Barack Obama in Richmond, VA: "There are no 'real' parts of the country and 'fake' parts of the country"
By Nicole Belle Thursday Oct 23, 2008 8:00amWon't it be amazing to have a president in this country that doesn't make you cringe when he speaks? Obama spoke yesterday before a crowd of 12,900 in Richmond, Virginia.
There are no real or fake parts of this country. We are not separated by the pro-America and anti-America parts of this nation – we all love this country, no matter where we live or where we come from. There are patriots who supported this war in Iraq and patriots who opposed it; patriots who believe in Democratic policies and those who believe in Republican policies. The men and women from Virginia and all across America who serve on our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America – they have served the United States of America.
We have always been at our best when we've had leadership that called us to look past our differences and come together as one nation, as one people; leadership that rallied this entire country to a common purpose – to a higher purpose. And I am running for President of the United States of America because that is the country we need to be right now.
This country and the dream it represents are being tested in a way that we haven't seen in nearly a century. And future generations will judge ours by how we respond to this test. Will they say that this was a time when America lost its way and its purpose? When we allowed the same divisions and fear tactics and our own petty differences to plunge this country into a dark and painful recession?
Or will they say that this was another one of those moments when America overcame? When we battled back from adversity by recognizing that common stake that we have in each other's success?This is one of those moments. I realize you're cynical and fed up with politics. I understand that you're disappointed and even angry with your leaders. You have every right to be. But despite all of this, I ask of you what's been asked of the American people in times of trial and turmoil throughout our history. I ask you to believe – to believe in yourselves, in each other, and in the future we can build together.
That's the nicest smackdown of McCain's Rovian tactics I've ever heard.
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I don't know, but just reading that text made me almost shed a tear. How lucky are we to be here at this moment of history?
*first*
Just to top it off, watch this video with Obama and little kids. "If babies could vote"
I got a bit choked up too...man! Obama rocks!
Once again, he is a man who gives a nice speech in a nice suit.
Throw out all the controversy, etc.. let's talk issues. I do not know absolutely where he stands on a multitude of issues.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP06C37o35Q
Another one
Obama on Nuclear Power
July 23, 2007
“I actually think that we should explore nuclear power as part of the energy mix.” (CNN/You Tube Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charleston, South Carolina)
THEN:
December 30, 2007
“I am not a nuclear energy proponent.”
(Remarks At Town Hall Event, Newton, Iowa)
And another.....video that says it all, if you like Glen Beck or hate him he nailed it on this. These are factual documented issues that we have no idea where he stands.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvaT9RypDC8
These issues are very important, he gives a good speech, he is intelligent, he dresses nicely,eloquent, quick witted,etc... these are all nice but what about the actual issues?
That "what about the issues" is soooo last winter.
If you had actually listened to his speeches, you would learn about where he stands on the issues, or if you had watched the debates, or if you had bothered to go to his campaign website, or if you had bothered to request an electoral guide, or...
Alas, you have never listened to a single speech, instead you are just regurgitating the talking point you were told.
What a tool, two dollars short and a day late.
Wait a second,
"If you had actually listened to his speeches, you would learn about where he stands on the issues, or if you had watched the debates, or if you had bothered to go to his campaign website"
I am not bringing up smears or anything like that.
I have read where he stands on issues on his website and I have listened to his speeches. The fact is, you obviously did not read or watch the videos.
I did not make anything up or tell a lie, everything I posted is absolute truth. Why can that not resonate? A lot of these items are in his owns words, I did not make this up.
...will be better. Grandpa gives shitty speeches alienating all parties with his constant and bizarre shifts on issues, and the Palin choice was a deal breaker....even to your party!
Bitch the next EIGHT years, I don't give a shit. The Nation is speaking(of course you're smarter than all of us.), this race is over.
Empty Suit would suggest there is no substance; yet, you just provided some issues you disagree with. He is a substantive person with grand ideas and vision - what a leader must have to motivate and move people to act. You may disagree with his politics and his positions, but this man is not an "empty suit." He is far too intelligent and knowledgeable to be called an empty suit - and he will be proving that for the next few decades... whether he wins this thing or not.
the comment I made had no disagreements, re-read please, the points I made are showing how we don't really know this man, He does speak well, but on the issues, he has changed back and forth quite a few times, so where does he stand really....
