Race, history and tears in the Obama nomination
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/08/28/art.vert.dnc.barackobama.jpg caption="Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama makes a surprise appearance at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Wednesday." width=292 height=320]Candy Crowley | Bio
AC360° Contributor
CNN Senior Political Correspondent
Editor's Note: Candy spoke with Wolf Blitzer last night after Barack Obama was declared the Democratic Party's Presidential Candidate. Here's what she had to say:
One quick story: We were down in Mississippi at one point at Jackson State University, I think, and we were doing our live shots and there were guards all around and local police. And there was one local policeman stationed right where we were and so I was talking to him and he was from Jackson. And I said, you know, have you ever heard (Barack Obama) speak before?
And he said no. And I said well this will be exciting. And he said oh, well I have to - I'm working, you know. But I've seen him on TV. And about halfway through Obama's speech, I looked over at this guard and saw tears just streaming down his face.
So you saw that a lot... and you knew what a sense of history and how important this really was, in particular, to African-Americans.
But I will also tell you that Obama tends to draw very diverse crowds. And I would say - ask white people in the crowd, what do you like about him? And they generally said well, he's against the war or I like this or that plan. But the second thing they almost always said to me invariably was, I think it would say so much about our country if we nominated a half-black, half-white man. I think it would say how much we've progressed over the years.
So you always got that sense of history when you were traveling with Obama, from the very first day that I was with him in Springfield, Illinois, when he announced. You would ask people, what are you doing here? Because it was freezing. And there were just blocks and blocks and blocks of people.
You'd say, why are you here?
And they said, because you know what, this could be history.
So there was always that sense that this already was history, that he was running and really seemed to have a chance. And today, you know, you sort of saw it come to a fulfillment for so many people...
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Filed under: Barack Obama • Candy Crowley • Democratic National Convention • Raw Politics |
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To those who has ever been discriminated against, whether it was for your gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or color of skin, you are the ones who understand the historic nature of this campaign and what impact it truly has on America. To those of you who haven't, show some respect to those of us who have and to those who fought to allow you to never have to experience discrimination. That in itself, makes me proud to be an American.
Candy, as usual, always appreciate your commentary.
Jolene, St. Joseph, MI
Watching some of the coverage tonight: Times Square, Prince George's County, Md., etc. reminded me of the elation when O.J. was aquitted. The media is spoon feeding us this racial baloney, that if you don't care for the policies of Obama you are a racist. We should hold you , the media, accountable that if in the off-chance that Obama isn't elected, and racial riots occur, it's on the heads of many in the press.
Some people are questioning if they should voted based on the " values " or " moral standards " . Let there be no doubt Obama is a moral man who holds high human values . Keep in mind that there are values on many level's . The values that are being depleted from the majority of American's today such as , Wages , Jobs , Fair and affordable housing ,, Community safety and community standards ,. Public works falling into disrepair among other issues.
I cannot stress the need for change enough . What I am fighting for: To turn the pages of passiveness and avoidance and over to creativeness one decaying block and street at a time. By example the people can reclaim their dreams Because this nation does not belong to one person but to all . Responsibility, insured peace, prosperity , security, these words belong to those we the people entrusted when we vote them into power.
to Jeanne Kelly @ 3:09pm today...YOU GO GIRL!!! I don't know why nobody has thought to mention McCain's military history in that fashion! You could write a commercial! I, like you, wish Senator Obama the best in his presidency. It is so, so, so time for a change in America. My little family of 4 here in central Ohio did so well during the Clinton years. I was blessed to be able to stay home with my children and not have to send them to a sitter, we were fine on my husband's income as a self employed real estate agent. We were far from rich, but we were able to live comfortably and even vacation each year. The Bush/Cheney years have brought us a failing housing market, sinking economy and my basic healthcare coverage for my family costs over $900 per month! I have had to drop my children from the policy to bring the price down to $662 monthly and they are now covered by our state medicaid/CHIP program. I have also had to sign them up for free lunches at school, ask for assistance in paying for their school fees and we have had to drop many of their extra-cirricular activities. We are living out of our savings and it is dwindling quickly. I will now have to go back to work and my son will be left in the care of his older sister who after school. We must elect Barack Obama and Joe Biden to get this country back on track again! And to get us out of Iraq sensibly...I don't want my 10 year old son to live his childhood years in a country at war. This is not the America I once knew! P.S. I'm a vet, I'm patriotic, but I'm not in favor of a war that didn't need to be fought.
