Barack Obama

[RTFirefly]

Was that speech something, or what? You think Clinton was good last night, you shoulda heard this kid.

I think we were just watching the ~46th President of the United States.

Wow.

Anybody got a transcript yet? Here's a quote ganked from Atrios:
We worship an awesome God 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.

[Atticus Finch]

The guy's 42 years old. He looks to be in his late 20s. What's up with that?

[Johnny Bravo]

Awesome, awesome speaker. The Dems sure do have a nice large pool of orators to choose from.

[RTFirefly]

Transcript (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/27/politics/campaign/27TEXT-OBAMA.html?pagewanted=print&position=)

It's at the NY Times, so you may need to register if you haven't.

This year, in this election, we are called to reaffirm our values and commitments, to hold them against a hard reality and see how we are measuring up, to the legacy of our forbearers, and the promise of future generations.

And fellow Americans – Democrats; Republicans; Independents – I say to you tonight: we have more work to do.

More to do for the workers I met in Galesburg, Illinois, who are losing their union jobs at the Maytag plant that's moving to Mexico, and now are having to compete with their own children for jobs that pay seven bucks an hour.

More to do for the father I met who was losing his job and choking back tears, wondering how he would pay $4,500 a month for the drugs his son needs without the health benefits he counted on.

More to do for the young woman in East St. Louis, and thousands more like her, who has the grades, has the drive, has the will, but doesn't have the money to go to college.

Don't get me wrong.

The people I meet – in small towns and big cities, in diners and office parks – they don't expect government to solve all their problems.

They know they have to work hard to get ahead – and they want to.

Go into the collar counties around Chicago, and people will tell you they don't want their tax money wasted, by a welfare agency or the Pentagon.

Go into any inner city neighborhood, and folks will tell you that government alone can't teach kids to learn – they know that parents have to parent, that children can't achieve unless we raise their expectations and turn off the television sets and eradicate the slander that says a black youth with a book is acting white.

No, people don't expect government to solve all their problems.

But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all.

They know we can do better.

And they want that choice.

[meara]

He was awesome, as was Ron Reagan.

However, I think tonight's crown goes to Teresa Heinz. What an incredible person. She is exactly the sort of woman I want in Washington. If only she could run for president herself!

Wow.

[malkavia]

I remained choked up for almost the entire latter half of Obama's speech. That man is phenomenal. I will certainly be voting for him if he decides to run in oh, 8 years or so.

Is there a way to purchase the Convention on DVD (after it's over, obviously)? I would love to add Obama, Clinton and Teresa Heinz Kerry's speeches to my DVD collection. Man, oh man.


Can't WAIT to vote. Hurry up, November!

[LilShieste]

I, too, have to chime in on how impressive [Senator?] Obama's speech was. I think my mouth went agape after the first couple of minutes...

I think we were just watching the ~46th President of the United States.
The thought had entered my mind as well.

LilShieste

(and maybe this is something more for Cafe Society)

[Diogenes the Cynic]

I had only the most vague awareness of who Obama was before tonight. Mostly I just knew him from the soap opera that is the current Illinois senatorial election. I was totally blown away by this guy. I got the same feeling from watching him tonight as I got when I first saw Michael Jordan playing for North Carolina. A sense, that I was seeing a major superstar in the making. I actually got chills down my spine and that's not something that's ever happened to me from listening to a politician, not even Clinton. With Clinton I always felt like it was a performance- an extremely skillful performance- but a performance nonetheless. There was a sincerity of passion in Obama tonight that was radiant. He also projected a genuine depth of intellect. Even though I had never seen him speak before, halfway through the speech, the thought...no, not a thought, more like the realization went through my head that this guy's going to be president. I don't know when, but he's going to be president. It was a good feeling.

[Eonwe]

Man, I'm regretting I wasn't home to watch tonight.

[PaulFitzroy]

I want to know if all of you would have felt the same way if Barack Obama were a white man named, say, Ben Jones.

I think people are raving about him in part because he's an African-American with an exotic name. If he was a bland WASP who had given the exact same speech I have no doubt that this fervor over Mr. Obama would be about 1/3 less than it is now.

I know everyone is going to get defensive and call me a racist. Before you do so please think about what I'm saying. And I agree with Obama and I would have no reservations about supporting him politically. I just think part of this has to do with the fact that we are used to the African-American community being represented in politics by blubbering clowns like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

If they had more leaders like Obama I think they'd get far more political respect.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

I was impressed by Obama's words not his fucking skin, thank you very much.

[PaulFitzroy]

You're welcome very much. See, I told you you'd get defensive!

[Diogenes the Cynic]

BTW, what is this impulse by so many to refer to black politcal activists as "black leaders?" What do you mean "if they had more leaders like Obama..?" Does anyone ever talk about what kind of leaders white people need? Does anyone call GWB a "white leader?" Does anyone make patronizing assertions about who white people should follow?

I didn't think of Barack Obama as anything but a leader.

[PaulFitzroy]

African-American politicians like Sharpton and Jackson fashion themselves as leaders for the black community.

The "white community" has no analagous situation because there's no such thing as the "white community." White people in America are made up of East Coast Democratic WASPS, Southern and Midwestern farmers, ethnic Catholics in Boston and New York, Jews all over the country, Yuppies, rust-belt blue-collar Democrats, and politically independent and apathetic youth in college campuses all over the country.

Blacks in America are much more unified in their support of the Democratic party and their political interest in issues relevant to their communities: unemployment, crime, and education, all issues on which the Democratic party is far more appealing. Thus they have indeed rallied en masse under leaders like Sharpton and Jackson (who won the overwhelming support of the African-American community when they ran, respectively, for Mayor and President.)

However strong their intentions are I personally do not care for Jesse Jackson and even less so for Sharpron; I would rather have someone like Obama speak for me were I myself black.

[SPOOFE]

Well, goddamned. I knew Clinton was gonna be on fire, but I wish I'd heard more of this. Speeches like this, and Reagan's, are makin' me hope that a lot of the petty bickering is leaving politics.

This election year may be a wasteland, but hey, maybe '08 will be a time when most people actually respect both the guys runnin'...

Or maybe I'm too optimistic. But whatever. Good stuff, time to find a full transcript...

[PaulFitzroy]

This election year may be a wasteland, but hey, maybe '08 will be a time when most people actually respect both the guys runnin'...

I think Jeb Bush is going to be a serious Republican candidate in 2008.

[dalej42]

I remained choked up for almost the entire latter half of Obama's speech. That man is phenomenal. I will certainly be voting for him if he decides to run in oh, 8 years or so.

Is there a way to purchase the Convention on DVD (after it's over, obviously)? I would love to add Obama, Clinton and Teresa Heinz Kerry's speeches to my DVD collection.


C-span offers thousands of programs available on VHS and DVD. They have convention speeches which go back to 1988.

[Alessan]

I'm just curious about that name, "Barack". Where is it from? I've never even heard of an American with that name before.