Do you really want to get into an argument on candidate flip-flops? McCain has changed his positions on issues a far greater number of times and on much more vital issues. See: http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/flipflops. Having followed Obama's career for the past four years, he's been largely consistent, particularly when it comes to the defining issues in this race. John McCain has become an entirely different person since 2000 (or perhaps since as recently as 2006). The so-called "Maverick" has toed the party line almost entirely since then and has completely reversed every "maverick" position he ever took in an effort to appease the Republican base and his half-smart handlers. It sounds to me like you're just looking for an excuse to vote for McCain, or rather, vote against Obama. You haven't found it yet, but keep trying.
Actually I have found it, Obama is pro choice and McCain is pro life.
This one issue reflects my moral and ethical values the most, on this one issue, I could not vote for him, even if I agreed with 90% of everything else.
because as a man you have a load of knowledge of reproductive rights for woman, correct John?
Such sarcasm...So you are saying because I am a man, I cannot have a standing on abortion? Come on really?
Sure you can have an opinion on limiting choice but when you vote on that issue in order to limit my rights to choose whether or not I carry a pregnancy to term ( a decision you will never have to make in your lifetime) that is where I have a real problem.
...YOU won't have to ever have an abortion, nor will you lug a baby around inside of you for nine months.
Face it...us guys really have no skin in that game.
we are supposed to go to a separatist point of view where only women can vote on this and men can vote on that? How about African Americans only voting on issues that concern them? How about Mexican Americans only voting on immigration? Also, as a Father of two, I do understand, and I would not want my rights compromised if I could not vote on that issue
Do what you gotta do, John. This turf has been covered from every angle and logic/reason/moral suasion isn't likely to change anyone's mind. Best wishes.
...because Republicans have made zero inroads in overturning Roe v. Wade, and abortion rates actually decrease under Democratic presidents. So, if you have any sense of practicality and you truly want to see fewer abortions, I suggest voting Obama. Regardless, it's pretty sad that you have bought into the single wedge issue bunk that the Republicans have been pushing for so many years. No wonder so many real conservatives are turning against the wacko fundies who have hijacked the party.
It is a fact that Obama is Pro choice, it is a fact that McCain is Pro life, there is no wiggle room on that point. I myself am pro life, but I should chuck that aside and vote for a pro choice candidate? No thanks.
pro-choice candidate would actually reduce abortion rates, you still wouldn't vote for him/her? If you believe abortion is murder (and I assume you do), then why wouldn't you want to prevent abortions, John? Apparently it's more important to you what a candidate says than what they actually do. Are you always that gullible? I suspect you're a giant hypocrite in other ways as well. For instance, having the US involved in any war like the one in Iraq will inevitable lead to collateral damage (the death of innocent civilian children). So, are you a pacifist, John? Also, having a human (and thus inherently flawed) judicial system means that we will occasionally put innocent people to death. So, are you against the death penalty, John? Let's see if you're as consistent as your candidate.
I am in fact against the death penalty, shocking eh? I do believe all life is precious and who are WE to decide who lives or dies?
Pro-choice is equal to being just that, leaving the choice to individuals to kill and unborn child...which in essence relates to standing by and being ok if a child is aborted or not. How would a pro-choice candidate reduce abortions?
On a war, You can not compare a war to an abortion, sorry, We have been in many wars throughout history all over the world, some right, some wrong, but in war, there will always be needless casualties.
Abortion rates fell at a higher rate under Clinton than under Bush, thanks in large part to an increased focus on sex ed. and improving access to birth control. The Republicans focus primarily on abstinence-only programs, which is far less successful in reducing the number of abortions.
You've had 8 years with a pro-life Republican in charge, yet Roe v. Wade is still the law of the land (and frankly, I don't see that ever changing) and abortion rates have fallen at a slower rate than the previous 8 years.
I applaud your stand against the death penalty. You are correct in asking, "who are WE to decide who lives or dies?" I'm just curious why that rationale does not apply to our foreign policy. You say that I "can not compare a war to an abortion," and perhaps you're right, but mostly because in a war we're killing actual human beings whereas equating abortion to murder depends on your definition of when life begins. Therein lies the problem with you forcing your "moral and ethical" beliefs on everyone. That doesn't sound like a free,democratic society to me. In fact, we would be in pretty poor company if we outlawed abortion, unless you want America to be more like Iran and Saudi Arabia.
