Obama: Watching NCAA hoops...

squintz, philly, pa — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:16:23 GMT

Well, I never thought I'd have anything good to say about March Madness! This makes me feel better about picking Winthrop in my office bracket...

Obama: Watching NCAA hoops...

Lisa in New Britain, CT — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:33:09 GMT

Its always nice to know you're pretty much on the same page with one of our national leaders...thank heavens I can feel that way about Bill Richardson!

Now, if only Edwards (and I have to say I think its telling that he hasn't endorsed anyone yet).

I think its great that Obama (with all the stress he must face) can unwind over something like March Madness...I feel like I've been so wound up over this election, he's a good role model for me.

Interesting...about the Boston Globe interviewees...I can entirely see that someone who was split between Hillary and Obama might be swayed by the race issue (association with the pastor or the speech) but how many of us were fairly neutral before this week? That's an interesting thing to think about...people still neutral (or torn) prior to last week. People are still making up their mind afterall. How many times do we, as Dems, get to choose so late in the primary season?

I know for me, I voted for Obama on Feb. 5th (CT on SuperTuesday), I choose him the last week of Jan. I became decisively against Hillary and even more for Obama by mid-Feb. I can no longer support a vote for her on cheating and tactics. But its interesting to consider others' opinions and put that in the context of a timeline.

Decisively for Obama 08
(I'm a white, 40-something mom, living in a working class town)

Obama: Watching NCAA hoops...

Eileen Fisher, Cedar Rapids, IA — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:41:13 GMT

Ombama is a good speaker but wasn't a senator when when nafta was around and normaly a first lady will back her husband the (predident)on many issues. Just as any other lady would do. We knew Bush was an oil man before we elected him. Know we're mad that oil prices have risen as much as it has. All Obama has to do is sit back and judge everyone for there wrongs since he's done nothing as a first term senitor.

Obama: Watching NCAA hoops...

DC — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:41:43 GMT

Thank you Mr. Richardson for your honesty on Obama's speech.

As I listened to Obama's speech, I also thought of Americans history of mistreating various cultures. Mr. Richardson, your comments about the economy being the cause for these frictions was very enlightening. Thank you for pointing out the economy is the real problem.

In these tough economic times, we need a leader who can bring us together. One who understands our levees, roads, bridges are falling apart. One who understands we need to build more renewable energy using wind farms and solar.

When Mr. Obama was at a auto factory in Janesville, Wisconsin he handed out pamphlets describing a new deal to rebuild these things. To make America independent of foreign oil. Obama pointed out the hundreds of billions spent on the Iraq War each year. He said there is no reason this money should be going over there. At a time when jobs are scarce, when people are losing their homes, we need that money spent on jobs in America.

Obama: Watching NCAA hoops...

David, NJ — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:46:21 GMT

I think the hoops watching is great. It helps people understand that he is a real person that puts his pants on one leg at a time just like the rest of us. The sad part of the article is the ending. The lady and her family is judging Senator Obama because of what a pastor said.

He should be judged because of his own actions and not the actions of others. No one even know Pastor Wright to comment on his relationship with Obama. What is Pastor Wright's middle name? Is he married? Have any children? No one knows but has even judged him because of a 20 second loop that played endlessly in the media.

If my whole life is to be judged by some snapshot in time that lasts 20 or 30 seconds. I guess I'm in trouble in too and so are you.

Obama: Watching NCAA hoops...

Elisa, Michigan — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:48:11 GMT

I don't understand why race continues to come up. I can't understand Rev. Wright anger. He deeply feels that it is time to rise and seek revenge. I was so applade by his statements.
Since Obama was close to this minister for so long did he ever confront the minister about this anger. Did he ever say I don't think you are incorrect. If Obamas speach was so truthfull as many assumed so, why didn't Obama say; I have often times said to Rev. Wright, "how you feel about slavery is wrong". If he was so close to this minister and can not deny he is family Obama should admit that he questioned Rev. Wright about his deep feelings, as we would with any other memeber of our family. If I disagree with what the memeber of my family believe, I confront them and I try to convince them the oposite. Obama never admited that he did this. If his speach was truthful than he would have mentioned it, but this most likely never took place and he was looking a an easy way out to fool. To convince us that many of us have family who's views we opose. We confront family members and friends and he should have confronted Rev. Wright long time ago....and if they persisted Rev. Wright should have not have the privilege of becoming a family friend to Obama and his family.

I am an immigrant myself and feel that there is no discrimination in the United States no matter what your ethnicity is. If his parents or grandparents happen to be discriminated in the past, it is already history, try to make it better not worse. He should incourage people to get along and accept eachother regardless of skin color.
We should move forward and look back only to take along the good, and bury the bad once and forever.

Obama: Watching NCAA hoops...

