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Lea Gilmore - Sarah Palin Speaks

lea — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:36:07 -0700

Sarah Palin speaks. Lets give it to her, she was phenomenal. Her presentation, her engagement, her fiery delivery wowed the Republican base, and a new conservative mega-star was born.

As the loudspeakers played the Sly Stone dance maker “I'm Everyday People,” there was a moment of irony for me. Because unlike the Democratic convention, I didn't see the rainbow of “everyday” people I know. I saw an overwhelming white audience, oh yes they did find some black Conservatives and Latino delegates to be within camera shot.

Click READ MORE below!

Palin's speech vehemently energized the Republican base. But will the searing attacks on Obama and so-called liberal ideals speak to Independents? That being said, her role has clearly been defined as the “attack dog.” Joe Biden will have to step lightly when “attacking” back given the obvious dynamics, a fact that I am sure was taken into consideration during the vetting process that produced this unlikely nominee – a 72 year old heartbeat away from being the next leader of the free world.

Palin hit this speech out of the proverbial ball park.

It looks like it is time for Hillary to practice the glowing support she gave Senator Obama last week. By passionately speaking out now, Hillary can end the comparisons and stop the McCain camp in it's tracks for going after her “18 million supporters.” Silence from her will just be giving permission that those oh so important voters are fair game. Hillary can make it known that just because two powerful, dynamic politicians share the same internal plumbing, women are not interchangeable and to believe so is an insult to us all.

Back to the speech...

Going for Obama and those who have questioned her small town experience Palin stated, "Since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities." Ouch.

Palin delivered a populist message, referring often to her young family. She also touched on the theme of the day – Reform. "Here's how I look at the choice Americans face in this election," Palin said. "In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers. And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change."

With her family sitting in the audience, thousands of cameras focused on her 17 year old daughter Bristol and her fiance', and now with the world focused on Palin, we are being thrown into a campaign of 'your style versus my style'. I would much rather it be 'your ideals versus mine'.

I may adore her new shoes, but I fundamentally disagree with most of Palin's ideology. The former is not how I choose my vote. The issues matter, and the dressing of the messenger doesn't, and that goes for both political parties.

McCain speaks tonight.

-Lea

Obama Speaks Well, but...by Dr. Eric Durham

CEM — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:01:28 -0700

Hello America,

This is The GoodDoctor reporting once more....and I have shifted my attention that of the Republicans this week. As we know, their convention got off to a slow start due to Hurricane Gustav. (It seems that God answered their prayers to rain out Obama's speech one week too late.) But, now it seems they are "ready to go on the attack!"

Click READ MORE below!

...and what's the favorite attack line this political season? Barack Obama speaks well...but it takes more than speech to be a president. Now, this particular attack irked me when Clinton used it in the primary, and I am still somewhat puzzled by it. What else to politicians do during campaigns besides speak? Everyone who is vying for the White House is speaking. And if we are honest, American history shows that most of their words are LIES anyway. It seems to me that because Bararck Obama speaks better than his adversaries, that now speaking (rhetoric) has now become some sort of malformation. SPEAKING IS WHAT IS REQUIRED AT THIS STAGE OF THE GAME. ...and by the way, Obama's rhetoric seems to be borrowed by several Republican speakers. I've just listened to Romney and Huckabee talk about CHANGE in their speeches at the RNC.

All the speakers tonight (9/3/08) mentioned Democrats wanted to raise OUR taxes. Okay, the Democrats are running on taxing corporations that have not shared wealth, and lowering taxing on the middle-class. So, is the middle-class THE AMERICAN PEOPLE or the the corporations? Listening to the Republicans...and considering their POLICIES you would have to assume that CORPORATIONS ARE AMERICA.

