Just back from dinner with my mostly Republican family

[Speck Tater]

Sisters, brother in-laws, mom, kids and grandkids (two of whom are or will be old enough to vote this year). In the past the subject of politics has always been avoided because nobody can agree on anything, although most of the group voted for Bush both times.

This time around, though, somebody brought up the subject, since Obama just visited our city. For the first time I can ever remember, there was COMPLETE unanimity among all my family members. They ALL intend to vote for Obama in the general election. I was just amazed to discover that such a cantankerous lot could actually all agree on something.

[Hepburn]

1. Woooooooot!!

Congrats on no longer coming from a broken home! :hi:

[babylonsister]

2. GOBAMA and REC'D! nt

[better tomorrow]

3. now that is music to my ears. Tell them you will cook Christmas dinner now...

[DUyellow]

4. what were their reasons?

[Speck Tater]

10. The reasons stated were:

1. "McCain is obviously senile."
2. "Hillary is (here insert any number of RW anti-Hillary talking points)."
3. "Obama sounds like someone who might be able to put this broken country back together again."

[Mooney]

40. 1. "McCain is obviously senile."

That's funny as fuck.

[Rosemary2205]

5. I have experienced the polar opposite.

Certain members of my extended family voted Obama in the primary but the preacher tape managed to scare them into thinking about staying home in November. Time will tell what really happens.

The truth of the racism in my own family has discouraged and saddened me greatly.

[woolldog]

8. Get a copy of Obama's speech on race,

sit down with them and watch it with them.

[Voice for Peace]

39. maybe this endorsement will help

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5227126

[Ian_rd]

52. November is a looooong way away

Preacher Wright will be a tired, worn-out desperate tactic by Fox News by then. And it's good that Obama had to deal with something like that now, 'cause that's all he's gonna have when the Republican Wurlitzer cranks up against him.

[sce56]

60. I suppose that was the out of context portion not the complete speech that does makes sense!

[Doctor_J]

63. What an excellent toon

where is the original? Is that a Danzinger?

[sce56]

70. I found it at Crooks & Liars

Look here http://www.crooksandliars.com/ and go back a few days.

[woolldog]

6. I love to hear stories like this. Thanks.

[FightingIrish]

7. I just got off the phone with my Republican brother.

He works for our Republican congressman and we haven't spoken much since I made my stand on the war in Iraq very public five years ago. We just lost a beloved relative and it was time to talk. He asked me if i had gone to see Obama yesterday. He was genuinely interested in hearing about the response Obama received. I think we need to talk more. I think Obama might just pick up a hard core professional Republican vote.

[Emit]

13. Obama already picked up a couple of hard core Republican votes in my family.

:)

[LTR]

9. I've heard this from a few Republicans

I have one relative who is one (and can't stand Bush, BTW) and is leaning Obama. He can't stand Hillary and thinks McCain is way too old. He does like Obama, and will probably vote for him without actually admitting it to anyone.

Hey, it's progress.

[cooolandrew]

11. I kept saying Obamacan win this so big if we give him the chance.

[Emit]

12. Even after the Rev. Wright thingy?

Good news. :thumbsup:

Edited to add, did they have an opinion on the Wright thingy?

[Speck Tater]

14. The whole group talked a lot about Obama, Hillary, and McCain,

And the Rev. Wright thing just never came up. Not mentioned even once by anybody. In fact, I hadn't thought about it myself until you posted that reminder. My sense, after the fact, is that it was something so trivial as to be beneath any notice.

[Speck Tater]

15. One thing that DID come up...

The YouTube video exposing Hilary's Bosnia "sniper fire" story. Seems EVERYBODY in the group had seen that one.

[joshcryer]

30. That just tells you they're obsessed with Hillary and they just hate her.

:hi:

[Doctor_J]

64. yup, and that's really, really bad news for November if she's the nom

[joshcryer]

74. It's one reason I'm for her.

The haters need to get a bitchslap.

[Traction311]

25. Perhaps they don't know?

I just can't see the typical white Republican family ever voting for Obama if they knew he had a racist minister for 20 years, his wife's "first time I felt proud to be an American" comment, not holding his heart during the Pledge, etc. Don't flame me guys, I'm not saying this does (or doesn't) bother me, but I'm certain it bothers tons of white Republicans. Remember, the average voter doesn't pay attention until October.

[jenmito]

28. Wright isn't racist. n/t

[Traction311]

33. Defining what is or isn't racist is no easy task

He certainly has a lot of anger toward whites.

[jenmito]

44. Having justifiable anger towards Black people is NOT racism...it's RESPONDING to racism.

He has every right, at his age, with what his generation has been through, to "hold a grudge" and speak out against those he was oppressed by. And as Obama said, Wright's mistake is that HE sees the world as "static," as if things haven't changed at all, when things ARE changing-for the better. But the truth is there IS still underlying inequality that should be addressed.

