Obama is "the most debonaire, the most suave president of this United States of America.

[HipChick]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/04/AR2010040401486.html?hpid=topnews

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010-04-04-obama-easter-worship_N.htm

A boisterous crowd of more than 1,000 people welcomed the Obamas on Sunday at the Allen Chapel AME Church. Joining him at the service were his wife, Michelle, daughters Sasha and Malia, and his mother-in-law, Marian Robinson. Also attending were the mayor of Washington, Adrian Fenty, and his wife.

"Mr. President, you have no idea how much your presence has meant to us today," Allen Chapel's senior pastor, the Rev. Michael Bell, said after his sermon.

Southeast Washington was rocked last week by a drive-by shooting that left four dead and five others wounded. The area is also beset by high unemployment and poverty.

Bell said it was providence that the president would attend a service at Allen Chapel so shortly after the shootings. It was heartening to know that southeast Washington has not been forgotten, he said, adding that Obama's presence at the church was "bringing healing and hope into this community right now."

Obama took communion at the end of the nearly two-hour service. He and his family have attended several churches since his inauguration but have not settled on joining a specific congregation.

Earlier in the service, Bell drew laughter and cheers when he described Obama as "the most debonaire, the most suave president of this United States of America." The pastor also praised Mrs. Obama's efforts at community outreach.

[bluestateguy]

1. You just have to say thank God this man is the president

nt

[demosincebirth]

17. Thats my Prez!! A real Democrat

[calimary]

2. Well, I'd have to say so, certainly.

A president I can certainly be proud of! Instead of that arrogant lout we suffered through beforehand.

[ClarkUSA]

3. Michelle's face must've been priceless when the pastor said that.

She keeps him humble, for sure.

[inna]

4. I could care less about "debonaire and suave". For god's sakes.

(rolls eyes)

[NorthCarolina]

5. +1

[HipChick]

6. I do care he went into one of the poorest neighborhoods in DC

for an Easter service and that the people there really appreciated that..

[Raine1967]

7. So Do I.

That people would roll eyes at this story amazes me.

Here is another take on what happened today, and how the Obama Family has chosen to worship: http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/04/04/obama-family-marks-easter-at-washington-d-c-church/

[inna]

10. i'm all for going into poor neighborhoods

[Number23]

18. Thank you.

[uponit7771]

19. +1

[inna]

21. What in the world

does going into poor neighborhoods have to do with being "debonaire, the most suave"????

:wtf:

WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK????


I hope you excuse my screaming, I hardly ever - EVER - do that but... This is just fucking infuriating.

[Honeycombe8]

14. You COULD care less? Does that mean you care a lot? nt

[jenmito]

16. That always bugs me. n/t

[Bobbie Jo]

15. ...

:eyes:

[boppers]

20. I care about "debonaire [sic] and suave".... Let me tell you why.

When my family came to this country (both parental lines), they had no assets, no land, no value.

They only had their reputations.

They could be kind, thoughtful, gracious, and genteel, as best as they knew how, and earn community, land, and social acceptance.

All the while, they were being fought by folks who thought they were dirty, ignorant, and uncouth people. My mother's line even rejected my father's line, for the exact same kind of discrimination that they had themselves suffered. People are weird that way.

...

So, what does "debonair and suave" mean in that context? It means not only acceptance, but acknowledgment of excellence.

Of course, it *also* acts as a signal to those who haven't been accepted yet. The poor, the disenfranchised, the marginalized. Those who seek Bling and Crystal for validation.

[Clio the Leo]

8. Those remarks were said during the prayer ... not the place for it IMO...

.... and I think this is what the President was referring to about being disruptive. It's more than just everyone having to get magged.

I guess it doesn't hurt every now and then. I mean, on one hand, I like the idea of the American people seeing their President going to church. It sets a good example. But I'm not sure it falls w.in the bounds of "decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40.)

It's certainly a sticky wicket. I mean, we ARE instructed to pray for our leaders. lol

[HipChick]

9. I couldn't have applied those words to the previous occupant..

[chill_wind]

11. Two nice short insightful pieces. Putting the emphasis on "suave and debonaire"

in your OP title for the two stories just seems strange, maybe, in light of the actual importance of his actions.

I especially liked this part from the WAPO article:

"That is such a blessing," a woman walking by wearing headphones exclaimed, looking at the line of people going through security. "He came over here on the southeast side. That is such a blessing! That is such a blessing!"

LaJuan Dixon-Fleming, 26, who lives in Northeast Washington, was among the first people in line, along with her mom and sisters. She said she was especially struck that the president was coming to the "heart of Southeast" and took his visit as a sign that the area was "not being ignored."

"At night, you can't walk through this neighborhood," she said. "Not in a million years would you think the president would come to church on Alabama Avenue Southeast on Easter Sunday."

A lot of ignored and forgotten-feeling, ordinary people will cherish and recount that memory for a long time to come.
Although I so agree with you about the former president, a more suave and debonaire Bush wouldn't have altered or made me further respect or admire his politics as a leader, or his legacy, in a million years.

[Lindsey]

12. The Obama Family shows (instead of speaking in soundbites)

what being "Christ Like" really means.

[harry_pothead]

13. Definitely. Just ask the Central Falls 93.

http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/president-obama-supports-central-falls-teacher-firings