An upclose, personal report on what ordinary americans think of Obama, from the talented journalist and actor Dan Hoyle, based on his own eyewitness experience. He gives us a sneak peek into the minds of independent voters in swing states, to figure out why many of them hesitate to support Obama -- perhaps it's because he doesn't fit the stereotype, as a highly educated, upper middle class, self-made urban black man: "He's not foreign because he's black, he's foreign because he's unknown". Insightful and informative article.

Painful to read, this editorial piece contends that lack of education and and being ill- if not mal-informed about Barack Obama is causing him to lose a significant portion of apparently ignorant (19%--almost one in five--still believe Obama is Muslim) rural Americans.

The interview technique quoting what people say is always an excellent way to report information. Although European friends e-mail me that America isn't ready to elect a black to the presidency, this article makes the point that voters are leery about Obama because they really don't know anything about him And sadly, there are also those who believe the distortions--for instance, that Obama is Muslim. Bush isn't the only one with problems about reality. Given the mess the country is in, many voters are ignoring reality and putting personality first.

While this article uses anecdotal evidence through interviews, the author points to an exhaustive process over quite a long time. I appreciate the tone that respects the people being interviewed and listens carefully to what they have to say. Definitely food for thought.