Obama in Texas:
He also told the crowd that McCain was “lassoed” to the policies of George W. Bush. Explaining why he was “tough enough” to run against McCain, he delivered his winning line of the night.
“I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t tough,” Obama said. “Nobody gave me…Listen I’m a black guy named Barack Obama running for president. You can’t tell me I ain’t tough. Shoot!”
The crowd screamed loudly while Obama went on the attack against McCain, and he shouted out to them, “Settle down Austin!”
Yeah, I always figured that he would have answered the experience and toughness questions adequately if he won the nomination. I think he has. Meanwhile, his newest challenge is to fight off the media’s attempt to turn him into Jim Jones.
If the argument that a cult of personality has developed around Obama’s campaign, tonight’s event in Austin was a case in point. People in the crowd held up large cardboard signs with his face painted on them. The shops along the streets had posters with Obama’s face and the word “HOPE” on them.
Obama acknowledged the criticism of the enthusiasm that’s risen in recent weeks. “And ya know what? Well they make fun of you all too by the way,” Obama said.
I think Obama’s feeling a little giddy.
