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Hearing Obama's ringing words at Philadelphia's Constitution Center today put me in mind of another great speech by another great speaker: Abraham Lincoln's Cooper Union address.
Readers, I invite you to compare and contrast these speeches, both by sons of Illinois (and both of whom were born elsewhere), both of which deal with race, change, and the need to reconcile differences (peacefully or otherwise). Much has changed since then, yet many of the same issues still need addressing.
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HI, Phoenix Woman!
Yeah, ’bout time for some Abe!
Hello, everyone!
By the way, another thing everyone could do would be to write/call your favorite news media outlet and ask them why they’re not giving as much attention to John McCain’s and the GOP’s ties to prominent right-wing preachers John Hagee and Rod Parsley as they are to Obama’s minister. It’s been mostly the blogosphere that’s talked about McCain and Hagee, whereas the MSM in comparison has barely noticed McCain’s Hagee connection. Just check out the first page of the Google search for “McCain Hagee” and you’ll see what I mean. Meanwhile, the first five links on the Google page for “Obama Wright” are all MSMers.
FISH!!
Oh, sorry, wrong Abe.
I am not a democrat (rather a radical centrist independent). But, this speech sealed the deal for me. I just joined the Obama campaign. I posted this on one of their blogs:
Howard Dean apologized for his comment in 2003, ‘to be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks” at Cooper Union. It was a great speech, I was there. He was honored to make this particular speech in the venue that Lincoln made his.
The issue of race will not be addressed under a leader from the present day Republicans. I’m very proud of what Obama said today, and I hope the country will embrace it.
Phoenix Woman!
I noticed there were a number of commenters raising that point this morning at the WaPo0 with comments to Richard Cohen’s prattle about Senator Obama and the Rev. Mr. Wright.
Not that it will penetrate his thickness but folks are trying anyway.
So, did Lincoln deliver the speech under duress to save his campaign? I’m just wondering.
And BobbyG, I can’t believe you’re impressed by Matthews’ reaction. This is the guy who said “If you don’t cry during a Barack Obama speech, you’re not an American.” It would have been bigger news if he hadn’t gotten all gooey over it.
The speech today was the result of the failure of the second reconstruction in the 1960s, not the fault of those who tried, but those
who fought against it by creating the “modern” Republican party. Obama is
so right on this he scares hell out of the consensus that coalesced around
the radio baritone racism of Ronald Reagan. Lets just see if this country
finally has the stones to face itself this time… doesn’t happen often,
only the second time in my lifetime, probably won’t see another after this.
PW, I was at work and did not see the speech. Is that the whole speech or just an excerpt?
What was surprising was the unanimity. Tweetie loves to stir shit up, and get the cynicism flying. None evident today.
Hmmm… I’m listening to Rachel on AA and watching her live on MSNBC… ;-)
1,794 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…
Citizen Phoenix Woman:
Yo Citizen Phoenix Woman…I’m sooooo glad that you gave us this comparison because, in fact, this election is our last chance to finally end our 148 year Civil War. The political circumstances of minority government and the institutionalization of minority rule through counting a significant population for purposes of the census but disenfranchisin’ ‘em at the ballot box continue to this day. And how ironic and maybe inevitable that it should be a Black man who pulls us above the politics of race to legitimize class-based solutions to the social and economic problems posed by an economic system and philosophy that has long out lived any argument for its existence.
Radical Reconstruction may finally be allowed to work.
KEEP THE FAITH AND DON’T LET THE BASTARDS GO UNTIL AFTER THEY ARE TRIED AND CONVICTED THIS TIME!!
Welcome aboard BobbyG! It’s been, and is going to continue to be, a long and historic ride.
me too. i guess that the tv show was taped earlier
Actually, I think it’s the other way around…!
Trying to watch Rachel on tv & listen to her on AA is going to be a challenge. What a dilemna but a great way shake off those late afternoon energy slowdowns.
Jay Rosen explain Obama for Wolf Blitzer: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.....92139.html
Comment over on WaPo:
Obama’s giving a major speech tomorrow in WV on Iraq and the Economy too.
Christy and PW -
Please forgive this digression: In breaking news, MSNBC is reporting that Arthur C. Clarke died. More details later…
I didn’t think I’d be saying this, but, I’m enjoying this new show from David Gregory… Maybe because he’s drowned out by the other panelists… I like three of the five…!
You are right. I missed that whole ‘LIVE’ thing on the tv
Still reading Lincoln’s speech and will comment on it in a bit
cspan is reairing Obama’s speech at 7est.
