I'm 42. This is the best run campaign I've ever seen in my life, from anyone, anywhere on any level.

[SoonerPride]

When Obama came out of nowhere (in my mind) to win the Iowa caucus I was stunned. Watching his run over the primary season I was duly impressed with his message, his team, his organization from top to bottom.

I was also hopeful that they would continue that machine into the general.

Have you ever seen anyone run a more organized, thematically consistent, organizationally sound campaign?

I am in awe of their team.

They make me proud to be a Democrat.

They give me hope for the future.

[Liberal Veteran]

1. I'm 42 as well and couldn't agree more.

Unfortunately, I'll be 43 before the inauguration.

[AlCzervik]

2. i'm way younger than you and i agree.

i'm 41. :+

[SoonerPride]

5. What do kids like you know? You're still "green behind the ears."

To quote someone I heard on TV.

:)

[WeDidIt]

3. Barack Obama had to be three times better than anybody else

to be considered on the same level.

As a person who manages personnel, it's been my experience that this is the typical expectation of African Americans in business. It's sad that African Americans are held to a higher standard than European Americans.

[SoonerPride]

14. A dear friend of mine who is an African american and manages a restaurant says that all the time

He says that the racism he gets is more subtle. He's held to higher and higher standards as he works up the corporate ladder.

Always with the crispest starched shirts.
Always on time.
Always focused.
Never able to goof off, cut up, or let his graying hair down because he senses that he succeeds only because he is 2 to 3 times more professional than his peers.

I don't know how that must feel.

Maybe Obama can have a healing effect for our country.

Not for those our age or older. But for those in their 20s or younger, who will simply be more and more color blind as time goes on.

I still am a dreamer and hope that will be the case.

[Solomon]

53. One of the biggest problems we face is the continual moving of the

goalposts. We saw a perfect example of this during the campaign when everytime Obama passed a test, a new hurdle was thrown up.

[Diamonique]

Absolutely! I'm so glad to see someone say this.

And the truth is... Obama knew this from the beginning. He knew he had to be bigger, better, outstanding... just to be considered equally on the presidential candidate level.

It's something we all know, and we all live with. But it makes us better at whatever we do, so there's a pro and a con to this. :-)

[Jackpine Radical]

4. Absolutely.

I'm 64, and I haven't ever seen anything like it.

If that man presidents like he campaigns, we're in for a national renaissance. I mean that pretty literally, an awakening from the Dark Ages.

[CPschem]

6. Agreed

Incredible discipline and decison making showed by the Obama campaign. One week to go until the payoff.

[nutshell2002]

I'm 42 today and couldn't agree with you more!

[Hamlette]

happy birthday kiddo!

you share a birthday with John Cleese!

[nutshell2002]

16. why thank you

[BlooInBloo]

10. Happy Birthday!!!

[SoonerPride]

20. Well, this is for you

[yellowdogintexas]

34. and I am 60 today and I KNOW this is the best run campaign ever nt

[SoonerPride]

37. Well Happy Birthday to you too!

:)

[Hamlette]

7. I'm 58 and I agree!

[FLyellowdog]

8. I was telling my sister that

whoever organized Obama's campaign is one outstanding genius. Then she said, "Well, Obama organized it, idiot...that's what he does. Duh!" I guess she's probably right (as usual). :think:

[Amerigo Vespucci]

9. Lessons learned. Big, big lessons learned.

And to his credit, Obama took the time to learn them. He also knew how to assemble the talent, to "not take the bait" from McCain, to stay focused on the issues...kids will be sitting in classrooms studying how and why this was the campaign of a generation.

:patriot:

[blm]

57. Bush had been under 30% approval for well over a year before Dem primary race began.

The Dem nominee was EXPECTED to win big by Nov 2006. This campaign is very good, but, I'd wager even a less efficient campaign ala Hillary2008 would come up a winner THIS election year.

[Ishoutandscream2]

11. Just a month younger than Obama, and I totally agree

I thought the Clinton's were the experts, but Obama took them on, and won.

[Happyhippychick]

12. I'm 43 and I agree!

[Mike 03]

13. Books will be written about this campaign

There's never been anything like it. This will become the template. Howard Dean deserves a lot of credit, and Obama and his people deserve a lot, and so do we, for opening our hearts and wallets to something real when we see it.

