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| Senator Barack Obama greeting voters at the Apollo Theater |
Barack Obama: Since the Apollo
The Origins of Obama’s Rise from Presidential Hopeful to Presidential Front-Runner
By Christopher Windham
Last November, crowds wrapped around 125th St. for admittance into the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem for a political fund-raiser. The crowd, the largest at the Apollo since a funeral ceremony was held there for soul legend James Brown a year earlier, was eager to pay $50 for a first-person glimpse of Barack Obama.
In one of his most publicized New York events, Obama generated excitement among the 1,500 attendees that is normally reserved for a well-known presidential figure, rather than a relatively unknown freshman senator from Illinois.
At the time, Obama trailed rival Senator Hillary Clinton of New York in most polls, including those showing strong support for Clinton among African Americans. Rumors were circulating that Obama was a Muslim, which he has vehemently denied. Clinton also began issuing critiques on Obama’s universal health care proposal in addition to existing concerns about his experience, or lack there of.
But to those at the Apollo, it appeared nothing else mattered. The crowd wanted Obama, whom they repeatedly shouted for throughout the evening. After warm up performances and speeches by The Harlem Gospel Choir, noted black history professor Dr. Cornell West and comedian Chris Rock, who delivered the punch line of the evening when noting the embarrassment of supporting Clinton if Obama won. “You’d say, “I had that white lady! What was I thinking,” he said.
Soon Rock introduced Obama, who quickly outlined his full platform, including his plans for education, health care, national security and urban issues. “I don’t want to wake up four years from now and we still have more young black men in prison than in college…that we still have young people without hope,” he said.
Without pandering to the audience, Obama also called for additional minimum wage increases, support for Hurricane Katrina victims and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
“We will lead the world in controlling the challenges we face,” he said, noting the prevalence of genocide, disease and poverty throughout the world. “Our moment is now. We are ready to lead.”
After delivering a commanding rendition of his stump speech, Obama remained on stage for about a half-hour to shake hands and sign copies of his books.
Nationally, it’s unclear how much momentum Obama gained from the event. But if the ensuing three months are any indication, then that night at the Apollo appeared to be Obama’s coming out party.
He soon would draw first blood by winning the Iowa caucuses among a crowded field of democratic candidates. Clinton landed on the board days later by winning the New Hampshire primary, while sharpening her attacks on Obama’s record and credentials. But Obama’s strong victory in South Carolina, where four out of five African-Americans voters supported Obama, positioned him to compete with then-front runner Clinton in the Super Tuesday elections held in 24 states.
Following the Super Tuesday draw with Clinton, Obama began winning support across all demographic lines, including significant votes among blacks in every state. (Although Obama did lose to Clinton in her home state New York, where Michelle Obama and other surrogates had campaigned heavily. See Obama Goes to Harlem)
Between February and March, Obama won 12 consecutive election contests. His winning streak ended, however, in March after critical primary victories by Clinton in Ohio and Texas. Clinton has since gained momentum from the victories, vowing to continue campaigning until the Democratic National Convention this August.
Despite the disappointing showing in Ohio and Texas, Obama still maintains the lead in the democratic delegate count. Moreover, several polls cite Obama as the favorite to beat Senator John McCain of Arizona in the general election. Obama also continues to raise more money than any other candidate, collecting a record $55 million from donors in February, compared to $35 million for Clinton.
Today, Obama is hailed by many as the front-runner for the U.S. presidency. His message of hope and the “fierce urgency of now,” a common phrase he borrowed from Dr. Martin Luther King, are just as prevalent on the campaign trail today as it was that night at the Apollo.
“The only reason I’m standing here today is because somebody stood up for me when it was hard,” he said to the Apollo audience. “By standing up with courage and conviction they were able to bring about a change for today. I want to stand up for those who still hunger for opportunity.” 
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