local obama news and a 'fox' punch

just about to call it a night but wanted to post a few links to some local news stories out of NC and Indiana so we can all go to sleep with smiles on our faces...

From the Herald Bulletin (IN) ANDERSON — Rising at 3 a.m. Saturday, Daleville resident David Williams trekked to Marion and waited in line for three hours and then another two inside Marion High School before Illinois Sen. Barack Obama took the stage. Then Williams and his wife, Dawn, returned to Madison County and saw the Democratic Indiana Primary candidate again.

"We’ve followed him around the last few weeks like he’s The Beatles," said Williams, 40. "He brings hope. The first thing he’s going to do when he gets in the White House is to pay back us."

From Greenville NC Sitting around us, others brought their own set of expectations. Some were fired up, others seemed subdued and almost tearful at times. But for a few minutes everyone cheered together, and there was at least a sense that this disparate crowd, if given half a chance, could embrace and celebrate some of those differences, rather than always whisper, spit or fight over them.

Maybe Obama's message is the right one, maybe another candidate's; but either way it doesn't often happen that such a cross section of this community, cutting through age and race, can "all sit down together" and cheer for the same things. Building such relationships is where the "urgency of now" becomes most urgent — especially against a backdrop of a continuing war, food and gas prices out of sight and sinking pride and confidence in government.

Obama and King would suggest it is not too late to hope. I hope they're right.

(The Herald Bulletin interviewed Sen. Barack Obama by telephone shortly after he wrapped up his Anderson appearance Saturday.)

And finally, some humor:
Barack Obama Punches Out FOX News' Chris Wallace
by Walid
Obama Delivers the News to Chris Wallace...Ouch!
Obama Delivers the News to Chris Wallace...Ouch!
(Indiana) Ucs News-- Barack Obama fights back. In an appearance on "FOX News Sunday," The Illinois senator and Democratic front-runner ended the interview abruptly by delivering a right cross to the face Fox anchor Chris Wallace. As Wallace fell to the floor Obama looked into the camera and said "Now let's talk about the issues sucka!"