I think the problem in the sex ed and access to birth control and abstinence programs is probably where we will see different vantage points.
I do believe in sex education, but not in school, I think it is the parents responsibility to teach their children. Parents across the country have failed tremendously in this regards and it is a shame.
As for the foreign policy, I was making a broad spectrum relating to all the wars we have been involved in.Some we got involved in on our own accord, some we were pulled into. All wars are bad, no doubt...
I'll leave it at this: We've had a pro-life Republican as President for the past eight years and in addition to having made no progress towards your goal of overturning Roe v. Wade, Bush managed to screw up just about everything else. It really should be a cautionary tale on voting on a single wedge issue like abortion. I think if you agree with 90% of a candidate's ideas (as you put it previously) and disagree only on abortion, you should probably vote for the guy you agree with the other 90% of the time. Because, odds are abortion will remain legal, and the rest of us have a multitude of issues that are important to us and important to the country as a whole. Thanks to the Bush economy, we may all soon wish we had been aborted. Saving unwanted babies won't lift my spirits while I'm standing in the bread line.
You are a typical one issue voter. It doesn't matter where Obama stands on any issue - you won't vote for him as long as he is pro choice. That's fine - that's your option. However, some of us are concerned about the direction of this country for ourselves and our children.
After watching your pro-life buddy GWB preside over a 1) The worst terrorist attack ever on US soil 2) the most needless, horrible, pre-emptive invasion and subsequent occupation in US history, 3) the worst federal disaster response in US history 4) the worst environmental raping in history, 5) and the second worst (but still counting) economic disaster in the history of our country - it seems pretty ridiculous that you would let that one issue override all these others and cause you to vote for more of the same.
You're talking about Socialist McCain, do you? Just to be clear.
that's all he's been trying to talk about. but your republican friends have been distracting us with ad hominem attacks.
by the way, national unity, patiotism, and cohesion ARE issues.
So are, Nuclear Power, Space Weaponry, Cuban embargo, Gun control, etc...
I have been listening, the point you guys don't understand is that he was saying one thing a few months ago and now he is saying something else,
At least watch the videos, I am not making any of it up.
Do you honestly think that I'm going fuck my life up and vote for an angry, immature, idealess, pandering opportunistic career fraud and liar over Obama because he changed his position on certain issues, you need to lower your dosage(s).
Well, at least you watched and admit the position changing. I applaud that you have done that. I am not trying to change anyone's vote here,(I would be in a dream if I did) all I am trying to point out is that there are certain issues where I have no idea where he stands. I would hope that at the very least more people would acknowledge that.
...where McCain stands on any issue, because Jukebox Johnny hasn't "stood" anywhere for very long lately. He doesn't even have a consistent campaign message, let alone a consistant policy agenda. If you really have no idea where Obama stands on the issues, you should do some more research. After two years of campaigning, there's very little that I don't know about the guy. Then again, maybe they don't get the real news in "real America."
"ALMOST? shed a tear"? That kind of speech hasn't been heard in the US since Kennedy's call to "don't ask what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
Talk about being proud to be an American, when I read something like that, I sure am!
Eloquent - intelligent - quick witted and full of hope: our future!
that media pundits won't latch on to Obama claiming that we're "cynical and fed up with politics". cuz I don't know about the rest of you? but after the last 8 years... I'm more than a little cynical, and pretty much fed up with politics.
a lot of my cynical "centrist" and/or right-leaning friends talk smack about Obama, saying that he "just makes good speeches" or that its "scary" because he's coming across like some kind of Messiah.
dammit. thats exactly what we need right now. we need a positive icon, we need a role model. we also need a smart political leader, but in a way I wonder if its more important that we have a political leader who instills a sense of pride back into the rest of the country.
The MSM will carefully snip out that 3 seconds of tape and play it over and over for the next week and there will be endless analysis comparing it to the "bitter" and "clinging to guns and religion" comments. They'll never show the whole speech on the 6 o'clock news.
I don't believe so. McCain has been using the same line in his own speeches. "I know you're angry, I know you're cynical and fed up with politics as usual..."
It's just that when Obama says it, he offers a solution. When McCain says it, he attacks his opponent. Big difference. Even the media is seeing it now.
Words have power. They can be used as weapons to hurt or medicines to heal. We need smart men with good words that will spur wise action. What we have had are smart men with poor words spurning wise action.
