NH: Obama takes on small crowds

By SHIRA SCHOENBERG
Concord Monitor staff

...Since Obama started campaigning, he has attracted large crowds to rallies and town hall meetings across the state - not an ideal forum for taking questions. But yesterday, with the exception of a large event in Derry, he focused on more traditional means of New Hampshire politicking - the house party. In Concord, Exeter, Salem and Bedford, Obama met with between 75 and 150 supporters, repeating a 15-minute speech, then spending most of his time answering questions and talking to voters one-on-one. His wife, Michelle, also attended two of the events.

Facing a pool of often undecided voters, the grassroots style of campaigning fits Obama's approach, which was borne out of his career as a community organizer in Chicago. Although some disagreed with his opinions, voters overall said they were impressed with his affable dad-next-door style and his willingness to engage questioners on policy issues, from medical marijuana to elder care.

"From being a community organizer, he knows if you don't listen to people, they don't listen to you," said University of New Hampshire professor David Watters, who heard Obama speak and predicted that he will win the New Hampshire primary. "He wants to hear what you have to say, and he stays until he shakes every hand. People like that."

...Several voters said what affected them more than the public sessions were the few moments they had to talk directly to Obama. After each event, he mingled with voters, signing autographs and posing for pictures - resulting in a schedule that ran about a half hour late.

...Even some who do not support Obama say they respect his way of interacting. Isabel Partin, a Bedford homemaker, supports Clinton because of her experience and her debating skills. But Partin said she debated between the two. "He's more of a one-on-one person - that's where his forte lies," she said.

http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070821/NEWS01/708210371

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