Me too, I loved that speech and thought “this man will be president one day”. I just didn’t expect him to beat Hillary, and be president now. I thought he’d be so ready in 2016. Was I wrong!!! He is the perfect president for this time. Perfect.
I think that amk should do the blog help…you can sleep in and everything…he’s on a different day half the time! What do you say guys?? He can do the night shift:) Look at me, amk…I’m volunteering you:)
NO! That’s why I mentioned you:) I think that’s a FABULOUS idea!! You could have it all primed and ready to go in the morning, and Chips could sleep in…or have more coffee, or take a long shower…go for a run…whatever! We would have a global view of PBO from all over the world…it would be great…..you like that idea, don’t you? Come on….
I second your suggestion,df! That’s because I operate on Pacific Standard Time. I usually visit here when it’s still daytime in amk’s part of the world while people are still sleeping in other parts of the US.
For me it was at the convention (08) I hung on to every word he said, I couldn’t believe it the first politician to ever make sense to me. He is someone I can relate to on a personal level and that is just one of the reasons why I will always go to bat for him.
The convention really did it for me, too, Proud – for all the same reasons. After that, I went back and listened to a bunch of his old speeches, and could never understand how I hadn’t fallen for him long before… He’s simply amazing.
Same here! I was very skeptical he could win. I mean he would have been the first black guy in this position. Then the whole Wright thing blew up and I was like”eeep he’s finished”. I expected next a ‘distancing’ story about him trying to disown Wright, I did not expect that speech. My senses perked up after that. I still did not send any money his way, but I payed very close attention, listening to many of his stump speeches. I told myself if he wins the nomination he would have proven he can do big things and I would throw my support fully behind him. Well we all know how the story continues…
He had me at the 2004 convention. I knew at that point he was something special and was on to more important things than Senate. I just had the feeling. He was and is handsome, articulate, and genuine.
Same here. His 2004 keynote speech at the Democratic Convention as well as reading his autobiography, “Dreams for My Father,” really sold me on President Obama. I’ve never looked back ever since. Of course, everything he has done subsequently has simply reinforced my support.
I had read about this strangely named guy delivering the 2004 dem convention speech in Indian newspapers somewhere around 2007 when he announced in candidacy (yes, he was making waves even across the oceans even then). I thought, “meh, one more american pol and he does have an odd name” and moved on. Never even knew his race.
Then one day, I was watching the leno show and this skinny guy with funny name turns up as a guest. His sense of humor was the one that impressed me. That was the moment I started googling him and got hooked up on this damned blogging curse.
Cough! Cough! Don’t want to take away your Eeyore prize, whatever that means (never having read that kiddy book myself) but, as a good friend, I also don’t want you to have to wait until tomorrow to return it when magapie wakes up. I believe she was a step ahead of you.
2004 when he gave the keynote speech at the Democratic Convention (pictured above, I think). He totally bowled me over, and my college roommate from Oberlin called and said, “Did YOU just hear the first black President of the United States?” YES WE DID!
I have voice on this. I had heard about him before the convention speech. Not be much. After I heard him I knew he was going to be President. I started finding all the information about him and even bought his book off Amazon for 3.99 shipping. I had never been a real Hilliary fan. I didn’t think we needed another family in the WH. We needed someone new and young. I knew he will be one of our greatest president’s ever. I knew there would be some hate but I really didn’t think there would be so much. The journey has been amazing. One of the best is this blog and all the wonderful people here. We are all fired up and ready to go. Now off to bed.
Groan! Go to bed. Stop torturing me by starting new threads and making me want to wait to see what they’ll be about. Groan! I have spent the entire day on this site – the. entire. day – and I signed in a little after 7am! ‘I’m VC and I’m a TOD addict, aided and abetted by the blog mistress.’
You know Christi, I’m becoming a little worried that people here at TOD don’t take me seriously. I shall have to consider this seriously…..when I’m more awake..
You are still laughing at me! First you stab me in the back …….on your birthday, no less. Now you laugh. I am seriously … very seriously reconsidering this liaison of ours. [Notice I got a genuine French word in there? ]
Sometimes. I don’t often sleep through the night so there are odd times, like tonight, when I hang around till late if my eyes stay open. I suspect I’ll regret this tomorrow though when I want to be sharp-eyed for the bus tour because I’m an early riser.
I see your regular clock is still ticking, Theo. I spotted you earlier, but I guess you didn’t realize I was trying to get your attention. What’s this the early morning chapter of TOD non-Anonymous?
I’m still on West Coast time – so I’m manning the late night post (when I can). Sorry, didn’t see your message earlier – I’ve just been popping in and out of TOD to see who’s causing trouble – I see it’s the usual suspects…
The usual suspects, led by Df. I’m going to have to find out which stimulants she takes. Hopefully she’ll share willingly because SHE has already established that WE have something in common.
Moi????????????????????????? No stimulants…just a power nap today:) I like to make sure that before I go to bed, that the husband is fully engaged in his snore fest, that he’s really worked up by the time I get in there to try to sleep. That way, I can have another excuse to come out and check TOD and see what’s going on….in the middle of the night…amk is here all alone, I feel badly for him….I really have a problem. Going to be hard to go back to work when summer is over!
‘check TOD and see what’s going on….in the middle of the night…’
I wonder what you expect to be going on in the middle of the night except what you have right there – snoring? Does your husband know about these nightly meetings with Amk? Does his wife?
‘I feel badly for him’
Forget the influence of same sex marriage, isn’t this really how some of those unacceptable marital scenarios start? I might have to start staying up later in the village more often, to help preserve the moral integrity of this meeting place.
I was switching channels during the day and stopped at the Oprah Winfrey show because this guy I’d never heard of was talking so much common sense. I literally said to the television: This man needs to be President RIGHT NOW! Never looked back; never for a MOMENT doubted he’d win.
I know…but this is for those late nighters that have no one to talk to when we’re sleeping….a bedtime tome…about Mittens…..now you know why JOhn said thanks, but no thanks. You won’t be able to put it down…
When I was in high school, I watched Oprah every day after school. In October 2006, I saw him on the show with Michelle. I remember saying “oooo who is he??” because he was ridiculously attractive (yes, shallow but I was 15 sooo lol). So I watched the show and Oprah asked him if he was going to run for President. He gave the usual run around answer. I was NOT interested in politics then, but when he announced his candidacy a few months later, I was not surprised. Because of him and HIllary, this was the first presidential race that I actually followed.
I didn’t get totally obsessed with him until 2008. Hahahaha
That picture Chips, that was the moment for me. The 2004 Convention.
Watched him in the Senate, then kept my fingers crossed until that cold day in February 2007. One of the happiest days I can recall, that day that he announced his candidacy. I was ALL IN from day 1, and am still ALL IN.
And the reason…he says what I’m thinking, only he says it in an intelligent, clear way.
Love my President:)
May 2008. I thought Hillary would win the nomination but kept hearing on the news here in Australia before May that someone called Barack Obama was winning some of the electorates and competing very well with her. I jumped online to find out more about him and signed up to the OFA site. I became a daily visitor to the OFA site and started watching his speeches. He spoke for me and I’ve been watching and supporting him ever since.
I thought my interest would end after the 2008 election when the governing began, but it didn’t. It kept growing. I had never been interested in poltics, not even locally, and I’m not sure if I will continue to follow US Politics when PBO leaves after his second term. I do know however, that PBO will do what he can to make sure his shared vision for America continues when he’s not President and I will still be interested in what Barack Obama, the man, does for the rest of my life.
The first I heard of Barack Obama was when he gave the speech at the Dem convention… I called my two adult sons, my mom & my sister and said omg you have to turn on the dem convention & listen to this man speak- he is going to be President some day… funny thing is they were ALL already watching him when I called. He moved me like no one since I was a kid & that was Robert Kennedy & MLK. I’ve never doubted him for a second.. and I spend a whole lot of time waiting with anticipation to see what he’s going to do next. There is Greatness in him, like no other, imo.
And because of him… I knocked on doors & made phone calls for the first time in my life, although I’d always voted- for dems only of course. But I had just been recovering from 4 major surgeries.. and had suffered mild brain damage due to oxygen deprivation… and I stuttered & had a difficult time speaking- I was rather distraught over this… and thus decided talking to people would help me- and it did… also all the walking improved my recovery, my health. I thank President Obama every single day for being who he is- and for the inspiration he gave me to do something way outside my comfort zone.
