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Obama celebrates double-digit North Carolina win

BY NIA-MALIKA HENDERSON | nia.henderson@newsday.com

May 7, 2008

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RALEIGH, N.C. - Reveling in his first major win in three months, Barack Obama returned to his major themes of change and unity yesterday, seeking to allay fears of a Democratic divide come November and position himself as the candidate who can win.

His double-digit victory in North Carolina, and strong showing in Indiana, seemed to suggest that his recent stumbles - most notably his link to the controversial Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. - were not as costly as some polls and pundits suggested.

His address last night almost had the ring of an acceptance speech.

"Some were saying that North Carolina would be a game-changer in this election. But today, what North Carolina decided is that the only game that needs changing is the one in Washington, D.C.," he told a crowd of 3,000 last night at North Carolina State University's sports arena.

"This fall, we intend to march forward as one Democratic Party, united by a common vision for this country," Obama said.

The vision of a united front come November has become a key component to Obama's stump speeches as he has looked to assure voters, and superdelegates, of his electability. His advisers dubbed last night a momentum builder, but not a game changer.

"Superdelegates will continue to join and we are going to be where we need to be long before the convention," said David Axelrod, Obama's chief adviser. "We have taken another big step down the road here to ending this contest and beginning the general election campaign."

Still, a hurdle remains with white, blue-collar voters who propelled Hillary Clinton to victories in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and as of last night, probably Indiana as well.

"We have the ability to reach these voters, I think they understand how badly we need change in this country," Axelrod said. "They understand it more than anyone because they are feeling it in their daily lives."

Just how the campaign plans to close the blue-collar gap is unclear, though aides cited Obama's visits with seniors, veterans, farmers and families in Indiana as ways that they were able to reach those voters. In Noblesville Ind., where Obama spoke with his wife at his side and his two daughters nearby, at least one undecided voter made up her mind for Obama.

"I just was well pleased with how he had done," said previously undecided voter Caroline Kincaid, 73, who saw Obama in her hometown of Noblesville. "I feel like he is down home and I feel like he can do the job. I'm hopeful that he can."

Additionally, over the past few days, Obama seized on the skyrocketing price of gasoline, differing sharply with his opponents on a summer holiday on the federal gas tax.

"It's not going to save us any money in North Carolina. It's a short-term fix for a long term problem," said Mary Coleman, 49, of Raleigh, adding that she did not like the tone of the campaign. "I saw a lot of negativity from Hillary Clinton. She went after Obama in a Republican style."

Obama seized on that sense that his candidacy is a movement in his remarks last night, echoing themes from his earlier major speeches. "This time can be different from all the rest. This time we can face down those who say our road is too long; that our climb is too steep; that we can no longer achieve the change that we seek," he said. "This is our time to answer the call that so many generations of Americans have answered before - by insisting that by hard work, and by sacrifice, the American dream will endure."