► Notice how camera flashes pop throughout his remarks.
*
► The US Embassy turned into a MADHOUSE last night, as GIs gave Barack an OVERWHELMING reception (transcript and pix below).
► Chris Matthews made a moving appeal on last nite's Tonight Show, asking voters to "open their hearts" and vote for Barack. I’m not kidding. Transcript and clip below.
► And bringing in the funny, MSNBC compares McSame with The Joker (clip below).
► The Candy Store is now Open.
► Matthews' appeal on yesterday's Tonight Show
I hope for one thing when people go to vote: that they look at Barack's background, that they look at the age of the two candidates, that they look at their abilities and really open up their hearts and say "what's really good for my kids," who don't have any color awareness.
Kids don't think about race.
Think like your kids for once.
Think the way they think.
It would be great if the older people in the country, the 70 year olds, the 80 year olds who are suspicious of change to say, "you know, why don't I think the way my kids are thinking and think about the future."
Whatever they decide, just open up your heart to this prospect of something different.
That's what I hope we do.
*
► If ya missed it, check out yesterday's Baaadaaas diary.
*
► Barack in Baghdad transcript:
(Wild Cheers)
Nightline: Monday night in Baghdad, Barack Obama is in the house. The house, the U.S. Embassy and it was an amazing scene.
Barack: I just want to introduce myself, I'm Barack Obama.
(Wild Cheers)
Nightline: The troops and state department workers mobbed him. And he responded with brief remarks praising their service.
Barack: So I don't care whether you are a Sailor, a Soldier, an Airmen, or Marine. A National Guard, a Reservist, active duty, we just want to say thank you.
Barack: Illinois in the house?
Crowd: I’m from Chicago!
Barack: Hey, Chicago! South Side? West Side?
Nightline: As he makes his way through the war zones in Afghanistan and Iraq, Barack Obama has come face to face with the men and women he seeks to lead - American G.I.'S, who are sacrificing so much for our country.
Barack: Back home, as I travel all across the country, every single day I meet your friends, your family members, your co-workers, and the main thing they want me to communicate is how proud they are of you.
They may disagree on politics. They may disagree on the issues. But the country is absolutely united in the excellence, the devotion, the dedication with which you have performed your duties, here.
Nightline: Senator, are you ready to lead them?
Barack: I am [cool, confident emphasis, original].
*
► Look at all those cameras.
*
► MSNBC compares McSame with Heath Ledger's The Joker!!!
*
► People stop in their tracks, mouth agape - inside the barbershop, Barack is getting his hair cut.
*
► Barack has become an icon.
*
► 7 of the 8 most viewed photos focus on Barack's trip.
*
► HA!
*
► Coverage has been off the hook and Shaft, I mean Barack, made a big splash this morning, arriving in V-22 Osprey.
*
► For the guys: the smoldering flavor of Suzanne Malveaux
*
*