[BigDDem]

51. and the govt invented HIV, right?

:rofl:

[DerekJ]

29. My very white, very conservative grandparents are pro Obama

They voted for the conservative party all their life; they hate bill and Hillary like they are a plague. Yet, and it came quite shocking to me, they really admire Obama. I didn't believe my ears when they said that after his speech.
.

[Traction311]

32. A lot of whites were pro-Obama just a few months ago

But his support among whites has gone down a lot. Will it go down even more by October? Time will tell. Also, very conservative in Canada is moderate here in the US.

[DerekJ]

34. "After the speech" ..

Not before. They never had anything good to say about a democratic nominee. You had to see what they used to say about Al Gore.

[NikolaC]

55. Wrong

Very Conservative in Canada IS Very Conservative in Canada, NOT moderate. No difference IMO.

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

35. Here's some ammo on the "Pledge thing"

[Traction311]

38. Poppy isn't running for president

Nor did he, to the very best of my knowledge, have a history or not putting his hand over his heart, like Obama. He is an old man, and could very possibly be daydreaming. Obama has even said he was tought to only put his hand over his heart during the National Anthem. Fair enough. But what about the lack of the American flag pin? It would be fairly safe to say that 80% or so average white undecided voters don't know about that. Once they do, it won't fly. Liberals like us will vote for him anyway, but not "Joe Average White Voter." Nothing against Obama, I just don't want to blow this election to McLame. I just don't see Obama getting more than 35% of the white vote. He needs at least 45% of it to win the GE.

[peacebaby3]

41. You have it completely backwards just like the republics. He was

taught by his grandfather (retired Navy) that you place your hand over your heart for the pledge and sing the anthem. There is tons of footage of him opening up sessions of congress, saying the pledge with his hand over his heart.

The flag pin is a really stupid argument and there are several photos of McCain not wearing a flag pin.

Oops...try again.

[ingac70]

58. That was during the national anthem, not the pledge. n/t

[AllentownJake]

61. The problem with that picture

Is that the Robo-emails say its the pledge and idiots believe it. I set 3 people straight this weekend. You should see the nasty robo email a fellow volunteer got the other day. The problem no matter who is our nominee is going to be battling lies not real issues. Ask John Kerry.

[Jackpine Radical]

71. Wright is no racist. You sadly misquoted Michelle.

The hand-over-the heart thing is moronic. If the "typical white Republican family" doesn't already have at least as large a fund of misinformation as you do on these things, it is through no fault of Fox Propaganda Services.

[Caria]

47. That is backfiring with some BAC Republicans

who are used to being embarassed by their preachers.

[Cha]

16. I bet it blew you

away..It's wonderful when people think for themselves and don't let the mediawhores influence them.

[OhioBlue]

17. thanks for the story!

I spent time with my family earlier too. I knew my Dad voted for Obama in the Primary, I wasn't sure about my brother. They're both you average Joe six-pack, rural, white voter.

They're both for Obama. They don't like McCain or Clinton and the Rev. Wright thing didn't affect their opinions one bit. They see it as tabloid and think it's ridiculous that it was all over the news. They were more disgusted with MSM than with the Rev or Obama. I was especially wondering about my brother's views as I know he listens to talk radio all day and the only thing in our area is right wing. But, to a person, everyone at Easter dinner was for Obama.

At boyfriend's family's house: 4 for Obama, 3 for Clinton in the Primary. All would vote for O in the General. The media blitz had no affect on them either. Again, we're all the average white, rural, HS educated, blue collar voters.

Edit to add: After today, I'm feel really good about Ohio going Dem in the general. People are just sick to death of *, and Republicans in general.

[Cha]

65. That's a great report, Ohio Blue..

Thanks! :)

[stillcool]

18. Thank your family!

Who is Jeremiah Wright?

Born on September 22, 1941, in Philadelphia

Reverend Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. is one of the most widely acclaimed black preachers in the United States. Combining social concern, spiritual growth, and political activism, Wright, who preaches in a black traditional style, brings a message of hope, redemption, and renewal. In 1972 he became pastor of a small United Church of Christ congregation in the inner city of Chicago. After over 30 years in the pulpit, his congregation has grown to 10,000 and is the largest United Church of Christ congregation in the United States.

In 1959 Wright enrolled at Virginia Union University, in Richmond, where he remained until 1961. That year he left school to join the military. He served in the Second Marine Division of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1961 to 1963, achieving the rank of private first class. In 1963 he graduated as valedictoriafrom the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, and from 1964 to 1967, he served as a cardio pulmonary technician at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. During 1965 and 1966, he was awarded with three Presidential Commendations from President Lyndon B. Johnson.