Or, as Reverend King once put it, "... guided missiles and misguided men."
Agreed.
I listen to McCain/Palin, and their speeches are full of 'be afraid,' 'be suspicious,' 'watch out for ...,' and 'they aren't like us.'
I listen to Obama/Biden, and hear words of hope, encouragement to stand up and be proud without that pride being at the expense of others, and that we are all Americans.
Easy choice.
Ask your cyncial, centrist or right-leaning friends what descriptive phrases would they use for the duplicitous fear-mongering drek that spewed from the mouth of the simian warmonger? Were those just "political speeches"? Were they "sort of wrong" but "demonstrating strength and leadership"? Or were they the scripted, odious blatherings of a tool/puppet for Dark Cheney and his cabal of anti-democratic minions? Go ahead, ask them.
This should be run on every news outlet tonight and every night until the election to remind us what is at stake in this country. Do we want 4 (possibly 8) years of this or do we want the vileness of the other candidate?
I like how he takes the tactics and talking points that McCain has been using and turns it against them. The whole Real vs. Fake America is just made up to stir the division that the republicans say they are trying to prevent.
If something blatantly dishonest doesn't happen during the election, I'm sure Obama will win.
I agree. Call me crazy, but I think the tide is turning and I think the MSM is starting to get the idea. Hardball with Bachman, Chuck Todd being very critical of the McCain campaign, and others. I would like to think that this speech would be aired, but it just depends on what whopper the McCain camp has to throw on the media for distraction.
The Obama Campaign has enough money to run the speech in it's entirety as a commercial and i think they should.
The campaign did buy a buch of network time in half hour blocks...I'm sure he can give the speech again
to have a literate and intelligent President that actually cares for us worker bees
my heart yearns
so when he taxes the oil companies more and stops drilling in Utah and they pass along the cost to the worker bees let's see how what Obama does then. Oh that's right he's giving the middle class a tax break and only raising taxes on the rich. I wonder how that will effect the stock market considering the capital gains tax hike will be imposed on most of the investors.
I admit it.. It brought tears to my eyes.
This man is vital to the progress of the species... One of my four year old twins said about Obama after sitting there and listening to the speech
"He's the best man in the whole wide world"
Which made my other one pipe up...
"No Daddy is!"
Which made me laugh and I said that Obama is a good man.
That's gotta be the sweetest thing I've heard in a long damn time...
Ain't kids awesome?
Liberals are bad, Conservatives good. Those two sociopathic butt buddies DIVIDED this Nation like a fucking football game for their own personal gain. Most of the poor suckers who spew this mythological Liberal v Conservative crap never benefit from this nonsense(except an idiotic false sense of security). Whenever anyone tries to distinguish me by referring to me as a "liberal" I know what's coming....Rovian bullshit.
Exactly. I usually vote Democratic, and tend to agree with the 'liberal' platform. At the same time, I'm conservative on military issues - but that's been maligned as 'how can you support the troops if you don't support the war?'. I'm also fairly conservative on law enforcement and education (in the sense of treating schools like places to learn, not scaled-down prisons where we treat kids like they're already a bunch of untrustworthy felons).
But the Rovian machine is right there. I'm not a 'real' Christian, or a 'real' patriot, or a 'real' American. I'm out to destroy the Christian nation that is America. I'm out to 'teach' homosexuality, as if it's a subject that you can learn. I'm not really for the troops because I question the misguided strategy we're STILL selling in Iraq (and now, with the economic crisis - sit still, do nothing, it'll take time).
obama has been saying this for yrs. especially the last couple yrs. we the people need to be more
united. this strategy of division has taken the power away from the people of this country. the division
has empowered corporations and special interests. the republicans are going to have to reach across
party lines. if we become MORE united we can have our own version of too big to fail.
I got chills just reading that.
Sen. McCain, Gov. Palin, that is what a President sounds like! That is what our next President WILL sound like!
You Betcha!
WORD!
Damn...I love this man. It's time.
He played this one when he opened for Kerry too.
But each time he plays that song he does it differently.
This version was notably more conversational and restrained... less speachy, less preachy...
Very interesting... He is aiming for white swing voters, who aren't into swinging in any sense of the word.