Now, to Rudy Giuliani...he was utterly DISRESPECTFUL. His sarcasm intolerable. If anything was made present tonight, it was that the Democratic ticket has A LOT MORE CLASS. He laughed...he snickered...he poked fun at Obama's role as a community organizer. Rudy, honestly, YOUR PRESIDENT has driven middle-America into the shape that it is in now! Who can be more incompetent than GEORGE BUSH? One point out of many mis-leading points.... "We're the party that ended slavery." Rudy, the constiuents of your contemporary Republican party were in the Democratic party during the Republican initiatives. They were called "Yellow Dog Democrats" of the Solid South. Rudy, you should know this history. So, I'm assuming you're being "slick."

My opinion of Sarah Palin is now that she is ready for the taking. It's time to take out the "guns" because she's a "Hockey Mom," and by her own words, their "pitbulls with lipstick." Alaska gets more federal assistance than any other state in the nation. So, Alaska is a WELFARE state. I wonder why Mississippi, Maryland, Georgia, Alabama, or the Carolinas don't get that much Federal assistance? Something worth thinking about.

I would also say that the Democrats should put their gloves on...because it is going to take a fight to beat these Republicans. When did CHANGE become the goal that the parties share? Obama has been talking about CHANGE from the beginning. Did you all consult with him on sharing this task, Sarah?

As I assumed, it's going to be a VERY INTERESTING political season. Bring it On.

-Dr. Eric Durham

Dr. Durham is a Professor of Communications at Morgan State University. He blogs as the Good Doctor at http://drericdurham.blogspot.com/ .

Richard Vatz reviews Sarah Palin's Speech

CEM — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:55:45 -0700

From RedMaryland.Blogspot.com:

All I can say is “wow.” And when John McCain ascended the stage after Governor Palin’s speech, he said “wow” too.

What an amazingly auspicious speech for an aspiring Vice President candidate to give. In the Geraldine Ferraro era, all of the rhetoric of a major female candidate had a defensive cast. This speech was a confident, aggressive speech by a female candidate for Vice President who knows what she thinks and knows from what values her assertions come.

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A little lead up, if I may – if I must. Governor Mitt Romney’s speech and Governor Mike Huckabee’s speeches were not bad, although I must say Gov. Huckabee is an acquired taste. Gov. Romney said Washington has changed, and the real change would be a move to conservatism. He also rang some good notes on the Democrats’ love of dependency and aversion to seeing evil when it occurs. Gov. Huckabee took some good shots at the effete quality of Senator Barack Obama and added an effective allegory involving soldiers who teach children what it means to earn something.

Now to the Republican Rhetorical A-team. Rudy Giuliani is a brilliantly convincing and persuasive speaker, and one feared that he would be so compelling that Gov. Palin would pale (no pun intended) by comparison. He emphasized all of the right matters: that Governors as executives must make decisions, while senators are all persuasion with little or no real-world reality testing. He hit on the “surge” issue, as almost all Republican convention speakers have done, with the notation that Democrats in the one visible test of leadership in the past 2 years failed on the decision, failed on the follow-up, and failed to recognize the surge’s success. Sen. Giuliani emphasized Sen. Obama’s contrasting indecision and took a neat shot at one of Majority Leader Harry Reid’s irresponsible remarks, “This war is lost.” If the Republicans ever run out of Reidian dumb mots, they need new and better researchers.

Sarah Palin not only hit her speech out of the park, but she first went through the Democrats’ mitts. Women should be proud that their first presidential or vice-presidential candidate had all of the strength and aggressiveness-without-offensiveness required of candidates for the vice presidency. Gov. Palin was consistent in her praise, but never in awe, of Senator McCain. His impressive war biography, best articulated by Sen. Fred Thompson last night, was mentioned by all speakers tonight.

Gov. Palin’s attacks on Barack Obama were all fair game, in acceptable political taste, some with great humor – and \telling\. She said that while her former job as Mayor was derided by some Democrats, it was sort of like being a “community organizer” (Obaman claim to fame) , but with “actual responsibilities.” This line of argument had several iterations, and she also detailed the devastating list of liberal values that would undermine a president who put America first: negotiating with Iran, terrorists, and ignoring our need to “drill now.”