We just have to not take anything for granted, though. Let's win it before we celebrate it.

[Guava Jelly]

18. I have thought this for months.

:applause:

[Mike 03]

26. Hi GoPsUx!

:bounce:

2004 traumatized me. I won't believe anything anymore until I see it.

[Guava Jelly]

15. Same here

And I'm also 42.

[DCBob]

17. Without a doubt,. There are geniuses running the Obama campaign and..

morons running McCain's.

[kestrel91316]

19. What do you expect from a COMMUNITY ORGANIZER, lol????

[democracy1st]

48. Eye To Eye: Arianna Huffington On Barack Obama (CBS News) Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7sP1BLCDow

[KoKo]

21. You might not have been "political" to see Clinton or Carter's Capaigns..

They were GRASSROOTS all the WAY.... Actually, the more Obama has succeeded the more he reminds me of Bill Clinton. And Carter was no Slouch...he did a Train, Whistle Stop 50 State Campaign to engage "THE PEOPLE!" Only John Kerry succumbed to his Handlers and focused on the states they told him we Dems had a chance to win. He picked Edwards thinking he would bring in the South...but Edwards was too much a novice to pull it off without a big "50 State Campaign." If the Media hadn't emploded Howard Dean (along with the DLC) then Howard would have pulled off the 50 Stater. But, it just wasn't his "time" so it took us to get Obama to bring back the Dems to going to the "50 Stater."

Let's hope he lasts as long as Clinton (without Monica) and longer than Carter (that the Repugs took down after one term).

We have great Dem Candidates who tend to sometimes get into office and forget their "populist" root running with that "50 State" that elects them.

Good Wishes to Obama...I think he might be able to pull it off...and let's hope he learned from the hopes and dashed dreams of those of us who voted for both Clinton terms and Jimmy Carter and invested all our hopes on them...FOR CHANGE..which they BOTH PROMISED US!

[Emillereid]

22. I am 59 and I have never, never ever seen a better or more organized ground campaign!

As the CEO of this organization I'd say Obama has incredible executive experience and expertise.

[maui9002]

31. Newsweek op/ed suggested that in terms of experience for President

that the only large organization run by either Senator McCain and Obama was their respective campaign organization, and that the way they ran them should be considered in voting for President.

McCain: erratic, disorganized, combative, poor messaging (deceptive in fact), political/partisan to the point of absurdity, fiscally irresponsible, lots of internal strife and finger pointing, changes in management team, no clear leader, refusal to accept reality, relies mostly on promoting fear of the opponent.

vs.

Obama: steady, organized, inspirational, clear message, political/partisan, but on par with a national election, fiscally responsible (A+ on this one), clear leader with a stable management team, no leaks, no finger pointing, clear strategy, inclusive (record number of volunteers), innovative (remember the announcement of Senator Obama's pick for VP to millions of Americans simultaneously?), relies primarily on change and hope.

Guess which guy I'm voting for.

[underpants]

23. Books willb e written about it. Also Obama now has a national cadre of volunteers

so Axelrod can stop schlepping it around Dem offices and run the thing from DC (and its many fine restaurants)

BTW-Obama totally lured Hillary into Iowa. She should have never gone.

[mopinko]

30. running it from chicago, thanks

got some of the best food in the world, btw.

[oldleftguy]

24. I'm old as dirt and I agree

I remember John and Bobby
I'll never forget Martin
I wept for them all

In the 80's we were told to
remember the Dream and keep hope alive
It was a rainbow

Yes we can!

[JimWis]

25. I'm alot older and I Agree!!

[progressiveforever]

27. Yes--Jimmy Carter's 76 onewas pretty amazing for its time, but this tops it

[immoderate]

28. I'm almost 62, and I agree. But there's more...

Barack is an inspirational person the likes of which I haven't seen since John F. Kennedy.

JFK was in office when I was in high school. He made us want to be smarter. He pointed many of us toward public service. He stood as a model of what it was to be cool.

I have been to the Obama campaign office, and competence and effectiveness just coats every part of it. It's so good to be able to point to someone and say, "That man knows what he's doing!"

