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Early Recognition
Nov. 5th, 2008 12:44 pmIn 2004, the day after Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention, I wrote:
"I was impressed with Barack Obama, senatorial candidate from Illinois. His entire speech is available on NPR.org, for those that are interested. He's an excellent speaker, and it made me want to know more about him."
Listen to the speeches from last night, if you get a chance. McCain was gracious in defeat. He was again the man that I wouldn’t have been upset to see president. I like to think that was the real McCain, and that he wasn’t comfortable with the campaign. I truly hope that he can work to move forward, to help heal the divide. I hope that he can help to rein in what the rhetoric has wrought.
Obama’s speech was inspiring, as I knew it would be. Listen to it. I cried.
I'm pleased because I voted for the man who I thought would make the best president. I voted for him because I line up with him on more issues. I voted for him because of the content of his character. I voted for him because, yes, I believe that he has it in him to do great things. Now that he's been elected, I sincerely hope that he will, and can.
I'm pleased because my two sons will grow up in a world where a man with the first name of "Barack" can become president. Seriously, this part made me cry last night, when I kissed them goodnight. I'm pleased that the negative attacks and smear campaign didn't prevail. I have hope it means Americans are demanding better.
I also sincerely hope that it will become increasingly clear what was the truth, and what was rhetoric. I hope that the people who pushed and pushed that rhetoric are able to help contain it. I sincerely hope that Obama is able to have a good term, and not do anything stupid so that people can hold him up as a bad example. I hope that he's able to follow through with what he said during his speech, and will be able to lead this nation, undivided, the United States of America. I don't envy him the job he has now to do.
Also, the day after the election in ‘04, I wrote that I’d vote for Obama in ’08. Honestly, I thought it would be cool, but I’m not sure I actually believed it would happen this year. I did know that I was watching a man who would be president, someday.
Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.
"I was impressed with Barack Obama, senatorial candidate from Illinois. His entire speech is available on NPR.org, for those that are interested. He's an excellent speaker, and it made me want to know more about him."
Listen to the speeches from last night, if you get a chance. McCain was gracious in defeat. He was again the man that I wouldn’t have been upset to see president. I like to think that was the real McCain, and that he wasn’t comfortable with the campaign. I truly hope that he can work to move forward, to help heal the divide. I hope that he can help to rein in what the rhetoric has wrought.
Obama’s speech was inspiring, as I knew it would be. Listen to it. I cried.
I'm pleased because I voted for the man who I thought would make the best president. I voted for him because I line up with him on more issues. I voted for him because of the content of his character. I voted for him because, yes, I believe that he has it in him to do great things. Now that he's been elected, I sincerely hope that he will, and can.
I'm pleased because my two sons will grow up in a world where a man with the first name of "Barack" can become president. Seriously, this part made me cry last night, when I kissed them goodnight. I'm pleased that the negative attacks and smear campaign didn't prevail. I have hope it means Americans are demanding better.
I also sincerely hope that it will become increasingly clear what was the truth, and what was rhetoric. I hope that the people who pushed and pushed that rhetoric are able to help contain it. I sincerely hope that Obama is able to have a good term, and not do anything stupid so that people can hold him up as a bad example. I hope that he's able to follow through with what he said during his speech, and will be able to lead this nation, undivided, the United States of America. I don't envy him the job he has now to do.
Also, the day after the election in ‘04, I wrote that I’d vote for Obama in ’08. Honestly, I thought it would be cool, but I’m not sure I actually believed it would happen this year. I did know that I was watching a man who would be president, someday.
Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.
