Barack Obama
Related: About this forum'Role models a mother could be proud to have her daughter look up to'
from the Obama campaign blog: http://www.barackobama.com/news/entry/staci-is-all-in
In 2004, I was watching the Democratic Convention with newspaper in hand. Suddenly, this man started speaking to my heart. My paper came down slowly, and my husband and I hung on every word of then-Senator Obamas speech. My husband turned to me and said, 'We just saw the first African American President of the United States.'
We hung on his every word again when he announced his run for the presidency, and that January night in 2008 when he won Iowa. That was when I started volunteeringa little here and there when I could. Then in February, Barack Obama came to Wisconsin and everything changed.
My husband and I took my daughter, Caitlin, to see Senator Obama speak to a crowd of thousands in Madison. The next day I pulled her out of school to hear him speak at a smaller event in Waukesha County. When he arrived, he took off his suit coat and rolled up his sleeves. He treated my very conservative neighbors with respect, and answered their questions honestly. In short, he did what I personally had never seen another political candidate do successfully: He spoke to us like we were adults. As I walked out of the event, I told the organizers: 'I'm all in and will do everything I can to help this man win.'
That day in Waukesha, my daughter got to shake the hand of the future President of the United States. In November of 2008, she cast the first vote of her life for Barack Obama.
A few months later I had an opportunity to meet President Obama. There are so many things I could have said. There are so many things the President has done to help American women and families, but all I could do was thank both him and the First Lady for being role models a mother could be proud to have her daughter look up to.
Staci, Wisconsin
monmouth
(21,078 posts)speak. I knew instinctively he "had it."
politicasista
(14,128 posts)this may not sit well here, it seems like she kind of slaps other Dem candidates in the face just to praise our President.
Unless she was talking about Bush (that we all can agree with).
freshwest
(53,661 posts)politicasista
(14,128 posts)reflect on him at all. In agreement with you that he treats everyone with respect.
It just seems like the lady that wrote this letter seems dismissive of "political" candidates as a whole to praise Obama (i.e. the part about not personally seeing a political candidate, until Obama treat people like adults). She could have left that part out and just praised the First Couple for being role models.
It sends a message to the other side that Democrats weren't fond of their own candidates until Obama because he's just different. Realizing that Dems are actually cool; just that Obama is an icon, while the others were seen through just a political prism.
That said, she noted that her neighbors were conservative, so she could have been speaking of GOP candidates. IDK
JAO
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Everyone was passionate about their candidates that I knew.
So I don't know why you are expecting to find disagreement here as this is the BOG.
n/t
politicasista
(14,128 posts)Maybe thought she was talking about the field that ran before and/or with Obama (or reading more into what is said).
If anyone is wondering, a supporter of our President and have never said anything bad about him. Voted for him twice, and will proudly vote for him again.
Like many here, watched and enjoyed his 2004 speech, but never said things like "too bad he isn't our candidate right now" or "why can't he be our candidate." That wasn't very helpful to the people running at that time. Instead, that played right into the hands of the GOP.
Not trying to dive into revisionist history because me loves the good people in the BOG group , but..
People thinking that had he ran, he would have beaten Bush, when in reality, it would have been very difficult for him or any Dem running in 00 and 04. In 2008 people were thirsty for change and the political climate was just right for Obama, and as they say, the rest is history.
It was not the intent to stray from the OP, but it is a nice letter nonetheless.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)They really didn't stand a chance against the Bush machine, with all the 'patriotic' media stifling dissent, the DIebold mess and all of that. I never paid Obama any heed until 2007.
And don't worry about a thing, this really is a 'safe haven' for Obama supporters and Democrats in general in the BOG. I just wish it was a little more busy, but then there's always the General Discussion forum where we post a bit.
I'll see you around. Have a nice evening, politicasista!
politicasista
(14,128 posts)Same to you freshwest!
Peace.
nofurylike
(8,775 posts)Cha
(297,154 posts)they are both excellent role models for the kids and for anyone who admires their warm hearts, dedication, intelligence, courage, and Humor!
Thanks, bigtree!