I really think at this point, you either get it or you don't.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

This could potentially be a turning point in American history of acknowledgement, reconcilliation and redemption, towards a shared momentum for ALL the many groups that make up this country to achieve our COMMON GOALS.

Has anyone else ever made you believe that this was even a possibility in your lifetime?

[2rth2pwr]

1. yes, we are the ones we have been waiting for

he is the one.

[aasleka]

2. Not until this year

[SoonerPride]

3. The Audacity to Hope

People have gotten so bitter and entrenched in their little turf wars they can no longer see the common good.

The time for Change is here.

I now believe we can do it.

[knixphan]

4. Really up to US.

I'm ready.

Who's with me?

[DesertFlower]

8. i'm with you.

:toast:

[WillParkinson]

5. No...

And I still don't believe it.

I don't believe anyone who lets a bigot speak for him but then tries to say that he doesn't agree with it. That's pandering to get votes.

I don't believe anyone who says that they serve the people but then says he can't agree with gay marriage because his religion is against it, even though his church is OK with it.

In short, I don't see this candidate being much, if any, different for gays and lesbians as any candidate in the past. Just wrapped in a slicker package.

Oh, and by the by, I don't support the other candidate either. I'll hold my nose and vote in the general election, but I won't be happy about the lever I have to pull.

[DemzRock]

6. As someone who has lived through...

JFK... RFK... Lies... Illegal wars... Stolen Elections. Decades of lies against Clinton. And everything that W has done, like ignoring warnings leading to 911 and invading the wrong country based on lies...

It's hard to believe superficial dreams.

The best we can ALWAYS hope for is a step in the right direction.

Clinton or Obama = right direction

McBush = wrong direction...

Guess I'm just too jaded.

[alarimer]

19. I am jaded too I guess because the adulation is what worries me the most.

Yeah, good speech. So what?

The kind of unthinking adoration like he is the second coming worries me a lot. Because for one thing, people that inspire like that also inspire lunatics. And then they die. See JFK, RFK, King, etc.

OR, worse,

They become demagogues.

And in any case no one can sustain that kind of adoration without disappointing SOMEONE. And probably almost everyone sooner or later.

I am sure he will be more than adequate as President but probably not much more. Hell, it will be a vast improvement over that last clown that occupied the White House. But I wouldn't expect much more. Unless we have spermajorities, not much of note will be accomplished.

Strictly a one-termer I think. And that goes probably for Clinton as well. McCain will probably die in office so we'll have whatever lunatic he picks as VP.

I think the Republicans are like opossums. They are playing dead to fool us. But they will be back and with a vengeance.

[BOSSHOG]

7. You cultists are hilarious

The only thing that Obama made me believe today was that a politician would eventually come around to attempt damage control. Imagine that ever happening. And pray tell what is our COMMON GOALS? Me singing Kumbaya with rush limbaugh? Aint gonna happen.

[emilyg]

11. Amen.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

13. I'm not gonna be singing Kumbaya with Rush either.

My goals and the goals of many if not most Americans (I think) are living wages, health, education, housing, civil rights, Constitutional rights, fair elections, and the environment being foremost. I don't think Rush Limbaugh shares ANY of those goals. He doesn't have to as he is a charter memeber of the I Got Mine club. His goal is to make me think that he and I have common ground, which we don't.He is a snake oil dispenser of the highest order who attempts to get the intellectually incurious and pathologically defenseless to follow his directives even against their own self-interest.

Obama did "Damage control" as you say by making a momentous and brave speech. He did not address Wright's "anger", he addressed WHY he was angry and how that effects all of us whther we acknowledge it or not. He took a much braoder scope than a less courageous politician would have taken. Most would have attempted to lay low and just wait for the brou-ha-ha to die a natural death when the flames had sucked away all the oxygen and just couldn't self-sustain any longer - (the unsucessful Kerry tactic).

I have always been just as cynical as you. Snideness and cynicism are self - destroying. It's amazing how liberating it can be to toss them aside.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

9. I would love to believe

[Fresh_Start]

10. why doesn't Obama push legislation tomorrow

since we're all united.

Increase minimum wage
Universal healthcare
Free higher education
Stockholder protection
Environmental protection
Consumer protection

Since he has the momentum, wouldn't this be the time to take action?

[zalinda]

12. No, then he would actually have to DO something

rather than give a speech.

zalinda

[mth44sc]

14. you either get it or you don't...

that about sums it up...

[Whisp]

15. Obama seemed to come out of nowhere, to deliver some hope.

I would never have thought there was a chance for some real dialogue and change a couple years ago, and now I do.

He is a gift to us all. to the world.
let's take good care of him and his ideas and we will take better care of ourselves by following his lead.

[Growler]

16. the problem is

...the people that totally DON'T get it think actually do.... :(

[Barack_America]

17. Nope. Never.

It has inspired me to truly get involved with a campaign for the first time in my life.

[XemaSab]

18. Yes. We. Can.

:woohoo: