United Steelworkers International president Leo Gerard made a mind boggling statement to Huffington Post, explaining Obama's dramatic gains in Michigan and Pennsylvania - Obama is getting more angry.
Gerard, for one, also thinks Obama is becoming more comfortable talking about kitchen table issues. His union originally endorsed John Edwards during primary season. But even after their favored candidate abandoned the race, Gerard recounts that it took the union members several weeks to reach a consensus on Obama -- perhaps, as was widely guessed at the time, because his cool demeanor was not resonating with the white working class audience.
Now, though, Gerard says that perception is turning. "Obama seems to have become more passionate. He seems to be angry about what's gone on. I watched part of his speech [on Thursday]. That kind of speech could go to standing ovations in a union hall. If he can keep that up level of intensity, what I call constructive anger about what the system has done, I think that he'll connect. ... And McCain will wind up campaigning just in Georgia before it's over."
I have trouble understanding folks who say Obama is 'too cool.' I've seen a lot of anger in many of his speeches. I don't think this explanation makes any sense. I believe the collapse of the American econmy and the loss of close to a million jobs in this year alone is hurting this demographic. They have finely decided to shed the racial and cultural baggage and do what is right for America.