L.B. in Ohio
Tonight's performance has thrown me over to the Republicans. I am voting for a President not a Rock Star and while I greatly admire Martin Luther King and do not consider myself a bigot or a person who practices discrimination, but Obama's show tonight is cramming Civil Rights down our throat. Tonight is not the night.
Shame on him and shame on CNN. you did nothing but talk through most of the 1st three nights of the convention except when the headliners were speaking, but I have not see you interrupting the entertainers or speakers tonight.
I never ceased to be amazed at how ignorant paler pigmented people tend to be...so funny...indentured servants...ha!!!!...nothing to do with slavery...ha!!!!...no but just being of color in america imposes the legacy of racial caste into your experience...first and foremost I am never allowed to forget the color of my skin when it is a stigmatized association...why should I not put an emphasis on it when it is a positive association...please
Obama is half black, isn't he? Slavery? Oh, boy, give me a break.
I cried when Michelle spoke
I cried when showed clips of Martin Luther King's & his children speaking (which only CNN aired in it's entirety)
I would like to stop crying now!
Candy, your family & friends must be so proud of you!
WA, I am aware of his work in the south end of Chicago; that was after his years at Occidental & Columbia and before his years at Harvard Law. Its what he did to work his way thru Occidental, Columbia & Harvard Law that I'm referring to. The only back-up the campaign provided for this claim was a quote from Obama's book "Dreams from My Father" having to do with a construction job he had one summer while he was in college, and an article mentioning his job as a summer associate one year at a big Chicago law firm.
Let there be no doubt " the meaning of unity – united under one banner " has dawned on the democratic party with my total blessing and support. Hillary voter – supporter 🙂
Positive change always requires honest, self directed efforts = Obama is the one for the People! To lead us into a better tomorrow. My vote is cast for Obama!
Janet....Get over the thought that not waving an American flag makes one un-american. Such thinking reflects a judgemental attitude that has done much damaged to the fabric of our country than those who give no repect to the flag. The waving of a n American flag doesn't tell you anything about a person.....what you do for someone else does....David from Minnesota
Janet Michelle was waving her flag the last two nights watch the video coverage! She was also clapping with the rest and standing with them as well. Let's not let pettiness spoil this great accomplishment please. There is no reason to wonder about the Obama's Patriotism, none. They were both born of American Mothers and Obama was raised for the most part by his American Grandparents and both lived, Obama for more years than not, Michelle all her life, in the US. they were educated in the US! Why would their Patriotism be questioned at all?
Dennis Obama worked in the south end of Chicago with the less fortunate to help them find work, a direction in life and also organized a group to this end. Volunteer work for the most part. It was mentioned during the Convention Speeches.
janet your one of the biggest liars ever to post a commennt on this site! michelle obama was waving a flag! maybe it wasn't the flag that was being waved but the color of the hand waving it?!
me – I agree I saw the affection and love Michelle and her Mom showed as well. In fact, I saw the affection and love in every single Speaker and Politician that attended the Convention last night! Hillary, Bill and Chelsea also showed their love for each other and for the Obama and Biden families. And all the supporters and delegates were beaming with pride and full of love for their party. And who showed more love than BIden's son and Joe Biden! And people know when such emotions are real as it is very obvious when people are trying to fake it. I'll take a party with genuine compassion and love any day over the ruthless, war mongering Republicans! When people are instilled with that level of love and compassion you can be sure it will be an intrinsic part in everything they are involved in! And that is definitely a quality that we need in Politicians and Leaders! Especially after the last eight of indifference we've experienced! Keep the Love Train Going!
VGee wrote:
'You can “never” make up for slavery."
So why should whites even try? BTW, white indentured servants had it every bit as bad, and often worse, than black slaves.
"Slavery was so brutal to our race that its impact is still deeply rooted and will be for generations to come."
Here we go. Excuses as far as the eye can see.
The only impact slavery has on blacks today is from the chip on their shoulders placed there by the media, the public education system, and self-hating whites.
"Our race is a forgiving race but not a forgetful race."
Actually, it always seemed the other way around to me.
I am not a huge Obama supporter and I am in a rut. I was going to vote for McCain because my candidate, an experienced senator who worked for 35 years on behalf of all under-dogs in this country, was not chosen. Instead, Dean, Pelosi and the DNC (and the credentials committee) chose an inexperienced man instead of a woman.
While praising Obama's candidacy, we should at the same time be ashamed at the sexism that exists still in this country. I saw Hillary and Bill Clinton speak, and I am so upset that Obama chose Biden over Hillary, Hillary was the only sound choice.