She used her own Reidism, “I can’t stand John McCain,” to further promote her presidential nominee. Thank God Reid is the poison well that never stops giving.

Gov. Palin detailed her own willingness to curtail financial corruption, whatever the party that commits it. Her prioritizing of honesty and integrity in government came through loud and clear. Her fluency in discussing energy policy was reassuring. The only thing lacking in her speech was evidence of sophistication in dealing with Islamic radicalism, resurgent Russian imperialism, and the complex challenges of China.

I usually rank elocution as the least important variable in a speech, but Gov. Palin’s had to be exquisite, and it was. Surely, the outcome of this powerful, moving address was to erase doubts regarding her viability from many low intensity supporters on the right and on the left.

Richard Vatz is professor of Political Rhetoric at Towson University
rvatz@towson.edu

Oh No She Didn't, by Dr. Mary Washington

CEM — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:52:22 -0700

Believing, as Barack Obama, that “We are not as divided as our politics suggest, that we are one people and One Nation,” has never been more challenging than it was last night. As I listened to Sarah Palin’s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, I became increasingly despairing of the power, the fear, the hate mongering and the delusional self-congratulatory platitudes that peppered her speech and gave comfort to a culturally and economically insecure public. Her words were cast out to embolden the xenophobia of a frightened country, words that were so irresponsible given the external and internal challenges we face. Clearly, the Republican Party has come out of the closet about their plan to exploit and deepen our traditional differences and create and shine light on ones lying beneath the surface.

Click READ MORE below

On MSNBC Chris Matthews referred to Sarah Palin as a “torpedo that the Republican Party has aimed directly at Barack and Michelle Obama.” Well, it was also aimed at me, my family, my friends and all that I hold dear today and the dreams I have for the future. Obama has warned us for nearly two years that this day would come, that the Republican Party will pull out the stale tactics and rhetorical strategies that have worked before. These ploys worked because the Republican Party’s cooptation of the language of social change feeds into the “cynicism we feel about government.” But I’m afraid their devices also feed into an isolationism and distain for “others” that is reminiscent of the post WWII and the “Eisenhower years” Palin referenced in her speech. The militaristic rhetoric of the extreme right satisfies a desire, a hunger for simple answers and familiar solutions tied up in a pretty bow that has razor-sharp edges. What can you say about a vice presidential candidate that scoffs at the idea of “healing the nation and repairing this world” and exalts the fact that she will send her eldest son to war to protect US interests in oil and gas? What can you say to people that believe as she does? They are indeed strangers to me and they appear formidable. I thought to myself “Oh no, not again and they have even gotten better at it.” By the end of the speech I felt tears but I did not shed them.

So instead, I went online to listen to Barack Obama’s 2004, 2008 DNC and “Yes We Can” speeches. I was especially restored by the “Don’t Tell Me Words Don’t Matter” address the eve of the Wisconsin primary. I listened and watched videos of these and others for about an hour as I wrote this response. I can’t say that the lump in my throat has completely disappeared and that my despair at the prospect of not only a hard but dirty battle has completely dissipated. However, I no longer believe that Palin’s words tonight had the power over me and others that they did two hours ago. And, I will continue to choose to believe that the Republican Party has chosen a wrong path toward a victory and those arrows the they will aim at Barack Obama using Sarah Palin as their quiver will not hit home with the number of Americans that they will need to win a majority of the electoral college. I have hope.

Palin asked this country last night to join the cause of electing John McCain to get us through the next 4 years. But we must counter by saying we are not interested in a lifeboat encircled by oil riggers, we are interested in learning to swim for a century in an ocean of prosperity and peace. So more than believing in the wrongness of John McCain’s message, I believe in the rightness of Barack Obama’s mission that he has asked us to join him in transforming America and make it and the world as it should be. For that I am still able and willing to “hold firm and without waiver” and state again that we are one nation, we are one people and . . . we choose hope over fear, and unity over divisions.” This is Our America. Let’s go get it. Yes We Can. We must.

