Politics | 08/26/2008 9:05 am

Michelle Obama a Hit at Democratic Convention

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

Michelle Obama on Monday night appealed to working women, mothers and voters who still might not be sure who exactly her husband Barack is, in an effort to make the Obama family more of a known quantity in American politics.

Michelle Obama declared "I love this country" during the first major address at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. She described herself as a daughter of working-class parents, a sister, a wife and a mother, no different from many women. She told a thunderous crowd waving signs reading "Michelle" that she and her husband feel an obligation to "fight for the world as it should be" to ensure the promise of a better life for their daughters, Malia and Sasha, and all children.

(Click here for the text of Michelle Obama’s speech.)

"I think about how one day, they’ll have families of their own. And one day, they — and your sons and daughters — will tell their own children about what we did together in this election. They’ll tell them how this time, we listened to our hopes, instead of our fears. How this time, we decided to stop doubting and to start dreaming," she said.

Michelle Obama drove home the point that her husband is a human being just like you. He is not an "other," he is not a "celebrity." He is a father, a husband, a person, she said, echoing her theme of family throughout the speech.

The lawyer-turned-campaigner also gave a shout-out to Hillary Clinton and her supporters as Barack tries to woo disappointed Clinton supporters to his side. Michelle quoted a line directly from Clinton’s concession speech in which the New York senator alluded to the 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling her candidacy created.

"I stand here today at the crosscurrents of that history - knowing that my piece of the American Dream is a blessing hard won by those who came before me," Michelle said. "People like Hillary Clinton, who put those 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling, so that our daughters — and sons — can dream a little bigger and aim a little higher."

Freshman Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-MO, one of Obama’s fiercest supporters, also spoke. Caroline Kennedy tried to bridge the generational shift when she told the crowd, "I have never had someone inspire me the way people tell me my father inspired them, but I do now: Barack Obama."

105 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

I must say I am also very impressed. Most young women your age are not interested in politics in the least. (I was one of them.) I can understand why you would feel McCain would make the better President based on his experience. I urge you to read all you can about the canidates. Read not just news articles, but read thier books. Investigate their voting records. Don’t just watch sound bites on the evening news, but watch how they handle themselves during debates, town hall meetings, and other speeches they may give. Just remember, a quick answer isn’t always right or good. Sometimes it is necessary to really think about a question before jumping to a quick answer.

By Terea Tinsley on 08/26/2008 12:24 pm

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Thank you Terea, I do ‘investigate’ there backrounds. I am very, very frustrated that both McCain and Obama are opposed to same-sex marrige, I personally am not into my same sex and don’t know anyone who is but I believe that you can’t choose who you love, they choose you.

By Kayla Frank on 08/26/2008 1:48 pm

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Kayla, you are indeed a very involved young woman and I think that’s wonderful. I was the same way when I was your age. That said, you are incorrect regarding Senator Obama’s views on same sex marriage. He is supportive of their rights. And yes, one loves whom one loves, regardless of what the mind or society tells one is correct. Keep growing and being strong!

By M L Staats on 08/26/2008 2:41 pm

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Really? http://www.2decide.com/table.htm says otherwise. It says that he’s against Same-sex marrige, but fine with Same-sex union, could you clarify to me what that means?