Anyway, I had to let that out, but we should all just come together. At the end of the day, Hillary is the sport, and all of us Hillary supporters are being spoil-sports. At the end of the day, Obama is the only smart choice. At the end of the day, McCain is NOT in touch with the American people. At the end of the day, Obama will be in the history books as being one of the best president's of our modern time, not McCain. At the end of the day, our lives can not be put on hold 4 more years because of a grudge. At the end of the day we need to ELECT OBAMA/BIDEN, and elect Hillary 2016, come on guys, Hillary will ALWAYS fight for us no matter who is President, after all, Congress works either for or against the President, the Presidency is not a solo job, it involves many factors.
Obama/Biden 08 (I never thought I'd say that! I just converted Obama today)
While I appreciate the historical significance of what happened yesterday, I just hope we're not going to vote for someone just so we can say we made history by electing the first black president. I hope at some point we actually consider whether Obama can handle the big task of being president with his limited experience. Hope and inspiration are two great things but we're going to need more than that to get out of the mess that we're currently in.
Obama needs to difuse the biggest issue that the Republicans keep attacking him on: Experience
He needs to remind everyone that experience does not necessarily equate to good judgement and the current Bush administration is an example of how in the past 8 years their exerpience has resulted in horrible judgement:
1) Iraq war – Bush and McCain lead us into an unecessary while Obama spoke out against it. On top of that, Bush/Rumsefeld/Cheny mis managed the war.
2) Katrina – 3rd anniversary of war should remind us how the Bush administration mis managed and did not deliver aid for days to the poorest of our nation; while Florida always receives aid within hours of their hurricanes.
3) Iran – Obama's judgement was that we should talk to Iran and after being ridiculed by the Republicans and Bush administration as "appeasement", they took his advice and we are now talking to Iran.
Time after time after time Obama's judgement has been out in front of the Republicans who are supposedly the ones with all the experience and better suited to make good judgement. FACTS DON'T LIE......
3)
VGee, you tell me when any member of Barack Obama's Kenyan family was a slave in america. Its not a difficult question.
Obama was never looking to make history, he just wants to be President and provide a better path for America. It is the media that is playing up the historic angle. It's okay to mention it, but I'm sure that Obama would prefer for the message of the Democratic party to be emphasized. The fact that he is half African is not important. What's important is what he can do for this country.
JANET
i saw michelle obama waving a flag just like everyone else – i also saw how affectionately she was helping her uncle in law. i saw tears in her eyes – you just don't want to see – btw – in the campaigns i never once saw a flag pin on hillary – so because she is a woman she doesn't have to display her patriotism and yet criticize a man. sounds like double standard to me
To JC in LA....I cannot disagree with you one bit, but you simply cannot give up! Its not this generation that matters anymore, its the generation behind us and the ones after that who matter. History has often shown man doesn't learn from his mistakes despite all the education one receives (ie, George W. Bush). Yet when economic conditions effect so many people who now are fighting the same fight (and I'm not referring to the rich=anybody making over $125,000 a year) the prospect of people taking notice is far more significant. I've been told most of my life that the bad times helps you appreciate the good much more. Lets hope the one who wins this election is honest enough to make our lives and those of the coming generations alot better.
VGee. All I asked was what did Barack do to work his way thru college and university. You reply with a snide remark. It doesn't matter what I worked at when I was going to university, I'm not running for president, yet obama's campaign felt it necessary to say that obama worked his way thru college and university; so what did he work at?
Its not a difficult question.
I would not speak of slavery lightly, don't you dare accuse me of that!!!!Slavery was the greatest moral sin of my country and I am ashamed that that it is a part of american heritage.
Barack Obama does know his true identity, he is one generation removed from it; he is Kenyan-American.
Tom Brokaw critiqued the greatest generation, men and women who changed history by actions, accomplishments and few words.
Our current generation is all about the presentation, instant gratification and hyperbole; unless things change fast, we will represent the worst.
Today so many unqualified leaders, executives and politicians have been pushed up the line and been allowed to reach the summits of their professions, only to run things into the ground.
Now, we are left to choose between a neophyte senator with no tangible accomplishments and a life-long senator who couldn't win in his prime; what a generation.
The Clintons (Hilary) did the right things. That paves the way for Chelsea to run for a political office. Go girl! You got the right one baby!
I know more about Jesse Jackson than I do Barack Obama; Jesse came from a legacy of slavery, marched wth Dr. King, protests current mistreatments of african americans, and more.
