I saw Obama speak today, and I just want to say that he's

[FrenchieCat]

got it going on!"!

I went to the S.F. Graham Civic Center event with my daughter, who will be casting her first vote in a presidential election this year (my other daughter will too, but she had school).

Let me tell you.......that man can speak. It's not simply what he says that makes him a great speaker...it really is how he says it. Barack Obama is a phenomenal speaker, and he certainly can be one whose voice will reach many. I believe that if anyone can talk some sense into those who have repeately voted against their own interest year after year, and those who have been turned off of politics and choose not to vote.....if they, by chance, get to hear what Obama has to say, they will be converted to want to change this nation.

In otherwords, he was excellent AND I got to shake his hand before he departed, and my daughter got a special wave from him with eye contact...as she was standing on a table taking his picture with her camera phone.

I came away very impressed. In addition, I'm fired up and ready to go!

GObama!

[Colobo]

1. I'm glad he fired you up! The man is ready to lead!

[FrenchieCat]

8. His last story of his speech was so artfully executed, I was really impressed......

on how he did that.

Like I said, his manner of speaking leaves one to feel that there can't be one no better in that realm...and since part of governing on the executive level is to affect change by going to the people via the bully pulpit and by persuading legislators as to what should be done, he has more than what it takes to qualify in that department....and in my opinion more so than the others.

[Pushed To The Left]

2. I agree 100%! GObama!

I think he can bring a lot of people together who don't usually vote together. When I have volunteered for Obama events, I have worked with some people who aren't Democrats or liberals, but are drawn to Obama's message. Obama is a progressive who appeals to people from other ideologies. GObama!

[Grandrose]

3. Thanks for the feedback!

GObama is right!:thumbsup: :kick:

[silverweb]

4. Wonderful!

I'm so glad you got to the event with your daughter and so glad you came away inspired.

This is a major reason I'm for Obama. He has common-sense, rational answers and ideas for the challenges that face us.

Beyond that, however, he inspires hope and positive energy in people, which is something everyone in our country and the whole world desperately needs right now.

GObama!

[FrenchieCat]

6. The crowd, and it was a large one was very diverse.......

which I liked.

There were many young people in the balcony.

I think he must have received at least 3 or 4 long standing ovations on some strong points in his speech.

[Colobo]

5. I can't understand why so many Dems are not listening to this man.

[illinoisprogressive]

12. they are caught up in fuzzy mists of yesterday. and it fuzzes the mind-lol

[illinoisprogressive]

7. Amazing. I bet your daughter was just thrilled. I read it was quite the exciting event

and I bet you are thrilled to have shook his hand. I will never forget going to his presidential announcement.
He is powerful on tv but, in person, electric.

[Colobo]

9. I woke up at 9am that morning to watch it online. I didn't know who Obama was

but I knew something special was about to happen.

[illinoisprogressive]

13. Katz, it was cold. And full of people. 17,000 of us crazy enought to stand in 10 degrees

[Colobo]

20. You were part of history, Diane. What you saw was the beginning of a new era

in American politics, if Dem voters let it happen...

[FrenchieCat]

14. She will be joining the "For Obama" organization at Harvard as soon as she

gets back to school...and she has agreed to register to vote in California as opposed to MA.....because she figured out that the California Primary will be more impactful on the overall race. She's pretty smart, ya know. :)

[flpoljunkie]

10. Thanks so much, FrenchieCat for your first hand report!

[zulchzulu]

11. Thanks for your post

It must have been fantastic!

[illinoisprogressive]

17. Frenchie, two things. I am just so happy you got the chance to see him

you will have memories forever.
two: I love your screenname. I am french and I have a cat. so your name is very cool. lol

[FrenchieCat]

28. Merci!

D'un indigène française à l'autre.

Je n'ai pas de chat, mais "CAT" fait partie de mon nom, et j'ai aussi des yeux vert come un chat.

[Adelante]

15. I was so hoping you would go

:hug:

[FrenchieCat]

22. It was an "Women for Obama" event.......

Chaired by this woman.....

San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, the first female District Attorney in S.F., who also happens to be Black! :)


Here's some coverage with video. (lotsa news crews!)
http://www.ktvu.com/news/14071088/detail.html


In S.F. visit, Obama takes aim at Clinton's strength: women's votes

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/09/07/MNTQS0G42.DTL

[wndycty]

25. Frenchie is Kamala single?

I'm looking to settle down soon.

[FrenchieCat]

26. LOL!

I don't know......but she is certainly a very attractive woman....who might give me a run for my money in that department! :)

[wndycty]

36. Well I have been waiting for you to come around. . .

:kick:

[FrenchieCat]

40. Must be my marriage vows keeping me at bay......

LOL!

[wndycty]

54. You and your messed up set of priorities. . . .

;) lol

[Major Hogwash]

16. Holy shit!

". . . and my daughter got a special wave from him with eye contact . . ."