[PaulFitzroy]

It means Blessed in Arabic. It is almost the same as the Hebrew 'Baruch,' meaning the same thing.

[PaulFitzroy]

(Obama's father was a Kenyan [African] Muslim.)

[cmason32]

Good stuff, time to find a full transcript...

Here you go:

On behalf of the great state of Illinois, crossroads of a nation, land of Lincoln, let me express my deep gratitude for the privilege of addressing this convention. Tonight is a particular honor for me because, let's face it, my presence on this stage is pretty unlikely. My father was a foreign student, born and raised in a small village in Kenya. He grew up herding goats, went to school in a tin-roof shack. His father, my grandfather, was a cook, a domestic servant.

But my grandfather had larger dreams for his son. Through hard work and perseverance my father got a scholarship to study in a magical place; America which stood as a beacon of freedom and opportunity to so many who had come before. While studying here, my father met my mother. She was born in a town on the other side of the world, in Kansas. Her father worked on oil rigs and farms through most of the Depression. The day after Pearl Harbor he signed up for duty, joined Patton's army and marched across Europe. Back home, my grandmother raised their baby and went to work on a bomber assembly line. After the war, they studied on the GI Bill, bought a house through FHA, and moved west in search of opportunity.

And they, too, had big dreams for their daughter, a common dream, born of two continents. My parents shared not only an improbable love; they shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation. They would give me an African name, Barack, or "blessed," believing that in a tolerant America your name is no barrier to success. They imagined me going to the best schools in the land, even though they weren't rich, because in a generous America you don't have to be rich to achieve your potential. They are both passed away now. Yet, I know that, on this night, they look down on me with pride.

I stand here today, grateful for the diversity of my heritage, aware that my parents' dreams live on in my precious daughters. I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story, that I owe a debt to all of those who came before me, and that, in no other country on earth, is my story even possible. Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation, not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy. Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

That is the true genius of America, a faith in the simple dreams of its people, the insistence on small miracles. That we can tuck in our children at night and know they are fed and clothed and safe from harm. That we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door. That we can have an idea and start our own business without paying a bribe or hiring somebody's son. That we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution, and that our votes will be counted -- or at least, most of the time.

This year, in this election, we are called to reaffirm our values and commitments, to hold them against a hard reality and see how we are measuring up, to the legacy of our forbearers, and the promise of future generations. And fellow Americans -- Democrats, Republicans, Independents -- I say to you tonight: we have more work to do. More to do for the workers I met in Galesburg, Illinois, who are losing their union jobs at the Maytag plant that's moving to Mexico, and now are having to compete with their own children for jobs that pay seven bucks an hour. More to do for the father I met who was losing his job and choking back tears, wondering how he would pay $4,500 a month for the drugs his son needs without the health benefits he counted on. More to do for the young woman in East St. Louis, and thousands more like her, who has the grades, has the drive, has the will, but doesn't have the money to go to college.

Don't get me wrong. The people I meet in small towns and big cities, in diners and office parks, they don't expect government to solve all their problems. They know they have to work hard to get ahead and they want to. Go into the collar counties around Chicago, and people will tell you they don't want their tax money wasted by a welfare agency or the Pentagon. Go into any inner city neighborhood, and folks will tell you that government alone can't teach kids to learn. They know that parents have to parent, that children can't achieve unless we raise their expectations and turn off the television sets and eradicate the slander that says a black youth with a book is acting white. No, people don't expect government to solve all their problems. But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all. They know we can do better. And they want that choice.

In this election, we offer that choice. Our party has chosen a man to lead us who embodies the best this country has to offer. That man is John Kerry. John Kerry understands the ideals of community, faith, and sacrifice, because they've defined his life. From his heroic service in Vietnam to his years as prosecutor and lieutenant governor, through two decades in the United States Senate, he has devoted himself to this country. Again and again, we've seen him make tough choices when easier ones were available. His values and his record affirm what is best in us.

John Kerry believes in an America where hard work is rewarded. So instead of offering tax breaks to companies shipping jobs overseas, he'll offer them to companies creating jobs here at home. John Kerry believes in an America where all Americans can afford the same health coverage our politicians in Washington have for themselves. John Kerry believes in energy independence, so we aren't held hostage to the profits of oil companies or the sabotage of foreign oil fields. John Kerry believes in the constitutional freedoms that have made our country the envy of the world, and he will never sacrifice our basic liberties nor use faith as a wedge to divide us. And John Kerry believes that in a dangerous world, war must be an option, but it should never be the first option.

A while back, I met a young man named Shamus at the VFW Hall in East Moline, Illinois. He was a good-looking kid, six-two or six-three, clear eyed, with an easy smile. He told me he'd joined the Marines and was heading to Iraq the following week. As I listened to him explain why he'd enlisted, his absolute faith in our country and its leaders, his devotion to duty and service, I thought this young man was all any of us might hope for in a child. But then I asked myself: Are we serving Shamus as well as he was serving us? I thought of more than 900 service men and women, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, friends and neighbors, who will not be returning to their hometowns. I thought of families I had met who were struggling to get by without a loved one's full income, or whose loved ones had returned with a limb missing or with nerves shattered, but who still lacked long-term health benefits because they were reservists. When we send our young men and women into harm's way, we have a solemn obligation not to fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they're going, to care for their families while they're gone, to tend to the soldiers upon their return, and to never ever go to war without enough troops to win the war, secure the peace, and earn the respect of the world.

Now let me be clear. We have real enemies in the world. These enemies must be found. They must be pursued and they must be defeated. John Kerry knows this. And just as Lieutenant Kerry did not hesitate to risk his life to protect the men who served with him in Vietnam, President Kerry will not hesitate one moment to use our military might to keep America safe and secure. John Kerry believes in America. And he knows it's not enough for just some of us to prosper. For alongside our famous individualism, there's another ingredient in the American saga.

A belief that we are connected as one people. 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. 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.

Yet even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes. Well, I say to them tonight, there's not a liberal America and a conservative America -- there's the United States of America. There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's the United States of America. The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. 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.

In the end, that's what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or a politics of hope? John Kerry calls on us to hope. John Edwards calls on us to hope. I'm not talking about blind optimism here -- the almost willful ignorance that thinks unemployment will go away if we just don't talk about it, or the health care crisis will solve itself if we just ignore it. No, I'm talking about something more substantial. It's the hope of slaves sitting around a fire singing freedom songs; the hope of immigrants setting out for distant shores; the hope of a young naval lieutenant bravely patrolling the Mekong Delta; the hope of a millworker's son who dares to defy the odds; the hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him, too. The audacity of hope!

In the end, that is God's greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation; the belief in things not seen; the belief that there are better days ahead. I believe we can give our middle class relief and provide working families with a road to opportunity. I believe we can provide jobs to the jobless, homes to the homeless, and reclaim young people in cities across America from violence and despair. I believe that as we stand on the crossroads of history, we can make the right choices, and meet the challenges that face us. America!