Why was Jesse Jackson not elected president when he ran 20 years ago?
Cindy? "will be in alot of trouble/" We are already in a world of trouble. What happened in the last eight years is a shame and disgrace. McCain has probably already "made" history. He's the oldest ex-military man probably that has ever run for president . We need a president with new ideals.
Dennis, Barack worked at becoming president to change this country for the better. What did you work at? Obama just finished paying off student loans. You should be an Obama supporter because the "hard work" you endured to get a higher education, so did he. You guys have the same thread.....you know how hard it is. You should be able to relate.
Yawn, get serious. You can "never" make up for slavery. Slavery was so brutual to our race that it's impact is still deeply rooted and will be for generations to come. It doesn't suprise me that you speak of it so lightly, like it's over. We are the only race in America that doesn't know its "true" identify. Black churches and Black caucuses at one point were the only portal of hope for African Americans. Our race is a forgiving race but not a forgetful race. We continue to "wear" slavery on our backs everyday and every racist comment reminds us of it. Just like your comments.
Diane, we had an experienced man in the White House for the last 8 years. The economy has gone downhill............I'm going for change vs experience. Obama is fair and smart, he'll surround himself with experienced team then he'll energize and lead a great team to change our economy.
Now Dennis, that was just a different comment. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know this is a historical moment. You don't have to be any race to know this............Years ago we were "property" of America and not Americans. So its a great day, whether you agree or not.
Everyone that is concerned about experience (I am too by the way) you might want to review history a little bit. I got to pondering it the other night and I realized that:
1) Bill Clinton was governor of Arkansas before he was elected President. He had no federal gov't experience at all. He did fine and I at least remember those years of peace and posterity with deep nostalgia.
2) John F. Kennedy was the junior senator from Massachusetts part way through his first term when he ran for President and was elected. He didn't do so bad with the Cuban Missile Crisis and handling the relations with Russia in the Cold War while advancing civil rights at home.
3) Abraham Lincoln had been a Congressman for 1 two year term when he was elected to be President, presiding over a war that tore the country and families apart – but he kept the Union alive and together; he also freed the slaves while he was at it.
4) George Washington was a Virginia planter, served in the Continental Congress, and lead America's soldiers to victory over the English and independence for our country – but he didn't have experience to be a President – neither did Thomas Jefferson or James Madison, or John Adams. Yet they all were great presidents.
5) Ronald Reagan was an actor and then governor of California before he became President – no executive experience on the federal level here either. But he was a successful well thought of president.
Maybe experience isn't all that its cracked up to be as long as your mind is open to other opinions and strategies and you have an IQ greater than your age. Obama will probably be just fine. We just have to take a leap of faith.
Annie Kate
Birmingham AL
Barack Obama you are simply the best. Along with 200 of my co-workers I will be voting for you and Joe Biden come November. This is just the beginning of a better tomorrow. God Bless!!!! 🙂
Philip, all I asked was what did Obama work at when he was working his way thru college and university? It seemed important enough to be said on television. The only person between you and me that mentioned McCain, elitism, old, POW and the GOP was you. I can back up the information on the Jim Crow Laws having been legislated by the southern democrats.
So, since you know all about obama, what did he do to work his way thru college and university. To me it was a big deal when I did it, I needed the money.
I have to make mention to the fact that in MIchelle Obama's box, there was absolutely no one who waved the american flag. I saw Hilary and her daughter waving their flags so patriotically. Are they truly Americans or do they just want to rule America. Are they ashamed of the American flag? What does that say about the patriotism of the want to be first lady?
To Yawn:
Don't be ridiculous. White guilt is the gift that keeps on giving all year long.
Even if BO becomes POTUS, we'll still be facing the scourge of "institutional racism."
I can hear it now - "You can't make up for four hundred years of oppression in four (or eight) years." So we've still got at least four hundred years to go. Have fun.
America is on the verge of choosing a man with another skin color to the post of the president of the United States of America. This is history in the making and it is rediculous to deny that the Americans have, by doing this, made a huge stride and shown the world that they are holding high grounds beyond race when judging the worthiness of a fellow human being.
Let us not deny the fact that America has long been defined by the way it absorbs its minority populations in the structural fabric of its society. America has always surpassed many other countries in this regard. The notion that a black man could one day aspire for the office of the president of the United States of America was not long ago just a dream for many Americans and this on the background of the dark pages created by slave trade.