In 2008 he was my first choice all the way- & luckily Joe Biden was my 2nd choice
Oh my goodness, Sherijr….this is a proud story to tell! Good for you. You helped each other in ways not always seen. I’m proud of you for all the hard work and perseverance. That couldn’t have been easy, but you did it:) Giant hugs…forward we go!
Too tired to write my timeline of support for the President in a coherent way, but for me it was seeing or hearing about him in 2004, 2005, and finally crying my eyes out when he announced in Springfield in 2007, and then saying to a baby boomer friend of mine, “Well, I know I should support Hillary, so we can have our first woman President, but I really, really like Barack Obama.” And she said, “We want our first woman President, but not just any woman, it has to be the right woman,” and I immediately realized the value in that statement and turned my total support to candidate Obama in ’07, where it’s been ever since, and where it will remain until 2017. In ’08, I also raised the first funds ever for a Presidential candidate (via OFA), which I was pretty proud of, and – sherijr – I, too, saw Joe Biden as my second choice, so I could not be happier how it all turned out! Goodnight, TODers.
Yes, all that and more, including, on a personal level, the fact he’s a real Irish storyteller. That’s my favorite part, especially when he’s on the campaign trail. He’s so real, and he, too, never forgot his roots.
“In 2008 he was my first choice all the way- & luckily Joe Biden was my 2nd choice ” Sherijr I exactly had the same picks. If the then Sen. Obama had faltered, Sen. Joe Biden would have been my #2 choice. I had no problems with Hillary, but frankly I was tired of the Bushes and the Clintons who had occupied the WH for 20 years. That’s why I was so excited when Barak Obama won the nomination and picked Joe Biden as VP. I’ve been following Joe (he is just a couple of years old than me) since he was elected as the youngest Senator in history. I truly love, respect, and trust both President Obama and Vice President Biden.
I had never heard of him until his speech at the Democratic Convention in 2004. Truth be told, his message kind of irked me back then. I was a bit more extreme in my views, well, not necessarily views, but far more unbending politically. That’s what happens when you’re in high school, I guess. I really didn’t like the moderate tone of the speech, even if I liked the overall message.
In ’04, I had worked my butt off for Howard Dean. It was my first presidential election I really put my all in, even though I couldn’t vote, and was devastated when he lost. So, when the ’08 primaries rolled around, I wasn’t interested. I was not nearly as motivated or invested in any candidate as I had been with Dean. But by mid-2007, I think it hit me how much I really did like Obama. Like I said, his message at the ’04 convention irked me because I really just wanted to take it to the Republicans. But it sank in around this time that none of it mattered if we didn’t actually win the White House.
What I did know is that I was not a fan of Hillary Clinton. She was way too conservative for my liking and her vote to go to war with Iraq still played a vital role in why I couldn’t get behind her. It was similar with Kerry. I remember looking at Kerry prior to 2003 because he seemed like a decent, electable liberal. Then he went and voted for the Iraq War and I found myself gravitating toward Dean.
With Obama, I knew he had opposed the war and his rhetoric was decidedly to the left of Clinton. Plus, I didn’t think Clinton was electable. After the whole Kerry fiasco, I realized we needed something new and Clinton just wasn’t that person. In hindsight, I think Clinton would’ve rolled McCain similarly to Obama, but at the time, I was convinced Obama was the only way we could win the White House.
So, I slowly found myself liking the idea of his campaign. By late 2007, I was fully on board and invested by the Iowa caucus in early January. The primary cemented it and there you go.
So the rebel yell didn’t bother you, huh? (Just kidding you…) The good lesson you learned at this young age, is that none of it matters if the Dems don’t win the WH…those down ticket races really help too:) I hope we can get it done and have all 3 in Dem control….so much good got done with Nancy in charge. I want to see that kind of work done again. sick of the No Nothing congress
no way hillary would’ve beat mccain!! you’re missing the point on how PBO won. he won from his community organizing and his ability to communicate and relate, and hillary nor her husband ever promoted organizing and actively ran top-down campaigns their entire careers. her spokespeople were lanny davis, howard woflson, and the odious mark penn, plus she herself is not exactly a warm and fuzzy speaker. with the media in full-on mccain fluffing mode (remember “this is good news for mccain!” so much that it’s still a running joke?), hillary and her horrific team would not have been able to overcome that.
without our president coming along when he did, american troops would be bogged down in tehran right now and the r-money family would have a net worth 3-4 times higher than it is already, all while america’s poor and middle class would be living in the great depression II – the sequel.
I’m sorry those fire victims lost their homes…but this is another prime example of wanting a civilized society, for cheap. Wonder if they have regrets? If the town has regrets? Will they do things differently now?
I got tired of him being so viciously attacked by so called Christians. It just did not sit well with me. I also like the courage that both he and his wife, First Lady Michelle, kept on going with such courage and determination. Also, I liked his grin.
I read a piece in the New Yorker in May 2004. http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2004/05/31/040531fa_fact1?currentPage=1
Obama sounded REALLY interesting but I figured he was going to be the usual stalking horse — defeated when white folks wouldn’t vote for him. After Iowa, I thought — well, heck — maybe it could happen.
And unlike other politicians, the more I see of him, the more I like him.
Anyone else notice that Chips gave us a late toy with which to play, then went off to bed herself? Not that I mind her getting some sleep as she will be a busy bee as usual tomorrow, following Pres O around.
I just checked the time difference between Montreal and India (amk of course)…..it says 9:30 hours ahead….doesn’t make sense, does it?..I thought it was 6 hours max……I always get mixed up with this…
Somethings never change: “Partisans, not willing to face realities, will drag out red herrings as they have always done — to divert attention from the trail of their own weaknesses.”
— Franklin D. Roosevelt
Well, guys…I think my hubby must be sufficiently snoring his fool head off now…I must go get my beauty sleep. Beauty nap this afternoon just isn’t enough. (I love my naps…what a guilty pleasure they are for me) See you tomorrow…bright and early. Night all.
DNC Speech 2004 — I said right then and there, this guy is GREAT! He oughta run for President someday. Who knew just 4 years later, I’d be knocking on doors and making phone calls for him.
Then I feel in love with him again the night he won Iowa — until then I was convinced Hillary was the only Dem who could win.He changed EVERYTHING!
Awesome for the President! Awesome day here on the blog.
Chips, you are MAGNIFICENT! I struggle to find words to express the love, respect and gratitude that I have for you and for this place you have built for us all. It is a safe haven, a source of strength and inspiration — it is family, it is home.
O/T
Having much respect for First Lady Obama, I found info of her ‘White House Mission’ in a special episode of Restaurant Impossible on the Food Network, and thought I would post the link here should anyone be interested. They have pictures posted on the site.
“At Horton’s Kids, a children’s community center that provides many services such as serving after-school meals in one of Washington, D.C.’s neediest neighborhoods, Robert accepts his toughest mission yet from first lady Michelle Obama. The first lady’s challenge is threefold: Give Horton’s Kids a dining room, update their kitchen and create a community garden for them.”
It appears the episode aired in mid-June. Thought it interesting when I found it as the First Lady is so involved with kids and I was unaware of it as usually stories appear on sites as to what she has done and shows she’s appeared, as in the comments, many of them are ‘nasty’ & “political’. They truly can’t win (and I don’t mean regarding the election!!)
It was in the Spring of 2008, and I was sitting on my bed grading papers when I heard about BO. One of the local stations in my area had a clip of him speaking at one of his campaign events.. I had been so busy at that time that I hadn’t been paying close attention to the democratic primaries, but when I heard him speak in that video clip, I was hooked, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I had never donated to a politician before, but I’ve donated to PBO’s campaign before and after he was elected. It has become a monthly thing. As soon as my retirement check posts in my bank, I donate to the president’s reelection campaign.
I remember when he gave the keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention. I watched the debates and I really liked what he had to
say. Started to learn more about his policies and read his book, Dreams of my Father. By the time of the South Carolina Primary I was convinced that I wanted him to be the nominee. Started to contribute to his campaign in April, 2008 and continue to support him, and do what I can to make sure he is reelected.
I’d come home from work, was preparing dinner, Ben was doing his homework. The TV was on. I can’t think why it was on a channel that played the convention speech. Maybe the news? I was not political in any way back then, so I would not have deliberately put the speech on. Anyway, I’m cooking, in my own world, and slowly the sound of his voice started to penetrate my conscious mind. It was strong, yet soothing. So assured and assuring. After a while, I stepped into the living room to see who the voice belonged to and there was this young, handsome and sparkling man on the TV.
