Obama plans L.A. HQ opening -- with unfortunate words
The presidential campaign of Barack Obama is gearing up for the big official opening of its Los Angeles campaign headquarters Sunday at 3333 Wilshire Blvd.
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., the campaign is planning a block party with music, food, games for all ages and speakers (oh, joy!).
It's another effort to expand its base of campaign supporters, of course, maybe raise a little money, get some media attention.
It's just that the e-mail announcing the big do had some unfortunate wording for smoky Southern California these days: "We're getting 'Fired up, ready to go' for the 100-day countdown to election day" (the state's Feb. 5 primary).
Hopefully, the "fired up" part will be long gone by election day -- or even Sunday.
(UPDATE: Debbie Mesloh, spokesperson for Obama's California campaign, contacted us tonight with word that the e-mail was composed before the catastrophic wildfires started.
Once it was clear a disaster was unfolding, the wording was changed and the block party plans dropped, she says. Instead, those attending the office opening are being asked to bring clothing and non-perishable food to donate to fire victims.
The same request has been made to those attending house parties elsewhere in the state marking the 100-day countdown to the primary.)
-- Andrew Malcolm
Andrew Malcolm's immigrant parents repeatedly stressed the importance of active participation in a democracy. Early lessons included learning the alphabetical list of states by watching televised roll calls of national political conventions. That childhood exposure led to a lifelong fascination with politics, including 40-plus years of covering them and a brief stint practicing them as press secretary to Laura Bush in 1999-2000. A veteran foreign and national correspondent, Malcolm served on the Times Editorial Board and was a Pulitzer finalist in 2004. He is the author of 10 nonfiction books and father of four.
Johanna Neuman is a veteran Washington correspondent for both The Los Angeles Times and USA Today, having covered presidents and politics as far back as Ronald Reagan. A former president of the White House Correspondents Assn., she authored a book on media and foreign policy, “Lights, Camera, Wars.” Most recently she was co-author of the 
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Yes, the initial wording may have been unfortunate. However, Barack's response to the situation, is exactly the kind of judgment call that reminds me why I believe in this man with all my heart.
Posted by: News2me | October 25, 2007 at 07:18 PM
Andrew Malcolm needs to stop writing sarcastic articles about Obama. For example, "...all ages and speakers (oh, joy!)" is silly and uncalled for.
Besides, the motto "Fired Up! Ready to go!" has been used by Obama for a very long time now. There is no reason to tie it to the wildfires.
A more appropriate head line would be "Barack Obama uses his California network to help those in need." Just look at what he's set up at BarackObama.com
Posted by: T. R. in Wallingford, CT | October 26, 2007 at 05:48 AM
Why is this news? I'm sure the campaign didn't mean that. Just another lame attempt to pick on Obama.
Posted by: Zack - NJ | October 26, 2007 at 06:05 AM
Ken Starr has done the job for you creeps, so leave her alone.
Posted by: boohall | November 14, 2007 at 02:01 PM