Analysis: Doubts Continue to Nag Obama

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., addresses the National Education Association convention in Philadelphia, in this Thursday, July 5, 2007 file photo. For Obama, the millions of dollars he's raised can't quite paper over the nagging doubts and growing pains. He continues to draw large crowds and his message of hope and unity has captivated many voters weary of political polarization. But in the weeks before his fundraising totals were disclosed, the Obama campaign hit a series of rough patches that seemed to highlight his relative inexperience on the national stage. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) (Matt Rourke - AP)

Observers say Obama is building a strong organization in Iowa but has a lot more work to do to pull off a win.

"When Barack's here he draws great crowds, but that doesn't necessarily mean great support," said David Nagle, a former Iowa congressman and state Democratic Party chairman. "He's got to get here, he's got to get more intimate and he's got to realize that just having a lot of money doesn't cut it."

Obama was heading back to Iowa Tuesday, where he is scheduled to host a town hall meeting on economic issues in Des Moines. The event puts him in direct competition with Clinton, who will be in Des Moines at the same time to deliver a speech on Iraq.

While some polls put Obama even with or ahead of Clinton in South Carolina, the former first lady has maintained a significant lead in several other early voting states, including New Hampshire, Nevada, Florida and California.

Obama aides acknowledge the campaign was roughed up a bit during the last few weeks but said their fundraising and huge donor base demonstrated a level of interest in Obama's candidacy that can transcend a few bad news cycles.

"It's the biggest show of grass-roots support of any presidential campaign in the history of the republic _ it's larger than a financial bottom line," Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

Yet separate from a few campaign stumbles lies the more enduring question about Obama: Whether with just 2 1/2 years in the U.S. Senate, he has the experience necessary to lead in a dangerous world. Aides say privately the issue of experience remains the campaign's fundamental challenge.

"It's a valid question, but a long campaign benefits us in that regard," campaign manager David Plouffe said. "People will closely watch and make a determination of whether they think he's ready, and I have a high degree of confidence that they will."

Obama has taken steps to address the experience question, offering detailed plans on how he would handle a variety of issues as president, including health care, global warming and government reform.

The campaign has also run television spots in Iowa and New Hampshire that flesh out the candidate's biography, including his years as a civil rights lawyer and Illinois lawmaker. A Republican state Senate colleague is interviewed in one ad, praising Obama for working effectively across party lines.

Whether Obama's message of change and unity can stand up to Clinton's campaign discipline and emphasis on experience remains unclear. But many strategists argue that Obama will have more staying power than the grass-roots darling of the 2004 Democratic field, Howard Dean.

"This isn't just some phenomenon of the Internet _ to liken Barack Obama to the flash-in-the-pan Dean campaign does him a disservice," Democratic strategist Garry South said. "There is something happening with this guy, and I don't think he should be given short shrift."

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Beth Fouhy covers presidential politics for The Associated Press.