By Kayla Frank on 08/27/2008 9:21 pm

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A very good question, Kayla. Most religions reserve marriage for the recognition of permanent male/female relationships, in accordance with their interpretation of Scripture. The Episcopalian Church is divided over this interpretation. A civil union is a secular substitute for Holy Matrimony. It does not carry the same legal benefits, at least for gays. I do not actually know how a ceremony performed by a Ship’s Captain or Justice of the Peace fits in, whether they are marriages or civil unions. Christian conservatives oppose gay unions of any kind as an affront to their religious beliefs. They do not care that these relationships exist outside the bounds of their religion, only that they are visible to them. Others support civil unions as a way to get official recognition for a committed gay relationship outside the context of religion. Legal rights and recognition for such unions are inconsistent. Issues include: not recognized from state to state. the right to be treated like family, such as hospital or funeral visitation. All that next-of-kin stuff. the right to be treated like a spouse, such as medical decisions, inheritance, mutual insurance coverage and beneficiary status, joint tax benefits, and living wills. (I probably left something out) Barak Obama is saying that he supports recognition of committed gay relationships, but his faith does not allow him to go as far as supporting gay marriage. I think he intends a civil union to be a marriage stripped of the religious aspect, but I am not sure. John McCain and the Republican party do not believe in any legal recognition for any kind of gay relationship. Religion is a powerful force in society, and it is currently unlikely that anyone who actively supports gay marriage could get elected. We are not a pure democracy, but a democratic Republic. The difference is that majority rule is not allowed to completely trample the rights of the minority. In reality, this functions imperfectly. The Constitution says: Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof. (Article IV, section 1) This includes things like driver’s licenses and marriage licenses. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof… (First Amendment) I hope this helps. WRT love: “The heart has reasons that reason does not understand.” Jacques Benigne Bossuel

By Steve R on 08/28/2008 3:52 am

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Oh, thank you. See like I said before you can’t choose who you love, they choose you. I understand that according to Christian and Catholic and many other religious beliefs the world started with man and women, and should stay that way, but why? Why should people that love someone of the same sex be punished? You love who you LOVE!!!! Again I do not love someone on the same sex and do not know anyone who is, as I also don’t intead to be. But I have very strong beliefs that EVERYONE should be TREATED EQUALLY, isn’t that why Dr. Marthur Luther King Jr gave his “I have a dream…” speech?

By Kayla Frank on 08/29/2008 2:29 pm

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Kayla, I’m from Chicago, Obama has spent many years in Chicago, we all say “uh”, it’s like the Canadians saying “ay”. And even if saying “uh” is buying time, it is buying the time to form a thought, and there is nothing wrong with that. You may find in life that those who speak in small, simple memorized sentances sound smooth and smart but are saying very little.

By DeBúrca obj on 08/26/2008 3:31 pm

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I don’t suppose we could ever stipulate that we don’t know squat about anyone’s marriage? That would be so refreshing—and think of the keystrokes we would save.

By Star Lawrence on 08/26/2008 12:23 pm

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No doubt about it, both Senator and Michelle Obama are great orators and have some great ideas and so does McCain. I’d only ask that Americans look at the whole picture concerning both candidates - do your research on their background, study their platforms and what they truly believe in. Check out their voting record in the Senate and other governing bodies. This election is too important to just go on the word of someone else - not only the presidential election but local elections. Get our lawmakers back in tune with Americans and not with lobbyists - then and only then (in my opinion) can we truly get back on the road to reviving the beautiful country we all love dearly, America.

By Barbara Broussard on 08/26/2008 12:39 pm

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Why is it that FOX is handling the video and distribution of the DNC this year? Why is that? Thinking back, the audience that I saw was mostly people of color. And they were wearing funny hats and costume like attire. At least I was are of that. During points in speeches where there were applause, the cameras showed people just sitting there, not applauding and inattentive. I think it was during Michelle’s speech, I heard noise, like people talking in the background, and not paying attention to the speech. It was a heightened sound. Did anyone else hear that? Am I wrong about this? I don’t think so. The person I watched the Convention with said to me at one point, “There is someone with a Cheese on her head.” WHY are we allowing FOX to caricature our Convention???

By N P on 08/26/2008 12:53 pm

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See link to Fox’s video pool: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3ie…

By N P on 08/26/2008 1:03 pm

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People from Wisc wear cheese hats—these are not a Fox invention. Part of the theater of it!

By Star Lawrence on 08/26/2008 12:57 pm

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Mark my words - at the Republican Convention, we won’t see anyone wearing a Cheese hat. They will all be in suits and ties, wearing flag pins, shoes shined like it’s Sunday morning. It’s how they want to be perceived.

By N P on 08/26/2008 1:08 pm