Tonight, if you feel the same energy I do, the same urgency I do, the same passion I do, the same hopefulness I do -- if we do what we must do, then I have no doubt that all across the country, from Florida to Oregon, from Washington to Maine, the people will rise up in November, and John Kerry will be sworn in as president, and John Edwards will be sworn in as vice president, and this country will reclaim its promise, and out of this long political darkness a brighter day will come.

Thank you and God bless you.

[cmason32]

(Obama's father was a Kenyan [African] Muslim.)

I'm pretty sure that while Obama's grandfather was Muslim, his father was agnostic.

[jamcracker]

Fantastic speech by Obama. You need to see the video. RealPlayer link (http://www.obamablog.com/2004/07/27/keynote_open_thread_2.php) at Obama's blog.

I like this bit best, even though it's just rhetoric:The pundits, the pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. 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 in our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and yes, we’ve got some gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq.
Also,Blacks in America are much more unified in their support of the Democratic party and their political interest in issues relevant to their communities: unemployment, crime, and education, all issues on which the Democratic party is far more appealing. Thus they have indeed rallied en masse under leaders like Sharpton and Jackson (who won the overwhelming support of the African-American community when they ran, respectively, for Mayor and President.)
Fundies in America are much more unified in their support of the Republican party and their political interest in issues relevant to their communities: gays are evil, abortion should be banned, and creationism should be taught in schools, all issues on which the Republican party is far more appealing. Thus they have indeed rallied en masse under leaders like Delay and Santorum (who won the overwhelming support of the Fundie community when they ran for Congress.)

I'll take unemployment, crime, and education, please.

[Alessan]

Ahhh. I assumed it was a version of the Hebrew name "Barak", from the biblical warrior (Book of Judges), and also meaning 'lightning" or "thunderbolt". I should have remebered that Hebrew and Arabic also share the B-R-Ch root (as in Egyptian president Hosni Mubarack).

[eponymous]

I'll have to second what Diogenes said. I never realy warmed to Clinton as a candidate (nor as President). Yes, Clinton is a very, very good speaker. But it always seemed as if he was performing. Obama's speech had all of the qualities of a very good Clinton speech, but it was better in that it came across as sincere and real.

I had been vaguely aware of who Barak Obama was from reading numerous blogs and had heard he was a rising star in the party. But I had never heard him speak publicly before. While flipping channels on the TV, I just happened to stop on the PBS broadcast of his speech. And his speech totally blew me away - something that has never happened to me before (being awed by a political speech). I got a sense, like the commentors stated at the end, that I was witnessing history in the making.

[Fern Forest]

As another skinny guy with a funny name I concur, awesome speech. This from his bio "Currently a senior lecturer specializing in constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School" is very obvious from his speech. He, more then any other speaker that I saw, spoke to the audience and not to the teleprompter. He knew his speech almost by heart. I hope the coming speakers are just as prepared. It makes such a difference.

[RTFirefly]

I want to know if all of you would have felt the same way if Barack Obama were a white man named, say, Ben Jones.Kinda like I would have been dazzled by musicians from Beethoven to Bono more if they'd been black, or more greatly appreciated the beauty of the theorems of mathematicians from Euclid to Erdös if they'd been black, or...you get the idea.

[BobLibDem]

Will the Illinois GOP even bother running an opponent against Obama for the Senate? What would be the point? I hope Kerry uses him on the campaign.

[Liberal]

Oh, well. This is the forum for witnessing, I guess.

[lee]

I am so glad I get to vote for him this fall. I hope in a few years all of America will get that opportunity. That was the best speech I have ever watched.

Funny, no one mentioned to me that he was black until this thread. I thought he was of Arabic decent, the the extent that I thought about it at all. I heard his name first at the gay pride parade in 2003. People were excited about him; now I know why.

He has handled the senate campaign with class. His opponent had him stalked by a camera and managed not only to not find anything to smear him with, but failed to rile him into saying or doing any thing less than admirable.

It is wonderful to see such passion not coupled with blind, unquestioning faith.

[EsotericEnigma]

Does a person need to actually voice an opinion or take a stand to be considered a great leader these days, or do we actually let our politicians get away with vague "we are the people, and we should unite and work together and be happy and free" rhetorical bullshit?

[Fear Itself]

Does a person need to actually voice an opinion or take a stand to be considered a great leader these days, or do we actually let our politicians get away with vague "we are the people, and we should unite and work together and be happy and free" rhetorical bullshit?The irony of this statement is I am still unsure how you feel about Obama.

[lee]

A keynote speech is hardly the place to go into detail of ones own specific issues and plans to deal with them. This was not a debate, nor was it a campaign speech for Obama. It was a speech to get everyone fired up about being a Dem, to sound a key note in the theme that will shape the convention and the fall campaigns. It was to campaign for Kerry, not himself. Still, he managed to say a lot for that format. For one thing he said that we should not go to war without sound proof. He did a damn good job at what he was there to do. He also helped to dispell the nothion that dems are not patriots.

[Jane D'oh!]

...They know that parents have to parent, that children can't achieve unless we raise their expectations and turn off the television sets and eradicate the slander that says a black youth with a book is acting white.

I personally thought that this was the line of the evening.

I believe he is being fast tracked because he's black. So what? He has the credentials and charisma to pull it off. I believe he has earned this opportunity.

He is fascinating to watch and listen to.

.

[Gadarene]

PaulFitzroy
I want to know if all of you would have felt the same way if Barack Obama were a white man named, say, Ben Jones.

I'd note that, for better or worse, many liberals did feel the same way about a white man named Howard Dean.

[fessie]

Obama's got it in person, too. My Hubby attended a number of political gatherings last fall as he helped campaign for Kerry (being massively pregnant, I stayed home). And I remember him coming back from a small Dem speaking group in Evanston talking about Barack Obama.

That speech gave me goosebumps and made me want to cry. Dig those goofy ears.

[E-Sabbath]

THIS is the guy the smeghead Ryan was running against?

Damn. No wonder he went for desperate measures. This guy looks like a class act, speaks like a class act, _thinks_ like a class act. And if the research Ryan went through couldn't turn up one hint of impropriety and the 24 hour surveilancecam didn't pick up jack, either...

This guy looks like he's going places. Now, I'm a republican, and maybe I'll vote against him, when the day comes. But I've always had a philosophy... this country is served best when the opposition is strong, principled, and people of righteous conviction. A man should be known by the quality of his enemies.

The GOP better damn well have a humdinger to run against him.

[Spoke]

I want to know if all of you would have felt the same way if Barack Obama were a white man named, say, Ben Jones.


I'd note that, for better or worse, many liberals did feel the same way about a white man named Howard Dean.

For that matter, a lot of us liberals down here in Georgia felt that way about a white man named...Ben Jones (http://www.dukefarm.com/cooter.html)! :D

[fessie]

'08 Republican Presidential Ad:

(two overweight middle-aged white midwestern types sitting on a porch)

male: "Barack Osama? Bin Laden Obama?"

female: "Isn't he that terrorist guy?"

announcer: "It's just a few letters' difference. Is that enough?"

