Letters to the Editor
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Thank you, Walter Shapiro
For a thoughtful, well-written and balanced look at Barack Obama... something that has been so sorely lacking here at Salon.
(Is Joan still on Memorial Day vacation? Is that why this was allowed to run? And don't show this piece to Debra Dickerson, please, or she'll end up doing an entire series of articles on why it's demeaning for Michelle Obama, as an AFRICAN AMERICAN, to hug disabled people...)
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This is discouraging
I wanted to like Obama, to love him even. But for God's sake, a Democrat who won't call the insurance and pharma companies the slimebuckets they are just leaves me cold. And I say that as someone who takes seven prescribed medications ... yes, I'm glad they were invented, but it doesn't change the fact that these companies will gouge the hell out of people as long as they can get away with it. I'm just not buying the 'new style of campaigning' routine. I see a political Rodney King afraid to get dirty, and no, Barack, we can't all get along. The GOP has driven this country to its knees and trying to make nice just sets you up to be Charlie Brown ... with the Republicans holding the football like Lucy.
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I like most of what I have heard from Obama so far.
I am in the category of undecided, but likely to vote Democratic.
I don't think this division of labor thing the Obamas have so far is such a good idea. I think Obama is a great speaker. I think he shows a fine intellect. However, he needs to remember that George H.W. Bush lost a second term because he looked at his watch while answering an emotional-type question during a debate. Ole Clinton with his I-feel-your-pain approach thrived. It will take more than impulsively offering a position to a disabled person to really make the human connection.
A little off subject, but because I want all Democratic candidates and their spouses to do well and have the advantage over the Republicans, I hope someone will please send Dr. Obama to a clothing stylist ASAP. That outfit she's wearing in the photo to this article is just awful! Personally, I think she should have kept her job and considered joining the campaign later, but I don't think she would wear that dirndl miniskirt outfit to work. And then she compounds the error by falling fashion victim to those black tights.
No, I am not being frivolous! Best nip such distractions in the bud.
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You Cannot Comment Until You Meet the Obama's In Person
I am the 22-year-old woman mentioned in this article. The Berlin Ice cream social was the first time I had met either Barack or Michelle Obama. As hard as it was for me to stand up with my question in front the giant crowd I have never felt such sincerity and honesty from a presidential candidate or any political candidate for that matter. 'Nor so much hope exuding in waves from his speech. I did not find him dull at all. Quite the opposite he had me moved to tears on a few different topics. I found him engaging and when both of them were on stage you could tell that they are a union that will greatly benefit the country by having them I the White House.
They both are real as real can be, they speak what they feel, and you can trust they will do what they say they will. They are a strong family with clear morals and strong values. I was running on high emotion after my question. Dozens of press were surrounding me, asking my name and flashing their bright camera bulbs; I was so grateful for Michelle's compassion. It was so clear to me she was a beautiful person inside and out.
Yes, she was the one that hugged me, but I would like to add that my mother got a great big hug from Barack and thanked him so much for running for president. She knows he brings many hope for a better future, including myself her daughter.
~Megan Wilson
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Maybe for once cooler heads will prevail
I'm not a card carrying member of the Barack Obama fan club (yet) but then I don't think he is either. I'd like to see him get some more years in the Senate to build up some legislative cred and yet the more I hear, specific this report, the more I like.
Besides Obama showing thought and reasoning in positions, it appears he's not using the crutch of charisma (which he has) but rather talking to people as adults and I think that's what people are responding to - being real.
After nearly seven years of cowboy politics, a blatantly anti-intellectual president, war crimes and half-retarded thinking, Barack Obama is a revelation. Maybe it's finally time for cooler heads to prevail. God knows could use it.
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Hi Megan Wilson,
Thank you for bringing your up close perspective here. I hope the work that the Senator has planned for you will benefit all disabled people.
Disability rights are an important issue to me. I hope Salon will focus some on how the candidates plan to deal with health care and employment issues for people with both mental and physical disbilities.
Congratulations on this new opportunity.
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Blowing smoke.
On David Letterman Obama was questioned about cigarette smoking and Letterman suggested that a president who smoked would look cool. Obama quipped that he could blow smoke in the face of the Iranian president. Laughs for all.
Do we really want another bozo who thinks that insulting foreign leaders is cool? Especially the leader of a country that we seem bound and determined to provoke into war for no good reason other than to waste more American lives and treasure in pursuit of filling the coffers of the war mongers?
Last time I checked Iran hadn't attacked the United States.
Let's blow some more smoke in their faces and see what we can stir up.
It apparently is the Republican and Democratic thing to do.
I think that one president who thinks that war is funny and diplomacy is comedy is enough.
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I don't think empathy is a banality
I'm an intellectual nerd who lives mostly in my head and I have trouble acknowledging anyone's emotions but my own.
I guess that's why I like Obama.
Seriously, after reading this article, I think that's why I like him.