Chris,
I don’t know you, but if you support Hillary, you’re falling in with those who make cheesy claims that she could only get all teary over the thought of her own collapsing campaign. If you’re a Democrat, it’s beneath you. If you’re a Republican, we expect it of you and it has no effect on us, whichever Democratic candidate we favor.
I just can’t stand seeing Scarborough’s nasty mug that much
Yupper. Same as always.
I hope Obama will continue to make the republics look like the insane clown posse they are.
me too but something about Gregory unsettles me…not sure what it is..ok back to reading
me too …
He loves W.
A waste of time. Blitzer has made cluelessness into an art form.
It’s his WASPy haircut… and his frat boy mentality for me.
Insane Clowns deserve more respect than to be compared to Republics.
Maybe memories of him dancing back-up to MC Rove and enjoying it like it was funny?
He’s still buying that baloney that a Royal Member of the Bush Family would have a beer with him.
hi !!!
You’re right, my bad.
Obi was smart to not take any questions from the press after his oratory.
The man has an incredible way to frame the issues and reach out and call attention to bigotry with hostility.
If he can use that skill to advance some progressive value and programs, there may be a chance to save this place.
That didn’t help, however, I chalk it up to his WH stenography… Ironically, we seem to have gotten our fervent desire to have F*cker replaced by Rachel, I’ll take 1/5th anyday…1 8-)
…and again at 10:05pm eastern
Well that would do it but it’s his eyes that unsettle me. Still can’t put a finger on what it is, but it’s not good
I’m really bad about comparing and contrasting things..but, Lincoln’s speech is both confrontational and defensive IMHO. He points out all of the faults of the opposition and then demands that they provide proof that they are right.
Obama’s speech is not defensive and not confrontational; rather, he creates the common ground in a non-threatening but firm manner. His flair for diplomacy is mindboggling. He speaks the truth, which is why it hits the emotions.
i didn’t see that (good thing) I have jack ass radar, so there it is
his eyebrows are larger than his eyes…
He is an imposter.
This is probably just a statistical aberration
American Research Group Bush Approval
Or maybe they took it when people realized the Economy is really screwed?
That’s exactly it.
Cool! Unlike McCain, he knows that Al-Qaeda and Iran do not mix.
Obama seems to have the ability to take whatever they throw him and turn it into something positive. I’m kind of in awe. And that doesn’t happen to me often.
Is that 18%?
Forgive the continued digression, all, but I must share this quotation:
“It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value.” - Arthur C. Clarke.
No problem for Bush since Harry and Nancy are determined to prop him up.
http://www.afn.org/~dks/race/clinton-e6.html
Yup… Anybody who thinks Barack’s an empty suit is going to have to plug their ears and close their eyes this week.
It’s a shame that we’re still in a primary though. Would love to have all forces ahead against McCain now.
That’s true so far but can he handle it when it’s coming in rapid fire from all directions? That’s what the Republics will do to him.
Yes he can.
Me too must have been taped earlier
RIP Arthur C. Clarke…
http://www.reuters.com/article.....3220080318
Well.. Right now he has it coming from all the Repubs AND the Clintonites… So I would say he’s taking it from all directions right now. And I would say he’s performing quite well.
He’s going to make McCain look like an old, tired, uninformed nothing in debates. JMO
So glad Obama’s speech is going to reply in it’s entirety. I’m looking forward to standing up and cheering.
It’s amazing how Big Dog talked about the two Americas back in ‘95 and several of the things Obama talked about today.
I don’t think the Republics have really started on him yet.
The MSM’s nightly news coverage of Obama’s speech was predictably abysmal. The common meme was that this was a “make or break” speech for his campaign.
Excuse me? Obama was addressing a minor issue that the MSM hypocritically manufactured into a falsely huge issue for lack of a better “horse race” topic. Obama made it into a statement of what America and his presidency would be about. Good for him.
What townfolk could say they religiously agreed with every statement by their pastor, rabbi or priest. How many American Catholics vehemently disagree, and walk with their feet, over the Church’s absolute ban on birth control and abortion. How many Baptists claim that Islam is the devil’s scourge and should be wiped by war from the face of the earth. Disagreements among Jewish communities is common. The hate-speech of the Hagees and Falwells is too numerous to comment further.
The MSM’s vision of America seems as superficial and uninformed as George W. Bush’s.
I thought he threw his grandmother under a bus, frankly. I found that disturbing.
I have been impressed with how much better for the most part, Obama’s campaign team runs their shop than Clinton’s. I may have to revise my previously very low opinion of overpaid presidential campaign advisors & consultants.
Certainly there are parallel threads running through both speeches. certainly invoking the founding fathers and their purpose in the finding of the U.S. as well as the passing of the race issue on to the next generation.
