Some Game

[H2O Man]

"As summertime bathed downtown Boston in warm sunshine, Obama led a gaggle of reporters, aides and a couple of friends – a group occasionally two dozen deep – around a maze of chain-link security fences guarding the large-scale FleetCenter indoor arena. A former high school basketball player who was, at forty-two, still relished a pickup game, the rail-thin Obama was carrying his upper body as if he were heading to the free throw line for the game-winning shot, a shot that he believed was destined to sink …. After Obama and I slipped tyhrough a security checkpoint and he momentarily broke free from the entourage, I sidled up to him and told him that he seemed to be impressing many people of influence in this rarefied atmosphere.

"Obama, his gaze fixed directly ahead, never broke his stride.

" ‘I’m LeBron, baby,’ he replied, referring to LeBron James, the phenomenally talented teenager who at the time was shooting the lights out in the National Basketball Association. ‘I can play on this level. I got some game.’ …

"That evening, Obama introduced himself to America. He delivered a keynote address of historic proportions, so inspiring that even some conservative commentators would concede they were moved by it. His rich baritone voice resolute and clear, he heartened back to his mother’s philosophy of a common humanity, a philosophy that had been ingrained in him throughout his childhood. He declared that America is a land of good-hearted people, a nation of citizenswho have more unifying traits than dividing traits, a country of individuals bound by the common purpose of freedom and opportunity for all. ‘There’s not a liberal America and a conservative America – there’s the United States of America. There’s not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America – there’s the United States of America. …. We are one people. …’ "

"Across the arena, many Democrats from various states, various walks of life, various races, had tears in their eyes. And as the woman seated next to me in an upper level of the FleetCenter joyously shrieked – ‘Oh my god! Oh my god! This is history! This is history!’ – I looked around at the energized and emotional crowd and heard myself speak aloud to no one in particular: ‘Yes, indeed. Tonight, Barack, you are LeBron, baby.’ "
--David Mendell; Obama: From Promise to Power; Amistead; 2007; pages 2-3.

My wife bought a copy of David Mendell’s biography of Barack Obama for me, so that I have something to relax with today as I wait for the results of the Pennsylvania primary to start coming in. Many of us have read Barack’s two books, and one could reasonably ask what else could be reported on? This book, which includes information from those closest to Obama, won the NAACP Image Award for an Outstanding Literary Work. I think Obama supporters will enjoy it.

It looks like there is going to be a huge turn-out in PA today. This shows that the democratic party is alive and well. I note that MSNBC is reporting that other polls show that President Bush has set the record for being the most unpopular president in the last century. And in order to try to strengthen his campaign, John McCain is being forced to embrace the Bush policies that the nation rejects.

While I am an Obama supporter, and hope that he can cut Clinton’s lead to under 10 points today in Pennsylvania, I think that the huge turn-out shows that we as a party can find common ground. It’s a good day to be a democrat.

[mamalone]

1. thanks...

for a great post... makes me *really* want to read that book!

[H2O Man]

4. It is out in paperback.

From what I've read so far, it's a good book.

"A companion to the two volumes Obama wrote himself ... for readers who really want to get to know their president." -- Chicago Tribune

[mamalone]

10. thanks...

I will definitely have to purchase this one!

[babylonsister]

2. Excellent, H20 Man! "It's a good day to be a Democrat"-indeed. And

I didn't know about this biography; thanks for the heads-up, and enjoy your reading. Me, I'll be biting my fingernails. ;)

[H2O Man]

6. I'll be sitting

pond-side, reading and watching the minnows, trying to keep myself from coming in for updates from family members in PA!

[Cooley Hurd]

3. It's a great day to be a Democrat!

We have two VERY strong candidates, versus a VERY old Republican who has vowed to carry on the policies of the VERY unpopular previous admin.

A VERY great day, indeed!:hi:

Recommended.:thumbsup:

[H2O Man]

8. Thanks!

The democratic party is the clean, cool glass of water that is set next to the republican's cup of filth. The public is thirsty for change. We can win the White House, make significant gains in congress, and put democrats in office at the state and local level in November.

That change is going to come.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. You are right--the key is the record turnout

I hope that all who have voted Democratic in the primaries vote Democratic in the General. We need to focus on McCain, pointing out his weaknesses and his close ties to Bush policies, and this hope will become a reality.

[H2O Man]

9. Exactly.

In fact, we need to take it a step further, and continue to register more voters for the fall elections. If each of us registered just one friend or relative, that's a gain. If we register three or more, it's that much bigger. And some of us -- especially those energetic, passionate college students -- may be registering 25 or more new voters. We transform the country.

[sellitman]

7. VOTED # 3 & Kicked for class.

I remember hearing that speech and wondering how long it would be before this Great Senator would be on the grand stage. I hope after today he is closer than ever. Great post as usual.

[H2O Man]

11. It's interesting

to note that only in America, as Obama knows, could his story be a reality. More, only in the context of the democratic party could he delivering the message. For all of our problems, we still have the proud traditions that make his candidacy possible.

[ms liberty]

12. Good morning, H20Man! Happy Pa. primary day...

Had to check in before I went to work today; although I occasionally do a DU look-in from work, I don't sign in or comment, and today I'm a bit excited - I'm hoping Obama will do better than expected. Whatever the outcome, you are right - this is a very good day to be a democrat! Saw your thread, and naturally I had to read it and give you a K&R. May you have a great day today, and enjoy your new reading material!

[H2O Man]

15. I'm checking in briefly

myself, just to see if there is any "news." Of course, there won't be until this evening. Glad I have that book!

[Me.]

13. He Does Have Game

and a sense of humor, that's one of the things I like best about him. Sadly lacking in the current resident and most candidates. Have you noticed how grim they all are? Yet he seems to have a reservoir of good humor.

[Me.]

14. Moving Fast Today

as fast as Obama's game

[H2O Man]

16. He has a type of energy

that is distinct from what we have come to expect from politicians. Many people compare it to the energy that the inspired leaders from the 1960s had. And it is evident in the way that Obama inspires others.