[minty green]

I want to know if all of you would have felt the same way if Barack Obama were a white man named, say, Ben Jones.Why should we feel "the same way"? We live in a multiracial society where there has long been a dearth of non-white national political leaders. Is there some reason why we cannot be happy about the emergence of a compelling national political figure who is not just another white guy?

Plus, it was a darned good speech regardless of the his skin color.

[Eva Luna]

FWIW I was talking to a co-worker this morning about Obama’s speech (which blew me away, by the way; I was watching at a friend’s house with half a dozen people who were pretty merciless in their ribbing and criticism of the other speakers, but all of whom fell silent for the entirety of Obama’s speech).

She worked with him when he was a fresh associate at Sidley & Austin, a large (and rather cutthroat) Chicago law firm. Says that unlike a lot of people who are in it for the money and couldn’t care less whom they crawl over on their way to the top, he was a genuinely nice and sincere guy. And one, I note, who gave up a quite promising private-sector legal career, with its attendant nice, fat paycheck, for public service and teaching. I respect the hell out of that. This is the first politician I’ve gotten excited about in a looooong time.

(By the way, she says that Gerry Chico, a primary opponent of Obama’s whom she knew in the same capacity, was a backstabbing jerk.)

[Hamlet]

I want to know if all of you would have felt the same way if Barack Obama were a white man named, say, Ben Jones.I've always been far more impressed with his successes and the work he's done than any speech he gives. He is an extremely talented speaker, a charismatic leader, and a good person. His speech was phenomenal. However, I support him because of what he has accomplished in his life rather than the color of his skin.

He has a wonderful story to tell. From his speech:

Tonight is a particular honor for me because, let's face it, my presence on this stage is pretty unlikely. My father was a foreign student, born and raised in a small village in Kenya. He grew up herding goats, went to school in a tin-roof shack. His father, my grandfather, was a cook, a domestic servant.

But my grandfather had larger dreams for his son. Through hard work and perseverance my father got a scholarship to study in a magical place; America which stood as a beacon of freedom and opportunity to so many who had come before. While studying here, my father met my mother. She was born in a town on the other side of the world, in Kansas. Her father worked on oil rigs and farms through most of the Depression. The day after Pearl Harbor he signed up for duty, joined Patton's army and marched across Europe. Back home, my grandmother raised their baby and went to work on a bomber assembly line. After the war, they studied on the GI Bill, bought a house through FHA, and moved west in search of opportunity.

And they, too, had big dreams for their daughter, a common dream, born of two continents. My parents shared not only an improbable love; they shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation. They would give me an African name, Barack, or "blessed," believing that in a tolerant America your name is no barrier to success. They imagined me going to the best schools in the land, even though they weren't rich, because in a generous America you don't have to be rich to achieve your potential. They are both passed away now. Yet, I know that, on this night, they look down on me with pride.

I stand here today, grateful for the diversity of my heritage, aware that my parents' dreams live on in my precious daughters. I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story, that I owe a debt to all of those who came before me, and that, in no other country on earth, is my story even possible. Tonight, we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation, not because of the height of our skyscrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy. Our pride is based on a very simple premise, summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

He's the American dream come to life. The real American dream. Not the consumer-driven, live off daddy's money and power dream. The real one.

For more information on what this fine man has accomplished, check out this site (http://www.obamaforillinois.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={98F1584F-9302-4038-BE87-6B52E9151CB3})

The guy comes from a working class family to go on to graduate 2nd in his class at Harvard Law, and the editor of the law review. Rather than take a $250,000 a year job I'm sure he could have had, he's devoted his life to bettering the lives for all Americans. In my book, he's one of the few politicians I've ever met or heard of, who actually seems to live up to the hype. And that's judging him, not based on the color of his skin, but the content of his character.

Oh, well. This is the forum for witnessing, I guess.You might want to run to the store for fresher produce. Those grapes you're having seem pretty sour.

[CurtC]

Obama won't run for Pres in '08 - the Dems will be running Kerry for re-election that year. Maybe in 2012. And that will give Obama some time to establish himself as a Senator.

I'm a conservative Texan, and I just don't see any way in hell that Bush can win this year. And I'm OK with that, as long as there's a Republican congress.

[John Mace]

Oh, well. This is the forum for witnessing, I guess.

Wow. I had intended to post the exact same thing after reading the first 10 or so postings. I kept thinking: What's the debate here? Then it occured to me that it's just witnessing, which is (surprisingly) appropriate for GD.

[Chefguy]

Obama seems like a personable fella with an oratory gift and strong convictions. Presidents have been made from less, certainly. His speech was expertly crafted (by whom?) and delivered and his fans are many, apparently. I suspect he could be the first serious minority contender for the White House if he can continue to package himself well and doesn't get caught felching a small animal.

[AuntiePam]

Is there a way to purchase the Convention on DVD (after it's over, obviously)? I would love to add Obama, Clinton and Teresa Heinz Kerry's speeches to my DVD collection. Man, oh man.


I wondered the same thing. I couldn't imagine ever wanting to re-view something as (usually) dull as a political convention, but this one has me enthralled.

[malkavia]

Wow. I had intended to post the exact same thing after reading the first 10 or so postings. I kept thinking: What's the debate here? Then it occured to me that it's just witnessing, which is (surprisingly) appropriate for GD.


Wow, maybe if the opposition had something substantial to bring to the table, instead of "Oh, I guess this is just for witnessing", this would become a debate.


Bring support, bring criticism, but leave the vacuous commentary in MPSIMS or the Pit.

[Hamlet]

Obama seems like a personable fella with an oratory gift and strong convictions. Presidents have been made from less, certainly. His speech was expertly crafted (by whom?) and delivered and his fans are many, apparently. I suspect he could be the first serious minority contender for the White House if he can continue to package himself well and doesn't get caught felching a small animal.From the Chicago Tribune I read this morning, he wrote the speech himself a couple weeks ago, and gave it to his staff and advisors to revise. They added a bit, took out a bit, and there you have it.

[cmkeller]

It's a pretty enough speech, but doesn't sound too different from a zillion other political speeches. Take one "own life heroic struggle story", add a few other peoples' sob stories illustrating what's wrong with the country, sprinkle with generic appeals (but no concrete promises) to opposing groups. Bake for 30 minutes, and you've got a nice "Vote for me and/or my guy" speech.

Maybe it was a "you had to be there" moment, but the transcript posted here doesn't strike any particular chords with me.

[PaulFitzroy]

Like I said, people are so used to hearing the blubbering Sharpton and Jackson that when a young, African-American politico (who also happens to be a handsome dude) steps up to the plate, it does indeed strike a chord.

[blowero]

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.

How long 'til the Republicans brand him as a commie? ;)

[XT]

No debate here, but I have to admit that, if the 'Crats are going to gush all over themselves and wax estatically about someone, they could do worse than Barack Obama's speech last night...he is certainly more sincere than Clinton who they were all spouting off about before this.