--IMM

[nichomachus]

29. JFK's campaign in 1960 was pretty awesome also

He had a lot of heavyweights working for him, and the campaign was incredibly organized and effective.

However, that was in the days before campaigns were teevee affairs -- or rather, it was the first campaign in which teevee was a serious factor. Just like Obama understood and leveraged the Internet, JFK's people understood and leveraged teevee.

The GOP this year totally underestimated the effects of the bloggers and YouTube. I predicted a year ago that this would be the YouTube election.

It used to be that people like McStain and Failin could throw red meat to the racists somewhere and no one else would ever hear about until two months later, if at all. Now, it's all over YouTube in about 15 minutes. This is killing them.

[Beregond2]

32. 54 here, and you are so right.

There has never been a campaign to compare with it. I think that is why I have been less prone to panic than many here. I've seen so many messy campaigns, I know a brilliant one when I see it.

[The Backlash Cometh]

33. I just want to know, who in the Obama campaign is monitoring the liberal blogs?

Because I think that Obama responds at blogspeed for a good reason.

[jillan]

35. 51 here & I am completely in awe of Obama.

He has run an almost flawless campaign.

[Madam Mossfern]

36. I'm older than dirt

and I agree

[Omnibus]

38. I'm 38 and I agree.

There's so much more planning, organization, and depth in the Obama campaign.

As I said earlier, it's like Obama's playing chess and McCain's playing checkers.

[windbreeze]

39. 67here, I agree, and have been totally blown away at the competent way

Obama's campaign has been handled.....just call me DAZED and AMAZED...wb

[ihavenobias]

40. K & R, thanks for posting Sooner

:)

[Laelth]

41. Hear, hear! n/t

Obama's campaign has been brilliant. I am equally impressed.

The United States is a LIBERAL Country.

:dem:

-Laelth

[AzNick]

42. The best campaign vs the worst nt

[firedupdem]

43. I''m 42 and agree 100%! I also have to admit this is the one I've

paid the most attention to. I'm so proud of the way this campaign has been run...smart people making smart decisions!

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

44. Obama, Plouffe and Axelrod have completely rewritten the book

on how to run for the Presidency. Three brilliant, visionary political minds. Best I've ever seen, and I remember elections all the way back to LBJ.

[democracy1st]

47. Obama: Behind The Scenes (CBS News) Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks_70Eo4vqc

[blm]

56. Axelrod was terrible in 2002-2004, warning Dems to stick to domestic issues and leave terror issue

and national security to Bush during those election cycles.

[TheDonkey]

45. Agreed. From start to (hopefully) finish. This campaign has been incredible

Credit due to Obama, his staff, and the pioneers before him (like Dean's internet crew).

[Iris]

46. It would take a lot to beat Bill Clinton's getting out of his car and walking down small town

streets shaking hands with people, but I'd say Obama's use of technology is genius.

[democracy1st]

49. Barack Obama Speech at 2004 DNC Convention(Video)

first time I heard Obama speak

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWynt87PaJ0

[mmonk]

50. I agree and I'm a decade older than you.

It's the most organized I've seen. We have to make sure this last week and election day are as successful.

[progressoid]

51. I just heard the same from former IA Governor Vilsack

:)

[harun]

52. Yep, don't underestimate community organizers. They know how to get sh*t done (n/t)

[RichardRay]

54. Hah. I'm 62 and I think it's the best campaign by anyone

in US politics (in either party) that I've ever seen.

There's only one more thing it needs, and I believe we're going to see that next Tuesday.

[blm]

55. Didn't happen in a vacuum - Kerry turned over his national network to Obama MINUS Clinton loyalists

who inserted themselves into the process from the DNC run by McAuliffe. Once rid of the saboteurs of 2004, the campaign team could be run more effectively.

With Dean's ascension to DNC chair as a significant first step, Daschle, Durbin and Kerry worked quietly behind the scenes to break the stranglehold on the Dem party that Clintons had for so long, and they got behind Obama far earlier than the newsmedia realizes.

Adding Obama's strong team to an established national network and the Clintons were beat by Super Tuesday. The Republican nominee was beat after Katrina.