Michelle Obama on American Pride

I too am proud of the expanding color blindness that is taking over the younger generations and expanding into a new populous perspective. As a white woman raised in the 1970's south I am fully aware of the expanding changes in our nations perspective that is refreshing.

Which does mean, "It is not race". That is the point, finally it is the conent our character as individuals and not our skin. But, if you are unaware of the coming change then you are fooling yourself.

One more comment while I am here writing my mind to page. How does good Orator equate to lack of substance? Merely because he speaks of Hope does not mean he has not spoke of other things. As far as I can tell he has orated no more or less than Clinton. The only real difference I see is that Obama plays fair. Isn't that a good thing? Isn't that a sign of substance?

Thank you, I enjoy your show.

Sent by Adria | 4:10 PM | 2-21-2008

As a woman of color (biracial to be specific) I first thought that she meant that the US of A hasn't always acted in a way to be proud of--fire hoses, attack dogs, nooses hanging from trees or car mirrors etc. Here and now she is proud because people are not afraid to vote for a person of color for highest post in the land. I just wanted to scream to McCain's wife with her quip about always being proud of being an American--she has probably never been under suspicion at a store because of her skin color, or pulled over by police because a "white" person was a suspect and she happened to look like them or anything else that people of color endure everyday in our great country.

Sent by Susan | 4:52 PM | 2-21-2008

I just listened to today's round table discussion featuring Mary Frances Berry and Ron Christie. I am more than a little tired and definitely insulted by their claims and those of other pundits that Obama supporters are just deer caught in the headlights of his charisma.

My reasons for supporting Obama go far beyond the fact that he and I are both black. I chose to vote the Democratic ticket because I knew that John McCain would prevail in the Republican race. Yes, I believed it months ago, even when the press and pundits wrote McCain off. Why? Because I did not believe for one minute that people who traditionally vote Republican were going to vote for Romney, Thompson, and certainly not Guiliani, although I did think Huckabee had a chance. But those others? Just wasn't going to happen. See, we rank and file Americans are not as vapid as Dr. Berry et al seem to think we are.

But I digress; let me get back to my point about Obama. In the primary race between Clinton and Obama, I believe that Obama is the better candidate. To be honest, I see very little difference between the two content wise, but they appear to miles apart when it comes to process. What troubles me about Clinton is her approach. Take her proposed response to the mortgage crisis. It sounds reasonable and decisive enough. The problem is that it sounds just as reasonable as her healthcare reform plan from the early 90s, and just as good as the proposals from the Democrats during 2006 congressional elections to get us out of Iraq. My point is that I supported Obama during the primary because I am doubtful of the 'pick me, I have the answers' model of leadership. I am willing to take a chance in the primary on a candidate who appears to be open and unencumbered enough to negotiate solutions. At this point, I am willing to support a candidate who is not willing to pander to anyone, be it the middle class or even the poor to win votes. At this point, I am willing to support a candidate who appears willing to say that the solutions to our problems are not going to be easy, and addressing them goes far beyond writing position papers. Clinton's position papers and proposals sound just like the typical campaign promises that eventually crash and burn some where in the Senate or on the House floor. Or even worst yet, they sound like one dimensional, simplistic plans that are approved by way of cronyism, patronage, or plain old intimidation.

Now this is just the primary. Should he become the Democratic nominee, Obama will need to forward some specifics to win my vote for the presidency. And he can't come with any 'chicken in every pot and I'll freeze mortgage interest rates' plans either. After 8 years of George W, I am looking for someone who can demonstrate executive level knowledge of issues and flexibility in problem solving. And just as importantly, I also want to know his/her ideas on building coalitions; the criteria he/she will use for selecting cabinet members; his/her plans to hold the cabinet & other top level officials accountable; and how he/she will evaluate their performance. If it comes down to Obama and McCain, I will vote for the one who addresses these concerns to my satisfaction. If Obama does not deliver, I will vote for McCain. The fact that he has demonstrated some autonomy from the conservatives demonstrates some flexibility. I believe that McCain would have a better chance at true coalition building in Washington than Clinton would, so he is viable to me.

So you see, Dr. Berry et al, I am not voting for the brother just because he is a brother, or because I am unwilling to read position papers. And I don't think plagiarism is okay either.

Sent by LAW | 4:54 PM | 2-21-2008

Seriously, I wish the media would try not to drive conflict and drama where there's none and give some of their audience the benefit of having some intelligence.

Here we go again with questioning someone's patriotism. Michelle Obama has lived longer than I have so she's seen more things that didn't make her proud of her country. I could say the same thing - for once in most of my adult life after eight years of George W. Bush in office, I could truly say I'm proud of my country. I'm excited that this is W's final year. I have a sense of pride that most of my counterparts, like never before are fully engaged in the political process. But shucks I'm not a candidate's wife so it wouldn't get air play for the spin cycle machine.

To Cindy McCain for that sarcastic "I just want to say I'm proud of my country" as a rebuttal to Michelle Obama; girl please - see the eyes roll. How about inviting Cindy for a social experiment to be in a person of color's skin for about a week? Back track that, how proud is she of her country right now when her husband is so close to his party's nomination only to have a smear campaign launched by one of her nation's most reputable newspapers?

Sent by Moji | 6:10 PM | 2-21-2008

Proud of my country; what does that mean? To the republic for which it stands; the people, individuals? Institutions: government & leaders? Business? And could it mean different things to different people? Well it's been a while since we've made a splash. What have we accomplished recently? I mean if we could take one issue...just one & see it to it's completion that would be great & a model to build on. Pick one: healthcare, education, infrastructure, justice system,transportation, environment, go into a foreign conflict and have real positive impact.

Re: Francis Berry
Berry's attitude is condescending as usual and her sensibilities are of another era.

What I find interesting about this election is the reactions of older groups. I have no proof but it seems there is a difference. (Excluding the Republicans & those Richie Cunningham happy days image on their stages) White parents, grand-parents are being moved & influences by the excitement of their kids, grand-kids. While the Black elders want to poo poo this new wave as pie in the sky; dismissing the younger generation's excitement. Maybe they fear being lost and need those old familiar differences to help navigate? NEWSFLASH: your kids & grand-kids are shaking all of that off.

I agree with Moji; the media's role seems to be 'drive conflict & drama'; waiting for that gotcha moment. It also seems at times that there is such a disdain for the audience.

Sent by Jon J | 2:12 PM | 2-22-2008

Please highlight the Stanford, Yale and Harvard tuition story. The word needs to get out that a great education can be had at those institutions without mortgaging your future.

Sent by Ama | 12:11 PM | 2-25-2008

Ama, thanks for the suggestion. We'll be addressing that today on our blog. Keep an eye out ...

Sent by Geoffrey Bennett | 1:02 PM | 2-25-2008