That's impressive!!
That's how a candidate touches a voter.

[FrenchieCat]

23. Guess he's that good! Cause there were a lotsa folks there......

But she received it....and noted it! :thumbsup:

[Captain Hilts]

18. It sounds like a great experience for you both. What a great day! nt

[jenmito]

19. K& R! That's great! Just watching him on tv makes me hopeful!

He's so inspirational and impresive! :hi:

[Cha]

21. I'm so happy that you got to see and hear

Obama in person and shake his hand! He does have an Amazing ability to communicate his intelligence and understanding of the necessites to facilitate the healing of our country.

[Phrogman]

24. I thought this was another OBL tape thread....

Obama, Osama, WTF is the Democratic party thinking??? if I get em' mixed up, Bubba must surely be going haywire.

[FrenchieCat]

27. Perhaps...but a name is just a name........substance on the other hand.

is everything.

I'm sure that when you hear each speak, you would not confuse them.


At the end of the day, maybe the fact that Barack's name is Obama will continue to remind us of the other one that has yet to be caught.

[killbotfactory]

29. We can strike a giant blow to the republican party by electing Obama

I just hope we are smart enough to do so.

[FrenchieCat]

30. And it would be a GIANT step for the United States.......

in the right direction......

Talking about gaining back our respect!

I would work to see this! :thumbsup:

[Colobo]

34. It would be the most inspiring moment in my life...

To see Obama's inaguration would be a tribute to all of those black hands who sweated blood while building up the nations that make up the Western Hemisphere and their descendants.

[Auntie Bush]

31. What are you going to do if Clark decides to run? lol

You're going to be in a pickle.

[FrenchieCat]

32. Haven't yet thrown my full support to Obama........cause I have already decided

to wait till October for my option to enact my volunteerism at "full throttle".

Right now, I am multi-tasking....but both men had the good judgement of warning against the invasion of Iraq....so I'm consistent.

Wes gets in, and he will have my full attention....but, as I am realistic, I'm currently preparing my "Obama" dossier, in case I end up volunteering for the man.....and you know me.....it will be a Dossier and a half! :)

[phillysuse]

33. Clark-Obama

That would be my ticket!!!

[Colobo]

35. Obama-Clark is my ticket.

[Imagevision]

49. Obama-Clark does sound interesting, (Fitzgerald for Attorney General)

[Auntie Bush]

37. Yes, I know you and it will certainly be a dossier and a half.

Obama will be lucky to have you. Who knows...maybe you will influence me. How about if Obama asks Clark to be his running mate? A marriage made in heaven!

[FrenchieCat]

45. Well certainly Clark would offer Obama the balance that Obama needs

electorally, and provide that national defense experience that an Obama ticket could use, including the attack dog strength and fortitude without having to resort to status quo pols. :)

[Cameron27]

38. I'm so happy to hear this first hand,

that always helps when you're trying to get the "goods" on a public figure. I think he'll make a remarkable president.

I'm not at the point where I'm ready to back anyone yet, but Obama looks pretty damned good.

[Sapphire Blue]

39. So what did he say?

[FrenchieCat]

42. He said an awful lot, and I provided the links to the video up above.....

he stressed the tiredness of politics in the state that it is currently in. He touched on how many politicians are about playing a good game (which is what these pols consider politics to be); always telling various audiences what various audiences want to hear in order to get elected. He talked about how this type of politicking is prevalent and everywhere, but that it is not these election tactics that will turn the page on the divisiveness found in our politics today...and therefore this approach might work in getting pols elected, but it will not truly help us. He stressed that it is we the people who must participate in order to build consensus towards real goals that can be achieved to help this country.

He spoke of the tired status quo, and how we must get away from that....and how we cannot be afraid of taking some risks in order to get some real solutions to our real problems. That the only thing that happens when we refuse to do anything different is that things end up staying the same......over and over and over again.

As an example of the same ol' same ol', he mentioned how our nation has been discussing Healthcare and solutions to our energy issues for over 2 decades, but how we are still at a standstill. He believes strongly that the solution to getting the ball rolling is to talk to our enemies as well as getting our friends on board (both politically and domestically)to enact change.

He also spoke of his mother who died of cancer at the age of 53...and how he watched as she worried about whether she would get the care that she needed or whether she would be denied such due to "pre-existing" conditions.

He talked about how the war that we are currently engaged in should have never have been authorized or fought....and how those who currently tout experience actually didn't seem to have what it took when it was required. He also spoke of getting troops out of Iraq......because this war cannot be won militarily.

He mentioned his years working as a community organizer, and how at some point he started working on the "Project Vote" because he wanted to make sure that all folks had a chance to make their voice be heard.

He also told stories about his daughters and his wife, and how the only time he can get them to applaud him is when he washes the dishes.

And he told a fabulous story about a town in North Carolina (or was it South Carolina?)....

