't that what many of us thought??? I am finally ready to jump off the "sinking ship" and look for changes that may save our country. After attending the Main's fundraiser and observing Barack Obama I am ready to support him for President in 2008. In my opinion he exibits the abilities needed to be the next leader in our country. As the people in attendance made it clear we are not looking for a "seasoned" man in Washington. He is highly intelligent, innovative, a man of integrity, without the "baggage" other candidates have been proven to have. (yes folks, PROVEN)

[Tim]

Yep, he's sooo intelligent that he skipped the senate vote last week to give Dubya authorization to bomb Iran. Amazing that these people never talk about any relevant issues. Let’s talk about his hair style, or how he shakes hands with a smile. The U.S. is sinking like the Titanic, and own 80% of the world’s debt, 80%!!!!! Our jobs are heading overseas to 3rd world dictatorships, and we’re being invaded by millions of people with 5th grade educations, who demand we speak Spanish to them. But hey, don’t let the truth get in your way, it’s all good….Vote Democrat, vote Republican, it’s all the same.

[TECN & CDR]

Okay, just like HFT, we also agree with uncle Jefferey, and unlike many of the people posting on here, we were actually there. First, Senator Obama did not have my vote; I was steadfast for voting for Hillary since she is a Clinton (by far the best administration America has seen yet) but after last night, Barack Obama gets our vote. We are not of age yet, but will be by election time, yet he treated us as if we were of voting age and not adolescents. His speech addressed his issues perfectly and was also delivered light-heartedly which allowed us to feel as if he was a normal human being instead of someone we should be scared of. Adam, you are an idiot. The way to get answers is not to stand outside of one's home and shout ignorant questions, and like Jeff said, it's a fundraiser, how could we have one if there were not funds collected?

AND TO "TIM"- Obama would have voted against it if he could have made it, but he couldn't. You too are an idiot.

[Maverick]

Adam, you did the job you were supposed to do. I do like the suggestion of having a camera of some kind along for these types of encounters.

Anyone in FL who gives money to a candidate that refuses to campaign in this state is an idiot. By donating your time, money, etc, you are saying "Here, take my money, and its OK to ignore my state." And, I don't care which side of the fence it is that you sit on, wrong is wrong.

Nice to see Jeffrey's "nephews" on the blog today. The Clinton administration is the best one seen yet? You need to crack open the history books and read up on your U.S. history.

"Obama would have voted against it if he could have made it, but he couldn't." In other words, he was too busy campaigning to do the job he was elected to by the people of Illinois?

Obama will lose in 08. Etch it in stone.

Donna Main is hot....and nice.

[Omega83]

4:41

LOL if you think Obama or any other politician actually wants to get to know you.

TECN and CDR

You are still too young to have experience with a politican playing on your emotion for a vote, so I suppose we can all forgive your nieve protestations. However, I give you credit for trying to be involved.

FYI - Adam's questions were not ignorant, just the way he went about trying to get answers. But of course you don't have to pay for property insurance, so how would you know that most Floridians are terribly concerned about a federal cat fund. I guess since Obama's "speech addressed his issues perfectly" he must have told you what he thinks about the cat fund, or the Everglades. NO? Has no position on either of those issues important to Floridians? Go figure.

Omaba lied when he replied to Adam that he couldn't talk to the media. He was plastered all over the TV that night talking with various media. He lied when he said he had to uphold his pledge against campaigning in Florida when he stopped to greet people at the Snell Isle bridge - that's called "campaigning". He lies when it suits his purpose. Go figure.

Last point - he missed a VERY important vote in the Senate last week. His job is being a Senator, and it is unacceptable to dismiss one's job by saying, ".. couldn't make it". He is elected and paid to be there. He shirked his responsibility. Go figure.

Open your eyes and learn something about politicans - just because they stand in front of you and treat you nice does not mean they have addressed the tough questions or have any intention of addressing your issues in the future. It does not mean they have acted responsibly in their duties. It only means they are schmoozing you for a vote.

Again, thanks for being young people who are interested in the country's future - now grow up and stop allowing the wool to be pulled over your eyes or you are going to be very disappointed adults.

Pardon Scooter and Vick too!

[HFT]

1. learn how to spell. its naive, not nieve.
2. we are not jeffrey's "nephews"
3. Adam was throwing a tantrum because he wasn't allowed to attend the event; he was probably denied answers to his questions because of his terrible attitude towards obama. the way he was freaking out made him seem a little crazy. just because he didn't answer some rude guy's questions doesn't mean that he is going to ignore florida's issues
4. who do you think is better than obama?
5. how can you sit there and be judgemental about someone that you haven't given the time of day?
BLOGS ARE SO LAME i dont know why im on here, i guess im just trying to tell most of you that you're ignorant and the world needs an intelligent man to be president for oncekslajsdflkasdlfksdjkfjkl i hate people
i love TECN and CDR and uncle jeffrey and my mom yay obama '08
dont even bother responding to this because im just going to think youre an even bigger idiot for doing so. how can you even respond to me haha this is a waste of my time

FYI, HFT, TECN AND CDR will all be able to vote in this presidential election. Dumb@ss.

yeah haley, i love how he is trying to call us ignorant and young, yet he can't even spell it. Don't be jealous, sir.

and LOL at whoever wrote "donna main is hot"

I want to be adopted by the main household - you guys ROCK! way to take over the Buzz ....

and ditto on Donna Main being hot.