It certainly appeals to me more... the flatter and more conversational he gets... the less he pretends like he's shouting to a large crowd... the more he sounds like he's talking in a small room... the more persuasive I find him... and the less annoying.
Fingers crossed.... I'm voting for him, annoyed or not... hopefully he's figuring out how not to annoy the people who haven't made that decision yet.
I would not say that it would be amazing, because most of our presidents have had some skill in that area, but, it will definately be wonderful to return to a time when we can look up to our president, we can be confident our president knows more about current affairs than the average Joe, and is no longer an embarassment.
...agrees 100!
Is our long national nightmare finally coming to an end? I can barely remember what it is like to have a thoughful leader in the White House, not to mention this guy has more charisma and sincerity than the last 7 presidents combined.
Who was the last presidential candidate who inspired you the way Obama does?
I was all about Clinton when he ran, but nothing even close to the way I feel now.
You tear up, because this is the first time in a very long time that you CAN be proud to be an American.
As John Cleese said recently "America has become the village idiot of the world."
This is what HOPE sounds like.
I was very gung-ho on Clinton too, back in the early 90's. I just got goosebumps listening to Obama's speech. If the election is not stolen, he will definitely win.
if you are old enough to remember. i was 9 years old when he was inaugurated and i still remember being mesmerized by his speeches. and i'm still traumatized by his death.
include the black, white, hispanic, gay, straight line in the transcript? or at least indicate that you cut part of what he said? (A really important part?)
That was one of the best speeches I've heard him give yet. Simple, straight to the point, and clearly setting down the fact that this is one country, indivisible, nothing more, nothing less.
Here's hoping we all have one of these, I just got mine :
http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/8307/picture...
i LOVE that OBAMA speaks from the heart..... he truely LOVES this country, just as much i do... i get so tired of hearing that DEMOCRATS don't LOVE this country.....WE DEMOCRATS LOVE THIS COUNTRY!~ (period) & yes to hear Obama speak gives me chills & hope
for our country!~GET OUT & VOTE early.. this is going to a long election...... YES WE CAN!
This man could become one of the few Presidents who really is the leader of the free world. Oh yea.
I once commented, when McCain was doing better in polls, that it would be nice if our country could fall in love with an Atticus Finch instead of a John Wayne. It does my heart well to see Obama leading in polls and doing so well.
His speeches are filled with substance and delivered with a mix of temerity and grace. Obama takes a twisted and sinister speech from McCaiin/Palin and renders it harmful or meaningless. All without lowering himself. What he lacks in the experience of turning a presidency into a staring contest or a tough-guy match, he makes up for in his ability to work a crowd and make a person feel as though he or she is being listened to and carefully considered. These are the skills you need when negotiating with enemies and allies.
in Hawaii. She recently broke her hip. Now a guy who will take time off from his campaign in the last weeks to visit his grandmother in hospital is the guy I want as President of the USA. That is character.
After reading and hearing this speech I want to have this man's baby.
[monty python]But you don't have a womb![/monty python]
I'll make one
where's it going to gestate? in a box??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFBOQzSk14c
)O(
And you are a man! Go figure!
Just listen to Obama speech. Nobdy can say it better than Barack. Palin just looks and sounds stupid. At this point I feel sorry for her. But then again, she brought this on herself. By accepting McCain's offer for V.P., she showed just how bad McCain's judgement is.
The RNC can put a $150,000 wardrobe on stupid, but you've still got stupid. "You can't fix stupid"
(long time reader, first time poster)
I was in Richmond for the rally. 13,000 people filled the Coliseum with over 7,000 in overflow outside with screens and speakers. This is in conservative Richmond, less that 2 miles from the White House of the Confederacy!
The atmosphere was electric, but when he came to the passage quoted above, the place was on fire! People of all colors were high fiving and hugging.
I kept my 8 year old home fromschool and took her. It is something that she will tell her grandchildren about!
If anyone has any more specific questiona about the event, feel free to ask!
I don't really have a question but I sure am in envy of what you were able to experience.
He truly is a once in a lifetime leader.
What can I say? If there's anyone out there who can bridge the bitter divide between neighbors here in Ohio, I think it's Obama. Finally, a President who you can count on to act presidential. I know that's silly and you shouldn't vote on personalities, but I think this country needs someone with this kind of eloquence. I don't want a sneering, angry old white guy to lead me. I just don't.
