God. Fucking. Damn.
Say what you will about Obama. But the man didn't give a speech today as I understand it - which is, to say, something that could be reduced to a five-second soundbite. He has an essay, rife with complexities and contradictions that make up the problems with race in America, and talking full-on. If I were running for President, this would be the kind of densely-layered text I'd be terrified to put out there, because frankly, any summary is going to leave out parts that are vital to an understanding of the whole.

But here it is. One of the finest speeches I've heard while I was alive, and I was alive during the time of Reagan - who I didn't always agree with, but who could put things into words so elegantly that years later people still remember what he said. You may disagree with Obama's approach, but you can't fault the man for bravery in stating what he believes right now.

I voted for him. And regardless of what happens from now on, I am proud to have voted for him. So proud I can feel the tears stinging my eyes.

(Post a new comment)

(Screened Post)

Re: Obama's speech - asim, 2008-03-18 05:33 pm UTC (Expand)

Re: Obama's speech - roaming, 2008-03-18 05:55 pm UTC (Expand)

Re: Obama's speech - theferrett, 2008-03-18 05:58 pm UTC (Expand)

Re: Obama's speech - thetathx1138, 2008-03-18 06:02 pm UTC (Expand)

	twfarlan 2008-03-18 05:27 pm UTC (link)
	While he seemed to find a summary of his point in, "I'm here for Ashley," one could summarize Obama's campaign message as, "I'm here for America." It sounds naive on its own in this supposedly post-ironic age, but this is the reason I voted for him: I believe he means it. (Reply to this)(Thread)(Expand)

(no subject) - celamity, 2008-03-18 05:39 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - cynicalcleric, 2008-03-19 03:28 am UTC (Expand)

asim 2008-03-18 05:32 pm UTC (link)

Exactly. To the nay-sayers, and the "empty suit" proponents -- sure, he's trying to save his own hide. But where others would simply throw their pastor under a bus, Obama says the harsh truths we don't like to talk about. The Archie Bunkers of the world are still out there, amongst the people we care about. And it's in how we continue to love the sinner, but hate the sin, that we develop as...well, he says Americans, but I would say, people. It's not prefect. Legitimate questions can, and should, be asked about his association. But let them be legitimate, and with full knowledge of the situation. (Reply to this)(Thread)(Expand)

(no subject) - theferrett, 2008-03-18 05:37 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - roaming, 2008-03-18 06:00 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - kmg_365, 2008-03-18 06:10 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - roaming, 2008-03-18 06:37 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - hiromasaki, 2008-03-18 05:37 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - zendequervain, 2008-03-18 09:14 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - jonathansfox, 2008-03-18 06:00 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - cynicalcleric, 2008-03-19 03:30 am UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - gaijineli, 2008-03-19 09:32 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - lotrfan, 2008-03-20 07:01 pm UTC (Expand)

	kibbles 2008-03-18 05:38 pm UTC (link)
	http://rudepundit.blogspot.com/2008/03/barack-obamas-big-race-speech-who.html That was a pretty cool post about it, a liveblog of it. (Reply to this)

	misterorange2k5 2008-03-18 05:45 pm UTC (link)
	In full agreement here. Well said, Ferrett. (Reply to this)

	roaming 2008-03-18 05:50 pm UTC (link)
	THANK YOU for pointing this out to me. (I've been distracted elsewhere.) I for one ADORE Obama, and will probably move to Canada (oh, wait, no, there's that baby-seal-bashing thang they do) if he's not elected. I just can't take no more of business as usual. Obie Wan Obama, you're my only hope! (hey, where can I get an icon of that?) (Reply to this)(Thread)(Expand)

(no subject) - soleta_nf, 2008-03-18 11:57 pm UTC (Expand)

hey, where can I get an icon of that? - cynicalcleric, 2008-03-19 03:32 am UTC (Expand)

hyrkanian 2008-03-18 05:52 pm UTC (link)

Agreed in full. I read the text, will watch the YouTube video later when I can sit in one place that long. And tomorrow's Town Hall in Charlotte, NC sold out in two hours or less, before I could get tickets. :( I wanted to take my kids. I saw Reagan speak at the Omni in Atlanta when I was in 7th grade, which is where Son1 is now. Don't remember the exact words but I'll always remember how amazing a speaker he was. (Reply to this)(Thread)(Expand)

