Barack Obama: A star is born . . .

[OneBlueSky]

seems the folks at salon.com liked Obama, too . . . (membership required, or you can get a free day pass) . . .

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/

Obama's address was the convention's first big bring-down-the house moment. He traced his own improbable path to political prominence, and then he laid out his emotional vision for a united America.

"If there's a child on the south side of Chicago who can't read, that matters to me, even if it's not my child," Obama said. "If there's a senior citizen somewhere who can't pay for her prescription and has to choose between medicine and the rent, that makes my life poorer, even if it's not my grandmother. If there's an Arab American family being rounded up without benefit of an attorney or due process, that threatens my civil liberties. It's that fundamental belief -- I am my brother's keeper, I am my sisters' keeper -- that makes this country work. It's what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come together as a single American family. 'E pluribus unum.' Out of many, one."

Obama contrasted his vision with those who would divide the country. "The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats," he said. "But I've got news for them, too. We worship an awesome God in the Blue States, and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and have gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported it. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America."

On the convention floor, in the heart of a red state -- Mississippi -- African-American delegates wiped tears from their eyes when they weren't jumping to their feet. "Come on," one man kept shouting, urging Obama on. "Come on! Come on!

- more . . .

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/#obama

[Morning Dew]

1. Obama was awesome - sweet Jesus, he had me

in his palm from jump. What an inspiring speaker.

Can you say rock star?

[Borgnine]

2. As someone said last night about Clinton...

...he's not a rock star, he's a fucking BEATLE!

In fact, Obama's speech tonight was the political equivalent of the Beatles performing on The Ed Sullivan Show. A star has been born, and the future looks great.

The great thing is, I don't know what the cable news talking heads can do to trash this guy. Go ahead and try to spin Obama's appeal, you pathetic media scum.

[Kahuna]

31. Good analogy. Obama is a Beatle...

The Beatles exemplified "the very best" at what they did. The Beatles had, "it." The Beatles were perfection. That high praise for Obama. Last night I saw that he has the potential to live up to that comparison.

[opihimoimoi]

4. Take a good look at what might be our first Blk Prez

He was awesome....

Bush could not hold a candle for the man....

Obama Rocks....

[lapislzi]

23. I said the very same thing to hubby

Imagine the measure of the man in 12 years when he has 2 senate terms under his belt. He will be an unstoppable force.

Now, THERE'S a uniter!

[Darth_Kitten]

27. Sorry, there won't be a black or female president anytime soon.......

America wouldn't support them.... :(

[GreenArrow]

39. and if there is

that person, woman or black, or black woman, will be a Republican.

[Pachamama]

3. I had heard of Obama - this was the 1st time I "heard" him...All I can say

is - WOW! Can you say "Clintonesque" speaker? Can you say IL Senator 2004? Can you say Vice President Obama 2012? Can you say President Obama 2020?

Very impressive....America will be seeing a lot more of him in the future....He's going to do great things....

PS: I still love the story about Bu$h freaking out at a White House event when he saw someone wearing a button that said "OBAMA"....

:kick:

[opihimoimoi]

5. Maybe he thought it was Osama misspelled....

[Logansquare]

47. That's exactly what he thought. Rep. Jan Shakowsky was wearing the button

And Bush apparently jumped and did a double take when he saw the Obama button, think it said something else. When Shakowsky explained who Obama was, Bush said "Never heard of him." She then said, "Oh, you will, Mr. President. You will."

[opihimoimoi]

49. thanks, i am sure he now knows better, lol

[father_twilight]

12. I still love the story about Bu$h freaking out at a White House event ?...

can you tell the full story ?

[Pachamama]

15. Wish I could find the full story as it was written up, but in summary....

....there was some event this last year at the White House with a bunch of congressional representatives and a woman was apparentely wearing an OBAMA button and Bu$h just was taken a back by it...when he thought is was OSAMA, and it was explained who OBAMA was, then Bu$h said something to the effect, well I haven't heard of him and the woman replied "you will"....

I believe it was written up in Salon.com...