I was truely impressed and actually moved by some of that speech (not to show how much of a wimp I am, but I actually had tears in my eyes when he was describing his family in Africa and coming to America, as it resembles my own experiences), as he pushed quite a few libratarian buttons, as it did seem to come from the heart and not JUST from some speech writers pen. I didn't agree with everything he said (certainly not the gloom and doom parts that the 'Crats seem to love the best...I was uplifted by other parts of the speech however), but over all my thoughts were 'This man will go far'.

BTW, I would have been impressed reguardless of the mans race or back ground...it was his VOICE and his convictions that came through, not just the color of his skin.

-XT

[Voyager]

Wow. I had intended to post the exact same thing after reading the first 10 or so postings. I kept thinking: What's the debate here? Then it occured to me that it's just witnessing, which is (surprisingly) appropriate for GD.

Hey, at least this deity exists. :)

I was listening the the convention on NPR. Someone was speaking before on health care, you could hear that the audience was not engaged. I turned off the radio, and turned it back on to hear Obama, and the difference was astonishing! He sounds just as good without an image.

Now I just wonder what lies the Bushies are going to invent about him.

[Liberal]

Wow, maybe if the opposition had something substantial to bring to the table, instead of "Oh, I guess this is just for witnessing", this would become a debate.


Bring support, bring criticism, but leave the vacuous commentary in MPSIMS or the Pit.You've got to be joking. If ever there were an MPSIMS or IMHO OP, it was this:


Was that speech something, or what? You think Clinton was good last night, you shoulda heard this kid.

I think we were just watching the ~46th President of the United States.

Wow.

Anybody got a transcript yet? Here's a quote ganked from Atrios========================================

Okay...


Was that speech something, or what?Yeah, it was a speech or something.


You think Clinton was good last night, you shoulda heard this kid.He's not a kid. He's 42 years old.


I think we were just watching the ~46th President of the United States.Cite?


Wow.Ooga-ooga.


Anybody got a transcript yet?Not me.

========================================

Whew. I'm worn out. John Mace, can you tag me?

[Nonsuch]

Maybe it was a "you had to be there" moment, but the transcript posted here doesn't strike any particular chords with me.

Like the man said, it's the singer, not the song.

Watch the streaming video (rtsp://cspanrm.fplive.net/cspan/project/c04/c04_dnc072704_obama.rm) and see what you think. The Dems need people who can passionately articulate a liberal vision without coming off as wingnuts or closet pinkos, and Obama does it. He invokes his spiritual side without appearing smarmy or grasping. (Listen to how he says "We worship an awesome god in the blue states!") He sounds, in a way few pols on either side do, like a man genuinely committed to helping people improve their lives. His speech may read like a lot of others, but I don't think you can say the same for the man himself.

[Kel Varnsen - Latex Division]

How long has Obama been a major player in the party (or been considered a rising star)? Remember he wasn't even supposed to win the nomination for the Senate; it took a drug and wife beating scandal for him to win.

[Kel Varnsen - Latex Division]

The Dems need people who can passionately articulate a liberal vision

Obama is a liberal?

[malkavia]

You've got to be joking. If ever there were an MPSIMS or IMHO OP, it was this:



My guess is that the OP placed his post in GD because it's political and he expected (or figured he should be prepared for) a strong opposition from the RW element on this board.

I could be way off though.

[ElvisL1ves]

This from Glenn Reynolds at MSNBC caught my eye: (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3395977/)At a recent meeting at the White House, Jan Schakowsky, an Illinois congresswoman, wore an "Obama" button. President Bush was visibly startled. Schakowshy reports, "I knew what he was thinking. So I reassured him it was Obama, with a 'b.'" President Bush replied, "Well, I don't know him," to which Schakowsky responded, "You will."

[Ronnie Woo Woo]

Obama seems like a personable fella with an oratory gift and strong convictions. Presidents have been made from less, certainly. His speech was expertly crafted (by whom?) and delivered and his fans are many, apparently. I suspect he could be the first serious minority contender for the White House if he can continue to package himself well and doesn't get caught felching a small animal.

Obama was on WGN radio with Spike O'Dell this morning on my way to work. He said he wrote the speech himself a couple weeks ago and tweaked it a bit from there. Then he turned it over to the Kerry people to review it. They wanted him to cut a few minutes, but otherwise didn't really change the content. What we heard was pretty much straight from Obama himself.

On a side note, I saw him speak at the union hall here in Peoria, Illinois about a month ago and was extremely impressed with his story, his message, his honesty, sincerity and compassion, just as I was last night. He was much more conversational and laid back then, but his message was the same. I've heard him a couple other times, and I saw him on Meet the Press the other day. I too think that he will one day run for president, and will probably succeed. While he is definately a progressive, he is pretty moderate. Even in front of the union he discussed the need for free trade rather than protectionism. I was very impressed by the fact that he wasn't pandering to the union. His skin color has nothing to do with my opinion of him.

[Ronnie Woo Woo]

How long has Obama been a major player in the party (or been considered a rising star)? Remember he wasn't even supposed to win the nomination for the Senate; it took a drug and wife beating scandal for him to win.

It did not take a "drug and wife beating scandal" for him to win. He was up in the polls over Blair Hull before the domestic abuse story came up. Hull was already going down, despite spending around $25 million of his own fortune on his campaign, because he hadn't even been registered to vote prior to throwing his hat in the ring. Obama's rise wasn't a fluke. He won 53% of the vote in the primary despite having 6 opponents, and he had wide ranging support throughout Illinois, not just in Chicago. The guy is just that impressive, even though I admit I didn't really know much about him before his primary victory.

[RTFirefly]

Wow. I had intended to post the exact same thing after reading the first 10 or so postings. I kept thinking: What's the debate here? Then it occured to me that it's just witnessing, which is (surprisingly) appropriate for GD.Shorter Lib and John:


An inspired choice of forum!



Before posting my OP, I did give a minute or so's thought (about as much as it's worth, IMHO) to my choice of forum. I quickly concluded that it didn't exactly fit well anywhere, but flipped a mental coin and chose GD because the subject of the OP is a politician and his speech.

But I think it's kinda stupid to criticize the placement of an OP in a particular forum without choosing an alternative, and explaining why you think the OP should have known right off* that your choice was the right one. Or at least that, by comparison with your choice, the forum chosen by the OP was clearly the wrong one.


*Right off, because it's also stupid to criticize another's forum choice if you acknowledge that it's a borderline call.

[Knorf]

PaulFitzroy, you are way off base, and out of line. Your posts are on the borderline of a well desered pitting.

This man is damn impressive, and would be regardless of his skin color, and regardless of what you think of Jackson and Sharpton. His oratory, the strength of his ideas, his intellect, the rightness of his idealism: all are on the highest level. That combination will win him a lot of support, regardless of skin. He has mine from that one speech alone. A man to watch.

I agree that there doesn't seem to be any real debate here, though. There's a MSPIMS thread with virtually the same content.