-Mary

Dr. Mary Washington is a former candidate for delegate in Maryland. Dr.
Washington received her Ph.D. is sociology from the Johns Hopkins
University. She lives in Baltimore City and works as an Assistant
Director for a Baltimore-based environmental education, stewardship and
community revitalization organization She also helps people buy and
sell their home as an agent for City Life Realty (www.cityliferealty.net).

Dr. Eric Durham on "Hill and Bill; The Clinton Factor'

CEM — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:16:28 -0700

People like Hillary Clinton!

This is obvious based on crowd reaction during her speech last night, and the reaction of the punditry as well. I both enjoyed and appreciated the fact that it was a TACTICALLY sound speech. She illustrated a sincere disengagement from the politics of the McCain campaign; she was clear about her unwillingness to be used as a pawn by the McCain campaign to draw votes away from Senator Obama. Her acknowledgment of the hard work of her campaigners, her acknowledgment of Susan B. Anthony (and the Seneca Falls Convention), and her reference to Harriet Tubman, signaled a Senator who understood her contribution to American History. ...and at the same time, she expressed her unwavering support for Senator Barack Obama. This was the magic of Hillary Clinton's address!

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People like Bill Clinton!

Yes, Bill is still a favorite among the electorate. He is still regarded as one of the better presidents of the late 20th century. ...and yes, Black people still like Bill. As an African American, myself, I did not feel betrayed by Bill during primary season. I feel that he was victimized by the mass media....hungry for a dramatic story. His linking Obama's campaign to that of Jesse Jackson's campaign in South Carolina was not racist...and I believe the media played racism up. Honestly, I don't remember what his remarks were...but I know that as I watched them, I didn't feel anything racially disparaging was being said.

Now, are there some pride issues at play between the former President and the newcomer (Barack Obama). I'm sure it might be. I heard two radio pundits suggest that some "Alpha Male" issues were at play. I believe this to be true. But, Bill Clinton will prove himself to be an even more stellar public figure if he is able to tap into that charisma...and deliver the speech no one believes he can. Personally, I enjoy his speech making abilities more than I enjoy Hillary's...so if he can conjure up the 1990s swagger that coaxed the American people into falling in love with him....he'll not only do the Democratic party a favor...but the Clinton legacy a favor as well. Sure, it tough....and pride will have to be put to the side...but it is achievable. ...and I believe he can do it.

-Dr. Eric Durham

Ladies First, by Ronnie Djoukeng

CEM — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:56:54 -0700

The Democratic National Convention is steamrolling the competition with women at the vanguard.

I believe Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton have provided a sturdy foundation for men to take it to the next level. On Monday night, Michelle discussed her roots and upbringing reminding and informing everyone that she’s American as apple pie. Women were allowed to see the construction of her pie’s latticework—motherhood, sisterhood, and marriage. These attributes that make her who she is reminded women that you can be all things and be proud to be all things. The affirmation of womanhood was a theme that ran through Michelle’s speech as well as Hillary’s.

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Hillary was steadfast and resolute-unequivocal in her position, unforgiving in her statement, and unapologetic in her support for Barack Obama. There was so much history imbued in her speech—civil rights and women’s rights— reminding all Democrats that this moment is monumental. Her speech reunited two important constituencies—blacks and women-- of the Democratic party.

Tonight, we will hear from vice presidential nominee, Senator Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton. Biden’s speech should discuss foreign policy and undermine John McCain. President Bill Clinton’s speech needs the same gravitas as his wife, yet the focus should be on attacking McCain and raising the profile of Barack Obama—thereby passing the baton. As the Democratic National Convention reaches its peak on Thursday with Barack Obama’s speech, Democrats should feel invigorated to push forward for the remaining 10 weeks.

The women have done their part and men need to seal the deal. It is now Act II of the Democratic National Convention, men it is up to you to make the women proud.