[Pachamama]

16. Here is the reference - It was in New Yorker Magazine....

....referencing a visit from Rep. Jan Schakowsky's visit to the White House this year...

http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?040531fa_fact1

Jan Schakowsky told me about a recent visit she had made to the White House with a congressional delegation. On her way out, she said, President Bush noticed her “obama” button. “He jumped back, almost literally,” she said. “And I knew what he was thinking. So I reassured him it was Obama, with a ‘b.’ And I explained who he was. The President said, ‘Well, I don’t know him.’ So I just said, ‘You will.’”


BTW - Welcome to the DU :hi:....Saw in your profile that you didn't know much about Politics until late....well, you found the right place to learn more... :kick:

[Walt Starr]

20. It was Jan Schakowsky

She went to a meeting at the WH. Bush saw her Obama button and had a double take, moving away from her. She told him it wasn't who he was thinking about, but was Barack Obama, Illinois candidate for the Senate.

Bush said, "I never heard of him."

Jan said, "You will."

[schultzee]

6. I am in Louisiana but I donated to his campaign. Donate to him

because we need a REAL DEMOCRAT in the senate and this guy is great! I feel that I have to support out of state senators because my state except for Mary Landrieu is ultra conservative.

[xxqqqzme]

7. I'm guessing his delivery will improve

w/ age 'n experience. He spoke too fast sometimes on top of the points he was trying 2 make. He is a gem no doubt about it, he just needs a little polish and he will B awesome!

[schultzee]

8. Let them know and encourage him. He represents our CORE DEM

values and we need someone like him. Also we need a Black American Senator; its about time!

[RummyTheDummy]

10. Oh please

It was flawless.

[sandnsea]

17. Amazing, isn't it?

The most exciting speech of a lifetime and somebody thinks they could do better. sheesh.

[Kahuna]

34. If it ain[t broke don't fix it. Obama moved the audience to tears..

and goosebumps. All speakers desire to have that affect on their audience. Very few do. So, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[father_twilight]

9. now

if he could only figure out who the hell he is running against, he would be set.

if he beat ditka, he would be a hero

[elperromagico]

18. Right now, he's running unopposed.

Ditka's not running, though Jack Ryan's name is still on the ballot.

Even before the Jack Ryan sex scandal, Obama had a double-digit lead. I imagine he's going to have an even easier victory now.

I look forward to seeing this eloquent gentleman representing the people of Illinois in the US Senate. :)

[Wind Dancer]

11. What a powerful speech!

He has everything and more that it takes to become one of the best politicians of our lifetime. I plan to contribute to his campaign, as well.

[Lindsey]

14. Hey rozf, just an FYI...

Obama had only 15 minutes to speak. The convention is really trying to be very disciplined and I believe that is to their credit. Obama was somewhat disappointed when he learned he only had 15 minutes to speak. In fact, he even asked the Kerry folks, "but what if people feel the urge to clap? That'll take away valuable time." However, the Kerry folks still told him he only had the 15 minutes. That's totally why his delivery ended up the way it did. It has NOTHING to do with him not being polished. He just wanted to be able to get EVERYTHING across and that's why he kept speaking over the applause.

[leftistagitator]

19. That was a mistake.

They should have given him all the damn time he wanted, that was pure political gold.

[Cheneys_former_heart]

13. Barack brought the house down

This "Skinny kid with the funny name" had me in tears--tears of joy that such a man can make it in America, that he will bring neww issues and , by God, this guy could be a President in 10yrs.

[jdonaldball]

21. Realistically, he's no Frederick Douglass, but he's good.

He's a pretty good speaker, not a great one. But he'll be a great Senator.
I do think some of us here are exaggerating, with a touch of reverse glamourization. I get worried when my fellow liberals let the color of a man's skin skew their evaluations of the content of his character, even if in positive ways. And yes that does happen sometimes among the left - some of us tend to overestimate the merits of a good Black leader when we see one, and this is contrary to what Dr King taught.
But we can argue about that later. What's important right now is that yes, the future Senator Obama is a fine man, good speaker, and will be one of our good or even great leaders in time. And he doesn't radiate the brilliance which some of us attribute to him, but he DOES exude integrity, honor and wisdom. That's rare enough!

[GiovanniC]

25. With All Due Respect

You are wrong.