After his discharge from the military, Wright continued his education. He enrolled at Howard University in Washington, D.C., in 1967, and was awarded a bachelor's degree in 1968 and a master's degree in 1969. He then entered the University of Chicago Divinity School, receiving a master of arts degree in 1975. He ended his formal education in 1990 when he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree in black sacred music from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
----------------------------------------------
When Wright joined the staff of Trinity United Church of Christ as senior pastor, the inner city church boasted just 87 active members, most of whom came from the neighborhood surrounding the church. Wright embraced his new congregation took up the phrase coined by his predecessor Rev. Dr. Reuben Sheares, "Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian." Within months the church had adopted the phrase as its motto and vision. Under Wright's leadership, fueled by his passion, and motivated by his preaching, the congregation began to grow by leaps and bounds. By 2004 there were over 10,000 members, with
people coming from across the metro area. The congregation, which proudly notes its diverse socio-economic mix, dedicated a new 2,700 worship center in 1997.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Wright has authored several books, including Africans Who Shaped Our Faith, Good News! Sermons of Hope for Today's Families, and What Makes You So Strong? Sermons of Joy and Strength from Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. According to Cleophus J. LaRue in The Heart of Black Preaching, in his title sermon of What Makes You So Strong, Wright "demonstrates the power of the mighty sovereign at work in the lives of black people in twentieth century America. This sermon focuses on the root of black strength and survivability. Wright makes it clear throughout the sermon that the source of all strength, and especially black strength, is none other than the Spirit of God." As in his preaching, in his writing Wright focuses on the dual issues of corporate concern and spiritual sustenance. His latest publication, What Can Happen When We Pray: A Daily Devotional, was published in 2002.
In recognition of his contributions, Wright has been awarded seven honorary doctoral degrees. He has also served on a number of boards and commissions, including serving on the board of trustees for Virginia Union University and Chicago Theological Seminary. He continues to be a highly sought after preacher,
teacher, and lecturer.

http://www.dogonvillage.com/blogs/african_american/archives/140

[rucognizant]

62. Here's more...............

http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/biography.asp?bioindex=331&category=religionMakers
Considered a preacher par excellence, the Reverend Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. was born on September 22, 1941, in Philadelphia.

His parents, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Sr. and Dr. Mary Henderson Wright, were his earliest influences, instilling in him the possibility of balancing the intellectual with the spiritual.
Rev. Wright Sr. was Pastor at the Grace Baptist Church in Germantown PA. I lived around the corner. They most likely lived in the area, a long time settled black elite community of old trees and beautiful old homes! There is a scholarship for graduating FEMALE ( high school) Grads, in Math & Education, in Dr, Mary Henderson Wrights name! His Grandparents were BOTH college educated!
( That's 3 generations of college grads. hardly " ghettto"..............

Armed with this philosophical upbringing, Wright has pastored Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ since 1972, seeing its membership grow from eighty0seven adult members to a congregation of nearly 10,000. Wright's early education took place in Philadelphia's public schools. From there, he went on to earn a B.A. and an M.A. from Howard University, an M.A. from the University of Chicago and a doctorate in divinity from United Theological College, where he studied under the eminent Samuel DeWitt Proctor.

Wright takes seriously not only the call to worship but also the call to take action as mandated by the Gospel. Under his leadership, Trinity adopted the motto "Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian" and has set out to make activism within and on behalf of the African American community a key aspect of the church's mission. An outspoken community leader, Wright has been vocal in making once-taboo issues, such as AIDS, a priority within the African American church leadership and service. His commitment to political activism, coupled with his dedication to the African American sermonic tradition, has made him a highly sought-after speaker nationally and internationally.

[EFerrari]

19. I'm so jealous. My mom is a Clinton diehard and

I can't even talk to her about this so I try to avoid the subject. Oh well.

[Auntie Bush]

21. Be a good girl...Listen to your mother...Mother knows best.

I know...I'm a mother!

[EFerrari]

22. "She's not a mother -- she's a TERMINATOR!"

:)

[Auntie Bush]

23. Sounds like a real sweetheart.

I guess she knows a real fighter when she sees one.

[EFerrari]

24. My mom is 75. She could run that whole campaign with one hand

AND put me in my place at the same time. :toast:

[Auntie Bush]

26. Too bad Hillary didn't hire her.

Your mother sounds like genius to me. Most have been tough growing up though. Here's one for your mother, :beer: and one got you. :beer:

[ClayZ]

37. LOL. That is what my 30 somthing kids call my Mom.

Since they were kids, they have. She is a ReThug.

[Taxmyth]

20. Simple question

A personal question here but are you known as the family "liberal"? The reason I ask is because we have someone like that in my family and it's not unusual to play practical jokes exactly like that on this person.

