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Wistful but Having Fun, Obama Gives Last Push
New York Times ^ | November 1, 2014 | By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS
Posted on November 1, 2014 5:32:45 PM EDT by Oldeconomybuyer
PORTLAND, Me. — The foldaway blue bleachers and scuffed wooden floor were packed with fleece-clad onlookers as President Obama prepared to take the stage, but the crowd was hushed and sedate, lulled by the smooth jazz piping over the sound system.
“This is straight-up elevator music,” muttered a Democratic aide with a shake of his head, searching in vain for an iPod with a more fired-up soundtrack to greet the leader of the free world. “People are about to fall asleep.”
Minutes later, the crowd was awake and roaring for the president, as a grinning Mr. Obama bounded up a few steps to the stage, his blue shirt sleeves rolled above the elbows, and shouted, “I love you, too!”
It was a jolt of electricity in an otherwise low-wattage event.
Mr. Obama is showing a scrappier side. He has been shrugging off his jacket and dropping some consonants as he revels in the appreciation of core supporters.
“It don’t make no sense,” Obama said in Milwaukee of Republican opposition to pay equity legislation.
Back in his limousine speeding to the airport for a nighttime flight to his next stop, Mr. Obama caught his breath, turned to an aide and said with a grin: “That was fun.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
