"…We are choosing hope over fear. We are choosing unity over division and sending a powerful message that change is coming to America…. I’ll be a president who finally ends the war in Iraq and brings our troops home…
…This was the moment…when we finally gave Americans who never participated in politics a reason to stand up…This was the moment…when we finally beat back the politics of fear and doubt and cynicism, the politics of tearing this country down instead of lifting our country up. This was the moment. Years from now, you’ll look back and say ‘This was the moment’… this was the place where America remembered what it means to hope.
…Hope is not blind optimism… Hope is that thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us if we have the courage to reach for it and to work for it, and to FIGHT for it… Hope is what led a band of colonists to rise up against an empire; what led the greatest of generations to free a continent, and to heal a nation; what led young women and young men to sit at lunch counters, face fire hoses, and march through Selma and Montgomery for freedom’s cause…
…Hope is what led me here today… the belief that…ordinary people can do extraordinary things… and in this moment in this election we are ready to believe again…
For Full Transcript of speech: CLICK HERE
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While we have yet to confirm the rumor that hate group membership in America received a 38% spike over the last two hours, we do have word on some related sports stories:
– Native Iowan Raef Lafrentz hit the Obama campaign trail hard convincing others that black folk "are really really cool" despite the negative media hype.
– 576 separate commenters on "ESPN Conversation" have stated that this is incontrovertible proof that racism no longer exists in America.
– Jason Whitlock blames Obama’s victory on too many young Iowan’s listening to hip-hop…
I’m glad he won Iowa, but I’m not encouraged and I’m far from “hopeful.” Remember, Iowans basically rendered themselves irrelevant a few years back when the bigoted fear-monger Pat Robertson won a caucus there…
With this “victory,” I actually think Obama has a better chance to be dead in a year than he does to be President.
Love the “sports related stories”…LOL!!
LP, there is a VERY important distinction in this caucus. The voter turnout for Democratic primary was DOUBLE the turnout for the Republican one. That is a staggering statistic and that suggests that people are STARVING for change and if that trend continues in other states, it suggests very good things for the general election about who will vote. Obama is doing more than winning, he (Edwards too) is inspiring new voters who were previously apathetic about politics. And these new voters will also help carry Senate and congressional seats in the general election.
I’m not suggesting that Obama is the panacea to all the country’s ills as like any other prez he operates within the confines of “the machine”, but he would be a great step in the right direction. End the war. Push for universal healthcare. Repair all the hate the rest of the world has for our country. Obama can be that man.
IMO, all the stars have to be aligned for Obama to win, and that seems like it just might happen. George Bush has basically been so bad, that people just might put their prejudices aside and vote for a black man than continue this crap:-) His white mother from Kansas doesn’t hurt either! Plus, the man sure knows how to connect with an audience… something unseen from a Democratic nominee in eight years…
BTW, those who voted for Pat Robertson weren’t going to vote for Obama anyway. Huckabee could have all the bigots.
The “dead” statement certainly has some serious merit. As of yesterday, I would advise Obama to quadruple his security detail.
Thanks for your reply, Modi. You’ve been infected by the “audacity of hope.” Hey man, I respect that. It’s just that I’m still infected by the absurdity of experience – particularly the Black experience in America…
Anyway, I made similar comments over at TSF and all I got in return was vitriol from the resident trolls over there. So thanks again for your passionate, intelligent response – and here’s hoping those same hate-mongers do not spoil your excellent website the way they often spoil it at TSF.
One comment about the “staggering” turnout for the dems in Iowa: the numbers notwithstanding, I think the fact that Huckabee won for the repub’s is another important distinction. Firstly, it may suggest that a debilitating (so-called) “liberal/conservative” divide still permeates this country. Secondly, it may suggest that Iowa is a unique case where members of both political parties favor “extreme” candidates neither of whom have a real shot at their party’s nomination.
(by the way, the words “liberal/conservative” and “extreme” are in quotes because these words haven’t been adequately defined by me here, nor do they represent my actual views about the respective candidates.)
Thanks, Modi, I’ve got hope for YOU, if no one else!
Yes sir, I’m infected! It was the double-turnout of Dems that made the biggest case for me. But to your point about “absurdity of experience” as a black man, it is quite possible that my hope infection is a function of my privileged white experience. Let’s talk on November 5 and see whose vision was more clouded. …I’ll check out TSF and the trolls… but anyway, i just LOVE that term “the audacity of hope”. I mean, what a wonderful phrase… the gall and nerve of actually believe that “the way it is” can be improved. As far as I’m concerned, when that audacity ever goes away, it is time to jump off a bridge rather than take up any more precious air space… I embellish, but you get my point…
As for the meaning of Iowa (you may be right) we will find out in 5 days. IMO, if Obama wins New Hampshire, then its a wrap. South Carolina will then be in the bag, despite a probable good showing by Edwards (who I also like — if Obama wasn’t running)
I completely understand your sentiment around “liberal/conservative†and “extremeâ€. They are all arbitrary phrases that do far more to destroy positive discourse than promote it. The whole notion that two different labels can speak for two halves of a country is completely absurd.
and thanks, I can use all the hope that i can get!!!
Now that’s what I’m talking about! Intelligent discourse, varied opinions expressed and the environs remain civil and yet diverse.
There is validity is both positions expressed by you LP and MODI. Neither needs a co-signor, it is good for the spirit hear your point of views. Certainly Iowans can be contrary, and the increased particiaption is clearly a sign the populace may be ready for change, and that is also positve. But, the system is designed to favor the Men with the Gold Who make and change the rules ruthlessly. I like Obama and I respect him. His talk of change and hope seems quite novel after 8 years of BS, but his elevation is based on the same ole model. Market Based politics, and in the end he is beholding.
And though his message resonates and encourages change and hope, can he deliver such change and fullfill the hopes and dreams of the masses, or will his Bust hang in the Hallow Halls of Government with all of the other DEMAGOGUES!
I shall remain hopeful and prayer that a change is a coming, and try to contribute to that CHANGE anyway that I possibly can. My vote is just one avenue.
Good stuff LP and MODI! Really substative STUFF!