SK, Buffalo, NY — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:59:48 GMT

At the Passover seder, coming up in a few weeks, Jews read the history of leaving slavery in Egypt. We are to remember in each generation that we were slaves in Egypt. There's nothing in the liturgy that says, "We were slaves in Egypt, get over it!"

Remembrance is important in how we view ourselves, how we relate to others and how we make the best of our lives. In that context, I have no problem understanding the need for African-American pastors or anyone else to continue to remind people of injustices in their past. I agree with Obama who faulted Rev. Wright for ignoring the fact that current America is not static and there is room for change.

Obama: Watching NCAA hoops...

Matt for Obama, Idaho — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:05:17 GMT

"he was looking a an easy way out to fool."
Elisa, Michigan (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 9:48 AM)

Uhh

Ok, that made me laugh.

He risked political suicide to make a point that noooooobody had the "hutzpah" to make in politics since the constitution was signed.

That was NOT the easy way out. Give him some frickin' credit, when credit was due.

Obama: Watching NCAA hoops...

Florida Voter — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:06:03 GMT

You are so right Elisa, michigan. Anytime I have friends and family who I disagree with I often times confront them. Obama seems to have never done so. I 'cant believe that you brought this issue up here and tahat people have not thought of this before. I was thinking the same.
As far as Gov. Richardson endorsment, he should know that without experience we can't continue to be the best country in the world.

Eileen Fisher,

What a great point you have made above as well. Sen. Obama was never around to vote on any of these laws, therfore now that they have truned somewhat sour he oposes them. Thank you for pointing that out. Almost everyone thought NAFTA would benefit the US economy.

Obama: Watching NCAA hoops...

Obama Supporter from New York — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:32:50 GMT

I would like to comment on what has happened over the past week regarding Sen. Obama & Pastor Wright - and the comments that Sen. Obama made yesterday about "typical white person".

I just want to say: Senator Obama is absolutely dead on right. I for one think it is extremely refreshing (and let's face it folks - how many people who post here have been howling over the lies we have been told over the past 8 yrs by the current administration) - to have a politician have the COURAGE, yes COURAGE to stand up and speak the truth. I thought his speech on Tuesday was brilliant. (But I have to admit that when I heard his comments yesterday about his grandmother - I groaned and thought - how could he say something like that? And then I thought about it for a few minutes and you know what - Sen Obama is absolutely right! He's right - and I'll tell you why - from my own experience. I have acted the very same way - I have crossed the street when I have seen 1 (or more) persons of color (brown or black) approach me - because I was (subconsciously) afraid. I have even done it when with other people - we've stopped dead in our tracks and thought - "oh, oh - what do they want". And I have talked to a lot of friends who said they have done the very same thing. And I think if a lot of people who post here (and elsewhere) were honest - they would admit they have done the same thing. Why? Simply because those people looked different from us and we were, if only for a moment, afraid. You know, it seems to me, that we are all so self-righteous about this whole subject. How dare Senator Obama point this out to us? How dare he try to be honest? But isn't that what we have all been crying for in the last 8 yrs? Honesty from our leaders? And as soon as Sen Obama is - we're howling about that too!! Please people - look at yourselves.

I was watching another network (briefly - sorry MSNBC) - last night - and there were 2 very respected gentlemen - David Gergen and Carl Bernstein on - who brought up a very good point. Could Senator Obama have put it another way - his remarks about his white grandmother being "a typical white person"? Yes, of course - it was clumsily said. But you know what - they both said he spoke truth - and they also said that they thought it was ridiculous to pounce on everything he says from this point on about this subject. He spoke the truth- imagine that - from a politician.!

I'm sorry Chuck Todd and Joe Scarborough and everyone else - but I think you are WAY OFF on this. And I have to say I am disappointed in your approach. It seems to me that you are the ones who are trying to keep this controversy going - instead of moving on. And please, don't we all know that Senator Clinton would not have leaked that very same photo if the shoe were on the other foot. I know it's fashionable these days to trash Sen Obama these days - but well, get over it!

Yes I am a supporter of Sen. Obama - always have been, always wwill be. My race and gender shouldn't matter - but I'm going to say it anyway - I'm a white woman. I just want to add one more thing - and this is addressed to some of the very vile posts here - and I think we know who they are (patty sd, john doe, etc.). I feel sorry for you - you probably don't give a ....., but I do. Because you are obviously so full of hate. Don't know why - but you are. And I know you will probably have something incredibly nasty to say - that is your problem. I say, bring it on! I say, Senator Obama - he's our next President.

Thanks for letting me have my say,

(one last thing (really) - I grew up in a Church where the minister was a mean, nasty, unpleasant person - hardly what you would picture in a man of God - yet my family continued to attend that church - we weren't attending Church for him - we were attending Church for us - for our souls).

Obama: Watching NCAA hoops...

gal, ohio — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:45:24 GMT

Getting to relax with the every day people is what it should be about. Go to more steel mills, construction sites and have a beer with them workers and let them get to know you.