Inspiring.

[ginnyinWI]

His speech was much more than an exercise in intellectual argument, although it did that. But it touched the heart--reminded us all of our love for our country and the people in it. Helped us see ourselves as not just parts of individual groups, but as Americans who each have our own particular struggles. It was not all about himself, or all about Rev. Wright. It was about where we find ourselves now, at this time in our history--and where we want to take things from here.

He is what we've been waiting for in America for so long: a leader who can bring us together and get us to act according to the better angels of our nature. Abraham Lincoln comes to mind.

:patriot:

[Inuca]

1. Do you know

who was the guy who introduced him? What you wrote brought his comments back to mind. I heard it on the radio in my car, so I have no visual information.

[ginnyinWI]

2. CNN didn't cover that speaker

so I don't know. I usually watch things on MSNBC but couldn't stand Scarborough and Buchanan so switched over.

[MBS]

9. a former president of Bryn Mawr College (1970-1978) and former PA senator

(after John Heinz died), 1991-1995, until (shudder) Santorum defeated him for re-election. He also protested police brutality at the 1968 Dem convention.Also, involvement in civil rights and labor, at state and national level. Someone who's walked the walk. Very appropriate person to introduce Obama in PA.

[Inuca]

13. Thanks! n/t

[Luftmensch067]

3. Very well said, Ginny!

I hope CSPAN will make the whole event (including the introduction) available. It was truly a historic speech, and one that belongs with the best in our nation's record or oratory. I confess I wept throughout and when I thought about it, I realized they were tears of hope, of longing for what I have always known this country can be, at its best. Our union may not be perfect, but it can be perfected.

I will never forget the first time I watched this speech and what it meant and means to me.

[beachmom]

4. I am SO GLAD that Obama didn't throw Wright under the bus.

Wright is a complex figure, and it does seem that he has been very good to Obama over the years. This shows that Obama has a real virtue: loyalty. That means something, because this means he will maintain loyal to us supporters, too, even if we disagree.

Sally Quinn called it "unprecedented" and the most important speech on race since MLK's "I have a Dream" speech. I concur, and will argue, that Obama has already won, no matter what happens next, because he spoke the truth and was eloquent. It is up to the American people now, whether they want to vote for the same old same old, or to lift America up with a transformational presidency.

[ginnyinWI]

6. he will win if he keeps being who he is

I think this speech comes straight from the core of who he really is. Not many advisors would advise a candidate to be so bold, but Obama was willing to because that's who he is. It's funny reading what some in the HRC support group are trying to say about the speech. But the majority will see it for what it is. Even Candy Crowley was impressed!

I agree though--what he said needed to be said, and this speech was important even if he never does become President. If enough of the people want what he has to offer America, though, he will.

[Inuca]

7. "Obama has already won, no matter what happens next"

That's the very same thing that crossed my mind when the speech was over. He may lose the election (hopefully not), but the simple fact that he said what he said is a victory in and by itself. ANd not only because he did the right thing and was true to himself, but because I believe to my very core that words like these touch souls. Not all souls and not necessarily right away, but they do have an impact. Also, Kerry's words come to mind, calling Obama a transformational candidate. Today's was a transformational speech.

[liberaldem4ever]

8. I agree whole heartedly

That is the way I feel too. I think Barack won today, and I feel America won too. I kept thinking that he was brave when I was listening to him. It would have been easy for him to take the politically advantageous way but he didn't. He was honest and that is so rare to hear honesty in a political speech.

[MBS]

10. what I liked best is that it wasn't "fighting back" in the ordinary sense

It was stronger than that: a strong, positive statement of "this is who I am, this is whom I value, and what I value, and why, and this is what I want our country to be." To me, his delivery, somewhat surprisingly, wasn't as fluent as usual. But the words soared, and the message soared. Good job.

And, importantly, and differently from 2004 (as someone said upthread), the speech was broadcast widely, will be archived and accessible, and will be discussed widely.

I'm hopeful.

[Inuca]

14. Yes, it was an act of courage and honesty

You cannot truly loose this way, no matter what.

[ginnyinWI]

11. transformational and transcendent

Instead of just being "me v.s. my political opponent" he brought us all into the struggle, a struggle for a better America. How can anyone top that?

HRC even complimented him on the speech, I hear. I wish her supporters here would be as gracious. Maybe she's not as divisive as she's sometimes portrayed? I dunno--there are two Hillarys out there, the gracious one and the "fighter" and it remains to be seen which she really is.

But maybe she's finally reading the handwriting on the wall. I really hope she's thinking in terms of a concession speech soon, especially if PA doesn't pan out as she hopes it will. She has to not only win, but win by a landslide to begin to reverse the trend. The sooner she gets out, the sooner the party can gird itself for the general and I hope she realizes this.

[Inuca]

15. About HRC

you say you hear that she complimented him on the speech, but I am sure you did not see or actually hear her. I heard a snippet, questions that she was asked during a press conference this afternoon. She was trying to be as non-commital as possible, the most "complimentary" words I think I heard were something about both race and gender being important issues that should be addressed, everything said with that smug, almost venom-dripping expression (yes, I AM biased) that drives me up the wall.

[ginnyinWI]

17. that's right I didn't see her myself

I suppose her tone would make a difference. Too bad--I was all set to forgive and forget. :(

[beachmom]

5. The entire speech here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=107079&mesg_id=107079

[politicasista]

12. Thanks. Listening now

Very hopeful and inspiring. :)

[Inuca]

16. Also it will re-air on CSPAN

at 10 ET.

[Luftmensch067]

18. Thanks so much for this alert! But still no Harris Wofford!

Grrr! I thought C-SPAN was supposed to be some sort of historical repository!!!!

[MBS]

20. the part of Wofford's I heard (over CNN chatter) wasn't all that great

oratory, but I would at least like to see the transcript of what he said. Surely, it should be available somewhere?

[JI7]

19. i just got home and i can't wait to watch it

Cspan isn't going to run it until much later os i will try to see if i can watch it online somewhere.