Maybe the debate is, is there a reasonably good chance that Obama could become a leader of National significance in the near future?

If Bush returns to office (God help us), I'd throw my support behind Obama for 2008. Sorry, Hillary, but you're too polarizing.

[Fear Itself]

Whew. I'm worn out. John Mace, can you tag me?You know, my Momma told me, "If you can't say something nice about someone, don't say anything at all." I am glad to see you opted for the latter.

[John Mace]

But I think it's kinda stupid to criticize the placement of an OP in a particular forum without choosing an alternative, and explaining why you think the OP should have known right off* that your choice was the right one. Or at least that, by comparison with your choice, the forum chosen by the OP was clearly the wrong one.

I don't know about Lib, but I wasn't criticising the placement of your OP. GD is, in fact, the proper forum for witnessing.

[jshore]

Like I said, people are so used to hearing the blubbering Sharpton and Jackson that when a young, African-American politico (who also happens to be a handsome dude) steps up to the plate, it does indeed strike a chord.

Have you ever actually heard Jesse Jackson give a speech? I have memories that his convention speeches were a hell of a lot better than just about any other besides Mario Cuomo's "city on a hill" speech. Actually, if speech time were allotted on the basis of speech quality, I think we might need some quotas for white politicians. ;)

[Loopydude]

It's a pretty enough speech, but doesn't sound too different from a zillion other political speeches. Take one "own life heroic struggle story", add a few other peoples' sob stories illustrating what's wrong with the country, sprinkle with generic appeals (but no concrete promises) to opposing groups. Bake for 30 minutes, and you've got a nice "Vote for me and/or my guy" speech.

Maybe it was a "you had to be there" moment, but the transcript posted here doesn't strike any particular chords with me.

I'm afraid I must agree. I'm not knocking the guy, but this "channeling MLK" stuff is way, way over the top.

[Loopydude]

Actually, now that I think about it, I rather hope he's not channeling Dr. King. If he's the Dem.'s new spokesmodel for Black America, and he pulls some of the stunts MLK did, the right-wing dirtmongers will ruin his career and smear the whole party in the meantime.

[Liberal]

I don't know about Lib, but I wasn't criticising the placement of your OP. GD is, in fact, the proper forum for witnessing.Yeah, me too neither or me neither too.

[XT]

Before posting my OP, I did give a minute or so's thought (about as much as it's worth, IMHO) to my choice of forum. I quickly concluded that it didn't exactly fit well anywhere, but flipped a mental coin and chose GD because the subject of the OP is a politician and his speech.

Not that it really matters, RTFirefly, but it might have been more appropriate to post in this (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=268426&page=1&pp=50) thread (as I did), as it deals with the convention. Personally doesn't make any difference to me where you posted it, but it does deal with aspects of BG's other thread and would have fit in there.

-XT

[Rashak Mani]

Many around the world were duly impressed by Obama... and I have seen then saying he will be the future POTUS...

Just watched his speech video... and I had a funny feeling that he is a great speaker (didn't read ! wow!) and seems passionate enough. Still something about him bugged me... can't quite put my finger on it. Still WAY better than W. Bumbling around the Bush speeches.

We will follow his tenure as a senator very closely. Lets see what he is made of.

[syncrolecyne]

I'm not sure how tactful this sounds, but I didn't see him as a "black speaker". Maybe that either reveals a prejudice (I expect "black" oratory to be delivered in a certain way) or lack of prejudice (I saw just another candidate up there) on my part. Aside from his comment on inner city school children viewing learning as 'acting white' - he was not making a big deal of race itself.


Let's say Obama is elected, and Kerry is our next president. We will then have two rather forceful advocates for African affairs (him and Heinz-Kerry) in Washington who have some real direct knowledge of the continent (and don't see interest in African affairs as simply a way to pander for black votes). That may have some real impact on our long neglected African policy.

[RTFirefly]

Not that it really matters, RTFirefly, but it might have been more appropriate to post in this (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=268426&page=1&pp=50) thread (as I did), as it deals with the convention. Personally doesn't make any difference to me where you posted it, but it does deal with aspects of BG's other thread and would have fit in there.

-XTI would have, if I had noticed it before posting. I checked to make sure I didn't post a duplicate thread about Obama, but I didn't think to be looking for a general Dem Convention thread when I scanned GD before posting.

[Spoke]

Maybe the debate is, is there a reasonably good chance that Obama could become a leader of National significance in the near future?

That's a good one. I'll give it a go.

Let's think this through (strictly in terms of possible presidential aspirations):

'04, Kerry runs.

If Kerry wins, he'll run for re-election in '08. If Kerry wins re-election, and barring a second-term scandal, Edwards would be the presumptive nominee in '12 (and Obama might be a fine VP choice in that event), pushing Obama's presdiential aspirations back at least to '16 or maybe '20.

If Kerry loses re-election in '08, could set up Obama vs. Edwards vs. Hillary primary in '12. He might still be perceived as a bit green then (as Edwards is perceived by some now). '16 or '20 might be more realistic.

If Kerry loses this year, all hell breaks loose. Edwards and Hillary will be duking it out for the nomination in '08, and maybe Dean might take another crack at it too. Obama would have less than 4 years in the Senate, still too green for a run.

I have to think that after 8 years of Bush the electorate would be ready for a Democrat which would mean that (again) Obama gets pushed back to '16 or '20.

Sixteen years down the pike, he'll be 58. If he keeps his nose clean in the interim, that could be his time.

Obviously, all of this is wildly premature. We're assuming that he has no skeletons in his closet, does a good job in the Senate, fends off re-election challenges there, and keeps his closet skeleton-free between now and whenever he might run.

Still, I was impressed enough with Obama's presence last night to contemplate the possibility of him running for the White House one day. He was the very definition of "Presidential," IMO. Hopeful, inspiring, and maybe just as importantly, challenging. He didn't just pander to the American people, he made demands of them, too. That's what a leader should do.

[RTFirefly]

Like I said, people are so used to hearing the blubbering Sharpton and Jackson that when a young, African-American politico (who also happens to be a handsome dude) steps up to the plate, it does indeed strike a chord.1) You're welcome to send Al 'Tawana' Sharpton back under his rock. But while Jesse Jackson's time may have passed, he was a pretty damned good orator - and won some primaries back in 1988 by getting a lot of votes from working-class whites, fwiw.

2) I wouldn't describe Obama as handsome. Before he got warmed up, my reaction to his looks was that he had a geeky face, and his ears stuck out like jar handles. His words made me forget about all of that.

He's not a kid. He's 42 years old. Which means he's 7 years younger than Clinton was when Clinton called himself the 'comeback kid'.

At any rate, he's a number of years younger than me, and looks about 29. I stand by my right as a codger to refer to him as a 'kid'.

[Liberal]

As one old codger to another, I'd say that's fair enough. :)

[monstro]

Like I said, people are so used to hearing the blubbering Sharpton and Jackson that when a young, African-American politico (who also happens to be a handsome dude) steps up to the plate, it does indeed strike a chord.

