MSNBC: Obama's Charm Offensive Through PA.

[JPZenger]

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/30/842513.aspx

"Obama's charm offensive in PA
March 30, 2008 2:12 PM by Mark Murray

Obama has launched a charm offensive in Pennsylvania, forgoing days packed with town halls and cheering crowds at rallies to make small unannounced stops that take the locals by surprise. Case in point, trying not to strike out in Pennsylvania to Clinton, Obama went bowling Saturday night at Pleasant Valley Lanes in Altoona, five minutes from a hot dog shop that he had visited earlier in the day. The presidential hopeful shook hands, posed for pictures and then joined local Roxanne Hart to bowl a few frames. "My economic plan is better than my bowling!" Obama declared at one point to the crowd that had gathered around the lane, growing with each frame as patrons texted and called friends and family to see the political spectacle.

The stop was one part of a new offensive by the candidate to find a way to connect with voters outside of events that appear filled to the brim with his own supporters. At Altoona's Original Texas Dog restaurant yesterday, the campaign planned a round table with three women at the local stop. Munching on hot dogs while talking health care is much more "man of the people" than shouting, "I love you back," to adoring, screaming crowds.

But it's questionable if voters will remember Obama talking about the economy -- or him feeding a baby calf from a bottle like he did at Penn State this morning when they open their local paper or turn on their evening newscasts. The new efforts, Obama and his aides have said, are focused on trying to get voters to know Obama better. The Clintons, they like to say, are well known here and their support runs deep. Despite the small stops, Obama has said that his message will stay the same, and there's a definitely an economically themed component to most of his stump speeches.

He shook a few hands and took a few more sips of beer before he walked out, the headline writing itself: "The Candidate You Can Drink a Beer With..."

[livetohike]

1. This is exactly what he needs to do here, imo

The thing is......he is genuine. The more one on one contact he makes, the better.