http://www.nj.com/columns/jjournal/albright/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/1179991372222460.xml&coll=3Obama wows union faithful in N.J. visit
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Union members in Trenton got their first look this month at rookie sensation Barack Obama. They liked what they saw. Obama liked what he heard.
On May 14, in a 12-minute speech and a 90-minute question-and-answer session from AFL-CIO members, Obama demonstrated he is a solid .300 hitter in the game of presidential hardball.
More than 600 Democratic-friendly members gave the U.S. senator from Illinois two standing ovations and frequent outbursts of applause.
While you can't put applause in the bank, Obama hopes the claps will translate into votes in New Jersey's Feb. 5 presidential primary.
A Quinnipiac University poll from last month put his chief rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, ahead by 22 points. Both trail Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor.
Obama demonstrated his passion as he repeatedly identified himself with workers seeking bargaining agreements around the country.
FULL story at link.