Say what you will about Sharpton, but I give him major props for holding his own in the primary debates. The guy doesn't mince words or censor himself, but he isn't "blubbering" in the least. A guy like him would not go far if he was "blubbering".

As for JJ, he isn't blubbering (http://www.suntimes.com/output/jesse/cst-edt-jesse10.html") either. He isn't my most favorite person, but like Al, at least he isn't afraid to point out the reeking Bushit. There hasn't been much he has done recently that I didn't agree with.

I'm SICK of people holding up Sharpton and Jesse as the only two "black" leaders in the USA. Um...there are plenty of black councilmen, congressmen, civic leaders, etc. who are respectable and admirable. Pointing at Sharpton and Jesse all the time is like pointing at Jerry Farwell, Pat Buchanan, or Rush Limbaugh as type specimens of the white community's leadership.

Obama's blackness strikes a chord only for those who want to make it a goddamn issue. Being a black American myself, it pleases me that this popular, well-qualified candidate is also in my demographic group. But I'm also pleased with John Kerry and John Edwards and my own state representatives (well..most of them) who are the whitest white men in the world.

Personally, I think the amount of admiration and praise heaped upon Condi Rice is disproportionate to her credentials and performance (She's so smart. Lookit! She can play the piano while balancing her doctoral thesis on the tip on her nose!) I wouldn't be surprised if Obama's blackness is a part of his magical appeal for people. However, you better believe that most of his appeal comes from the fact that he's on our side and he's up-and-coming.

[Kel Varnsen - Latex Division]

It did not take a "drug and wife beating scandal" for him to win. He was up in the polls over Blair Hull before the domestic abuse story came up. Hull was already going down, despite spending around $25 million of his own fortune on his campaign, because he hadn't even been registered to vote prior to throwing his hat in the ring. Obama's rise wasn't a fluke. He won 53% of the vote in the primary despite having 6 opponents, and he had wide ranging support throughout Illinois, not just in Chicago. The guy is just that impressive, even though I admit I didn't really know much about him before his primary victory.


Obama did not pass Hull in polling until after the scandals broke. First the drugs then the beatings.

As Obama and Hynes have risen, multimillionaire Blair Hull has plummeted in the polls in the wake of revelations of verbal and physical abuse during a divorce.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/us_senate/articles/2004/03/09/poll_obama_takes_lead_in_ill_race/

[Marley23]

Living in Illinois, I'd heard a lot of buzz about Obama (and I did vote for him in the primary because we seemed best matched), but I hadn't seen him speak before. I was really stunned. He does have a good story, and he managed to make some very lofty remarks sound very sincere. Having seen that, I do think it's possible he could be President some day.

[you with the face]

I think what impressed me the most about him was that he didn't seem nervous or newbie-like at all. The speech didn't sound over-rehearsed or penned by someone else; you could tell it was his words. It actually didn't sound like a speech. Sure, there were cliches and the occasional flowery phrase, and he tended to overpunctuate his sentences with hand gestures. But his candences were perfectly placed and his flow was natural, almost as if he was making up the stuff as he was going along. I think that was why it was easy to listen to him. Simply put, he broke things down.

If only Kerry could take some pointers from this dude! Obama was passionate without looking like a emotional podium-pounder. He said all the right things in the right way, but you could also get a feel for his stance on things. He was captivating. Kerry captivates very few people. He seems dry in comparison. I'm glad Obama spoke when he did and wasn't slated to talk right before Kerry. It would have been a tough act to follow.

[Carnac the Magnificent!]

Obama seems like a personable fella with an oratory gift and strong convictions. Presidents have been made from less, certainly. His speech was expertly crafted (by whom?) and delivered and his fans are many, apparently. I suspect he could be the first serious minority contender for the White House if he can continue to package himself well and doesn't get caught felching a small animal.

His speech has the key telltales of a major-league speechwriter, which is to be expected at that level. Frankly, I doubt Ron Reagan, Teddy Boy, Billy Boy, or the Two Al's penned much/most of their speeches, either.

Obama impressed me a great deal, but he needs more seasoning. As you might imagine, the GOP will be gunning for him big time. Let's hope he stays on the straight and narrow.

[Liberal]

If by Ron Reagan, you mean the former president, you are mistaken. Otherwise, carry on.

[Gadarene]

His speech has the key telltales of a major-league speechwriter, which is to be expected at that level.

As has been mentioned a couple of times already, Obama claims to have written the speech entirely on his own, subject to minimal editing by his staff and the DNC. He could be lying, I suppose, but that seems like an odd assumption to make.

[Liberal]

Why? He's a politician.

[Rune]

This name "Obama"…. It keeps reminding me of someone else, but I just can’t seem to put my finger on it….??? The only thing I get are these odd associations of twins, goat fucking and 72 virgin camels.
Boy has that man been saddled with an unfortunate name! If ever there were a politician that needed a stage name, this is the one. How about "Bob"?

http://www.obamatruthsquad.com/

[Gadarene]

Lib:
Why? He's a politician.

...And your faith in the innate peacefulness and honesty of humanity shines through again. :)

[Rune]

Lib:


...And your faith in the innate peacefulness and honesty of humanity shines through again. :)Apples and Oranges Gadarene! Lib spoke of politicians, not humans. Everybody knows politicians belong in a different species entirely.

[Hentor the Barbarian]

This name "Obama"…. It keeps reminding me of someone else, but I just can’t seem to put my finger on it….??? The only thing I get are these odd associations of twins, goat fucking and 72 virgin camels.
Boy has that man been saddled with an unfortunate name! If ever there were a politician that needed a stage name, this is the one. How about "Bob"?

http://www.obamatruthsquad.com/Could you elaborate on all of this a little bit, please? I'd like to hear more of what you have to say on this topic, what you think it means, how it reflects other aspects of your thinking, and how consistent it might be with others who share your political affiliation and points of view.

[Razorsharp]

"What a speech!!"

"Wow!!"

"What passion!!"

"Was that speech something, or what?"Comments overheard from patrons leaving the Hofbrauhaus, Munich Germany, 24 Februrary, 1920.

[Gadarene]

That may be the funniest post I've ever seen on the SDMB.

Although not, perhaps, for the reasons its author intended.

[El_Kabong]

"What?"

"Huh?"

"What nonsense!"

"Did he just actually just compare appreciation for Barack Obama's DNC speech to the worship of Hitler, or what?"



Comments overheard from Dopers reading Razorsharp's bizarre contribution to this thread, July, 2004.

[Rune]

Could you elaborate on all of this a little bit, please? I'd like to hear more of what you have to say on this topic, what you think it means, how it reflects other aspects of your thinking, and how consistent it might be with others who share your political affiliation and points of view.It is my little pet theory that liberals generally are blessed with less humour than normal people – probably as a result of internalising all this anal retentive political correct bullshit. Nothing in this world so great as being proven right. I was having a little immature and lame fun on his name, not a deep political analysis. Though I think any man having a name resembling nothing so much as a satire on Osama Goat Laden of nearly Monty Pythonsk proportions is faced with a bit of a handicap. How much of a handicap of course depends on your faith in the intelligence of the American people. Not normally one of liberals greatest points.