Powell was right when he said that Obama was a transformational candidate. On so many levels, this guy will be good for all of us. I already voted, donated and volunteered. I wish there was more that I could do. I don't think I can take another 4 years of nonsense.
I just love how he says "we". It is all about all of us and what we all have to do to fix what has been so badly broken.
The difference in rhetoric between Obama and McCain couldn't be more clear, as this video illustrates. Here we have a candidate who appeals to the better aspects of our nature, while McCain and his laughable running mate almost always appeal to the worst in human nature.
into his govt, well, that just suks.
We've had 8 fucking years of Pukes.
John McC(umst)ain was SUPPOSED to be an exception, a maverick, but turned out (naturally) to be a shit-laden douchebag.
Clenis brought Robert Rubin, A Puke, into his Cabinet in Treasury, Rubin then conspired with Phil Gramm to unleash the financial disasters with which we are now confronted and then, by his own admission "sold" them to Clenis, who "proudly" signed off.
Sorry. If the new Dem Pres cannot find satisfactory candidates in his own party for the important positions, the disband the fucking party...
To be a truly transcendent president, Obama is going to have to be a consensus builder. I think there may be a few centrist minded republicans who could fill the bill. Of course, the rabid base will immediately turn on them like they have recently against Powell, Chris Buckley and others who dared to quit drinking the Koolade but we will never be able to bring those types back from the abyss. Our only sane strategy with the far right looneys is to marginalize them and wait for them to die off. Reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine will be essential toward that end.
but impossible.
Old regulations never revive.
Something like 'em might appear, but always weaker, narrower, milder.
The only way it might return is via legislation, but there's absolutely no will in Congress to buck the CorpoRat Mega-Media giants. Sumner Redstone terrifies 'em...
To succeed, it would require reversing the 3-decades-old concentration of media ownership. NAGAHAPUN, soorree...
That'd take a Constitutional Amendment, and there's NO WAY you'd get
We could get the Fairness Doctrine reinstated and we could reinstate the rules for media ownership.
Yes, we can do what we need to do to make things a bit more fair in this country.
Step one: Send McCain and Palin home.
that Obama is a uniter and McCain is a divider. Bush was a divider for eight years and NOTHING got done to benefit the country.
Duh...
they see...
they are not interested in "uniting" unless it involves uniting their bank accounts with tons of tax-payer cash.
Yes we can!
McCain and Palin are going DOWN in flames as their campaign descends further and further into the slime. Obama has managed to stay above the mudslinging and not allow his campaign to get dragged down to their childish and immature level.
America and the world will FINALLY get to see what a REAL leader looks like!
GOBAMA 08
if colon powells an example of obamas idea of a fine statesman and is forgiven for his treachery at the un , and is brought into the obama administration then im sorry i voted for obama, im wondering how many of you back obamas plans to widen the war in afganistan and packistan, obama can kiss all the babies he wants to for photo opps , but how yah gonna feel when pictures of butcherd afgan kids come to the internet ? or the kid that lives next door who was stupid enough to join up to fight there just because obama says its worth thier sacrificeing thier lives for, its time to close the bush wars not further them,
Man, that guy's good. It's such a pleasure to hear/read someone who can construe an English sentence.
We have the makings of a great president here - let's not blow it at the 11th hour.
Perhaps a bit OT, but Olbermann played the entire clip of Obama's encounter with Joe the Plumber. My Republican spouse, who had only heard that Joe the Plumber was an issue, was quite astonished. He said, "Really, why is this such a big deal. That guy came down to ask Obama a question and look at the amount of time Obama spent with him doing just that, answering his question and not BS-ing him at all. Why is this an issue. I don't get it. Why haven't I seen this whole clip before."
That's because the MEDIA nowadays has only one job: cherry-picking the soundbites to make a huge issue out of nothing.
I think McCain turned this into a major issue at the last debate. To his eternal regret, I hope, because the facts turned out to be less favourable than the Republicans could have wished.
Maybe Obama should give this speech in that half hour time slot he bought next week in prime time on at least two major channels, not cable channels. Everyone will be able to see it.
Anybody recall which day next week Obama's half-hour TV thing is? I may just turn on the teevee that night.
It's now three broadcast networks (NBC, CBS and Fox are confirmed; ABC is still in talks) and three cable news networks.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/165327
You American Dems should be rightly proud of Obama. He has the makings of being a great President. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Obama is the man. Savour this moment in your history. Be proud and thankful that you are here to witness history in the making.
