Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Obama's Speech "A More Perfect Union"

Barack Obama gave an excellent speech today explaining his experience with race and putting his relationship with Rev. Wright into context. It was an excellent speech that again shows why this man is in a unique position to bring this country together.


8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree Matt, he gave an inspiring message, now let's get him elected!!

Matt said...

Amen!

Anonymous said...

It was indeed a powerful and inspiring speech on race. However, I do feel this incident has changed a lot of people's perception of Senator Obama. Rev. Wright as far as I'm concerned, has taken the Presidency away from him with his very firey and prejudiced remarks. Senator Obama was a member of this church for 20 years. He never heard anything like this in all that time? It makes one wonder. Because if he had, why didn't he leave? I just think a lot of people will not believe that this sort of rhetoric has not been used before by the Rev. Black experience or not, it is evil talk. Now, in the polls today, Obama's lead is said to be shrinking. I am upset about this whole race thing. This country will never get on with good relations with this sort of thing still happening. I am sick over the whole incident and my heart aches for Senator Obama. He has such potential of bringing us all together. I still hope he will have the opportunity, but this problem will remain with him forever.

Matt said...

NO, listen to the speech - that tells it like it is.

If I had to leave a church everytime I heard something I didn't like, I'd never be able to go to church again.


You have to realize that those clips were just a few out of 20 years. I'm sure that most of the time, as Obama has said, he was speaking about self-help and family cohesion.

Anonymous said...

That's very well said. Yes, you are right. Just didn't think of it like that. That's why it's so nice to have someone who is articulate to explain it to me. Thanks, Matt!

Matt said...

Glad you agree. Obama's speech was full of nuance. It wasn't simple - it was very thoughtful and honest. Many pundits are saying (and I happen to agree) that it is one of the most important speeches given on race in many many years by a prominent politician. He addresses the concerns of African Americans as well as whites. I thought it was amazing - something only he could do.

Anonymous said...

The Reverend Wright "controversy" is once again in the news. "They" are saying if he is the nominee this will stay with him and perhaps turn voters to John McCain. What do you think?

Matt said...

Perhaps a few people - but I think this will mostly resonate with people who would not vote for him anyway.

If it does come back - McCain has spiritual ad visors and others close to him who have said some pretty nasty things too...

About Me

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Lima, Ohio, United States
I was born and raised in Ohio. I am a lifelong Catholic Christian who has always been interested in the big questions of life. I have a passion for learning especially Philosophy, Science, Religion, History and Culture. I graduated from the University of Toledo in 2001 with a B.A. in International Relations. I married my soul-mate, Jen in 2001 and we moved to rural Tanigumi-mura Japan where we taught English for 3 years. We moved to California and lived in San Francisco and the Bay Area for 4 years. Tired of sitting on the sidelines, I began volunteering for the Barack Obama campaign in March of 2007 and was eventually hired as a Field Organizer. Through the Obama campaign, I found my calling and moved back to Ohio to continue organizing. In 2009 I helped the field operations of the Keith Wilkowski for Mayor of Toledo race. After that, I was hired as a Regional Field Director for 15 northwestern and north central Ohio counties for the 2010 Democratic Coordinated Campaign. Jen and I are continuing to volunteer as we wait for the next organizing opportunity to present itself.