[Gadarene]

It is my little pet theory that liberals generally are blessed with less humour than normal people

This is turning out to be quite the entertaining thread! I love the "normal people" bit; you slipped it in effortlessly. :D

Though I think any man having a name resembling nothing so much as a satire on Osama Goat Laden of nearly Monty Pythonsk proportions is faced with a bit of a handicap. How much of a handicap of course depends on your faith in the intelligence of the American people. Not normally one of liberals greatest points.

But wait...

1) You say that Obama is faced with a handicap because of his name.

2) You say that how much of a handicap depends on your faith in the intelligence of the American people.

2a) This implies that the more of a handicap one thinks Obama faces, the less faith one has in the intelligence of the American people.

3) You say that faith in the intelligence of the American people is not a strong point for liberals.

Now, let's say I don't think Obama faces any handicap at all because of his name. (True, actually.) This must mean that I have greater faith in the intelligence of the American people than you do (as "a bit" is more of a handicap than "none"). Does it also follow, then, that you're more liberal than I am?

Damn, the things you learn.

[Rune]

Now, let's say I don't think Obama faces any handicap at all because of his name. (True, actually.) This must mean that I have greater faith in the intelligence of the American people than you do (as "a bit" is more of a handicap than "none"). Does it also follow, then, that you're more liberal than I am?Touché!

But wait! If I’m more liberal than you, then you must be more conservative than me. And if you’re more to the right than me you’re a slave holding Nazi that eat little immigrant babies at full moon, probably you drive a suv.

[Gadarene]

If I’m more liberal than you, then you must be more conservative than me. And if you’re more to the right than me you’re a slave holding Nazi that eat little immigrant babies at full moon, probably you drive a suv.

That's a scurrilous lie! The babies aren't immigrants.

[Eva Luna]

If by Ron Reagan, you mean the former president, you are mistaken. Otherwise, carry on.

Carry on, then - Ron, Jr. gave an impassioned speech about the necessity of embryonic stem cell research (in which he didn't mention Alzheimer's or his father once, by the way).

[Razorsharp]

"Did he just actually just compare appreciation for Barack Obama's DNC speech to the worship of Hitler, or what?".No, it was a comparison of people who are easily swayed by nothing more than rhetoric, while in search of a savior.

[sqweels]

Rune:
It is my little pet theory that liberals generally are blessed with less humour than normal people – probably as a result of internalising all this anal retentive political correct bullshit.

Compare Al Franken and Michael Moore to Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, and Ann Coulter. Compare "Doonesbury" to "Mallard Fillmore". Liberalism and satire mesh nicely together. When conservatives try to be funny, they just come off sounding mean (or in the case of GWB, pathetic).

As for political correctness, conservatives have roared past liberals in that departent in the past few years. What is patriotism if not a form of political correctness? And look at the reaction to gay marriage, the challenge to "under God" in the PoA, the removal of 10 Commandment monuments, etc. And what kind of reaction would you get if you criticize a Republican candidate or appointee for being too religious?

[quote]How much of a handicap of course depends on your faith in the intelligence of the American people. Not normally one of liberals greatest points.[quote]

You've got to be friggin' kidding! Conservatives have this black-and-white view of things while liberals struggle with the complexity of the real world. One look at Bush canpaign ads and it's clear that conservatives have placed their faith in the lack of intelligence of the American people.

[Stonebow]

sqweels, not sure how you managed to get into my head and post on every point I was going to make, and somehow do it more eloquently than I could have, but stop it, okay?

Please?

Damn liberals, with their frickin' telepathy...*grumble, grumble*

[Hentor the Barbarian]

It is my little pet theory that liberals generally are blessed with less humour than normal people You're probably right. Normal people, as opposed to liberals, would never flip out over someone making a lame joke about Bush's name, such as remarking on how it is the same as a slang term for a portion of the female anatomy. I'm glad to know that those normal people wouldn't do something so stupid such as call for the release of videotape to prove that lame jokes about someone's name had been made.

Thank you for both your lucid and thoughtful observation about the nature of liberals and humor, and your sparkling wit!

[ShibbOleth]

I just want to point out that should Obama (http://www.obamaforillinois.com/index.asp?Type=NONE&SEC={8683FB66-C0DB-4FAB-85C7-2FBCF770436E}) become successful enough then this guy (http://www.reelimagesmagazine.com/txt_features/conversations/reel_conversation__harry_lennix.htm) would be great to play him in the movie.

Also, why is it that both the Democrats and Republicans seem to have nominated the worst available public speakers for CiC? I know that the position isn't all oratory, but the perception of leadership is often tied to the perception of public speaking confidence and neither of them is very good.

[jshore]

If by Ron Reagan, you mean the former president, you are mistaken. Otherwise, carry on.

Just curious why you are so willing to believe that President Reagan penned most of his speeches but are much more skeptical about Obama having penned his.

(And, if Reagan really did, what the hell did Peggy Noonan do? Correct his grammar and punctuation?)

[Stoid]

African-American community being represented in politics by blubbering clowns like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.


Excuse me... did you ever actually listen to anything Al Sharpton said during the debates or even during his speech? He is hardly a blubbering clown. He's very earthy, but I'm far from the only person who feels that many times during the dem debates, it was Al Sharpton saying what needed to be said and what the other candidates probably wished they could risk saying. Sharpton had nothing to lose so he spoke the truth, and quite eloquently, too.

[Stonebow]

Excuse me... did you ever actually listen to anything Al Sharpton said during the debates or even during his speech? He is hardly a blubbering clown. He's very earthy, but I'm far from the only person who feels that many times during the dem debates, it was Al Sharpton saying what needed to be said and what the other candidates probably wished they could risk saying. Sharpton had nothing to lose so he spoke the truth, and quite eloquently, too.

I agree. I grew up in NYC during the Tawana Brawley fiasco, and I know how much he was reviled. His credibility was shot with most New Yorkers, myself included. It was a shameful affair for all involved.

That was almost 20 years ago.

Recently, aside from the fact that he and I match on most policy issues, Sharpton has been eloquent, to the point, and has said what has needed to be said, mostly because he knows that he doesn't have a chance. He consistently dominated the Dem debates, and gave a fine speech last night, certainly more inspiring than some I've had to listen to over this week.

I project Sharpton as mayor of NYC in the next decade. In fact, I believe that this run was basically positioning himself as a national figure so that he'd be taken seriously in the local race. From there, who knows? He'd not be the first scoundrel who found himself as an elder statesman.

[furt]

Also, why is it that both the Democrats and Republicans seem to have nominated the worst available public speakers for CiC? Could be worse. I wanted Lieberman, and even I refer to him as "Mumbles the whiner."