By realising that dream, Americans are showing the fact that they can indeed elect a president with a good mind to lead (read, a healthy mind to make good judgements)irrespective of one' s descent or color of the skin and this is a milestone in the history of human kind. So America, straighten yourself, coz history is in the making and all of you Americans, you are part of this! We, the rest of the world are watching!
America is on the verge of choosing a man with another skin color to the post of the president of the United States of America. This is history in the making and it is rediculous to deny that the Americans have, by doing this, made a huge stride and shown the world that they are holding high grounds beyond race when judging the worthiness of a fellow human being.
Let us not deny the fact that America has long been defined by the way it absorbs its minority populations i the structural fabric of its society. America has always surpassed many other countries in this regard. The notion that a black man could one day aspire for the office of the president of the United States of America was not long ago just a dream for many Americans and this on the background of the dark pages created by slave trade.
By realising that dream, Americans are showing the fact that they can indeed elect a president with a good mind to lead (read, a healthy mind to make good judgements)irrespective of one' s descent or color of the skin and this is a milestone in the history of human kind. So America, straighten yourself, coz hostory is in the making and all of you Americans, you are part of this! We, the rest of the world are watching!
Tonight will be historic!! Why, because Martin Luther King and those in the civil rights movement marched, sat in at lunch counters, took beatings, went to jail and even DIED so that we could not only vote, but work and receive equal treatment in this country. It would not have to be historic if those actions I previously mentioned never had to take place but they did. And to Dianne's question. It teaches our daughters to respect others even if we don't agree with them, that even if I don't win the race the first time, I don't pout but I keep trying. This is not just about race or just women. It is about everyone in this country recieving an equal opportunity to be the best they can be. I can appreciate your passion for women's rights, but you don't have to step on or belittle the history of my people and our struggle, to attempt to make your struggle greater than mine. We may not agree on politics, policy, etc., but I am WOMAN ENOUGH TO CELEBRATE YOU, SO BE WOMAN ENOUGH TO CELLEBRATE ME.
To all democrats congratulation and have confidence and faith that Obama will make a great president.It is not only a change of face but a change in a new mindset in government.Republicans strong on national security??.How come they could not prevent 911.Is this not a failure of the white house of Bush in not providing security for the American People. Pearl Harbor happened miles away from the American shores but New York is different.No one was held accountable and responsible for this failure and still the Republicans think they are strong on national security?And on the economy from a budget surplus to record high deficit? I think Obama can only make things better because worse it cannot be.
Dennis, Cindy and the likes you are missing the point. You worked your way through college like many people, like Obama, so no big deal – of course, but not when you are being tagged an elitist like the GOP are doing. McCain, no disrespect walked into wealth. He has no policy as you want to believe. I guess youa re voting for your party not the policies of the candidate. Being old or served long time in senate does not equal knowledge, experience, sound judgement. POW won't take one far, we all love our country.
Barack Hussein Obama made race an issue when he made the statement about his grandmother "Typical White Person" My "Buddy" Jack Cafferty would nail Mc Cain if he said Typical Black person and he knows it!!! Get over the racist talk against Obama.
For me it was kind of a letdown after seeing him win by acclimation and not by vote-by-state. This was talked about on the last blog, how bigger states like CA passed so that NY (and Hillary) could end the vote so Obama could win...leaving the bigger states w/out the chance to vote, even though the reason for this in the first place to allow more states to get to vote. I am also confused as to why New Mexico yielded back to Illinois...isn't that going backwards instead of forward? Then Illinois yielded to NY so they could close the deal.
Yawn is absolutely right...all this time the talk has been about how race should not be/is not be a factor, and then suddenly, when Obama got nominated, it was ALL ABOUT RACE. A bunch of people were crying because an African American got rewarded the nomination for the first time and they felt like it was this wonderful moment for all African Americans, and for Americans in general to get to witness it. THAT is about race...it did make history, but the history it made was purely on the basis of RACE. Kind of ironic, don't you think?
Anyway, yes, I was happy to see Obama get the nomination...but because I wanted HIM to win it, not because of his race.
The Clintons have indeed Redeemed themselves and have united the Democratic party. However, Media wants you to think that Dems Convention was a bust (no red meat – vegatables are so much more healthier to the system, however) But, what the Dems did accomplish and which is stronger than all the red meat/anger in the world is UNITY/Love, because a house divided cannot stand! Watch out and be on Guard for those who want to Divide because make no mistake about it a united group is Powerful, Strong, Unstoppable. Now they want to belittle and divide us by unmeaningful and trivial talks of pillars and Obama's temple, some seem even Obsessed by it. Maybe they believe he is the Messiah or something! They are like rude and jealous children who make fun of a beautiful or gifted person - making fun of their clothes because they are not satisfied within themselves, all the while secretly wishing they looked like that or had that gift. People of Change, People of the future, be on guard!
