The Race Barack Obama Lost

The Election Barack Obama Lost...
Streaming Video

Curator's note: The candidate who beat John McCain on November 4th, 2008 lost to Bobby Rush on March 21st, 2000. Below you can watch video of Barack Obama's first appearance on the "Chicago Tonight" program.

Above: Illinois State Senator Barack Obama appearing live on WTTW's "Chicago Tonight" program on March 13th, 2000.

In the spring of 2000 Barack Obama, then an Illinois state senator, joined State Senator Donne Trotter and retired police officer George Roby in an unsuccessful attempt to unseat Bobby Rush, the incumbent of Illinois's 1st Congressional District. (Rush received 60 percent of the vote in the March 21st Democratic primary as opposed to Obama's 31 percent).

The video clips linked here are artifacts of that campaign and chronicle Obama's appearance (with Rush and Trotter) on WTTW's "Chicago Tonight" broadcast, hosted by Phil Ponce

Those who have followed Barack Obama's rise to the presidency may find them interesting to watch.

[You will need Real Player to watch these clips].

Segment 1: An introductory piece by correspondent Rich Samuels introducing the candidates and describing the unique nature of Illinois's 1st Congressional District.

Segment 2: Obama describes what distinguishes him from the other candidates in the race and responds to concerns about the large amount of money he has raised outside the district.

Segment 3: Obama outlines his priorities and responds to concerns about his relative lack of experience in elected office.

Comments or suggestions? click here to send them to Rich Samuels

Created by Rich Samuels (e-mail to rich@richsamuels.com)