I’ll be back tomorrow to evaluate tonight’s performance. Stay tuned…

-Ronnie Djoukeng

Ronnie Djoukeng is a Maryland blogger who can be found at her group blog, http://5andapossible.blogspot.com/ .

The Divides That Bind Us, by Dr. Mary Washington

CEM — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:50:26 -0700

What is Unity? It seems that the theme within the convention is “from many one.” And yet do some in both the leadership and the rank and file of the Democratic Party find an uneasiness seeking to place us behind a candidate that embraces the diversity of opinion and strategies that is characteristic of a progressive and dynamic constituency? Do we deep down in our hearts believe the pundits and naysayers that see this cacophony of voices as a failure to stay on message and that we are fool hearty to have the audacity to speak of unity at the foot of the Tower of Babel?

Denver must come to symbolize the big tent and yes, we must learn to fight together toward many goals. Does the Democratic Party contradict itself to claim America to be “One Nation.” I think the answer is “Yes” and it should be as Walt Whitman put, “Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)”

Click 'Read More' below!

I think the Democratic Party, indeed this country needs to become more
comfortable with the simple fact—that we don’t always agree—that its
not always pretty, but we must keep it together enough in the face of a
common enemy to prevail in the name of our common good.

Monday night Michelle Obama said it this way . . .

He'll achieve these goals the same way he always has - by bringing us
together and reminding us how much we share and how alike we really
are. You see, Barack doesn't care where you're from, or what your
background is, or what party - if any - you belong to. That's not how
he sees the world. He knows that thread that connects us - our belief
in America's promise, our commitment to our children's future - is
strong enough to hold us together as one nation even when we disagree.

Democrats must not allow McCain to use our strength against us. I’m
grateful that everyone appears to be down-playing the “rift” between
Obama and Clinton delegates and supporters (everyone but the media),
but that means now more than ever Hillary has got to be convincing;
even more convincing than Michelle Obama—whose shares the ambivalent
Patriotism that many African –Americans know all too well. So while an
unfortunate gaff for some—I think it was just that it is hard to convey
the complexity of her relationship to this country. But she did her
job and she did it very well.

“Ah Michelle, Michelle, ma belle. Sont les mots qui vont très bien
ensemble, Très bien ensemble.I love you, I love you, I love you.
That's all I want to say.”

Until next time,

Mary

Dr. Mary
Washington is a former candidate for delegate in Maryland. Dr.
Washington received her Ph.D. is sociology from the Johns Hopkins
University. She lives in Baltimore City and works as an Assistant
Director for a Baltimore-based environmental education, stewardship and
community revitalization organization She also helps people buy and
sell their home as an agent for City Life Realty (www.cityliferealty.net).

Diana Veiga's reaction to Michelle's speech

CEM — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:03:47 -0700

I listened to Michelle Obama’s speech on the radio last night. Yes, I had to take it old school because I had to make an airport run. There’s nothing like listening to a speech on the radio, especially a speech of this magnitude. There I was driving down the highway and envisaging Michelle’s outfit, her hair & make-up, her gestures, the venue, the colors, the audience’s reactions. I depended solely on the cadence of her voice and my imagination to tell the story that was unfolding, the history that was being made.

Click "Read More" below!

I heard her speak of her father with respect, Barack with love, and her country with pride. I heard thunderous applause when Michelle spoke Hillary Clinton’s name and said Clinton had shattered 18 million glass ceilings. There was more thunderous applause when Michelle declared that she is proud to be an American. The speech was everything it was supposed to be: a loving and supportive wife presenting her husband to the nation, a professional woman diligently working to shed the angry black woman image, and reaffirmation in the reality of the American Dream.