For those who want accurate news analysis, do yourself a favor and “watch C-SPAN for convention coverage and get yourself psychically cleared. Stop watching cable news channels. The MSM is desperately working to program us morning noon and night. And creating despair amongst those who are openly hopeful about 2008 politics is very easy." We must stay confident and continue to believe that change can happen even when things look bleak and not give into our fears for we are at our weakest when we fear.
I just talked to one of my female black customers and friend. She had a glow on her face and a spring to her step that I have never seen before. However, she did look whimsical when she said she did not know why Obama hadn't chosen Hillary to be his Vice President...her words, "Now ,that would have really been history. I guess he thought it would make him look weak to be taking advice from a woman." I hadn't thought of it in those terms but she may be right. Thank God for this step forward and historical moment for African Americans who have been discriminated against in the past and in the present...and please, God can we get a fair shake for women, too!?! Yes, this could have been one really, really, really historical moment. Wouldn't Martin Luther King have been proud today if he could say the dream is realized for my sons and for my daughters.
Everyone is focusing on the experience that Barack Obama does not have. If you measure him against a George W, the first Bush or McCain then "no" he does not have their type of experience. But that type of experience is not a requirement to be president. Also, look at where men with that type of experience have taken us. If you are middle-class/working-class in America then you are probably in the worst economic shape you've been in in your adult life. Also, America is in the worst economic shape that it's been in in decades. I wish the Democrats would make that point about the experience that the Republicans hold so dear.
people shouldn't hate so much. We all no they are disgrundeld repub.
Well, I can only hope that Obama wins the election. Unlike the super rich president Bush senior, his son the superrich current president Bush junior and the super rich McCain, Barack Obama worked his way up from nothing. His way to public office comes from the support of the grassroot american. Not shady corporations or family fortunue.
USA is not a true democrazy when only extremely rich people like Bush / McCain gets to be president. McCain doesn't know how many houses he own and think you're rich only if you earn 5 millions usd / yearly. So if you earn 4 millions per year you're struggling according to McCain I guess. It's just unbelievable....
I hope this is the year when Americans take back their power by voting for the peoples candidate, Barack Obama.
Last nite there was mention of Barack having worked his way though college and university. I too worked my way thru university with both part-time during the school year and full-time during the summer. I have te pay stubs to prove it.
What did Baack work at?
if this election isn't supposed to be about "race", then why is this so important??
is this finally making up for slavery?? are the Obama supporters finally going to stop calling everyone who disagrees with their Messiah a racist?
can affirmative action be abolished now, and everything with a color in front of it be against the spirit of UNITY???? (ie: black churches, black caucuses, BET, etc???)
My message to Senator Obama ...
Dear Senator Obama:
As a democrat, I have followed your campaign and I will be voting and supporting the Obama/Biden ticket. And, as I try to be a fair-minded-senior of 77 years, I have also been watching the republican campaign. It seems to me that you have overlooked one very important factor, which Senator McCain doesn’t seem to recognize. While Senator McCain may have been very courageous in his military history, the fact IS that today we aren’t fighting wars of the past. The war today is with terrorism … a completely different war, which requires new and different strategies … strategies that are irrevelant to the Senator’s past record. I believe that this is the defining difference in your campaign for change and should be emphasized. The change we need is the change to recognize that today the war of terrorism will continue to challenge us for many years in the future. It’s a new ball game! The past military tactics ARE passé.
My prayers are with you, and I sincerely wish all the best for you as president of the United States of America.
Jeanne Kelly
It appears that the media achieved the headlines that they were looking for, "History....," it would have been just as grand to have a woman make history as well. After all, Hillary received 18 million votes, was far more qualified, experienced and able.
What does this teach our daughters? As for me, it was a sad day in American history when a less qualified man received the job over the more qualified woman.
Whatis historical about it? The guy is an american just like you and me; race has nothing to do with it. He didn't come from a heritage of democratically south imposed Jim Crow Laws. He has no ties to the legacy of slavery.
Last night was history making but we shouldn't elect someone just because it will make history. And BTW if McCain gets elected then he will be the oldest person elected which will be one for the books too.
I hope that people actually look at the issues and how each candidate will deal with them and vote that way. If people vote for someone just to make history happen then we will be in a lot of trouble.
Cindy...Ga.