# Barack Obama's Grandmother has Died **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 3, 2008, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928 "2008-11-03T21:37:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/61 "2008-11-03T23:06:52Z")
My heartfelt condolences for Obama who deserved the elation that goes with a hard fought victory which can only be tempered somewhat by the death of someone so dear to him. > [@Equipoise](#): > > McCain blamed his negative campaigning on the fact that Obama wouldn’t do a series of Town Hall meetings with him, therefore blaming Obama himself for McCain being sleezy. Yes, it was as surreally stupid as everything else McCain has done in this election. Sigh ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/62 "2008-11-03T23:11:23Z")
Comment from John and Cindy McCain: > [@](#): > > We offer our deepest condolences to Barack Obama and his family as they grieve the loss of their beloved grandmother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them as they remember and celebrate the life of someone who had such a profound impact in their lives. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/63 "2008-11-03T23:14:10Z")
I’m volunteering at the Kansas City Obama HQ, and I learned about it fairly early - apparently someone from the Chicago office called as soon as the news was announced. Farewell Toot - you raised a great man. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/64 "2008-11-03T23:17:49Z")
Shayna, thanks for posting that Time magazine link. The phrase “frowzy muu-muus” brought a needed smile to my face. ---
**Author:** ![atomicbadgerrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/65 "2008-11-03T23:30:53Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > The RNC probably wishes they hadn’t chosen today to [criticize his campaign money](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/03/rnc-hits-obama-for-visit_n_140553.html) paying for that visit. The California Republican Party made an [official complaint](http://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/110308FECComplaintAgainstBarackObametal.pdf) today as well. > > Not that I think it would have changed anybody’s vote. From the complaint: > [@](#): > > (2) Obama for America converted campaign funds to Senator Obama’s personal use by paying his personal travel expenses in violation of 2 U.S.C 439a and 11 CFR 113.2(e) Okay, for real. Can someone provide a cite that Palin’s trip back home to Alaska on the campaign jet from 9/10-9/13 wasn’t a personal trip? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weird\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/66 "2008-11-03T23:33:55Z")
I heard it on NPR as I was driving home and got a bit teary-eyed. It’s so sad that she’s not going to see the election. May she rest in peace. My heartfelt condolences to the Obama family. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/67 "2008-11-03T23:40:25Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > Shayna, thanks for posting that Time magazine link. The phrase “frowzy muu-muus” brought a needed smile to my face. You’re welcome. I loved that line, too – reminded me of my own baba. Obama is speaking live now, talking about his Toots. He said she died peacefully in her sleep with his sister by her side, so everyone’s grateful for that. ---
**Author:** ![Zjestika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/8edcca/32.png) [@Zjestika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zjestika)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/68 "2008-11-03T23:42:43Z")
That’s so, so sad. I’m so glad he got to see her. It meant so much to me to see both my grandmothers before they died. I find it interesting that one can vote early and pass away before election day. I’m happy that she was able to vote for him, but it seems to me like one should have to be alive on election day for the vote to be counted. Is there any legal rule about that? I’m not trying to be insensitive or suggest that her vote shouldn’t be counted. I’m just curious. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2008, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/69 "2008-11-03T23:55:07Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > Comment from John and Cindy McCain: McCain added “No doubt Senator Obama plans to spread her ashes in the winds much as he plans to do with the wealth of America.” ---
**Author:** ![sugar\_and\_spice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@sugar\_and\_spice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugar_and_spice)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/70 "2008-11-04T00:08:46Z")
> [@Zjestika](#): > > I find it interesting that one can vote early and pass away before election day. I’m happy that she was able to vote for him, but it seems to me like one should have to be alive on election day for the vote to be counted. Is there any legal rule about that? > > I’m not trying to be insensitive or suggest that her vote shouldn’t be counted. I’m just curious. Recently discussed re: Studs Terkel: > **[Should Studs Turkels vote count\>](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=490672)** > > Studs Turkel died yesterday. If he voted absentee ,should it count? Should we count votes of the dead? The link at the end is interesting. I was just thinking this afternoon what good fortune that she would make it to election day … and then a few minutes later I checked the news online. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/71 "2008-11-04T00:12:10Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > McCain added “No doubt Senator Obama plans to spread her ashes in the winds much as he plans to do with the wealth of America.” Too bad no sound bite for that one. My condolences to Baracks Grandmother - perhaps she’ll preside over this election in spirit. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/72 "2008-11-04T00:15:41Z")
