# Barack Obama **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 28, 2004, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207 "2004-07-28T02:15:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/41 "2004-07-28T14:49:18Z")
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.) ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/42 "2004-07-28T14:51:07Z")
> [@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’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: > [@Mr. Obama](#): > > 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=%7B98F1584F-9302-4038-BE87-6B52E9151CB3%7D) 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. > [@Liberal](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/43 "2004-07-28T14:57:44Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/44 "2004-07-28T16:10:27Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/45 "2004-07-28T16:46:07Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/46 "2004-07-28T17:13:25Z")
> [@malkavia](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/47 "2004-07-28T17:21:55Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/48 "2004-07-28T17:23:21Z")
> [@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. 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. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/49 "2004-07-28T17:44:33Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![PaulFitzroy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/2acd7d/32.png) [@PaulFitzroy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaulFitzroy)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/50 "2004-07-28T17:52:06Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/51 "2004-07-28T18:00:55Z")
> [@](#): > > 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? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/52 "2004-07-28T18:02:01Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/53 "2004-07-28T18:07:32Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/54 "2004-07-28T18:18:34Z")
> [@malkavia](#): > > 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? ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/55 "2004-07-28T18:40:44Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > 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 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. ---
**Author:** ![Kel\_Varnsen\_Latex\_Division](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@Kel\_Varnsen\_Latex\_Division](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kel_Varnsen_Latex_Division)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/56 "2004-07-28T18:42:17Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Kel\_Varnsen\_Latex\_Division](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@Kel\_Varnsen\_Latex\_Division](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kel_Varnsen_Latex_Division)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/57 "2004-07-28T18:49:58Z")
> [@](#): > > The Dems need people who can passionately articulate a liberal vision Obama is a liberal? ---
**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/58 "2004-07-28T19:14:58Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/59 "2004-07-28T19:19:26Z")
[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.” ---
**Author:** ![Ronnie\_Woo\_Woo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/34f0e0/32.png) [@Ronnie\_Woo\_Woo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronnie_Woo_Woo)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207/60 "2004-07-28T19:19:41Z")
> [@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. 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. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama/257207.md?page=4)