Barack Obama skips another Lance Armstrong cancer forum

If the views expressed by one woman attending tonight's town hall forum on cancer that Lance Armstrong and John McCain headlined in Columbus, Ohio, are at all typical, it may explain the noticable lack so far of any uptick in national polls for Barack Obama as he heads into the final leg of his much-ballyhooed overseas trip.

The Times' Maeve Reston, covering the event, talked with Ann Marie Jones, a stay-at-home mom whose young son was diagnosed with leukemia in September. Jones, 40, said she had been leaning toward Obama “until he didn’t show up tonight.”

She added: “I feel like I understand what he’s doing over there, but I think he needed to be here tonight for this.”

Jones said she has become bothered by the length and scale of Obama’s travels.

“I think we have a lot of things going on with our children — many different things going on here in the United States that need our attention,” prime among them healthcare, she said.

Obama has not irrevocably lost Jones' vote. The Republican -- from Texas, no less -- said she remains undecided. She plans to make her decision after learning more about both candidates’ health plans and how they would aid those struggling with medical costs, particularly families affected by cancer.

McCain, in his opening remarks at the LIVESTRONG Summit held on the campus of The Ohio State University, noted that both presidential contenders had been invited to the gathering by Armstrong, the world-renowned cyclist and cancer survivor.

Said McCain: “You have billed this event as a presidential town hall, and I sincerely hope that the next president is here this evening.”

He then directed one of his characteristic jibes at Obama and the media covering his foreign travels.

“My opponent, of course, is traveling in Europe, and tomorrow his tour takes him to France. In a scene that Lance would recognize, a throng of adoring fans awaits Sen. Obama in Paris — and that's just the American press.”

Obama now has missed two LIVESTRONG forums that have had a campaign contest; he was not at one conducted last summer in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, that was attended by several of the candidates in the then-crowded Democratic race. Also absent was McCain, who at the time was not investing much political time or energy in Iowa.

Blogger Catherine Morgan provided a recap, complete with several videos, of that gathering.

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: Associated Press

Comments

[AspenFreePress]

Most of those I've met, who are critical of Obama's travels, are Republicans and would never have voted for him anyway.
Sterling Greenwood
Aspen Free Press

[Alessandro Machi]

I am confounded by the stupidity of Barack Obama advisors. The audacity of going to European countries and being the center of attention of large crowds is not how one gets elected. (By the way, there was a ROCK GROUP ONCE AGAIN that headlined before Barack went on in Germany.)

Barack doesn't learn anything by giving speeches in front of large crowds. Barack doesn't learn by ignoring the soldiers at the encampments he visits as he hurries off to the tent to shoot basketballs for the photographers.

There was a devastating flood along the length of the Mississippi River this year and the idea that as tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands deal with their misfortune, Barack is parading in far off lands impersonating a famous, successful president is an embarrassment to his own country.

Barack just should have gone overseas, been low key, and learned, but everything has to be about Barack Obama the rock star. How anyone could be so deluded and narcissistic to think they have earned an appearance in front of a mass of people that also came for a rock concert is just mind bending.

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[Mike]

Aren't US citizens the ones voting this election? or is it Europeans? Obama once again showing what a class act he is.

[g.a. browne]

There must be absolute frustration within the McCain campaign and the Republican party as they see Obama easily draw crowds that they envy.
Thank god the religious right and the ultra-white conservatives are about to receive their just rewards for ruining the USA.
Hopefully they will go back to their churches and seek forgiveness from God for their sins.
God bless the real USA.

[Joanna Crawford]

Give me a break. Sen. Barack Obama was a co-sponsor for the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, which will get badly needed funds for childhood cancer research.

Sen. McCain opted to NOT be a co-sponsor for the Act, S.B. 911.

Another Cancer-Mom

[tom]

You can't be everywhere at once, even if Lance Armstrong invites you. Seems a bit self-absorbed of the woman interviewed to expect him to drop everything and attend.

[thebob.bob]

Oh pulease!! This is news? Obama didn't have lunch at a German sausage house today either. Now that was big news!

[HemiHead]

I gotta hand it to ya. The L A Times has sunk so l;ow the bottom fell out. Thiis must be payback for Obama's comment when McCain was talking about trade. You want to stop people from getting cancer. Stop growing our food in sludge. Stop poisoning our water with chemical waste. Stop turning our country into a sewer for profit.

[I hate LA times]

LA Times is a disgrace to all residents of LA. The paper has been turned in to a republican tabloid!. Shame on biased journalism!

[Eugene]

Let me get this straight, all the Republicans are jumping on Obama for not visiting Iraq, etc. He goes over there on a very serious tour, and one woman back in the States says Obama should come home NOW. And the LA Times thinks that is a trend?

[spongekill]

Spineless mudslinging from an outdated politician and uninformed commentary from an uninformed citizen. Not much to base an article on, but that's politics, isn't it?

[Ex-Subscriber]

I guess the LA Times doesn't think very highly of the intelligence of it's readership.

[Ron]

I knew that there was a reason why I canceled my subscription to the LA Times. This article is idiotic. You guys are running out of things to write about, so you retreat back to writing garbage. I think that John McCain has become a B grade comic trying to get laughs..... save it for the old age home John.