Probably not but McInsane should be the one worrying. Obama is so much more intelligent and presents himself so much better. I still don’t understand why the republics are going to nominate crazy train. IMO he’ll be the easiest to beat. His domestic is sorely lacking, with the way things are going with our economy I don’t see any confidence in him whatsoever. The republics don’t even think he’s a real conservative.
I’m afraid that’s too true. This will make the 2000 race seem clean. I suspect that’s one reason Rove is out of the White House and operating from his Bat Cave at the would be Bush library; the better to orchestrate dirty tricks with less scrutiny.
huh? I’m a bit confused why this speech was posted.
ahhh okay sorry
(would help if I had finished reading it)
Gregory looks very much like a Flintstone.
-G
Not necessarily. McCain appeals to the uninformed voter who does not realize that he is as conservative as he is.
Romney, as a Mormon, was suspect and looked too plastic and that was combined with his having been Gov of Mass with all the liberal positions even though he tried to disavow everything.
Huckabee was too populist on economic issues for the Wall St crowd.
To know Rudy was to dislike him.
Which leaves McCain. The (not-so) Maverick candidate. He will not be all that easy to beat as the TradMed will do all in their power to prop him up.
Scarborough is in denial.
Rachel just talks circles around scarface, huh? He just sounds like an idiot
Did you all read TBogg’s Tar Baby diary. Don’t miss it, it’s brilliant.
cspan is reairing Obama’s speech at 7est.
Yes, and right afterward at about 7:40 PM EST, they are having viewers call in about it.
Al Qaeda is taking over Iran! Shiite Saudi Arabia is threatening Christian Israel and the Bhuddists in India are ready to nuke the Zoroastrian state of Pakistan.
-John McNuts
But oh so different. Just because of who Obama is, he is in a unique position to talk to balacks, whites, immigrants.
Hopefully those in the military believe him when he says we’ll stay in Iraq, for one hundred years. The guy is nuts and doesn’t have the ability to hide it. He came unravelled when he was asked about Kerry. I don’t see him making it to the election without a complete meltdown on camera.
The R callers will have had time to digest their email with the talking points by then.
he’s making a lot of oddly senile-sounding misstatements these days also … the al-quaida/iran thing was way over the top
Eye opening.
He is an idiot!
how is admitting that you have a family member that has been known to say racist things throwing her under the bus? It connected with me because I do have people in my family that say shit I find nauseating but they are a part of me and I still love them. that’s not throwing under the bus (IMHO), that’s being honest and honesty that many americans can attest to.
If Obama talks about race his numbers go down. America doesnt want to hear it.
It’s the prominent browbone
…in reference to the Clinton speech linked above at #55.
well, it didn’t have that impact on me … i have a issues with some of my family too, but i wouldn’t opportunistically air the family dirty laundry in front of millions of people.
katherine at 55
thanks
Matthews up on MSNBC replay of Hardball - if you missed it earlier. Chris is enchanted with Obama’s speech and all but endorsed him.
I knew Abe Lincoln. Abe Lincoln was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Abe Lincoln.
I found that part of his speech the most appealing. He talked about his own experience and just laid it out for the American people. I’ll bet it made a lot of people feel really shabby.
No worries, you’ll never be President.
Yet.
I was it as drawing a paradox between anger/racism in both the black community (Wright) and the white community (his grandmother), two people who are personal connections and echo some of the feelings in both communities. It was a powerful paradox.
But people will get from it what they will. Throwing under the bus…you would have to make a better case to substantiate that besides that he mentioned her in his speech
I found that part of the speech refreshingly honest.
I like your optimism!
Are there trolls coming out of the woodwork, or is it just the wind rattling around in my brain?
Bob in HI
dirty laundry? See that is why we haven’t had the race conversation, too many of us want to keep it as our dirty little family secret. That has to stop or there won’t be opportunities to share our views and discuss them ‘openly’
Dino their pet dinosaur?
i dunno, i didn’t find it the least bit inspirational. he had a chance to really discuss the bigger issue of race in america and it just say that much to me
Your THAT old? Dang, you must have known Burger King when he was a prince? …you fart dust? *g*
Yawn.
Daily Obama bashing by RF.
-G
Digg this - I chose the Lincoln portrait icon.
With a Republican, it is often difficult to separate ideology from pathology.
NPB, I saw it earlier, I must say that Obama did an excellent job, Tweety reminds me of a stopped clock, he can be right at least once…!
discussing racism doesn’t necessarily mean point to some one and saying racist does it?
But racism begins at home around the dinner table. At any rate that’s what he felt he wanted to do and he has said in the past how much he loved his grandmother. That’s good enough for me.
No, I find it to be the Hanna-Barbera cartoony mouth.
-G
true dat