[NoBushSpokenHere]

27. Thanks for sharing - I have no doubt Obama can bring this

nation together in November and beyond - he is a uniter and at least SOME PEOPLE can recognize it!

[lonestarnot]

31. well fiz my wig!

:toast:

[ClayZ]

36. We are heading into Republican Country tomorrow.

From Seattle to Richland WA. My folks are in their 80 and have voted a straight Republican Ticked except for one vote. In 2004 I convinced them that Doc Hastings was a crook.

I am anxious to hear what they have to say in a Face to Face about Obama.

My Mom told me on the phone that she liked him. They voted McCain in the primary. ARGH!


I am happy to hear about your family. I hope it is systemic!

[Catherina]

42. I'm hearing this all over

Friends, work, in the streets! People are excited and looking forward!

:toast: to your family

[donheld]

43. Did they serve Kool-Aid at this dinner?

:D just kidding. K & R

[Lorien]

45. Similar 180 with my mother:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3050660

[Caria]

46. I have some Republican relatives who watched The Speech last week

on C-Span or maybe on-line. They'd seen & heard it trashed, got curious. Watched all 38 minutes and they said they are very impressed. Had doubts about McCain anyhow & would never vote for a Clinton but are seriously thinking about voting for Obama if he gets the nomination.

[futureliveshere]

48. awesome..gives me a WARM glow!!!

[lebkuchen]

49. I know of another ultra RW family who now thinks Bush sucks

THAT is a milestone.

[wiggs]

50. I think there's a lot more support for Obama than media reflects. Early

primaries, early voting, absentee ballots would show different results if held currently and Obama's lead in votes, delegates, and states would be even greater.

The buzz is all Obama (based on similar experience as yours) and he's already recovered from a full court press of negative sound bytes over the last two weeks. He's got momentum and like basketball you have to go with big mo until proven otherwise. Obama wins in walkover in GE.

[RedEarth]

53. Same in my family .... 5 former bush voters will vote for Obama if he's the nominee

...if Clinton, they vote for McCain.

[otohara]

54. There He Goes Again PANDERING to Repblican's

that's what I've see posted on this site by supporters of you know who!

He also pandered to the likes of Susan Eisenhower and Lincoln Chaffee

[RainDog]

56. the quikie mart kid

...well, bp, maybe?

I just got an Obama button on Saturday and put it on to do some errands. I stopped for a drink at the quikie mart and the guy behind the counter was a white, obviously not rich, not educated guy. He saw my button and asked me if I knew about Wright and what I thought.

I said... well, I've heard too many preachers say stupid stuff... like Falwell blaming 9-11 on Americans because we're not good enough for him. I sort of wanted to defend Obama, but... I was also kinda in a hurry.

The guy said.. well you know, to me...

and I was waiting for something negative...

but what he said was: You know, I have racist friends, and I don't think you have to be a racist just because you have racist friends.

(!!!!)

That one was TOTALLY out of left field for me. And actually smart and honest and aware of this nation better than me.

[Scurrilous]

57. K & R

:thumbsup:

[L0oniX]

59. Kick

[byronius]

66. My experience as well. Normal conservatives love him.

[Oslo]

67. Easter dinner fight: Obama vs. Hillary

My husband and I fought on Obama's behalf, my sister fought for Hillary citing the "experience" fear factor. Teenage nephew & niece wildly for Obama. Sister convinced Hillary will still pull it off. Each accused the other of being brainwashed.
GoBama!

[RememberWellstone]

68. I heard Bush is voting for Obama

Wow, the bs just flows around here.:eyes:

[Blue-Jay]

73. I heard that Obama is unelectable in the GE.

Wow, the bs just flows around here. :rofl:

[NC_Nurse]

69. That's so great! I'm jealous, my RW dad is voting McLame. I don't think I can

influence him one iota. Damn. That's so good to hear though. maybe there's hope for them yet. :)

[Festivito]

72. That's what I hear most: Hillary or McLame.

I think it is blatant prejudice.

[mchill]

75. My Supervisor voted Bush in 2000 and 2004

and we've had endless arguments over politics and when I told him I went to see Obama in Southern Oregon Saturday he got all excited and he said he wished he could have gone! He even asked his Dad to watch it on CNN and he's voting for Obama in November! I can't tell you how conservative this guy is (like Iraq was right and he is a very conservative Catholic, so definitely anti-chioce).

[LibGranny]

76. Life-long Repub spouse

When I asked my spouse a couple of months ago who he was favoring (before we knew McSame was the Repub pick); he said Obama. I was absolutely shocked (and gladdened) to hear it! We had a discussion about the differences in all the candidates and to this day - Obama's still the man!