I could feel the energy of the audience, pulsating throughout and beyond the venue, into the veins of everyone watching and listening. Michelle’s words were beautiful, moving and honest. And I figured that plenty of tears had been shed by people of all races and colors. Turns out I was right. My girlfriend called after the speech and said, “I was crying right along with the other women in the audience. Barack took Michelle out for ice cream. Black love does exist.” Yes, Michelle’s words touched different nerves for different reasons. My mother started crying when Michelle described Barack driving their daughter home from the hospital and promising to give her a father’s love he never had. My grandmother already had her tissues at the ready because after 82 years of being on this earth, of being jailed for fighting for civil rights, this moment was finally happening.

Michelle’s words were just the start of what will emerge from this convention. It felt like the audience was literally on the edge of its seats, holding its breath, waiting for more, pleading for more, desperate for more. More hope, more change, more unity, more peace, more, more, more of something else, anything else that is different from what we’ve had for the past eight years. That’s definitely an understandable feeling. Let’s just hope this momentum continues through November. Hopefully the best is yet to come.

-Diana Veiga

Diana Veiga blogs at http://5andapossible.blogspot.com

It's Party Time! by Dr. Eric Durham

CEM — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:46:26 -0700

Okay GoodPeople,

It's time to get this party started! ...and by the way, let's have fun...it's a joyous occasion, regardless of what the Republicans and the critics have to say.

The Number #1 reason to celebrate with absolute fervor is that this convention will be of historical magnitude! Senator Barack Obama, who has already made history in a number of ways, will address yet another arena-sized audience who is eager to hear more about a "different type of politics." No matter how the Republicans try to spin his ability to draw large crowds as a weakness...please "party-goers" rest asssured that if John McCain was able to do so, he would! ...and besides what do the large crowds symbolize? An intelligent person would go beyond Obama's oratory...and find that Americans are actually hungry for sincerity and relief from the "trickle-down" economic policies of the wealthy.

Click "read more" below for the rest of this entry!

The Number #2 reason to party all night long is to witness the maturity and commitment of Senator Hilary Rodham Clinton. I believe that Senator Clinton will illustrate a strong and sincere commitment to the policies of the Obama Administration. I do not believe she is as involved with factions like "PUMA" (Party Unification My Ass) as the media might lead you to believe. During the primary season, Senator Obama pledged that she would be instrumental in his Healthcare Adminstration and I believe that there are other avenues for her to participate with dignity and comfort.

Reason #3: Joe Biden is the perfect co-host! He provides the perfect compliment to Barack Obama. He is seasoned, experienced with insider-politics, and a bit more unadulterated in his rhetoric. What you have in the leadership of Obama & Biden is a dialectical tension. As a rhetorical scholar, I understand that some of the best things are created from dialectics; rhetoric/language being one of them. Obama does not have a "yes-man" in Biden nor does he have a philosophical twin. (That in itself is quite refreshing when you consider the Bush/Cheney team and all of its cronies.) In Obama/Biden you have two men who will be honest with each other, and America, in the way in which they govern this country.

I'm looking forward to 1.) Michelle Obama's speech, 2.) Hillary and Bill's speeches, 3.) and, of course, Barack Obama's address (Thursday). I'll be providing commentary on a whole hosts of issues (media coverage, race, economics, "change", global perspectives, elitism).

Stay tuned....

-Dr. Eric Durham

Dr. Durham is a Professor of Communications at Morgan State University. He blogs as the Good Doctor at http://drericdurham.blogspot.com/ . Tune in to WEAA 88.9 FM Monday night at 8:00 pm to hear him join Anthony McCarthy on-air for three hours of live coverage of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Lea Gilmore - "Off to Denver"

lea — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 07:35:31 -0700

Off to Denver

by Lea Gilmore

In less than 24 hours, I will be on my way to cover the Democratic National Convention in Denver for the Center for Emerging Media (CEM) and public radio WEAA 88.9 FM. Wait, I need to say that once more: I am on my way to cover the Democratic National Convention in Denver for the Center for Emerging Media and WEAA! Forgive me, I had to say it twice so the enormity of it all could sink in.

