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He's talking to you, Pookie

Posted by Scott Helman, Political Reporter October 2, 2008 04:26 PM

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- With Monday the final day to register to vote in Michigan this fall, Barack Obama made sure that the more than 18,000 people who came to see him today at Michigan State -- along with their oddly named relatives -- would be on the rolls.

"No excuses," he said.

"If you were willing to stand around for two or three hours -- six? -- then I know you guys are going to be registered," Obama said. "But you gotta go get cousin Pookie and Ray Ray, who's sitting on the coach loafing around. You've gotta get them registered and out to vote as well, all right?"

No word on whether Pookie and Ray Ray are concerned more about universal health care or the war in Iraq, or whether they'll be watching tonight's debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden. Given today's surprise news that rival John McCain is ceding Michigan to the Democrats, it might take a little extra effort to get Ray Ray off that couch.

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Reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors about the Obama administration, the Massachusetts congressional delegation, and other national political happenings.

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