My evaluation of Obama's speech has nothing to do with the color of his skin -- it has to do with what he said and how he said it. Those words resonate. And if you couldn't FEEL the simple and powerful brilliance of his words when he spoke of what America is and what America can be, then there might be something wrong with you.

[jdonaldball]

28. This kind of dissension is what threatens our Party

"There might be something wrong with you."
Now, tell me, how is that constructive?
I've expressed my admiration and support for Obama.
What good does it do to alienate or attack the character of
another Democrat who supports Obama?
Please, everyone, keep your eyes on the prize. Our first, last and only task right now is to send Obama and Kerry and other good Dems to Washington.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

32. You originally made an impossible comparison....

....between Frederick Douglass and Obama while critiquing Obama's oratory skills as if you had a lot of experience with public speaking. I personally don't believe that your original post was very "constructive", to be completely honest.

[Name removed]

36. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[GiovanniC]

37. Oh, And BTW, I Resent Your Implication

That I thought Obama's speech was incredible because he's black. That's absolultely untrue and if you want to talk about alienating and attacking the character of fellow Dems, I'd suggest you get the plank out of your eye first.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

29. Wow! You must pretty old to have heard Frederick Douglass speak!....

...I get worried when posters make comparisons they obviously could not make.

[jdonaldball]

33. Have read his books

I've read Douglass' books and his speeches. I don't really care about what his pronunciation was like or his delivery.
And once again, I've said Obama was a fine speaker, and we should concentrate on sending him and other Dems to Washington.
Let's focus on that, alright?

[Kahuna]

35. What are you talking about? Did you participate in the real time thread

during his speech? People were moved. People had tears in their eyes. Me, included. For the record, I was not moved because he's black. I was moved because of how forcibly he articulated his message. I dare say that is the reason most of the audience was moved.

[jdonaldball]

38. I said he was a good speaker. I want him in the Senate.

Go back and read what I said.
I admire him and want him in the Senate.
I don't care whether people had "tears in their eyes."
I just want him in the Senate. Now, is that a problem?

[Kahuna]

43. Well! If you don't care about "tear..." and all you want is him

in the senate, I don't understand why you criticized his style at all. :shrug:

[jdonaldball]

45. Because American democracy is about ideals and laws,

not about "style."
And so yes, all I want is him in the Senate.
His style will not make him a good Senator. His words will.
"Style" is for Fascists and Freepers. Wise words and good laws are for Democracy, and that is what Obama can give us.

[TeacherCreature]

41. Well I never saw Frederick Douglass speak

So I don't see any reason for me to compare them. Barak gave a great speech.

[jdonaldball]

42. You can read Douglass' speeches and compare

the texts with the text of Obama's speech.
And Douglass and Obama both wrote great speeches.
I don't care about their delivery. I care more about the content.
Douglass' speeches were more brilliant than this one by Obama.
But Obama might become as great as Douglass, in time.
I repeat: The words matter more than the delivery.
Obama's words were excellent. And his words might become even
more excellent in time.

[Killarney]

22. He was unbelievable.

This guy has HAS IT.

I felt like I was watching history in the making. He was so inspiring.

[cthrumatrix]

44. totally agree....

[gasperc]

24. so many Obama posts, should we have Obama forum??

:kick:

[NewJeffCT]

26. Text of his speech?

I'd love to get the full text - unfortunately, with a 17 month old daughter that is a bit under the weather, I had to miss the end of his speech. After his "awesome god in the blue states" part, I missed the rest after that paragraph.

[elehhhhna]

30. He will be unstoppable. A Politician who resurected my Pride...

in being American--after 4 years of cynical disgust. WOW!

What a Country!

[Scagbearer]

40. I agree

[Arugula Latte]

46. Everybody who saw that speech

realized they were watching a historic moment unfold. I sat electrified with my spouse. Neither one of us could speak, nor barely breathe. Afterwards I said, "My God, I didn't think he could live up to his billing, but he far surpassed it."

Thank you Barack!!!

[Butterflies]

48. Just reading parts of his speech brings tears to my eyes again

That speech should end up in children's history books. I've never heard a more inspiring speech by a politician.