I stood there and started listening to what he was saying. As I listened, my eyes got wider with wonder, my mouth slackened with awe, my heart beat faster and grew bigger within my chest. Who was this guy saying the most amazing things? When he finished speaking, I felt as if my feet were about about 6 inches up off the ground. I was high on amazement – on hope and inspiration. I had to find out who he was.
The commentators said his name and it sounded funny. As soon as they said he was from Chicago, I got on the phone and called up from girlfriend from my Arthur Anderson days who lived in Chicago. “Monica, do you this guy Barack Obama (I mispronounced his name)?” She said, “Barack? [like she knew him personally. LOL] Yes! He’s running for office here in Illinois!” Naturally, she brought up how fine he was and we giggled and shared our appreciation of Barack’s fineness for a while. Lot’s of “mmm mmm MMM!” and “girl!” from Monica, and “gosh he’s so cute!” from me.
When I got off the phone, I jumped on my computer, did an internet search for him, found his illinois senate campaign site, ordered a bunch of campaign photos of him, found out he’d written two books and ordered both of them.
That’s the day. The day I decided, “I like this fella!”
Gooooood Morning everyone….sipping my coffee….catching up….
i just heard a news bit on the Full Court Press…that Gregory may be out on MTP….the MTP folks deny it however….FCP also reported that the ratings have been low since Gregory has been the host….
has anyone else heard this……
if it is true who do you think would replace him…hmmmmmm
Breaking News: Top Syrian General en Route to France After Defecting, French Foreign Minister Says nyti.ms/NERzo6— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 06, 2012
GM, Amk, looks like the writing is on the wall. Never fails, all dictators go the same way. They always think they would be the one — different from the rest. Go figure.
Seriously?? Tyler Perry Admits Barack Obama Helped Him Kick Alcohol Addiction | Celebrity News & Style for Black Women: hellobeautiful.com/2527233/tyler-…— Charlie Peach (@bretech2) July 06, 2012
I first heard of the guy with the funny name when he ran for the State Senate here in Illinois. Like some others, I checked on his web site and made my first donation………I’ve never looked back. When I heard his speech at the 2004 Convention, I knew he would be President someday. I noticed his beautiful wife in that white suit when she came out after the speech and gave him that hug.
Plan A was to say that the hard slog of the past four years had been worth it, and that the economy was finally recovering. For an incumbent, this is a pretty standard message: things are getting better—stick with me. Over the winter, when job growth appeared to be perking up, it looked like a winning strategy, but then came the job figures for March, April, and May, which showed the growth in payrolls falling sharply. This Friday, the Labor Department will release the job report for June. Wall Street is expecting the payroll figure to come in at about a hundred thousand. Anything below seventy-five thousand would be another big blow to the White House; anything over a hundred and fifty thousand would be bad news for Romney, whose campaign has gone all in on the notion that the economy needs a new savior.
The Obama campaign’s Plan B is based on the assumption that the economy will continue to stutter along without slipping, once again, into an outright slump, which would probably insure a Romney victory. The basic idea is to try to neutralize the economic headwinds by changing the subject as often as possible, and by raising doubts about Romney’s record, both at Bain Capital and as the governor of Massachusetts. “We’ve got to make sure people fully appreciate Mitt Romney is not some safe alternative,” David Plouffe, one of Obama’s senior advisers, told the Times. Assuming the economy doesn’t get any worse, Obama’s strategists believe that they can eke out a narrow victory by mobilizing the same coalition that the campaign relied on in 2008—young people, minorities, women, and highly educated professionals—and by turning enough white working-class voters against Romney to deprive him of the surge in the Midwest that he needs in order to win.
My niece had given her father a book for Christmas 2006 “Dreams From My Father”. He tossed it aside. Jun 2007 I picked it up and started reading it ..I mean come on it was baked in the cake Hillary would be the Democratic nominee for President. I could not put the book down. I just remember thinking…could it really happen? no. It was 2007 and he was (OMG) black. The last time this lil ole black lady got excited about a politician was Bill Clinton. and. He broke my heart. Who the hell is somebody named Barack Obama? I remember watching a video online “Barack Obama You Pretty MFer” LOL I felt the same way. Anyway long story short I was on the airplane flying back from visiting my grandkids in Phoenix when somebody used his “iphone” (I didn’t even have a cell in 2007 LOL) to tell all us passengers that Barack had beaten Hillary in Iowa. It was then I went all in. It has been a joyous ride and I mean..Barack Hussein Obama?/!! God Bless the USA!
I first heard about this fella and saw him for the first time ever at the 2004 Democratic Convention. Ever since then I have followed him in awe. Not only is he a brilliant man, he is a decent human being with a moral fiber unmatched by many men and women in his profession. We are blessed to have him in this day and age.
Have a blessed day everyone. I am off on a day trip for the job.
My Barack Obama story, I first became aware of him when he was a state senator and ran against Bobby Rush in a primary for congress, the only election he’s ever lost. But when he ran in the ’04 Senate primary, he had alot of powerful opponents and the “Machine” backed someone else. Being tired of the machine picking all the candidates I voted for him in the primary and behold he kicked ass in a field of 8. Then came the 04 convention speech and that was it. On Board with him since before he announced in 07. Peace, J
Like most people who heard him, I was electrified by the 2004 convention speech and read everything I could find about him. I was at first dismayed we he announced because I thought thatnitnwas too soon and based on too much ambition. However, as the primary advanced, even though we had a good field, I found myself drawn to him more and more. Finally, events in South Carolina cliinched it for me then I started working on my family to vote for him during the Florida primary. I was totally in. All of the family except my mom voted for him. As the months proceeded, she came on board. My admiration, respect, love, and protectiveness toward him grew with every evidence if his courage, vision , strength, pragmatic idealism, his love for his family and his extended family, the American family, his work ethic, his humor. I could go on and on, but to bit it simply, we and the world have been given a gift in this man’s willingness to serve.
Now, that i have had my coffee, I see all of the awful mistakes; sorry guys.
PS. The Iowa was when I started feeling that maybe he had a real chance for a national win because, let’s face it, this state is not exactly a post card of diversity. I was so amazed and excited that I left my class of 10th graders (which is a very dangerous thing to do) to call my mom (who was in her late 70′s at the time) to marvel with her that they had voted for a relatively unknown Black man over Hillary and the others. I have been grateful to Iowa ever since because their actions galvanized millions.
Question: Is there a way to send this thread to the campaign headquarters? I think that It will encourage them and maybe it could be used in some kind of add. Thanks to whoever (amk? meta?) came up with the idea for the thread.
By the time the 2004 elections rolled around people around the world were sick to death of GWBush and could not wait to see him voted out. I didn’t imagine for a moment that the American people would reelect him. I remember watching tv when he won again and remember being shocked – it made me very down on Americans – how could they reward that clown. Remember at this point US standing in the world was way down. The news coverage said there was one bright spot ‘the senate win of BO – a rock star in the political world’. I scoffed – it sounded so stupid and then I saw a clip of BO, MO and the girls as confetti fell down around them. That’s how remembered PBO – ‘the rock star’ – then I saw the ‘I inhaled frequently’ clip and thought – damn- this guy’s funny, smart and gorgeous. But It was the night he won Iowa and seeing Michelle and the girls with him I just wanted him to be elected so bad – so that all minorities (especially the African American community) but all those that had been oppressed in the uS system could feel some pride and believe again. And he made me like Americans again and believe it or not Tweety really turned me on to PBO – in 2008 he was one of his best surrogates (especially against the Clintons) which is why I will always have a soft spot for Tweety. So … that’s my story.
I’ve been a political junkie for years. Bush infuriated me. In 2004 I was volunteering for the lackluster Kerry campaign. Back then you had to go into a office and make calls. This was the only way that you volunteered back then. My twin babies were serving on their second tours in Iraq. I wanted that war to end so bad I could taste it. So I was doing everything I knew how to ensure that we got Bush out in November.
We were told at the Campaign office to tune in for the Convention in Boston. That evening I watched MSNBC as tweety hosted the convention speeches that day. Morning Joe and Pat Buchanan and someone else that I can’t remember was on the panel that night.
Tweety kept talking about this guy from Chicago who was running for the US Senate seat up there and that this person had great potential politically.
