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DU doesn't care if they were a plant. Remember that Hollywood and Oprah are the type of marketing that Obama has access to. Here is a sampling of DU's comments regarding the so called 'hecklers'.

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Hope this gets covered in the media. This is the first time I've ever seen him heckled. Instead of having him taken out while making a joke (like McCain does), he took the guy's concern seriously and addressed them.

He took it and ran with it, a great moment in the campaign, I hope a clip of this gets played a ton on TV.

This DOES need to be played over and over on tv. EVERYONE sees him as a “celebrity,” and he deals well with those people.

Spoken like a wise, capable leader - and with grace and dignity

People who think he can't speak without a teleprompter better take note.

I've never seen protesters handled that way! GO OBAMA!
They didn't get tased?

No...maybe if they go to a McCain event they'll get tased, though.

I know you meant it as snark, still on CNN they said that right after the protest two secret service guys moved next to the protesters. Did not do a thing, just stood there. Which is OK and the right thing to do I think. dude, they are checked in through security.

This isn't Bush or McCain, who only allow supporters in.
They're highlighting Obama’s handling of the heckler ... saying, “now that's how you handle things!

Just saw the clip, Obama totally controlled the situation. Notice how he didn't wait for anyone to intervene, nor did he want those people removed ... he just wanted the ground rules to be set.

Excellent leadership display!

That's good that it's being covered. My tinfoil is on, a theory: Obama’s campaign is composed of some very, very smart people, including Mr. Love who “knows people.” This incident will take away a couple of things. The constant loop of Obama w/Paris, Britney, change the focus away from McSame, on a Friday dump day, and give Barack the opportunity to let the “militants” know if he becomes POTUS, he will not be handing out welfare and other benefits to black folks as he's been accused of on other sites.

Having said that, the fellas were not militant, just a little noisy, got the attention of all of us. This was a good thing, it gave Barack the opportunity, on camera, to dispel the notion of his “give aways” to the African American community. I'm sure these guys are members of the group you mentioned, and have been bugging the campaign to address their concerns. The campaign listened, said they would address their questions and voila! Okay, I'll take my foil hat off, but I never, never underestimate this Obama group. They're geniuses in their own right.

Well, if it WAS planned, it went well.

Exactly. I tell you, his people (Obama’s) are the best...

They are, but I don't think this WAS planned. If it was, we'll probably find out about it.

I do not think that it was staged. Barack Obama is a student of history. The tactic that he used today was one that Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., employed. I think it is far more likely that the incident was a result of Obama’s understanding of why King handled situations this way, than it was a staged event.

His community organizer skills were fine tuned nt
I agree, if it was a plant, it was brilliant..and if it wasn't it was brilliant. It worked either way.

They weren't dragged away in cuffs under the comment “We believe in free speech in America.”

To tell the truth, I'm glad young AAs are interested and involved.

Hopefully Obama answered their question(s) and feel good they had the guts to get out there and ask him. As a white woman, I'm proud of these young men, they got involved without being nasty, etc.

This is quite extraordinary. remember, people even got tased at a Kerry event. For Obama to respect the protesters right to Free Speech and treat them with dignity while at the same time countering their argument, is the sign of a true President.

When these protesters were asked by Obama to wait their turn, they waited their turn. And when their turn came, they asked questions instead of shouting insults at Obama. They were treated reasonably because they behaved reasonably.

Standing up screaming with a banner covering your face is reasonable?

Kerry's people and the security guards handled that situation terribly.

Obama handled this like a Champ. The protesters didn't get out of control and tase worthy because they were not dismissed out of hand.

Obama took control of the situation before anybody tried to throw them out. Kerry could have done that.

We are watching a President in action.

What no SS agents hauling them off?

No taser moment? Obama actually treated them and their grievances with dignity? This hasn't happened in eons...why this is a CHANGE. I guess the Democratic Candidate is really all about CHANGE. GOOD ON HIM, and GREAT for AMERICA!