In Idaho, Obama Slides A Touch to the Right

By: Maria Gavrilovic
Topics: Barack Obama

(CBS)

From CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic:

BOISE, IDAHO -- Although it was his first campaign visit to the state, thousands came to see Barack Obama at an early morning rally in Boise.

"So they told me that there weren't any Democrats in Idaho," Obama proclaimed, "That's what they told me but I did not believe them!"

Throughout his speech, Obama targeted young voters and independents. He used the Iowa caucuses as an example of his success with voters who don't typically vote or who vote conservative.

"For the first time in anybody's memory we had folks 30 and under voting at the same rate as people 60 and over. It has not happened in a generation but it was happening in this election," Obama said.

He said that although pundits told him that independents would not vote until a general election, independents and many Republicans threw their support to him.

"We keep on defying the conventional wisdom," Obama said.

Obama's message was also geared towards the more conservative crowd in Idaho. As he often does, he addressed the rumors that are circulating about his religious beliefs and his patriotism; "the usual smear campaign." However, he spoke about the Second Amendment, which he hasn't done in the past.

"There are people who say he doesn't believe in the Second Amendment even though I come from a state…we got a lot of hunters in the state of Illinois…and I have no intention of taking away folks' guns."

And in a state that has a large Mormon population, Obama also noted today's funeral in Utah for Gordon B. Hinckley, the president of the Church of Latter-day Saints who died this week.

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by jpotter881 February 3, 2008 6:28 PM EST: I went to the rally and when Obama made a mistake and said Iowa instead of Idaho the crowd responded with laughter. I wondered if understood what the laughter was about. Idahoans (a reminder of our faultering educational system)are often asked if Idaho is next to Iowa. That was what the laughter was in response to.; Reply to this comment


by cbsespo February 2, 2008 7:53 PM EST: I am a former "Carrot Snapper" ( the Idaho nickname for Utah people) and Idaho is the home of the "Potato Heads"
( The Utah name for Idaho people). I would encourage all
carrot snappers and potato heads to use your minds and vote for Barack Obama. I know the pressure you people feel to "conform" but this election is too critical to vote just to please "tradition"; Reply to this comment


by rwhite007 February 2, 2008 6:43 PM EST: I was at the rally today. What an amazing man! He is someone who you can really believe in. By the way, to respond to the comment above. I am not mormon, but living in Boise you cannot help but see the overwhelming amount of people who believe in the mormon faith. And with such and impactful event that the church just went through, it was natural for him to mention the funeral services.; Reply to this comment


by ritafajita February 2, 2008 5:23 PM EST: Red? Blue? Just color a rainbow over our state and call it good!
Thanks Obama for warming our lives and our state with your presence today...; Reply to this comment


by l00ker February 2, 2008 5:10 PM EST: And the Clinton Democrats are saying, that all that they are concerned about is blue states. Well, that explains why the Democrats always come up short, during the national election for president.; Reply to this comment


by ecoflame February 2, 2008 4:17 PM EST: Did you know that they are as many Catholics in this state (Idaho) as there are Mormons? Move on.....; Reply to this comment