[thefos]

Obama had wonderful hosts on both sides of the bay. Thanks so much to both the Scarritt and Main families!

And thanks to the countless volunteers inside and outside!

Obama 08!

No way I would vote for Hiliary Clinton nor Sen Obama.

Snub us, we snub you.

Mike Gravel is standing with Florida Democrats, we should stand with him.

[Jeff Gonzalez]

Shedding some light:At the SCENE outside, there was almost no light,and it was very quiet,all the guest stayed inside as Obama departed. Obama walked with secret service agents and a few aids,other than the light noise of their steps on the grass you could hear a pin drop,out of the darkness comes shouting, Adam was in the street "yelling" as if he were a heckler, maybe even a security threat, hence"why are you yelling".His story could have come from the attendees as they exited their cars, he didn't have to put Obama in that position. We promised him no press on the property.When Adam asked why we had the event I told him Obama seems truly concerned about bettering this country, the others seem to want the presidency for their own ego,he wrote that down and took my name but apparently he sought a little more anti-Obama sentement.We didn't put the Snell Isle event on for favors we just think hes a decent,honest, person and we wanted to help with his campaign. Being able to watch someone and tell when they speak the truth is a gift most people don't have. It's why most pro-poker players have to wear dark glasses so the other players can't tell they are bluffing or lying,some pro-poker players are so good at lying they don't need dark glasses, fortunately for the other candidates most people,like 99%, don't have this gift or they would have to wear dark glasses day and night,while Obama wouldn't need them.I'm lucky enough to have that gift.And since I didn't see Obama trying to win the World Series of Poker on ESPN, which by the way, pays a lot better than being a U.S president, I will assume my gift is working.Thanks to my wonderful niece Haley,E,T,C, my sister Donna, and her husband Tim for helping me make this happen.

[brock]

anonymous posters October 01, 2007 at 10:30 AM and 2:42 PM, this isn't about frontrunners always winning. This is about Hillary having THIS race sealed up. Not only has she owned him in the polls, but she has just raised more money in the 3rd Quarter, so don't speak too soon--leave that to me: Hillary has the nomination.

The Democrat race is so boring because it's so obvious Hillary runs circles around the other candidates. The real interest in this cycle is around the Republicans since that race is wide open, and there is no incumbent from the Bush WH, thankfully. So getting excited about Obama is like, I dunno, when a little kid gets his hopes up about the Devil Rays after winning a game against the Yankees b/c he can't see that in the long run, the Rays are still losers and are going nowhere, lol

[brock]

Oh and Jeff, everyone who has a favorite candidate thinks their candidate and that candidate alone is running for president out of the interest of improvement, not ego or power like the rest of the candidates are. I'm sure all the Clinton believers think she'd be best for the country too.

This isn't to say that I disagree though. I think there are two front-running individuals in this election cycle who are driven by improvement, not power: Obama and Romney. In my opinion that would be the ideal election race for 2008. I'm convinced that Obama can't make it to the Dem nom, but not convinced Romney can't capture the Republican nomination. It's probably a longshot for him, but if he can hold his leads in Iowa, NH, Michigan as they hold early primaries, then he might be unstoppable in running Rudy down.

Anyway, bickering aside, I hope it doesn't come down to Hillary v. Rudy. I couldn't stand watching her on my TV every night, and Rudy would be a more stubborn but more media savvy version of Bush, only with liberal social positions, and a lisp instead of bad grammar.

and brock - who has raised the most overall? who has the most new donors? who turns out huge crowds everywhere he goes? and again, have you been polled? I've not.

my mother always cautioned putting all your eggs in one basket, and coming from a lady who grew up collecting eggs to feed the family, that is so true.

I'm ready for change. Are you?

[brock]

Sure Obama's raised the most and has had the most donors so far. But that's like celebrating in the lockeroom at halftime because you're ahead of the other team. Meanwhile, Hillary comes out and has a breakthrough quarter. Regardless of I, Brock has been polled or not, she has maintained a very substantial lead in the polls and this quarter of fundraising indicates that she's now going to take the fundraising lead too.

Change for change's sake. What change? Obama, Hillary, Edwards...they've all said they aren't pulling the troops out and brining them home. What other change are you talking about?

it's such a shame when (journalists?) relinquish their integrity to become some shameless heckler. it seems like adam is more concerned with being on a late night comedy show, because he certainly provided a good audition. hey i think jimmy kimmell may consider you. barrack obama has more class in his thumbnail than you in your body. hey adam do some real investigative journalism on the unsolved mystery of whitewater...that would probably be much more revealing on why hillary should not be the nominee, and maybe give you some real journalistic credability.
by the way, have you ever heard of a megaphone?

