Why I think Obama won the WH today...

[cynatnite]

I grew up in a white conservative religious home. Even today little of that has changed. A few times I've heard some of them make homophobic and racist remarks that have made me cringe inside and they are as fundamental about their christianity as ever.

Despite their stances, they are still my family and I love them. We can all still get together for enjoyable holidays and have loads of fun. We can passionately argue politics and religion, but those topics never diminish our feelings for one another.

I'm still a Hillary supporter and I do believe she'd make the best president, but Obama's speech today had something that very few political speeches have: HONESTY

He spoke honestly about his family. It almost sounded like my family he was talking about and I connected with him on that level. IMO, he connected with a lot of folks on a similar level.

Now, I'll dismiss a lot of crap that comes out about politicians as far as what it means in the big picture. I've watched many here at DU proclaim that one thing or another means something and it spells a politician's doom. Majority of the time it doesn't. That's because I've been on that roller coaster before and I refuse to be taken in by it. The uproar over Obama's preacher was very firmly put to rest and there will be more talk about the speech than the comments that preceded it.

Very rarely do I give predictions. Mainly because I got burned in 04 and that loss was a kick to the gut. But I will give one now. Even as much as I like Hillary, and still root for her, my prediction is that Obama will win the White House. For the Dems, the delegate count will get him the nomination.

But when it comes to the General Election, Obama's handling of this whole thing with his preacher and the speech he gave about race has basically sealed it for him, IMO. He handled it with grace and generosity. Obama expressed what at least I feel in my heart for my family despite their stances. I can't cut them out of my life for their narrow-minded ways any more than they'll cut me out of theirs for being a liberal atheist. It won't happen and I know this from the very bottom of my heart.

Obama said what needed said and he did so with honesty. As much as I've disagreed with him on other issues, I respect the hell out of him for what he did today. I don't think I'm the only one, and as long as he doesn't make any major stumbles, which I doubt he will, he'll win the White House and this speech will be a big reason why, IMO.

[lligrd]

1. Nice Post nt

[Umbram]

2. K&R. (nt)

[Pachamama]

3. Thank you for your own honesty..

I have found myself not spending much time on DU as I did in the past or even posting because of some of the posts that are being made between the Hillary v. Obama etc. from both sides. It's refreshing to see someone acknowledge their support of Hillary and yet honestly acknowledge a great moment and speech by her opponent and what you see as its significance and impact....

I wish there were more people on both sides here on DU...

thanks! :hi:

[Kablooie]

4. His honesty is what got me hooked long ago.

He was asked about his early senatorial statement that he would finish out his term and wouldn't run for president.

He replied, that was what he thought at the time but since then he's changed his mind. So he's running.

Simple, obvious, and something no other politician would say. Anyone else would bluster and try to come up with
some excuse to cover up the truth.

I want a change from Bush and someone who's honest is the biggest change possible.

[Blondiegrrl]

18. I'm glad he owned it.

But it wasn't simply Obama deciding on his own that he wanted to be president. He had legions of people begging him to run. (I'm not correcting your statement. I'm just expanding on it, rather.) I myself had a bumper sticker during his Senate run that said, "Barack Obama for President ... The Senate will do for now." LOL

[buff2]

5. Obama's honesty

He didn't know about those racist rants from his mentor preacher,but when they were about to dig up the tapes that showed him sitting in the pew listening to all that garbage, he suddenly had to come out and tell the truth. He was SMOKED out.His hidden racist feelings is not going to win him the White House no matter how many times his supporters say it. IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN! Oh and what about rezko? He lied about that one too. How many more lies will be exposed in the coming weeks? NOBAMA!

[cynatnite]

6. Your comments aren't worth dignifying with a response n/t

[DeadElephant_ORG]

7. there's something disturbing about a smiling Hillary avatar on a venomously bitter post.

[DUyellow]

9. It was kind of a bitter post.

[writes3000]

8. Isn't it interesting how much this speech spoke to those that actually listened?

To those of us that wrestle with these issues with those closest to us? To those of us that don't look at every conflict or disagreement solely in terms of right and wrong, black and white?

Thanks for the insight into your experience and your family.

[LibertyorDeath]

10. "HONESTY"

Thank YOU for your HONESTY !!!

[krkaufman]

11. I hope a sufficient percentage of the population is as open-minded as you. n/t

[mattclearing]

12. Agreed. K&R. n/t

[splat]

13. With the economy crashing, race is more on his mind than on most Americans'

He had to do it, but it's more about him than about us and our problems now.

[EffieBlack]

15. You can't possibly be serious!

Commentators, pundits, the media and political opponents have been hammering on Obama's race for more than a year. He has stuidously tried to steer clear of it. Yesterday, he finally said, "OK, since you all want to talk about race, let's talk about it" - and now you claim that HE's obsessed with race?

Wow. Just wow.

[slinkerwink]

16. he's giving a speech on the economy tomorrow

[FogerRox]

14. I too think the speach sealed the deal for him

[meow mix]

17. K&R

[Blondiegrrl]

19. Great post. Thanks for this. It put a smile on my face. n/t