So finally that evening Senator Dick Durbin introduced America to Barack Obama. Onto the stage he swagged with the Impressions song Keep on Pushing playing in the background. Signs with OBAMA were waved by everyone in that center that night.
Then that voice. That mesmerizing voice started to tell his story and from that moment I was hooked. After the speech tweety looked into the camera and said Well, ladies and gentlemen I believe you just heard the person who could be the First Black President of the United States.
good luck re the jobs numbers – whatever happens let’s keep the heat on Mr ‘outsourcer’ Romney. The right is going to drown everything out by yowling about the economy/jobs. Get ready with snappy tweets to rebut. Fingers, toes and eyes crossed.
On local tv Obama hits Romney for abandoning calling it a penalty "simply because you're getting pressure for two days from Rush Limbaugh"— Norah O'Donnell (@NorahODonnell) July 06, 2012
I love the way the O team is slowly tying the mittbot, limp and the msm together.
A dear friend of mine, who has been involved in Chicago politics a long time, said to me after the 2004 convention speech “just watch”. Watched I have… I feel so blessed to able to watch this man re-write American history
Good Morning Chips,
Before I run off to work, I just wanted to thank you for this topic and thread.
It’s been great to read these stories from so many of POTUS’s faithful supporters.
Just wanted you to know that my day is, once again, brightened because of you.
My President will be speaking in my backyard today, at Carnegie Mellon Univ., but I couldn’t get the day off from work.
I can, however, see Air Force One sitting at the airport so I feel a little closer to him today than usual.
Fingers crossed on the job numbers, and have a great Friday TOD’ers.
I don't think conservatives look at this graph and get it, let alone connect it to the dwindling American dream. http://t.co/lIJsO1yn— Miles Tache (@Sublimateus) July 06, 2012
Morning Os!!!! Gonna be a sweltering day in TODtown, but a great getting up day anyway. I had my eye on PBO when he ran and lost to Bobby Rush for US Congress. His campaign was so different than what I was use to seeing in Chicago politics. Later, he showed up again as a candidate for Illinois Senate. That’s really when I sat up and took a closer look at him. I knew I liked him when the Chicago Dem machine backed someone else, who later turned out to cause them embarrassment. He had me at ‘hiya doin’ cookemom’
My political take for today is whatever the job numbers, they’ll be portrayed just the way the MSM wants them to be, either downplayed or hyped up. Regardless, they’ll be 5 more before the election, whatever they are for June will be forgotten by the time October’s results come out before the November election. Get the Pepto out for that one.
Late to the party. Started reading snippets in Chgo papers long before ’04 convention about this new fella in town who was extraordinary and looked to have a very bright political future, all agreed. Followed his state races and every Obama news item I could find. Glued to his ’04 convention speech—–just wowed. Watched his interview on CNN the next day with Wolf, so impressive. Mr.. dotster walked in and I remember sitting cross legged on the floor in front of the TV and turned around and said (demanded), “Look! There is the next president of the United States. I promise.” I knew it.
Unemployment remains at 8.2% with 80,000 jobs added in June. It’s being touted as very disappointing, with 2nd half of year predicted to be slow, due to Europe stuff. So hang on to your uppers folks, expect all kinds of stuffs, til the next poutroversy.
For me it was after seeing him and Mrs. Obama on the Oprah show. He was already a senator but was so down to earth and honest. I later read both of his books and just knew that if he ever ran for president, I would support him. During the primaries my husband supported Hillary and discussions in our family were never dull. 2008 was the first time I donated to a campaign. I just think President Obama is a great human being and one of the greatest presidents our country has had.
I fell “in love” with Pres Obama after hearing his speech at the Dem Convention when he was the keynote speaker as the freshman Senator from Illinois. Still, “in love” and on it goes. Most of us recognize how lucky we are that THIS BRILLIANT man actually wants to be President. I am not interested in living in the America that the RWNJs are selling. With the cash-cows that Mitten’s has, expect to hear some ugly things repeatedly over the next six months. What we have to prove to the corporatist’s donating millions each week is that while Citizen’s United is the law at this time, it is still ONE PERSON ONE VOTE. V O T E…register people to vote and TALK to anyone w/ ears about the accomplishments of this amazing President. http://www.thepeoplesview.net/
This thread ended long after I collapsed last night after 4.5 hours in the dentist chair…. Nevermind…. I had just begun working with the elderly, my first client was a retired professor of English, a true Hillary supporter. She told me about BHO announcing his candidacy was it February 2007?, anyway, I knew nothing about him, had not been paying attention to any political movement as was so disgusted with the Cheney Whitehouse, but I knew, I knew instantly, in my heart, Barack Hussein Obama was going to be the 44th President. Went home that day and looked him up online, that was it…. I was IN!
Good afternoon, just wanted to record when ” I decided that I liked this Fella”. We were completing my husband’s tour of duty in the UK in 2004 so I had limited access to US news. The morning following the 2004 Democratic Convention I watched this fresh faced youngman, Senator Barack Obama speech from the night before and was blown away. Searched for and read everything about him and continued on and off until 2007 when he announced that he was running for the Presidency. I have not looked back and have no regret about how I feel about this genuine human being.
A little late. I first heard him at a rally in a Denver High School before he was elected senator. Walked out of there and told my friend that I had just heard the first Black president of the USA. Was moved to tears by his speech. He is a very special person.
Happiness is .... meeting the First Lady (Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet High School, Nashville, May 18) http://t.co/sgTN4T7Vf111 minutes ago
RT @NerdyWonka: FLOTUS quotes MLK: "You don't get to the promised land until you pass through the wilderness." Tells graduates to never giv… 2 hours ago
RT @NerdyWonka: FLOTUS: "Look at Barack Obama; he lost his first race for Congress and now, he gets to call himself my husband." FLOTUS smi… 2 hours ago
A ha.
Féliciations on being first amk!……is it the first time?
Everytime I look it’s either Proud Former White House Intern or Vic…..lol
For me it was instant, when he delivered the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in Boston.
I thought he was amazing and still do obviously…I will always admire this exceptional man.
He’s very special.
Me too. 2004. I knew then. Blew my socks off.
Ditto; same time same place Cristi.
Me too, I loved that speech and thought “this man will be president one day”. I just didn’t expect him to beat Hillary, and be president now. I thought he’d be so ready in 2016. Was I wrong!!! He is the perfect president for this time. Perfect.
I sure did, Chips.
You post-starting devil
I think that amk should do the blog help…you can sleep in and everything…he’s on a different day half the time! What do you say guys?? He can do the night shift:) Look at me, amk…I’m volunteering you:)
Good idea df!….
You really hate the reputation of this site, don’t you, df ?
NO! That’s why I mentioned you:) I think that’s a FABULOUS idea!! You could have it all primed and ready to go in the morning, and Chips could sleep in…or have more coffee, or take a long shower…go for a run…whatever! We would have a global view of PBO from all over the world…it would be great…..you like that idea, don’t you? Come on….
I second your suggestion,df! That’s because I operate on Pacific Standard Time. I usually visit here when it’s still daytime in amk’s part of the world while people are still sleeping in other parts of the US.
Actually Chips, I think it was magapie who first made the suggestion
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/07/05/20-reasons-why-we-fight-for-this-fella/#comment-412513
For me it was at the convention (08) I hung on to every word he said, I couldn’t believe it the first politician to ever make sense to me. He is someone I can relate to on a personal level and that is just one of the reasons why I will always go to bat for him.
The convention really did it for me, too, Proud – for all the same reasons. After that, I went back and listened to a bunch of his old speeches, and could never understand how I hadn’t fallen for him long before… He’s simply amazing.
For me it was when he made the speech ~A more Perfect Union~….in 2008…
Same here! I was very skeptical he could win. I mean he would have been the first black guy in this position. Then the whole Wright thing blew up and I was like”eeep he’s finished”. I expected next a ‘distancing’ story about him trying to disown Wright, I did not expect that speech. My senses perked up after that. I still did not send any money his way, but I payed very close attention, listening to many of his stump speeches. I told myself if he wins the nomination he would have proven he can do big things and I would throw my support fully behind him. Well we all know how the story continues…
He had me at the 2004 convention. I knew at that point he was something special and was on to more important things than Senate. I just had the feeling. He was and is handsome, articulate, and genuine.