> [@An\_Arky](#): > > It’s too bad that the biggest, happiest day of his professional life will be tempered with personal sadness. > > My condolences to him and his family. > > ☹ This is exactly what I thought when I heard the news. My condolences to the Obama family. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/73 "2008-11-04T00:20:46Z")
> [@Kal](#): > > Are they saying she really died in Kenya? Worse. They’re saying he murdered her…at least some of them are. A fair number of them are telling the conspiracists to STFU. ---
**Author:** ![davidw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c4cdca/32.png) [@davidw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidw)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/74 "2008-11-04T00:40:42Z")
> [@Zjestika](#): > > I find it interesting that one can vote early and pass away before election day. I’m happy that she was able to vote for him, but it seems to me like one should have to be alive on election day for the vote to be counted. Is there any legal rule about that? > > I’m not trying to be insensitive or suggest that her vote shouldn’t be counted. I’m just curious. That reminds me of one of my all-time favorite movie lines, from The Great McGinty. Explaining why it’s okay for the dead to vote, the corrupt machine pol says “We knew they was going to vote for us. Why should we be deprived 'cause they was unlucky enough to die?” ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/75 "2008-11-04T00:42:21Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > On the upside, she passed believing her grandson would be President, suppose the election turns into another 2000 style clusterfuck, with lawsuits, etc. By passing now, she’s been spared the suffering that would have come from that. My thoughts exactly, but still, it’s sad she couldn’t see him win the election if that happens. And what a terrible time to have to deal with a personal loss such as this. My sympathies to Barack Obama and his family. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/76 "2008-11-04T00:52:11Z")
I’ve actually overheard a couple of students saying “Isn’t it _convenient_ that his grandmother just happens to die today…”. Obama of course wasn’t in Hawaii, but no reason he can’t send his spirit out and over the waters to pull some plugs I guess. Even divorcing the shittiness of the sentiment, looking at it from the amoral opportunistic standpoint, do you think any McCain supporters- whether Hillary supporters for McCain or your regular rational moderate middle of the road ones or or the most zealous GOP members of all time- are going to say “Well, you know, I think McCain/Palin is the better choice to guide the country for the next four years, but poor Barack Obama… I’m going to vote for him since his grandma just died…”. No… they’re going to say, like some McCain/Palin supporters have said here and on other blogs and message boards, “I’m a McCain/Palin supporter, but on a personal basis my sympathies to him and his family in a time of sadness”. If McCain’s mother died I’d say the same thing in reverse: doesn’t affect my vote, but he has my sympathies because even though she was very old and in ill health she was his mother. One that’s on Fox Noise and other sites in variations is the “Oh, the Dems can criticize Bristol Palin for being pregnant but we can’t make light of Obama’s grandmother dying?” Uh- I’m sure that made sense when you first wrote it in crayon and pictures, but it doesn’t online. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/77 "2008-11-04T01:00:48Z")
[noparse]:rolleyes:[/noparse] to those who dare to even _think_ the word ‘convenient’. Perhaps _in_-convenient would be better. What will it do to Baracks state of mind for tomorrow. Anyway, not that Barack is a close personal friend or not’n but my condolences to him and his family. ---
**Author:** ![lynxie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e99b99/32.png) [@lynxie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lynxie)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/78 "2008-11-04T01:08:19Z")
☹ I was hoping she make it through the week, at least. But I’m certain that she could not have been prouder of him. Heartfelt condolences to the family. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/79 "2008-11-04T01:31:13Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Worse. They’re saying he murdered her…at least some of them are. A fair number of them are telling the conspiracists to STFU. Ah, the old “murder by cancer” trick. Especially clever of him to have done it from thousands of miles away. Sneaky bastard. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2008, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928/80 "2008-11-04T01:39:41Z")
Video of Obama talking tonight about it. > **[Obama On Grandmother And Campaign: "Bittersweet"](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/obama-on-grandmother-and_n_140698)** > > Obama On Grandmother And Campaign: "Bittersweet" [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obamas-grandmother-has-died/470928.md?page=5)