It is a story that I cannot do justice to.....because he tells it so well and is a story that illustrates my point most as to why this man is so powerful in his oratory.

Quite frankly, it is not simply what Obama had to say that made listening to him important, it is how he said it. The authenticity and character of the man are a large part of why folks would want to vote for him. It is not what he promises that count....it is the fact that he conveys clearly his approach on how he would get what he promises enacted-- that is the impact that one is left with...and makes him different from the others running. Certainly, a lot of pols talk about what they will do if and when.....but it is a rare quality indeed to realize while listening to a pol, exactly how he would achieve those goals. That the thing I believe to be key to Obama's appeal; he gives one the idea that his chosen approach will actually allow what he offers to get done. and Getting things done, at the end of the day....is paramount.

[FrenchieCat]

51. Footage of some of what he spoke about that I didn't cover in my

answer to you....

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=politics&id=5646064

[midnight]

41. I saw him speak at the last democratic election, and was

impressed. Can you tell me what his stance is on the war?

[FrenchieCat]

43. My understanding is that he would have never voted to authorize it.....

and he believes that this war cannot be won militarily. He believes that we must be smarter leaving there then were were going in.....and that this war can be ended without George Bush being the decider....and that if Bush's war is still being fought when he takes office, his first priority--the first thing that he will do when he takes office is to end it.

[Imagevision]

44. I agree, Obama clearly stands out from the other candidates because of the way he comes across!

People say Obama is unexperienced while at the same time are forgetting collectively what the experience
(70-80 years) of Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld has gotten us where we are today!??

[FrenchieCat]

47. Correct.......because if experience is experience at making mistakes.....

and for some realizing that only way later....I'm pretty sure that this is not the experience required in order for our nation to turn the corner.

[BenDavid]

46. I don't think Obama played

his cards right. He's going "all in" as a newbie freshman - I'm not sure that's a smart move. Sure he has the gift and any gifted speaker can manke you fill emotion....Why do ya think there are so many preachers that have that gift to stir emotions.All I will say is if Obama wins this will show that Democrats won't be happy until Rudy is sworn in....

I do thank you
Ben David

[FrenchieCat]

48. The gift of a gifted speaker should not be so convenienty discarded......

as all of our great leaders "had" "it". In our history, the greatest of all, were gifted speakers.....people who could get you to see things their way without you feeling exploided or put upon. Emotions in politics is 1/2 of everything if not more. Passion is what can get folks excited about politics and in turn about changing the direction of politics and of our nation. Issue papers and policies are great to have, but there is no guarantee that most of what is promised in those issue papers will be enacted. So it is great to hear good rethoric and read great plans......but in reality, the bottomline is what is actually gonna get done....not what we "wish" will get done.

If OBama wins the Democratic nomination, his only enemies will be fear, hate and unlike other past candidates, racism.

I for one would hope that Democrats would be happy to do something that have never done....elect a man based on the content of his character, and not attempt to defeat him for the color of his skin. Personally, I think that Americans could do this.

[calimary]

50. Um... you mean he could tell the difference between OPEC and APEC,

and Australia and Austria? Well, gee, I'm not sure that's presidential material, you know.

:sarcasm:

I mean, the guy we've got in there now is bright enough to run for some teenage beauty title and answer questions about map-reading!

[WCGreen]

52. Well, his whole reputation, until just recently, was based on his

speech at the 2004 convention...

He is a great speaker...

[democrat2thecore]

53. GOBAMA! would make a great bumpersticker!! -nt

[Colobo]

55. Kickin!

[jefferson_dem]

56. Great story. Thanks for sharing.

My daughter and I will be with Obama here in ATL later this month. She's not quite old enough to vote but is an adamant Obama-backer nonetheless...

[trashcanistanista]

57. I watched his speech on C-Span

in New Hampshire last week and I know what you mean. If he comes across TV as dynamic, I can only imagine what it is like to be there! Michelle too, wonderful speaker, both absolutely reek of charisma.

[krkaufman]

58. Good to hear, but Edwards is really the only choice.

:)

[Colobo]

60. BS.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

63. see? he is head and shoulders above her!

maybe more

[AnotherGreenWorld]

59. I haven't seen him speak.

But I do think he would be the greatest president the US has had in the last half century. He's intelligent, he genuinely cares, he's charismatic and a great public speaker. It's a rare combination.

It's too bad that he probably will not be our nominee.

[Colobo]

61. He will be if we work hard. Let's make it happen.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

62. even if he is stinky and snorie? koooool

glad you saw him. I was lucky to see many of them live at YKos. frankly, I don't know how to put it, but dammit, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OURS is heads and shoulders abovethe GOP gaggle of godawfulgeese. Even Hillary, who I disdain and dislike and distrust.

[maximusveritas]

64. He needs to start bringing that magic to the debates

He's continued to get better and actually did very well in the last couple debates, but I think he could still use some work.