Now, make it happen! The world is watching and preying for you to make the right choice this time. Please, do not fail us. Take back your country from the selfish warmongers and profiteers.
Three strikes and we'll all be out.
Thanks for sharing this! I saw quite a bit of the McCain/Palin rally yesterday, and the difference in language and tone was amazing. This totally vindicates Colin Powell's reasons for endorsing Obama.
This excerpt should make it way into every American voter's e-mail box!
I am so sick of the divisivness of the past 16 years. I am longing for something different. I am praying for Obama to win and his Grandma to see him sworn in.
Me, too.
It saddens me to no end to think that his grandmother might not get to see this happen.
Not only does this man have a great stage presence, he also knows the power of words and delivery! Maybe after eight years of ungodly slurring and errors and lies and Bushisms I've become easily swayed, but my oh my! But, when you have the possibility of a president who will once again use the language in a way that could well surpass Bill Clinton's usage AND a country that's extremely hungry and hungry for it AND the possibility of the first African American to become president AND the much needed change that it offers, there is not a smidgen of an iota of a sliver of a doubt in my mind that when and if IT becomes a reality AND Barack is indeed our next president this country AND the world will be the better for it.
His speeches are just getting better and better. Amazing what a transformational speaker can do. A real talent to inspire. After 8 years of "heh, heh, heh" to be able to be led by a really articulate person will go a long way towards helping us to forget the painful last eight years.
The differences between Obama and McCain are like lotion and vaseline.
Let us never forget the last eight years or the last twenty eight. Since Reagan this country has been slamming with ever increasing speed toward the right and we got so far right we detained people without charges and tortured them, spied on our own soldiers talking to their wives from a war in a country we invaded without cause and assassinated people in other countries.
Let us never forget. Let's get this country out of the sewer and start it moving in a sane and humane direction. Obama is a decent man, but he should only be the beginning.
Ever since Reagan, I have watched in horror and amazement of the direction that our country has gone.
Bit by bit, I saw more and more people being made to desire the so-called prestige that gaining access to the top one percent of the salary scale would bring them.
Whether they were encouraged to buy lottery tickets with big pay-outs (in which the likelihood of them winning was slightly less than getting struck by lightening), to freakish reality shows like "Survivor" and "Fear Factor" where you would either only work together until you could stab the other guy in the back in the quest for that million dollar prize or have to be humiliated in some fashion or consume raw bull testicles in order to win $50,000.
From the Gordon Gecko (greed is good) 80's to the inevitable end of expecting banks to self-regulate themselves where all most people really long for, the stuff that they really need to feed their soul is to live in a healthy community --- something they believe that they are a part of (something bigger than themselves) --- have a good job where they don't need to worry too much about their children's futures or their own retirement, and a decent home where they can raise their kids.
I agree that Obama is and should only be the beginning, but it will take all of us AND and attitude the we ARE all in this together, to turn this around.
How do we get back to that kind of attitude instead of the "I got mine" attitude that has been cultivated for the last 28 years?
But Obama does give me hope that that can indeed happen.
I might even set foot on your soil again, and spend some $$$.
Bring some of that cheddar to the Florida Keys!!!
We're friggin dyin' over here...
I spent the last few days in Madison, Wisconsin and I have to tell you, it was so refreshing to be around people who see past the GOP lies, the attack ads and the hate radio insanity. Madison is a mighty fine city and I'm seriously considering it for my short list of relocation points away from Oklahoma City.
I've had just about all I can stand of this place, our shameful anti-immigrant legislation (see Randy Terrill), deceitful and embarrassing civic leaders (see Clayton Bennett and Aubrey McLendon), our lunatic politicians (see James Inhofe and Sally Kern)and the people who are somewhat friendly to me because I am white, but are downright hateful to people of color, immigrants and anyone unsaved or slightly "French looking."
Even if Obama wins, this place won't change. The folks here will cling to their Hannity and Limbaugh talking points and generally resent the HNIC in Washington.
I've had it.
In short, I want to be around people who embrace the message, not those who deny it.
And I'll take the first blue state who lays me.