Same here. His 2004 keynote speech at the Democratic Convention as well as reading his autobiography, “Dreams for My Father,” really sold me on President Obama. I’ve never looked back ever since. Of course, everything he has done subsequently has simply reinforced my support.
Since I am the devil, who started this…
I had read about this strangely named guy delivering the 2004 dem convention speech in Indian newspapers somewhere around 2007 when he announced in candidacy (yes, he was making waves even across the oceans even then). I thought, “meh, one more american pol and he does have an odd name” and moved on. Never even knew his race.
Then one day, I was watching the leno show and this skinny guy with funny name turns up as a guest. His sense of humor was the one that impressed me. That was the moment I started googling him and got hooked up on this damned blogging curse.
Now I am Eeyore of this place.
Cough! Cough! Don’t want to take away your Eeyore prize, whatever that means (never having read that kiddy book myself) but, as a good friend, I also don’t want you to have to wait until tomorrow to return it when magapie wakes up. I believe she was a step ahead of you.
what can I say ? devil’s luck ?
Don’t give HIM any opening to get into this! You might want to encourage Chips to change the credits while it is still
nightdark .2004 when he gave the keynote speech at the Democratic Convention (pictured above, I think). He totally bowled me over, and my college roommate from Oberlin called and said, “Did YOU just hear the first black President of the United States?” YES WE DID!
This. I have been hooked since the 2004 Dem convention speech.
I have voice on this. I had heard about him before the convention speech. Not be much. After I heard him I knew he was going to be President. I started finding all the information about him and even bought his book off Amazon for 3.99 shipping. I had never been a real Hilliary fan. I didn’t think we needed another family in the WH. We needed someone new and young. I knew he will be one of our greatest president’s ever. I knew there would be some hate but I really didn’t think there would be so much. The journey has been amazing. One of the best is this blog and all the wonderful people here. We are all fired up and ready to go. Now off to bed.
When I saw him look at Michelle….you just knew that this was no ordinary man.
Groan! Go to bed. Stop torturing me by starting new threads and making me want to wait to see what they’ll be about. Groan! I have spent the entire day on this site – the. entire. day – and I signed in a little after 7am! ‘I’m VC and I’m a TOD addict, aided and abetted by the blog mistress.’
lol well It’s the first step Vic….admitting that you have a ”problem”…haha….you crack me up
You know Christi, I’m becoming a little worried that people here at TOD don’t take me seriously. I shall have to consider this seriously…..when I’m more awake..
My name is vc, and I’m an addict. My name is desertflower and I, too, am a TOD addict:) Proud of it!
We’ll have to have some sort of therapy in 2017…or something lol…..
I suppose we could hold hands and stumble around together, trying to hold each other up. Or, did YOU have a nap today?
stumble around together lol….oh Vic
You are still laughing at me! First you stab me in the back …….on your birthday, no less. Now you laugh. I am seriously … very seriously reconsidering this liaison of ours. [Notice I got a genuine French word in there?
]
BTW, Christi, how come you are up so late? I don’t remember ever noticing you wandering the village streets at this time of the night/morning.
I don’t know, I’m so wide awake still!…..
Vic are you saying that you’re usually up at this hour?…..lol….I wonder who’s around….well the west coast I suppose….
Sometimes. I don’t often sleep through the night so there are odd times, like tonight, when I hang around till late if my eyes stay open. I suspect I’ll regret this tomorrow though when I want to be sharp-eyed for the bus tour because I’m an early riser.
Me too I’m an early riser, it’s hard to break this habit….I wish it wasn’t the case on weekends but it doesn’t make a difference…..
Hey VC – good to see you. You’re not the only addict on this blog…
I see your regular clock is still ticking, Theo. I spotted you earlier, but I guess you didn’t realize I was trying to get your attention.
What’s this the early morning chapter of TOD non-Anonymous?
I’m still on West Coast time – so I’m manning the late night post (when I can). Sorry, didn’t see your message earlier – I’ve just been popping in and out of TOD to see who’s causing trouble – I see it’s the usual suspects…
The usual suspects, led by Df. I’m going to have to find out which stimulants she takes. Hopefully she’ll share willingly because SHE has already established that WE have something in common.
Moi????????????????????????? No stimulants…just a power nap today:) I like to make sure that before I go to bed, that the husband is fully engaged in his snore fest, that he’s really worked up by the time I get in there to try to sleep.
That way, I can have another excuse to come out and check TOD and see what’s going on….in the middle of the night…amk is here all alone, I feel badly for him….I really have a problem. Going to be hard to go back to work when summer is over!
‘check TOD and see what’s going on….in the middle of the night…’
I wonder what you expect to be going on in the middle of the night except what you have right there – snoring? Does your husband know about these nightly meetings with Amk? Does his wife?
‘I feel badly for him’
Forget the influence of same sex marriage, isn’t this really how some of those unacceptable marital scenarios start? I might have to start staying up later in the village more often, to help preserve the moral integrity of this meeting place.
I was switching channels during the day and stopped at the Oprah Winfrey show because this guy I’d never heard of was talking so much common sense. I literally said to the television: This man needs to be President RIGHT NOW! Never looked back; never for a MOMENT doubted he’d win.
Again with the lack of enthousiam, it’s really troubling….
I’m gonna retire for the night..but not before I read up on some more ROMNEYISDOOMEDSTORIES
I know…but this is for those late nighters that have no one to talk to when we’re sleeping….a bedtime tome…about Mittens…..now you know why JOhn said thanks, but no thanks. You won’t be able to put it down…
http://www.scribd.com/doc/78582788/McCain-2008-Oppo-File
When I was in high school, I watched Oprah every day after school. In October 2006, I saw him on the show with Michelle. I remember saying “oooo who is he??” because he was ridiculously attractive (yes, shallow but I was 15 sooo lol). So I watched the show and Oprah asked him if he was going to run for President. He gave the usual run around answer. I was NOT interested in politics then, but when he announced his candidacy a few months later, I was not surprised. Because of him and HIllary, this was the first presidential race that I actually followed.
I didn’t get totally obsessed with him until 2008. Hahahaha
That picture Chips, that was the moment for me. The 2004 Convention.
Watched him in the Senate, then kept my fingers crossed until that cold day in February 2007. One of the happiest days I can recall, that day that he announced his candidacy. I was ALL IN from day 1, and am still ALL IN.
And the reason…he says what I’m thinking, only he says it in an intelligent, clear way.
Love my President:)
Obama/Biden 2012
Oh that Day In February 2007…sheer heaven.
May 2008. I thought Hillary would win the nomination but kept hearing on the news here in Australia before May that someone called Barack Obama was winning some of the electorates and competing very well with her. I jumped online to find out more about him and signed up to the OFA site. I became a daily visitor to the OFA site and started watching his speeches. He spoke for me and I’ve been watching and supporting him ever since.
I thought my interest would end after the 2008 election when the governing began, but it didn’t. It kept growing. I had never been interested in poltics, not even locally, and I’m not sure if I will continue to follow US Politics when PBO leaves after his second term. I do know however, that PBO will do what he can to make sure his shared vision for America continues when he’s not President and I will still be interested in what Barack Obama, the man, does for the rest of my life.
The first I heard of Barack Obama was when he gave the speech at the Dem convention… I called my two adult sons, my mom & my sister and said omg you have to turn on the dem convention & listen to this man speak- he is going to be President some day… funny thing is they were ALL already watching him when I called. He moved me like no one since I was a kid & that was Robert Kennedy & MLK. I’ve never doubted him for a second.. and I spend a whole lot of time waiting with anticipation to see what he’s going to do next. There is Greatness in him, like no other, imo.
And because of him… I knocked on doors & made phone calls for the first time in my life, although I’d always voted- for dems only of course. But I had just been recovering from 4 major surgeries.. and had suffered mild brain damage due to oxygen deprivation… and I stuttered & had a difficult time speaking- I was rather distraught over this… and thus decided talking to people would help me- and it did… also all the walking improved my recovery, my health. I thank President Obama every single day for being who he is- and for the inspiration he gave me to do something way outside my comfort zone.
In 2008 he was my first choice all the way- & luckily Joe Biden was my 2nd choice
Great story, Sheri! I’m glad you are clearly on the mend, if not fully mended.
I have mended theo, as much as I can I think.. but thank you so much.
Healer-in-chief….I’m glad he helped you this way sherijr.