(no subject) - asim, 2008-03-18 06:18 pm UTC (Expand)

	jessicamelusine 2008-03-18 05:52 pm UTC (link)
	Amazing and beautiful. (Reply to this)

	nex0s 2008-03-18 05:55 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you for linking to this. I've been for Obama since the beginning, but it's things like this that make my heart swell and feel so glad that he is here, and running. I've linked to it. Thanks. N. (Reply to this)

	theinfamousmom 2008-03-18 05:59 pm UTC (link)
	Sure is nice to see a politician who isn't chewing on his cowboy boots all day long, innit? (Reply to this)(Thread)(Expand)

(no subject) - roaming, 2008-03-18 06:01 pm UTC (Expand)

	hilarityallen 2008-03-18 06:02 pm UTC (link)
	That's a very inspiring speech. I'd be happy if he got elected and tried to put that into practice. (Reply to this)

kmg_365 2008-03-18 06:07 pm UTC (link)

If I were running for President, this would be the kind of densely-layered text I'd be terrified to put out there, because frankly, any summary is going to leave out parts that are vital to an understanding of the whole. I don't think he had any choice but to give the densely-layered version. What surprised me most about this whole Reverand Wright flapdoodle was Juan Williams' reaction to it. Juan seemed to be a bit cynical to me. Personally when this (and the Ferraro story) broke, the first thought that came to my mind was: "Jesus tap dancing Christ. Are we getting into this kind of political bullshit again? Aren't there more important things we should be discussing?" (Reply to this)(Thread)(Expand)

(no subject) - theferrett, 2008-03-18 06:12 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - kmg_365, 2008-03-18 06:32 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - theferrett, 2008-03-18 07:26 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - kmg_365, 2008-03-18 07:36 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - darthparadox, 2008-03-18 08:20 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - wdomburg, 2008-03-18 08:11 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - theferrett, 2008-03-18 07:31 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - kmg_365, 2008-03-18 07:34 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - theferrett, 2008-03-18 07:44 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - kmg_365, 2008-03-18 08:27 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - dragonblink, 2008-03-18 09:14 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - kmg_365, 2008-03-18 09:20 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - theferrett, 2008-03-18 10:15 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - kmg_365, 2008-03-18 11:39 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - skunkboy, 2008-03-19 01:47 am UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - heldc, 2008-03-18 08:31 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - funwithrage, 2008-03-18 08:20 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - asim, 2008-03-18 06:21 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - kmg_365, 2008-03-18 06:34 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - cynicalcleric, 2008-03-19 03:34 am UTC (Expand)

	bookwyrmtx 2008-03-18 06:25 pm UTC (link)
	This speech just proves that Obama is ready on "Day 1". He is a statesman, and very wise to stand up for his pastor. (Reply to this)

	jcfiala 2008-03-18 06:40 pm UTC (link)
	Dang... that's some good writing, there. (Reply to this)

	chadu 2008-03-18 06:44 pm UTC (link)
	Ferret, have you read his books? I just posted about finishing The Audacity of Hope, and goddamn, the Senator can write. CU (Reply to this)(Thread)(Expand)

(no subject) - theferrett, 2008-03-18 07:26 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - soleta_nf, 2008-03-19 12:20 am UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - cynicalcleric, 2008-03-19 04:01 am UTC (Expand)

	perich 2008-03-18 06:47 pm UTC (link)
	With all due respect, I disagree. (Reply to this)(Thread)(Expand)

(no subject) - hiromasaki, 2008-03-18 07:12 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - perich, 2008-03-18 07:16 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - theferrett, 2008-03-18 07:24 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - perich, 2008-03-18 07:32 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - kmg_365, 2008-03-18 07:41 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - perich, 2008-03-18 07:48 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - kemayo, 2008-03-18 10:11 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - nikkif, 2008-03-19 03:37 am UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - lotrfan, 2008-03-20 07:10 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - cynicalcleric, 2008-03-19 04:04 am UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - perich, 2008-03-18 07:55 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - theferrett, 2008-03-18 07:42 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - perich, 2008-03-18 07:54 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - asim, 2008-03-18 08:04 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - perich, 2008-03-18 08:15 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - bustylis, 2008-03-18 08:48 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - kioku_jonny, 2008-03-18 09:14 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - perich, 2008-03-18 09:20 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - kioku_jonny, 2008-03-19 12:04 am UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - theferrett, 2008-03-18 10:21 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - kmg_365, 2008-03-18 08:38 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - asim, 2008-03-18 08:56 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - kmg_365, 2008-03-18 09:02 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - drooling_ferret, 2008-03-18 09:02 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - kmg_365, 2008-03-18 09:18 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - asim, 2008-03-19 02:34 am UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - theferrett, 2008-03-18 10:06 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - zoethe, 2008-03-18 11:40 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - kmg_365, 2008-03-18 11:41 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - thebitterguy, 2008-03-18 07:23 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - xzarakizraiia, 2008-03-18 09:28 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - perich, 2008-03-19 02:44 am UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - xzarakizraiia, 2008-03-19 02:51 am UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - lcd_cow, 2008-03-19 07:13 am UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - wyrrlen, 2008-03-19 02:55 pm UTC (Expand)

