In the words of Erie Times-News sports columnist John Dudley, here are some “thoughts deep and shallow” about President Barack Obama’s stop on College Green yesterday.
Based on the enthusiasm in former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland’s voice, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that he might eventually seek to regain his gubernatorial seat.
For those of you who keep track of campaign stop introduction music, it has become clear that Booker T. & the MG’s is to Barack Obama as AC/DC is to Republican vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan.
Determined to stay soulful, Mr. President quoted the Temptations in begging for votes from the people of Southeast Ohio. With Athens’ traditionally liberal voting record, however, one would think that Obama was ensuring votes from supporters rather than attempting to sway those undecided.
Obama did get his Buckeyes and Bobcats straight, although he has managed to use the phrase “Don’t boo, vote!” during both his Ohio State University and Ohio University visits, at least.
The president has also made several references to Big Bird since the first presidential debate, and rightfully so. But whether or not cutting funding for PBS would do anything at all to cut the national deficit, one must wonder when the Democrats are going to move on from that particular “zinger.”
Additionally, for those of you playing the “Obama in Athens” drinking game at home yesterday, one can only hope that you remembered to cross off “Big Bird,” “Clinton” and “binders.”
Yesterday was a rough day for local mayors as well, for a couple of reasons. Obama took after his running mate Joe Biden and mispronounced Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl’s last name (“wheel” as opposed to “while”) during an Athens visit. Also, Marietta Mayor Joe Matthews stumbled a bit over the first few lines of the Pledge of Allegiance, but to his credit finished strong and with authority.
All in all, yesterday was a gorgeous day. Athenians and Bobcats alike made an absolutely huge showing, bringing the day’s final attendance tally to about 14,000. For all intents and purposes, the event was a success — unless you were dead-set on traveling by way of vehicle Uptown yesterday.
Personally, as a Bruce Springsteen fan, I would like to thank Mr. Obama for using “We Take Care of Our Own” instead of “Born in the U.S.A.” to close out his speech. It’s always disturbing when the second, an anti-Vietnam War hymn, gets misinterpreted. But that’s all I have to say about that.
In closing, whether you lean to the right or left, take the “Don’t boo, vote!” message from yesterday seriously.
Pat Holmes is the editor-in-chief of The Post. Email him at ph835608@ohiou.edu.
