Posted by
Mike Bates on Sunday, October 05, 2008 7:00:05 PM
Jane Pauley, one-time co-host of NBC's Today and
Dateline NBC programs, is actively campaigning for Barack Obama. A
couple of weeks ago, I wrote of one such appearance in Portage, Indiana
that attracted only eight people.
That event also featured Steve Skvara, the retired steelworker who in
August of last year tearfully asked Democratic presidential candidates
at a debate, "What's wrong with America? And what will you do to change
it?"
It's only fair that I follow up by reporting that Pauley's current
efforts are being met with much more enthusiasm. Maybe it's because
she's now campaigning at Democratic headquarters and that's a more
welcoming venue than the previously utilized union hall, difficult as
it is to distinguish between the two. Perhaps the advance planning,
blamed for her earlier poor turnout, was improved. Possibly it's
because she lost Skvara, even though his admirers include MSNBC's Chris Matthews, who last year asked Skvara, "Well, can I pay tribute—can I pay tribute to you, sir?"
Whatever the reason, Pauley is pulling in much larger crowds. As reported Thursday by the Anderson, IN Herald Bulletin:
Appearing before a crowd of about 40 area Democrats,
Indiana-born broadcast journalist Jane Pauley opened her speech at
Democratic Headquarters in Anderson Thursday afternoon by alluding to
her own hopes for the upcoming presidential election.
“I’m looking forward to a life into the blue, if you get my
meaning,” she said with a smirk as the crowd clapped and hollered in
agreement. The remark about political sides was also a reference to
Pauley’s 2004 autobiography, titled “Skywriting: A Life Out of the
Blue.”
Pauley made a brief appearance at the local Democratic
headquarters to stump for presidential candidate Barack Obama and
criticize presidential candidate John McCain’s claims that he is a
maverick and a reformer.
“The original ‘Maverick’ was a gambler,” she said, referring to the
TV series starring James Garner. “In these uncertain times, can we
afford to gamble on a pair of mavericks?”
And later:
Focusing on foreign policy, Pauley said the United
States had alienated allies and emboldened enemies during the past
eight to 10 years. Recently though, she said, respect for America is
rising.
She named three reasons for the change in opinion. “Barack. Hussein. Obama,” she shouted.
Pauley must not be aware that using Obama's middle name is, according to no less an authority than Michelle Obama, "the fear bomb."
Regardless, Pauley's campaigning is obviously attracting increasing
crowds. Little wonder she's smirking. Keep it up, Jane. You might
hit an audience of 100 by election day.