I hear you. I have relatives in OKC. Good people, but I can barely talk to them, they're so brainwashed. That's the way they think of those of us out west, too--the "lib'rul nutjobs by the ocean." It's like our two "cultures" simply have nothing in common except that we pay taxes to the same federal government. Thing is, I think they always breathe a sigh of relief when they get out of "Hatesville."
I hear Wisconsin's nice. OKC's probably fine, too, if you have a certain type of outlook on life. I couldn't do it. My advice: live someplace happy, where people are kind to each other.
for your kind words, I hate to always be bitching about "my situation" and so forth, but at least you understand.
I'm very thankful for you guys here on C&L, for being people I can relate to.
My wife and I, save for a handful of friends, feel very alienated here in okieville. Even some of the dems I know here won't vote for Obama simply because he is black.
So I'd say this is not a happy place where people are kind to each other.
peace
mccain hasn't had a valid original idea since the beginning of this campaign. every slogan, every initiative, he has stolen from obama, the man with the ideas. whether it's "change", "reform", "champion of the middle class", "celebrity", "joe the plumber" - they've all backfired because behind them all, there is artificiality, divisiveness, and mean spiritedness.
The one meme mccain can't steal, because his temperament is unsuited to it, is inclusiveness, a call to national unity.
I haven't heard this kind of idealism since kennedy.
Such an orator...
I'm not someone who gets emotionally fired-up when I hear a crowd chant, "USA, USA," as a rule. It's always been used to foment division--the "real America" vs. "fake America" Palin has been advocating--and I've always felt that I was in the group that was being left out, the one that was not valued.
Hearing that chant, though, to a speech about us coming together as a nation, accepting our differences, trying to work together to solve problems instead of driving wedges between us because of our differences--well, it gave me goosebumps.
I may not agree with Obama about everything, but it's that perspective--the idea that we hang together or we hang alone--that really makes me thrilled to support him. I believe what he's saying; more importantly, I believe HE BELIEVES it.
I'd crawl over broken glass to cast an enthusiastic vote for someone like this. I've been waiting my whole life to do it.
That's exactly how I feel. A co-worker (who not suprisingly always votes Republican) told me that he would vote for a Democrat if we ever nominated someone worthwhile. It's like we live in two entire different realities. I tend to think that Obama is better than this country deserves, but we've been waiting so long for someone like this, I think we've earned it.
Barack makes me feel proud to be an American again. Enuf said...
My eyes got a little watery, too.
Note the difference in the tone of a Palin or McCain speech versus Obama. Republicans are spreading hate. Dispicable.
sounds like.
Barack Obama in Richmond, VA: "There are no 'real' parts of the country and 'fake' parts of the country"
What about the tits and lips of certain Hollywood starlets?
)O(
Those bits you mentioned may very well be the most American parts of the country.
http://www.filmcatcher.com/uploads/img/produc...
Powerful stuff.
deleted - wrong spot
I did early voting this afternoon. It makes me so proud to hear him speak with so much feeling and hope, especially after voting for him. Granted, this year I voted a straight democratic ticket. I can no longer abide the hate and bigotry of the GOP, or why anyone else lets it continue. Thank you future president Obama.
I watched this clip just as I was contemplating the destructive nature of patriotism. Watching it, I realized that patriotism and religion share this: when used to divide people into "us" vs "them" both concepts inspire hatred and destruction. When used to inspire people to give of themselves to their communities - their family, neighborhood, city, state, nation, world --- they can be the catalysts to great change. I feel like Obama can bring back a new type of patriotism, one that is about making the US a nation that both inspires and encourages people to do their best while taking care of each other. Or maybe its the fever tallking.
Yes we can Yes we can. Obama why do you always have a soothing, calming word for us. Obama why are you so visionary and healing to our ears and hearts?
Because, Obama, you are the next President of the United States of America. Bless you for trying to heal and not divide. Bless you.
Have you not seen who he picked to be be his White House chief of staff? I think healing is far from what Obama has in mind.
[collegekid, you realize that this post was made on October 23, right? Site Monitor]
Intelligent, articulate, eloquent. I think the reason I like Obama so much is he is a PRAGMATIST not an ideologue. I dig pragmatists.
Ever hung around with downer friends that complain and whine, and blame others? Not fun.
Do you like your friends that hold their heads up and re-invent themselves when the going gets tough? Me too. That's Obama.
Won't it be amazing to have a president in this country that doesn't make you cringe when he speaks?
From your mouth to God's ear.
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