wow.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/01/25/ politics/fromtheroad/entry3752530.shtml? source=search_story

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- It was billed as a roundtable conversation with plain folks at Jason's Deli in Charleston. Barack Obama joined four women at a table for a conversation - the same kind of thing he's done countless times in his campaign.

Obama spoke to the women of his plans to change the tax code, to provide tax breaks to low-income wage earners and home owners, to improve a tax credit for the same folks, to reform the family and medical leave act and generally to make health care more affordable.

Christina Stewart, a dance teacher, cancer survivor, and volunteer instructor of underprivileged children brought her daughter, Camille.

Camille is eight years old. She has cerebral palsy and is profoundly disabled. She cannot walk. She cannot speak.

Obama was riveted by her story. He told her of his plan to reform Medicaid, to do away with wasteful spending that would free up better care for her daughter.

But here's the thing: when Obama and Mrs. Stewart had this conversation, Camille was no longer between them. because after initially placing her at the senator's side, after the photographers captured both in the same frame, and after mouthing some faint sounds that had the very slight potential of being disruptive, Camille was wheeled away. First to the edge of the deli, then outside altogether.

I don't doubt Obama's concern for the child and children like her. His policies are designed to address such incredible misfortune. But Camille today was basically a political prop. Someone to be seen but not heard - even if she could speak.

Though politics is full of sentimentality and syrup, it is also a very brusque, impersonal kind of undertaking. This was such an occasion.

"Where's my beautiful daughter?" Mrs. Stewart asked after the conversation ended. "She's outside in a van," was the response.

As we were leaving i asked her if she was satisfied by what she'd heard.

"It was very good," she said, "But I need more time to hear more."

Meanwhile, she said, she thinks John Edwards has a better plan to deal with Camille's needs.

http://weblogs.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2008/01/obama_roundtable_follows_the_s.html