	kathrynrose 2008-03-18 06:47 pm UTC (link)
	Thanks for that link. I read big hunks of the speech to my coworkers. We all teared up at one point. I really hope he wins. (Reply to this)

freak_in_need 2008-03-18 06:49 pm UTC (link)

It's so rare for me to hear a politician who actually tells the truth, even if it's an unpopular truth. Not surprising, since I came of age during Dubya's first term. Everytime I listen to a politician talk I feel like I'm translating the real message from the doublethink. Obama is the first exception I've seen so far, and it's a nice change to just be able to listen, and not have to translate. (Reply to this)

I dunno.. geoduck42 2008-03-18 07:27 pm UTC (link)

I don't think anyone denies the man can give a speech, and it would be very nice to have a President who can string three consecutive coherent sentences together.. but still.. is he really up to this? I hope he truly understands what he's getting into; BushCo is leaving a giant flaming radioactive ruin behind them. (And yes, I'll vote for him, or Clinton, if she still somehow manages to pull this out.) (Reply to this)(Thread)(Expand)

Re: I dunno.. - mcsnee, 2008-03-18 08:20 pm UTC (Expand)

	missexpatria 2008-03-18 07:53 pm UTC (link)
	I feel like up to the point of the first applause, he was DREADING the speech. He seemed to loosen up after that. It was nothing short of magnificent. (Reply to this)

	teresa11 2008-03-18 08:04 pm UTC (link)
	It would be really nice to have a President who can think. *crosses fingers for Obama* (Reply to this)

	skaldheim 2008-03-18 08:13 pm UTC (link)
	This was the first speech in my life where I was not only really impressed with what was said, and how it was said, but I was also eager to read the text immediately afterwards. I was incredibly impressed, and moved. (Reply to this)

	streon 2008-03-18 08:29 pm UTC (link)
	I'm proud to be an American today because this man is a presidential candidate. (Reply to this)

thegameiam 2008-03-18 08:37 pm UTC (link)

I was impressed with the speech, even though I do not agree with chunks of it. I greatly respect Sen. Obama for not throwing Rev. Wright under the bus, even though it would have been expedient to do so. I also really liked his phrase about "binding our particular grievances .. to the larger aspirations of all Americans" - that is a beautiful phrase, and a noble sentiment. More please. However, let's look a little bit more closely: But it also means binding our particular grievances - for better health care, and better schools, and better jobs - to the larger aspirations of all Americans -- the white woman struggling to break the glass ceiling, the white man whose been laid off, the immigrant trying to feed his family. But later on, he says This time we want to talk about how the lines in the Emergency Room are filled with whites and blacks and Hispanics who do not have health care; who don't have the power on their own to overcome the special interests in Washington, but who can take them on if we do it together.</blockquote> So wait - the special interests are to blame? In the words of Walt Kelly's Pogo, "we have met the enemy, and he is us." All of the special interests represent some particular community - there are no faceless lobbyists yearning to oppress the citizenry! Instead, what's there are legions of people who have a particular focus, who care deeply about something, and who think that their particular interest is what should recieve government assistance / money / favorable treatment. So while the speech was excellent in a way that political speeches (very) rarely are - it inspired, and frankly dealt with an issue which has been pretty radioactive until now - I see a type of populism which could easily become demagoguery. I would love to be wrong about this, but have not yet seen that which would make me think that I am. (Reply to this)(Thread)(Expand)

(no subject) - asim, 2008-03-18 08:49 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - thegameiam, 2008-03-18 09:56 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - asim, 2008-03-19 02:37 am UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - thegameiam, 2008-03-19 02:55 am UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - happydog, 2008-03-19 06:40 am UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - thegameiam, 2008-03-19 12:25 pm UTC (Expand)

(no subject) - asim</