Obama Gives Wesleyan Commencement Addres in Place of Kennedy (Passses on Message from Ted)

[Hissyspit]

Source: ABC News

Obama Gives Wesleyan Commencement Address in Place of Kennedy

May 25, 2008 2:06 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., paid homage to Sen. Ted Kennedy’s service to the country while he "pinch-hit" for him, delivering the commencement address at Wesleyan’s graduation ceremony.
Amid 15,000 people, Obama passed on a message from Kennedy, D-Mass., who had asked the presidential candidate to speak on his behalf. "I’d like to start by passing along a message from Ted," Obama said, and then read words from Kennedy: "To all those praying for my return to good health, I offer my heartfelt thanks. And to any who’d rather have a different result, I say, don’t get your hopes up just yet!"

Obama said he was glad to know Kennedy’s sense of humor is as strong as ever, and told the Connecticut crowd that Kennedy couldn’t be there because he is at home resting since being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. With Kennedy’s wife Vicki and stepdaughter Caroline Raclin (who was graduating from the university) listening in the audience, Obama reminded the students of Kennedy’s contributions to America, adding, "And I have a feeling that Ted Kennedy is not done just yet."

Using the Kennedy legacy for a platform, Obama’s commencement address was a call for the students to serve their country. "There’s no community service requirement in the outside world -- no one forcing you to care. You can take your diploma, walk off this stage, and chase only after the big house and the nice suits and all the other things that our money culture says you should buy," Obama said. "You can choose to narrow your concerns and live your life in a way that tries to keep your story separate from America’s. But I hope you don’t."

Obama used his own life story as an example to the graduates, retelling his biography and rise into the political arena. "I spent much of my childhood adrift," Obama said of his upbringing, raised in Indonesia and Hawaii. "My teenage years were filled with more than the usual dose of teenage rebellion, and I’ll admit that I didn’t always take myself or my studies very seriously." Obama said it was through service that he began to find his way –- and challenged each of the near-700 graduates to do the same.

Read more: http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/05/obama-gives-wes.html

[angstlessk]

1. I certainly can hardly wait till the video arrives here...

sounds very inspirational and would love to hear more about Obama's misspent youth which really gives hope for kids who believe one must be a perfectly behaved grade A student in order to enter politics! good on him!

[IndyOp]

4. The entire Wesleyan address is here...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x137525

:hi:

[lakercub]

2. Given how motivating the guy can be

I have a feeling he will be asked to do a lot of commencement addresses in the future. He is absolutely perfect for them, as he is the most inspiring politician of the last 30+ years. Like him or not, and I do, he is an extremely gifted speaker.

On the flip side, out here in Colorado Springs, Bush is giving the commencement speech on Wednesday to the Air Force Academy graduates. It would be tough to think of a more depressing, and less talented, speaker, especially after 7+ years of absolute failure. But the kool-aid drinkers out here will lap it all up.

I work right across the interstate from the football field, and the air show is fun every year (I try not to think what it costs). Happily, the sound system doesn't project over here, so I won't have to hear a word that idiot says. I think I can guess anyway...

"terra, pray, great Iraqi progress but there is much to be done, pray, resolve, pray, listen to the generals, pray, stay the course, Laura and I pray, appeasement, pray, nucular, pray"...damn inspiring. What is even sadder is that he has given the same speech since 9/11 and still can't get through it without fumbling through the words.

[Ian David]

3. They asked Stephanie Miller to do it first! n/t