Obama's starting to show us what "new politics" means

Two stories today reflect Obama's approach to this campaign and what he might be saying when he uses the term "new politics." What we see in each of the stories below is private, press-free meetings with two groups, teachers and veterans. The discussions are pander-free, information-exchange sessions designed to build the candidate's own knowledge and give important voting groups a chance to see and hear him up close. The candidate gets a better sense of what he can realistically deliver for people and, not coincidentally, creates meaningful positive word-of-mouth:

*Local educator one of few to get private audience
SW Iowa News | April 09, 2007

<..."I was very impressed with Obama's willingness to listen," said Slater. "He seemed to genuinely care about the teachers and what we were saying."

Slater said Obama was honest about what was possible for teachers in the future and what possibly couldn't get done.

"I appreciated his candor," she said. "He wasn't there to sell us his views on education. He was there to hear our ideas."

"Obama's bus trip reached out to local educators to get their insights and discuss concerns related to education," said Pat Shipley of the ISEA. "It's something that was provided only to local teachers."

Slater said the experience was fantastic. She said she appreciated the fact he wasn't using his time with educators as a way to get votes.

"He didn't invite any members of the press on the bus because he wanted to focus on the teachers," said Slater.>

http://www.barackobama.com/2007/04/09/local_educator_one_of_few_to_g.php

*Obama has plan to house veterans
Boston Globe, April 9, 2007

<MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa -- Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama today planned to unveil a housing program for veterans aimed at keeping them off the streets when their service is completed.>

<...Obama, a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, concluded a three-day trip to Iowa last week by touring the Iowa Veterans Home and focusing on veterans issues.>

<...In his three days in Iowa, Obama focused on veterans. At each of his stops he held meetings -- usually in private -- with small groups of veterans, and he packed more than 250 people into a VFW Hall in tiny Dakota City on Thursday.>

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/04/09/obama_has_plan_to_house_veterans/