(Presumably, Ron, you see some connection between a newspaper subscription and an online blog that's free. So we're all pretty happy for you. And it's great to have you here.)

[John C.]

Lets not forget that Obama wants to make health care available to all Americans, and McCain does not. Don't scrutinize the man for trying to bring some international credibility back to our country at a time when we are the laughing stock of the world. McCain won't help that kid's mom pay his cancer bills, he's just trying to stir up some media attention while the rest of the USA and the world is watching Obama rekindle the relationship with our European allies.

[Audrey]

The World trip is strictly big picture. McCain at this event is about as sincere as the Wolf telling us what big eyes we have. In 8 short years Bush has managed to discredit everything America ever stood for in the eyes of the rest of the world. He's devalued our money so low that it now takes two dollars to buy one stinking British pound. People laugh out loud when an American claims liberty, justice or freedom, thanks to the Patriot Act, Abu Gharaib, Gitmo, Waterboarding and other flagrant violations of the Geneva Convention. Obama's on a PR tour to start getting us back some friends, 'cos with the massive recession coming down the pike, we're gonna need every one we can get. Cancer? Successive sidestepping around environmental, farming, energy and other consumer protection laws, by bribed Political thieves is why we're all at risk. And you idiots think McCain is the good guy and Obama the risk? Put down the LA Times, read a bloody book for five minutes and switch Fox off. Maybe that'll start reversing the brainwashing. Although I doubt it.

[Jordan]

I've been a cancer advocate for years because I've seen many family members and friends die from cancer. I truly respect politicians who give their attention to cancer research and support. However, I would like to say that I am also educated enough to know that the above mentioned "critiques" are ridiculous. The media has twisted the idea of the presidency to such an extent that most Americans believe that the President has unfettered powers. Taking from the Constitution, the powers to legislate and allocate money are vested in the Congress--not the President. The President is, instead, largely an administrator (who follows orders) and a foreign policy head (generalized from the enumerated powers to draft treaties and receive foreign ministers). Obama's ability to garner foreign support and mobilize the masses abroad, despite what an above poster says, is evidence that he has the skills and experience to execute his duties as a President. Americans should not chide Obama for his tour and "neglecting" his duties here. They should hold their elected officials in Congress to a higher standard--like they mistakenly do with the President.

[Jim]

If I remember correctly, McCain was abroad in early July, touting his foreign policy credentials. What about all the taxpayer's money he's wasted visiting Iraq's greenzone and gaining zero knowledge of how terrible the situation truly was outside the barricaded walls? How much taxpayer money did he waste on his marketplace snafu? How many meetings has he missed galivanting around? How many votes has he missed whilst campaigning? If I'm not mistaken, when the floods hit the midwest, Obama's website sent emails targeted specifically to supporters that lived near the affected regions with instructions on how to help, and aided in organizing volunteer efforts. Obama since then has not touted this as a positive on his part, the campaign didn't send the emails out to every supporter, only those who they thought could help with the flood. If i remember correctly, during that same time McCain barely expressed sympathy for the flood victims, and nothing else.

[NinaK]

McCain's comments at this cancer forum were uncouth and disrespectful of the people there. It isn't like he was giving a campaign speech; he got INVITED to this forum. The man just cannot control his venum and severe case of "diarrhia of the mouth" when it comes to the good senator of Illinois!! I find McCain totally disgusting and thoughtless!

[Eric]

You have got to be kidding me. The LA Times runs a story on one disgruntled woman who thinks that everyone running for president should make a point to be at an event because she thinks it is important. Every group can say that. What an assinine article. The McCain fans also tend to forget he was just campaigning in Columbia, Mexico and Canada.

[John]

I am not a reader of the LA Times so when I first read this article I thought it was satirical - the kind of stuff you find in The Onion. Reading the comments makes me think your report is deadly serious!! Should I be laughing or be very worried?

[Michelle]

A number of you have the argument wrong. The point is, that this meeting was scheduled well in advance of his trip to Europe. Also, he should have just come home after visiting Iraq and Afghanistan. Then he would have been able to attend. I think it's great that he went there to see what we are doing. It was important for him to understand what it was he was talking about. His European vacation however, was completely unnecessary.

[Mr. Unite Us]

This bears repeating

Give me a break. Sen. Barack Obama was a co-sponsor for the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, which will get badly needed funds for childhood cancer research.

Sen. McCain opted to NOT be a co-sponsor for the Act, S.B. 911.

Another Cancer-Mom

Posted by: Joanna Crawford | July 24, 2008 at 08:27 PM

[Maddie]

More "journalism" from the Corp. Media. Yes, how dare Obama not drop what he is doing to attend Armstrong’s forum.

McCain won't do a darn thing for Health Care, yet Obama can when he is elected.

Stop the hackery. You "reporters"' embarrass yourselves but I bet you have your eye on some kind of Christmas bonus or McCain points™ golf bag.

[Steve Jones]

The best thing about Obama in Europe is Americans have not had to listen to any of his pirated speeches lately. I'm sure the Europeans are lapping them up like ice cream just like the American movie stars do in LA.

[Mario]

I could care less about europe or what the people there think about the US or Americans. Europeans have proven to be hostile "allies" and hypocritical in every way. If we pick a president because europeans like them we might as well call it quits.