The Day I Met Barack Obama

[TomBall Democrat]

July 27, 2004 I first met Barack Obama. No, I wasn't in that room. However, what I heard that night led me to Austin Texas in February 2007 - Town Lake Center, shortly after he announced his candidacy for the Presidency. On that second "meeting", I became an unabashed Barack Obama supporter. His vision of America is similar to my own. I'm proud to support him, and lack the eloquence to tell you all the reasons why.

Thought I'd remind myself, and others, why I support Barack Obama for President of the United States.

Click here to listen for yourself - or read my favorite part below...

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/convention2004/barackobama2004dnc.htm

"It is that fundamental belief -- It is that fundamental belief: I am my brother’s keeper. I am my sister’s keeper that makes this country work. It’s what allows us to pursue our individual dreams and yet still come together as one American family.

E pluribus unum: "Out of many, one."

Now even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us -- the spin masters, the negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of "anything goes." Well, I say to them tonight, there is not a liberal America and a conservative America -- there is the United States of America. There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America -- there’s the United States of America.

The pundits, the pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into Red States and Blue States; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I’ve got news for them, too. We worship an "awesome God" in the Blue States, and we don’t like federal agents poking around in our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and yes, we’ve got some gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America."


I like this part so much - let's hear it again...

"It is that fundamental belief -- It is that fundamental belief: I am my brother’s keeper. I am my sister’s keeper that makes this country work. It’s what allows us to pursue our individual dreams and yet still come together as one American family.

E pluribus unum: "Out of many, one.""


Peace to us all.

[BumRushDaShow]

1. K&R

:kick:

[zbdent]

2. better be careful how you define "met"

that could get you into "credibility" issues ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5388010

[TomBall Democrat]

4. Thanks for warning - for the literally minded

I thought I'd made it clear with my post.

But, I have never been introduced to Barack Obama IN PERSON. I refer here to my "meeting" as my first awareness of his existence.

Had never even heard of him before that night.

Still remember how energizing I found his words.

A frequent theme on these boards is "why?", as if there's no substance to my support, or the support of others.

My answer - I heard that night something I had been longing to hear from an American leader. We are many, and we are one. Simple words that mean a great deal to me. I am proud to be an American, and proud to disagree with so many who post here - and remember that we ALL love our country.



Did meet Bill Clinton once, though. Charismatic man.

[IsItJustMe]

3. K&R

Indeed, we are our brother's keepers.

[NoBushSpokenHere]

5. Rec'd Thank you for sharing... Out of many, one... nt