Aw thanks Christi… he is indeed ‘healer in chief’ I like that
Its nice to see you also, I hope all is welll with you Christi & that your birthday was lovely
Oh my goodness, Sherijr….this is a proud story to tell! Good for you. You helped each other in ways not always seen. I’m proud of you for all the hard work and perseverance. That couldn’t have been easy, but you did it:) Giant hugs…forward we go!
Thank you df.. its all true. He really motivated me & got me thru some tought times. ((((((hugs)))))))) back to you
Thank you, love. Back at you:)
Too tired to write my timeline of support for the President in a coherent way, but for me it was seeing or hearing about him in 2004, 2005, and finally crying my eyes out when he announced in Springfield in 2007, and then saying to a baby boomer friend of mine, “Well, I know I should support Hillary, so we can have our first woman President, but I really, really like Barack Obama.” And she said, “We want our first woman President, but not just any woman, it has to be the right woman,” and I immediately realized the value in that statement and turned my total support to candidate Obama in ’07, where it’s been ever since, and where it will remain until 2017. In ’08, I also raised the first funds ever for a Presidential candidate (via OFA), which I was pretty proud of, and – sherijr – I, too, saw Joe Biden as my second choice, so I could not be happier how it all turned out!
Goodnight, TODers.
I’ve always liked Joe… I remember watching him through the Iran Contra hearings- he was such a badass… and honest.
Yes, all that and more, including, on a personal level, the fact he’s a real Irish storyteller. That’s my favorite part, especially when he’s on the campaign trail. He’s so real, and he, too, never forgot his roots.
“In 2008 he was my first choice all the way- & luckily Joe Biden was my 2nd choice ” Sherijr I exactly had the same picks. If the then Sen. Obama had faltered, Sen. Joe Biden would have been my #2 choice. I had no problems with Hillary, but frankly I was tired of the Bushes and the Clintons who had occupied the WH for 20 years. That’s why I was so excited when Barak Obama won the nomination and picked Joe Biden as VP. I’ve been following Joe (he is just a couple of years old than me) since he was elected as the youngest Senator in history. I truly love, respect, and trust both President Obama and Vice President Biden.
beautifully said and I agree 200%!!! -adjusted up for inflation
~
I had never heard of him until his speech at the Democratic Convention in 2004. Truth be told, his message kind of irked me back then. I was a bit more extreme in my views, well, not necessarily views, but far more unbending politically. That’s what happens when you’re in high school, I guess. I really didn’t like the moderate tone of the speech, even if I liked the overall message.
In ’04, I had worked my butt off for Howard Dean. It was my first presidential election I really put my all in, even though I couldn’t vote, and was devastated when he lost. So, when the ’08 primaries rolled around, I wasn’t interested. I was not nearly as motivated or invested in any candidate as I had been with Dean. But by mid-2007, I think it hit me how much I really did like Obama. Like I said, his message at the ’04 convention irked me because I really just wanted to take it to the Republicans. But it sank in around this time that none of it mattered if we didn’t actually win the White House.
What I did know is that I was not a fan of Hillary Clinton. She was way too conservative for my liking and her vote to go to war with Iraq still played a vital role in why I couldn’t get behind her. It was similar with Kerry. I remember looking at Kerry prior to 2003 because he seemed like a decent, electable liberal. Then he went and voted for the Iraq War and I found myself gravitating toward Dean.
With Obama, I knew he had opposed the war and his rhetoric was decidedly to the left of Clinton. Plus, I didn’t think Clinton was electable. After the whole Kerry fiasco, I realized we needed something new and Clinton just wasn’t that person. In hindsight, I think Clinton would’ve rolled McCain similarly to Obama, but at the time, I was convinced Obama was the only way we could win the White House.
So, I slowly found myself liking the idea of his campaign. By late 2007, I was fully on board and invested by the Iowa caucus in early January. The primary cemented it and there you go.
So the rebel yell didn’t bother you, huh? (Just kidding you…) The good lesson you learned at this young age, is that none of it matters if the Dems don’t win the WH…those down ticket races really help too:) I hope we can get it done and have all 3 in Dem control….so much good got done with Nancy in charge. I want to see that kind of work done again. sick of the No Nothing congress
haha…I remember watching his concession speech that night. I was surprised by it but did not anticipate people to blow it up like they did.
no way hillary would’ve beat mccain!! you’re missing the point on how PBO won. he won from his community organizing and his ability to communicate and relate, and hillary nor her husband ever promoted organizing and actively ran top-down campaigns their entire careers. her spokespeople were lanny davis, howard woflson, and the odious mark penn, plus she herself is not exactly a warm and fuzzy speaker. with the media in full-on mccain fluffing mode (remember “this is good news for mccain!” so much that it’s still a running joke?), hillary and her horrific team would not have been able to overcome that.
without our president coming along when he did, american troops would be bogged down in tehran right now and the r-money family would have a net worth 3-4 times higher than it is already, all while america’s poor and middle class would be living in the great depression II – the sequel.
http://bobcesca.com/blog-archives/2012/07/nobody-could-have-predicted.html#disqus_thread
I’m sorry those fire victims lost their homes…but this is another prime example of wanting a civilized society, for cheap. Wonder if they have regrets? If the town has regrets? Will they do things differently now?
Don’t have a bit of sympathy for these rich assholes, who whine about taxes. It’s all ‘divine’ intervention anyway. So they deserved ot.
I know. It must be that sense of entitlement or something. This is why we can’t have nice things.
I got tired of him being so viciously attacked by so called Christians. It just did not sit well with me. I also like the courage that both he and his wife, First Lady Michelle, kept on going with such courage and determination. Also, I liked his grin.
I read a piece in the New Yorker in May 2004. http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2004/05/31/040531fa_fact1?currentPage=1
Obama sounded REALLY interesting but I figured he was going to be the usual stalking horse — defeated when white folks wouldn’t vote for him. After Iowa, I thought — well, heck — maybe it could happen.
And unlike other politicians, the more I see of him, the more I like him.
A funny:) http://thepoliticalcarnival.net/2012/07/05/bonus-cartoon-of-the-day-google-mitt/
Anyone else notice that Chips gave us a late toy with which to play, then went off to bed herself? Not that I mind her getting some sleep as she will be a busy bee as usual tomorrow, following Pres O around.
I did notice that..haha…..well I much prefer that when there’s a new thread late at night…it’s hard to keep up when there’s over 300 comments
I just checked the time difference between Montreal and India (amk of course)…..it says 9:30 hours ahead….doesn’t make sense, does it?..I thought it was 6 hours max……I always get mixed up with this…
You really DO like that suggestion, don’t you, Christie!
lol I do…he’s so funny………him, Chips and Vic should go on tour…….
It’s 11.40 am here Christi. Yes, we are weird that way.
weird in a good way!…I had no idea for real!…I didn’t think there was such a difference..
But what do I know lol…..I thought for a while (at the beginning) that you were a woman in Florida.
I thought UT was a man in his 60′s.
I thought Jovie was a young woman in her 20′s
I just learned last week that Vic was in Ontario….I thought she was in the midwest…
I’m always wrong…seriously….
I think it’s funny, not that I spend my time trying to ”guess” or anything…it doesn’t matter to me….it’s just my imagination.
Oh, what would I not do be a woman in Florida …. on a string bikini.
UT was a man in ’60′s’ ? You better duck now. And stay there.
rotfl…omg….I didn’t expect that one…..on a string bikini….
I know amk….it wasn’t an insult to UT…soooo mature!!…
Well not that I thought Jovie was immature ……ok ok don’t get me in trouble now lol…
On that happy note!
Nite everyone
Somethings never change: “Partisans, not willing to face realities, will drag out red herrings as they have always done — to divert attention from the trail of their own weaknesses.”
— Franklin D. Roosevelt
Good website http://crywolfproject.org/
Thanks for the link. Always on the lookout for new sites.
Guys, I’m definitely signing off now. My body feels tired even if the eyes are holding out. Catch you all later, if it’s God’s will.
Sweet dreams, y’all.
Bonne nuit voisine!
Merci, ma chere! A toi aussi. {Mais peut-etre nous dirions ‘Bonjour;’}
A plus tard.
oui tu as raison…bonjour…a demain!
Well, guys…I think my hubby must be sufficiently snoring his fool head off now…I must go get my beauty sleep. Beauty nap this afternoon just isn’t enough. (I love my naps…what a guilty pleasure they are for me) See you tomorrow…bright and early. Night all.
Good morning TOD………………I’m still awake and look at where I am,
Do you have an overseas bank acct. ? The Obama/Biden campaign asks the question?
