Did anyone else see President Obama's commencement speech at Joplin High School last night?

[bighart]

Called on the graduates to remember that they have seen the best in people as they came to Joplin to help the community after the devastation of last years tornado and go out into the world and pay it forward. Very well done.

[monmouth]

1. All of those speeches were wonderful. The governor and the super of the school...n/t

[bighart]

2. Agreed.

I was just so happy to see the president not use it as a campaign speech opportunity, he showed himself to be bigger than the politics of the moment. Heck I was just impressed to see him there, I mean a high school graduation speech by the president of the United States in a town of 50,000 how cool is that!

[bigbrother05]

3. He promised them he'd come back

Think that his personal committment to real people is what drives the President

[bighart]

4. Good point.

[jwirr]

10. If you are convinced that there was no political value in his being there regardless of what he said

then you need to take a closer look. This community was in a state of collapse and they worked together to make a come back. That is President Obama's entire message to the American people. The community is a visual of what we need to do to get out of the mess the world is in. While listening I smiled at the brilliance of being there.

[bighart]

11. Did not say there was no political value,

only pointed out that it was not an overt campaign speech. I am sure his actions and support of the Joplin community have played well since the tornado, sometimes things are not about politics or the political value of a given act, but about being human and showing compassion.

[jwirr]

12. Or both. Sorry if I offended you in anyway - I was not trying to.

[bighart]

14. No worries.

I just did not get the vibe that his speech was political in nature but more about encouraging these young adults to remember where they came from and what they went through so they become responsible, compassionate, generous, giving adults.
I know there are political ramifications for every decision and act by a politician but last nights speech seemed way above the political.

[jwirr]

16. Your last sentence is what I was trying to point out. Just being there is going to help him.

[bighart]

17. Understood.

It is refreshing to see a man of his caliber in charge.

[malaise]

5. It was wonderful

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002714084

[bighart]

6. Thank you

for posting that link, I had not seen it.

[malaise]

7. It was an excellent speech

Making it to Joplin yesterday must have been difficult after that heavy NATO weekend.

Can you imagine what that 'promise kept' meant to those kids and their families

[bighart]

9. Something the kids will remember and talk about for the rest of their lives no doubt.

[goclark]

18. Everyone should click this link

thanks malaise!

I have read/heard many of his speeches but this had to be in the top Five...

for the message

for the way that he addressed the audience and did not make it a political speech at all

for the words that flowed with such eloquence for every age group, race, -political party

What a speech!

[malaise]

19. Beautifully done

[stonecutter357]

8. President Obama

[alp227]

13. Isn't Joplin in solid red territory? If so I'm glad they put partisanship aside for one moment.

[heaven knows]

15. Naw. But they all tend to run together these days

so it's unnecessary...

[Inuca]

20. Heard it in the car this morning

Very moving. And very clever.

[bighart]

21. Watched it live.

He seemed so relaxed and comfortable, like he was talking to his own children about what makes a life have meaning.