TAMPA - When it comes to the World Series, Barack Obama says he is the “unity” candidate.
With the Tampa Bay Rays and the Philadelphia Phillies scheduled to face off in the Game One of the World Series on Wednesday night, the Democratic White House hopeful had to walk a careful line at a rally at Tampa’s Legends field.
Obama, a devoted fan of the Chicago White Sox, had already cast his lot in with the Phillies, whose fan base is located in the crucial battleground state of Pennsylvania. He has described his campaign manager, David Plouffe, as a “fanatical Phillies fan” and said that was why was rooting for the team.
Florida is a pivotal state, too, putting Obama in a delicate situation at the rally, which took place the day after the win by the Rays against the Boston Red Sox.
But Obama got a boost at the Tampa rally from some of the Rays players. Outfielder Fernando Perez and pitcher David Price introduced the Illinois senator and several other players joined him on the stage.
“I’ve said from the beginning that I am a unity candidate, bringing people together,” Obama said. “So when you see a White Sox fan showing love to the Rays and the Rays showing some love back, you know we’re onto something right here.”
While Obama stopped short of throwing his support to the Rays, he joked that the team’s win against the Red Sox prompted him to consider cutting his hair in a Mohawk to show solidarity with the Rays, many of whom wear a Mohawk haircut. “My political advisers said they weren’t sure how that was going to play with swing voters,” he said.
Republicans were quick to cry foul. In an e-mail to reporters, Republican National Committee spokesman Alex Conant accused Obama of switching teams.
Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the Democratic candidate had done no such thing.
“Senator Obama congratulated the Tampa Rays on their season and he appreciated the team members who took the time out of their busy schedules to attend the rally, but he told Philly fans he will root for their team and that is exactly what he plans to do,” she said.
Photo Credit: Reuters/Jim Young Obama is introduced by members of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team at a rally in Tampa, Florida, Oct. 20, 2008
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“Republicans were quick to cry foul. In an e-mail to reporters, Republican National Committee spokesman Alex Conant accused Obama of switching teams.” Say what?!?
Man, is there nothing the Republicans would leave untouched in their desperate attempt to save their political skin?
Integrity - that’s the issue in this election. In 15 days we will have the great democratic privilege to put an end to this sickening era. The politics of ploys, stunts, slime, sleaze, and culture wars is on the ballot! The politics of Bush/Cheney, McCain/Palin, Karl Rove/Steve Schmidt, and Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News, will be defeated.
Remember - we need a massive turnout of citizens, and a landslide victory, because we know the Republicans will again try to steal this election at the polling stations, just like in 2000 and 2004.
People, find the strength and courage to vote Obama/Biden into office, return honesty, decency, and integrity to American politics. Let us together begin the hard work of repairing the immense damage these thieves and scoundrels have done to our country and our people.
- Posted by fbla1805This is why the GOP will lose. they say that barack is switching teams. Well if i remember right it has been JON McCAIN who has switched faces through out this whole campaign. You poeple are so small!!! It shows in all you guys do. You can not say anything good about McCain so you have to be all up in baracks grill. Do you really think america is that stupid!? Well guess agian…
- Posted by we willOBAMANOS AMERICA…
I gotta say, that the RNC spokesman to send such an email, that is indeed very petty. Doesn’t the RNC have better things to do, like campaign for their members? I’m republican, and I can tell you, if I was a republican running for local or state office, and my committee was wasting efforts on asinine emails like this instead of supporting me, I’d switch parties! Luckily, I’m just a mere registered voter, and am able to switch votes without either side knowing the better.
- Posted by Mitch