I saw the convention speech by PBO in 2004. I was stunned and made a mental note. “This guy may be our president.”
DNC Speech 2004 — I said right then and there, this guy is GREAT! He oughta run for President someday. Who knew just 4 years later, I’d be knocking on doors and making phone calls for him.
Then I feel in love with him again the night he won Iowa — until then I was convinced Hillary was the only Dem who could win.He changed EVERYTHING!
Awesome for the President! Awesome day here on the blog.
Chips, you are MAGNIFICENT! I struggle to find words to express the love, respect and gratitude that I have for you and for this place you have built for us all. It is a safe haven, a source of strength and inspiration — it is family, it is home.
I’ll just Whitney say it for me…
My, my, my, there is Whitney. Like it was with MJ, it still is so sad that she is gone. I grew up with her music too.
O/T
Having much respect for First Lady Obama, I found info of her ‘White House Mission’ in a special episode of Restaurant Impossible on the Food Network, and thought I would post the link here should anyone be interested. They have pictures posted on the site.
“At Horton’s Kids, a children’s community center that provides many services such as serving after-school meals in one of Washington, D.C.’s neediest neighborhoods, Robert accepts his toughest mission yet from first lady Michelle Obama. The first lady’s challenge is threefold: Give Horton’s Kids a dining room, update their kitchen and create a community garden for them.”
It appears the episode aired in mid-June. Thought it interesting when I found it as the First Lady is so involved with kids and I was unaware of it as usually stories appear on sites as to what she has done and shows she’s appeared, as in the comments, many of them are ‘nasty’ & “political’. They truly can’t win (and I don’t mean regarding the election!!)
http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2012/06/restaurant-revisited-hortons-kids/#idc-cover
It was in the Spring of 2008, and I was sitting on my bed grading papers when I heard about BO. One of the local stations in my area had a clip of him speaking at one of his campaign events.. I had been so busy at that time that I hadn’t been paying close attention to the democratic primaries, but when I heard him speak in that video clip, I was hooked, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I had never donated to a politician before, but I’ve donated to PBO’s campaign before and after he was elected. It has become a monthly thing. As soon as my retirement check posts in my bank, I donate to the president’s reelection campaign.
I remember when he gave the keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention. I watched the debates and I really liked what he had to
say. Started to learn more about his policies and read his book, Dreams of my Father. By the time of the South Carolina Primary I was convinced that I wanted him to be the nominee. Started to contribute to his campaign in April, 2008 and continue to support him, and do what I can to make sure he is reelected.
He sure is a keeper! What a hottie!!
I saw this video floating around youtube. Thought you guys might like it.
That day in the picture. July 27, 2004.
I’d come home from work, was preparing dinner, Ben was doing his homework. The TV was on. I can’t think why it was on a channel that played the convention speech. Maybe the news? I was not political in any way back then, so I would not have deliberately put the speech on. Anyway, I’m cooking, in my own world, and slowly the sound of his voice started to penetrate my conscious mind. It was strong, yet soothing. So assured and assuring. After a while, I stepped into the living room to see who the voice belonged to and there was this young, handsome and sparkling man on the TV.
I stood there and started listening to what he was saying. As I listened, my eyes got wider with wonder, my mouth slackened with awe, my heart beat faster and grew bigger within my chest. Who was this guy saying the most amazing things? When he finished speaking, I felt as if my feet were about about 6 inches up off the ground. I was high on amazement – on hope and inspiration. I had to find out who he was.
The commentators said his name and it sounded funny. As soon as they said he was from Chicago, I got on the phone and called up from girlfriend from my Arthur Anderson days who lived in Chicago. “Monica, do you this guy Barack Obama (I mispronounced his name)?” She said, “Barack? [like she knew him personally. LOL] Yes! He’s running for office here in Illinois!” Naturally, she brought up how fine he was and we giggled and shared our appreciation of Barack’s fineness for a while. Lot’s of “mmm mmm MMM!” and “girl!” from Monica, and “gosh he’s so cute!” from me.
When I got off the phone, I jumped on my computer, did an internet search for him, found his illinois senate campaign site, ordered a bunch of campaign photos of him, found out he’d written two books and ordered both of them.
That’s the day. The day I decided, “I like this fella!”
Gooooood Morning everyone….sipping my coffee….catching up….
i just heard a news bit on the Full Court Press…that Gregory may be out on MTP….the MTP folks deny it however….FCP also reported that the ratings have been low since Gregory has been the host….
has anyone else heard this……
if it is true who do you think would replace him…hmmmmmm
GM prettyfoot.
It would be great news if true. I would recommend rachel madow for that slot. Though she gets on my nerves sometimes.
GM Prettyfoot,
Believe it or not, I read somewhere Joe Scarborough. I think they are losing their minds if they are even thinking that.
only logical choice would be RACHEL MADDOW but I doubt highly that she’d get that offer.
GM, Amk, looks like the writing is on the wall. Never fails, all dictators go the same way. They always think they would be the one — different from the rest. Go figure.
I first heard of the guy with the funny name when he ran for the State Senate here in Illinois. Like some others, I checked on his web site and made my first donation………I’ve never looked back. When I heard his speech at the 2004 Convention, I knew he would be President someday. I noticed his beautiful wife in that white suit when she came out after the speech and gave him that hug.
Plan A was to say that the hard slog of the past four years had been worth it, and that the economy was finally recovering. For an incumbent, this is a pretty standard message: things are getting better—stick with me. Over the winter, when job growth appeared to be perking up, it looked like a winning strategy, but then came the job figures for March, April, and May, which showed the growth in payrolls falling sharply. This Friday, the Labor Department will release the job report for June. Wall Street is expecting the payroll figure to come in at about a hundred thousand. Anything below seventy-five thousand would be another big blow to the White House; anything over a hundred and fifty thousand would be bad news for Romney, whose campaign has gone all in on the notion that the economy needs a new savior.
The Obama campaign’s Plan B is based on the assumption that the economy will continue to stutter along without slipping, once again, into an outright slump, which would probably insure a Romney victory. The basic idea is to try to neutralize the economic headwinds by changing the subject as often as possible, and by raising doubts about Romney’s record, both at Bain Capital and as the governor of Massachusetts. “We’ve got to make sure people fully appreciate Mitt Romney is not some safe alternative,” David Plouffe, one of Obama’s senior advisers, told the Times. Assuming the economy doesn’t get any worse, Obama’s strategists believe that they can eke out a narrow victory by mobilizing the same coalition that the campaign relied on in 2008—young people, minorities, women, and highly educated professionals—and by turning enough white working-class voters against Romney to deprive him of the surge in the Midwest that he needs in order to win.
My niece had given her father a book for Christmas 2006 “Dreams From My Father”. He tossed it aside. Jun 2007 I picked it up and started reading it ..I mean come on it was baked in the cake Hillary would be the Democratic nominee for President. I could not put the book down. I just remember thinking…could it really happen? no. It was 2007 and he was (OMG) black. The last time this lil ole black lady got excited about a politician was Bill Clinton. and. He broke my heart. Who the hell is somebody named Barack Obama? I remember watching a video online “Barack Obama You Pretty MFer” LOL I felt the same way. Anyway long story short I was on the airplane flying back from visiting my grandkids in Phoenix when somebody used his “iphone” (I didn’t even have a cell in 2007 LOL) to tell all us passengers that Barack had beaten Hillary in Iowa. It was then I went all in. It has been a joyous ride and I mean..Barack Hussein Obama?/!! God Bless the USA!
I first heard about this fella and saw him for the first time ever at the 2004 Democratic Convention. Ever since then I have followed him in awe. Not only is he a brilliant man, he is a decent human being with a moral fiber unmatched by many men and women in his profession. We are blessed to have him in this day and age.
Have a blessed day everyone. I am off on a day trip for the job.