[RDA]

I continue to be appalled at the Times for allowing such sensationalist journalism. It serves no purpose and has no place in a paper that holds itself out as one of prestige. It seems to me the point of this waste of print was to publish how much people spent to hear Obama speak. It was a fundraiser. Isn't that the point, to raise funds?
It is interesting that Mr. Smith chose not to print that there were a number of people there that did not contribute to Obama's campaign. He chose not to print that there were a number of teenagers and children at the event. He even chose not to write that Obama stopped and greeted those off Snell Isle. Instead, he chose to print much ado about nothing. We were able to glean from this article that there was a fundraiser and that apparently Mr. Smith has an excellent shouting voice. (By the way, wouldn't those same questions you shouted be more pertinent for our Republican Governor?)
Fine journalism Mr. Smith! Keep up the highly mediocre, average work and surely you'll continue to toil online, in the back pages and on The Buzz!

I have to chime in on a couple things. Firstly, I think whoever says Hillary has this locked up is right. Secondly, I don't think all the candidates are on powerkicks; I think they all mean well. Thirdly, wealthy people from both sides put on fundraisers all the time, so let's not act like the times wants to merely point out one side of the isle doing it; actually it's refreshing to see this happen to a democrat, since mostly it's republicans who get vilified in the press about catering to the rich. Finally, I happen to know some of the people who were mentioned to have been present at this particular fundraiser, and will refrain from specifically negating what others have said about them here, other than saying it should be no surprise to anyone in the Tampa Bay area that they are in favor of liberal policies, namely social values.

I would like to clear one misleading and slightly annoying point up. Adam, who seems to think he "knows it all" since he was merely stalking the event from the rubble of the newly demolished lot across from the Main's house, is not only misinformed about the event himself, he is misinforming you. Obama went to Miami not to fundraise, but at 11:00pm, he went to go to sleep.
(Yes, I was at the event)

you idiots, they're all just politicians. do you think they care about us? hahaha. their job has changed A LOT since what it originally was: good of the country. now it's what? good of their career. sure there will be better, more qualified candidates than others, but NONE of them are in it for you. find someone and support them. but don't fool yourselves.

I commented earlier about how Obama seemed like he actually wanted to get to know me. Of course, I know he isn't planning on calling me up or interested in going to a pick up basketball game. All I'm saying is that he surprised me by even going as far as he did. You are a fool to believe that Hillary has this locked up. Hello, People it's 2007. One more year, remember? Once the message he had to say at the Main house gets out to the public everyone will see that this man cares about the good of the people. He wants health care for everyone. Unlike Hillary who is a fake, and who was bribed by the health insurance companies to end her war against them. Obama has never been in such a scandal. I want to refer to the people that are so concerned with Florida's issues now. This really shows how selfish some really are. There are so much bigger issues than those that you are so concerned about. If this country is going to make it then we need to join together. That's what so many of you forget, and that's just sad. One thing at a time people. OBAMA FOR CHANGE! HFT is hot! I love you! Donna is awesome! Uncle Jeffery you are the man. I got your back forever.

[cmc]

Adam

I was a guest at the fundraiser sunday night I must say you looked very foolish yelling at senator obama.

Please re-read what you've published here and realize how stupid you sound. While your questions were relavant, the way you asked them was nothing short of ridiculous. Last time I checked there is a diffrence between conducting an interview with somone and "Shouting at the top of my lungs from the street maybe 100 feet away, as Obama walked to his vehicle"

[TORREY NEWSOME]

I cannot believe this story ran in the newspaper, especially with the intention of making Senator Obama look bad. As an obviously uninformed Adam apparently didn't know, Obama attended a fundraiser at the Scarritt home, where he learned that while signing the pact with Hillary, he not only promised to not campaign, but to have no news media. He was not aware of this at the time of the Scarritt fundraiser as he talked to the media, but he was informed at the Tyler-Main residence, so Adam is actually lucky and should be grateful that the Senator did not blow him off completely by rudely ignoring him. Instead, he acknowledged Adam's stupid questions and politely informed him that he was not allowed to have media.
And Adam, he isn't the president so why would he be able to make the rules?

[savanna]

lalala i think it's real early for all the nominees to be campaigning already =] i'm sick of all the signs.

obama was real nice to me. and tor and halz and all the "youngsters" that were ACTUALLY there! cool!

[HFT]

haha yay sav and torza good ones :)

[Anonymous]

Donna Main is Hot! But more importantly, she is gracious and kind and compassionate and caring. Her parents did a great job teaching her social skills. She truly could teach a class in being a wonderful hostess. Tim is quiet but also very polite and kind. Jeff & his beautiful fiancee made me feel so welcome and comfortable. It was a wonderful time.

[Sydney G.]

Haha Haley your comments are realy funny!!! I was at the fundraiser sunday night. Obama did a awesome job!!!woohoo go Obama