My Barack Obama story, I first became aware of him when he was a state senator and ran against Bobby Rush in a primary for congress, the only election he’s ever lost. But when he ran in the ’04 Senate primary, he had alot of powerful opponents and the “Machine” backed someone else. Being tired of the machine picking all the candidates I voted for him in the primary and behold he kicked ass in a field of 8. Then came the 04 convention speech and that was it. On Board with him since before he announced in 07. Peace, J
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Like most people who heard him, I was electrified by the 2004 convention speech and read everything I could find about him. I was at first dismayed we he announced because I thought thatnitnwas too soon and based on too much ambition. However, as the primary advanced, even though we had a good field, I found myself drawn to him more and more. Finally, events in South Carolina cliinched it for me then I started working on my family to vote for him during the Florida primary. I was totally in. All of the family except my mom voted for him. As the months proceeded, she came on board. My admiration, respect, love, and protectiveness toward him grew with every evidence if his courage, vision , strength, pragmatic idealism, his love for his family and his extended family, the American family, his work ethic, his humor. I could go on and on, but to bit it simply, we and the world have been given a gift in this man’s willingness to serve.
Now, that i have had my coffee, I see all of the awful mistakes; sorry guys.
PS. The Iowa was when I started feeling that maybe he had a real chance for a national win because, let’s face it, this state is not exactly a post card of diversity. I was so amazed and excited that I left my class of 10th graders (which is a very dangerous thing to do) to call my mom (who was in her late 70′s at the time) to marvel with her that they had voted for a relatively unknown Black man over Hillary and the others. I have been grateful to Iowa ever since because their actions galvanized millions.
Question: Is there a way to send this thread to the campaign headquarters? I think that It will encourage them and maybe it could be used in some kind of add. Thanks to whoever (amk? meta?) came up with the idea for the thread.
By the time the 2004 elections rolled around people around the world were sick to death of GWBush and could not wait to see him voted out. I didn’t imagine for a moment that the American people would reelect him. I remember watching tv when he won again and remember being shocked – it made me very down on Americans – how could they reward that clown. Remember at this point US standing in the world was way down. The news coverage said there was one bright spot ‘the senate win of BO – a rock star in the political world’. I scoffed – it sounded so stupid and then I saw a clip of BO, MO and the girls as confetti fell down around them. That’s how remembered PBO – ‘the rock star’ – then I saw the ‘I inhaled frequently’ clip and thought – damn- this guy’s funny, smart and gorgeous. But It was the night he won Iowa and seeing Michelle and the girls with him I just wanted him to be elected so bad – so that all minorities (especially the African American community) but all those that had been oppressed in the uS system could feel some pride and believe again. And he made me like Americans again and believe it or not Tweety really turned me on to PBO – in 2008 he was one of his best surrogates (especially against the Clintons) which is why I will always have a soft spot for Tweety. So … that’s my story.
I’ve been a political junkie for years. Bush infuriated me. In 2004 I was volunteering for the lackluster Kerry campaign. Back then you had to go into a office and make calls. This was the only way that you volunteered back then. My twin babies were serving on their second tours in Iraq. I wanted that war to end so bad I could taste it. So I was doing everything I knew how to ensure that we got Bush out in November.
We were told at the Campaign office to tune in for the Convention in Boston. That evening I watched MSNBC as tweety hosted the convention speeches that day. Morning Joe and Pat Buchanan and someone else that I can’t remember was on the panel that night.
Tweety kept talking about this guy from Chicago who was running for the US Senate seat up there and that this person had great potential politically.
So finally that evening Senator Dick Durbin introduced America to Barack Obama. Onto the stage he swagged with the Impressions song Keep on Pushing playing in the background. Signs with OBAMA were waved by everyone in that center that night.
Then that voice. That mesmerizing voice started to tell his story and from that moment I was hooked. After the speech tweety looked into the camera and said Well, ladies and gentlemen I believe you just heard the person who could be the First Black President of the United States.
The rest is history….
/eyes raised just above the window ledge/ /whispwe/ GM, Folks; spying to see if Amk & Desertf are STILL here!
Boo.
/startled/ Oh! /scampering away
Oops, or Christi. I spotted one of the culprits. Phew! My eyes are too tired to talk about my first encounter right now. Maybe later.
good luck re the jobs numbers – whatever happens let’s keep the heat on Mr ‘outsourcer’ Romney. The right is going to drown everything out by yowling about the economy/jobs. Get ready with snappy tweets to rebut. Fingers, toes and eyes crossed.
I love the way the O team is slowly tying the mittbot, limp and the msm together.
A dear friend of mine, who has been involved in Chicago politics a long time, said to me after the 2004 convention speech “just watch”. Watched I have… I feel so blessed to able to watch this man re-write American history
Good Morning Chips,
Before I run off to work, I just wanted to thank you for this topic and thread.
It’s been great to read these stories from so many of POTUS’s faithful supporters.
Just wanted you to know that my day is, once again, brightened because of you.
My President will be speaking in my backyard today, at Carnegie Mellon Univ., but I couldn’t get the day off from work.
I can, however, see Air Force One sitting at the airport so I feel a little closer to him today than usual.
Fingers crossed on the job numbers, and have a great Friday TOD’ers.
Obama/Biden 2012
Good morning. Quick, short and simple: Convention in 2004. I was totally and completely hooked–immediately, I will add. Never looked back!
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Morning Os!!!! Gonna be a sweltering day in TODtown, but a great getting up day anyway. I had my eye on PBO when he ran and lost to Bobby Rush for US Congress. His campaign was so different than what I was use to seeing in Chicago politics. Later, he showed up again as a candidate for Illinois Senate. That’s really when I sat up and took a closer look at him. I knew I liked him when the Chicago Dem machine backed someone else, who later turned out to cause them embarrassment. He had me at ‘hiya doin’ cookemom’
My political take for today is whatever the job numbers, they’ll be portrayed just the way the MSM wants them to be, either downplayed or hyped up. Regardless, they’ll be 5 more before the election, whatever they are for June will be forgotten by the time October’s results come out before the November election. Get the Pepto out for that one.
Late to the party. Started reading snippets in Chgo papers long before ’04 convention about this new fella in town who was extraordinary and looked to have a very bright political future, all agreed. Followed his state races and every Obama news item I could find. Glued to his ’04 convention speech—–just wowed. Watched his interview on CNN the next day with Wolf, so impressive. Mr.. dotster walked in and I remember sitting cross legged on the floor in front of the TV and turned around and said (demanded), “Look! There is the next president of the United States. I promise.” I knew it.
Morning everyone:
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/07/06/rise-and-shine-231/
Unemployment remains at 8.2% with 80,000 jobs added in June. It’s being touted as very disappointing, with 2nd half of year predicted to be slow, due to Europe stuff. So hang on to your uppers folks, expect all kinds of stuffs, til the next poutroversy.
For me it was after seeing him and Mrs. Obama on the Oprah show. He was already a senator but was so down to earth and honest. I later read both of his books and just knew that if he ever ran for president, I would support him. During the primaries my husband supported Hillary and discussions in our family were never dull. 2008 was the first time I donated to a campaign. I just think President Obama is a great human being and one of the greatest presidents our country has had.
I fell “in love” with Pres Obama after hearing his speech at the Dem Convention when he was the keynote speaker as the freshman Senator from Illinois. Still, “in love” and on it goes. Most of us recognize how lucky we are that THIS BRILLIANT man actually wants to be President. I am not interested in living in the America that the RWNJs are selling. With the cash-cows that Mitten’s has, expect to hear some ugly things repeatedly over the next six months. What we have to prove to the corporatist’s donating millions each week is that while Citizen’s United is the law at this time, it is still ONE PERSON ONE VOTE. V O T E…register people to vote and TALK to anyone w/ ears about the accomplishments of this amazing President. http://www.thepeoplesview.net/
This thread ended long after I collapsed last night after 4.5 hours in the dentist chair…. Nevermind…. I had just begun working with the elderly, my first client was a retired professor of English, a true Hillary supporter. She told me about BHO announcing his candidacy was it February 2007?, anyway, I knew nothing about him, had not been paying attention to any political movement as was so disgusted with the Cheney Whitehouse, but I knew, I knew instantly, in my heart, Barack Hussein Obama was going to be the 44th President. Went home that day and looked him up online, that was it…. I was IN!
Good afternoon, just wanted to record when ” I decided that I liked this Fella”. We were completing my husband’s tour of duty in the UK in 2004 so I had limited access to US news. The morning following the 2004 Democratic Convention I watched this fresh faced youngman, Senator Barack Obama speech from the night before and was blown away. Searched for and read everything about him and continued on and off until 2007 when he announced that he was running for the Presidency. I have not looked back and have no regret about how I feel about this genuine human being.
A little late. I first heard him at a rally in a Denver High School before he was elected senator. Walked out of there and told my friend that I had just heard the first Black president of the USA. Was moved to tears by his speech. He is a very special person.