Just for a bit of trivia here, did you know that the first ever Democratic Convention was held in Baltimore in 1832 where President Andrew Jackson was nominated? http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1996/conventions/chicago/facts/convention/index.shtml

Go and throw that fact out the next time you are sitting in Jimmy's having breakfast with the morning java crowd and watch them be impressed at your political acumen, or something like that.

Click Read More Below!

For we political junkies, and policy wonks, covering the National Democratic Convention is like going to the Major Leagues and being told you are going to pitch for The Yankees (maybe not the thing to say being the consummate Baltimorean I am). Or for we singer types, this is our debut at “The Met.”

All conventions have their drama. This convention? The word DRAMA should be typed in 50 font, caps and bold with underlines (I won't freak you out by doing so, but you get my drift.)

Will the choice of Senator Joseph Biden, Chair of the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee and thirty-six year veteran of the U.S. Senate, as Obama's Vice-Presidential pick (more on this later) usher in a much needed party unity? Will the mainstream press continue to fan the flames of dissension, and we continue not to notice that that is what they are doing? Heck, conflict sells. Will the Obama-ites acknowledge the Clinton supporters with the respect that is deserved and due? Will the Democrats be critical of Obama and his policies without being destructive? It is all yet to come.

CEM will be bringing you up-to-date progressive analysis of events. Let us be your one stop shop for timely information. We will be covering protests, topical roundtable events and seminars, talking with the Maryland delegation, blogging throughout the day and evening, and presenting live coverage every evening of the convention on WEAA 88.1 from 8pm – 11pm.

Now, please allow me to take a moment to get personal.

As a black American woman, this is one magic, unbelievable, breathtakingly amazing moment in time. I see Michelle Obama walk across the stage, passionately speaking to thousands, being handed flowers by a small child in Iowa, and even being a guest host on that gab fest “The View,” and I say to myself “this elegant woman just may be the Next. First. Lady. - wow.”

I have also had some moments of personal frustration (haven't we all) during this loooong campaign season. It really kills me when I hear pundit types state with authority that “all African Americans believe this about that...,” or “African Americans say that they want this to be that...” It's like one day all of us gathered around one enormous dinner table at Aunt Sarah's and decided how we all think about well – everything. In fact, this is just far from the truth and far from reality.

We are not a monolith and thank God for that. There are some African Americans who are not besides themselves with support for Senator Obama. There are some who actually voted for the other folks with pride and conviction that we need to respect.

But I feel safe in saying, that on August 28, 2008, exactly 45 years to the date of the Rev. Martin Luther King's life-changing “I Have A Dream” speech at the Mall in Washington DC, African Americans of all idealogical stripes, will be gathered around televisions, radios, and all forms of media that didn't even exist in 1963 to watch this African American become the Democratic nominee for the President of the United States of America. Even typing it gives me the chills. I was not yet born to personally witness Dr. King's brilliant, poignant and moving orations, but I will be in the house to experience history first hand this time. I wish to heaven that my dad, born a sharecropper and functionally illiterate until he was 30, and possibly the wisest and most politically astute man I have ever known, was here to be a witness with me. This event did not happen in his lifetime, but it happened in mine and my sons'.

So, even in some our hesitance to support Senator Obama's policies or politics, even when we doubt that any system could be truly fair to those who continue to scream for justice on Washington's deaf ears, we know and understand at a profound level that when Obama says “this is our moment...this is our time” it means so much to so many of us.

Yes, It is ALL of our moments and ALL our time.

We know that race and class are still powerful dividers in this land of ours, and we know that there will be folks who will never ever vote for a black man. Period. But one thing for certain, this country has made some serious strides to have this son of a Kenyon father and white American mother be just a few steps (still rather large steps) from becoming the leader of the free world.

And the world wants him. And yes, that matters. I travel often to Europe and live and work closely with everyday folks. This past March, I was staying in a small hotel in Brussels called The Hotel Mozart near the Grand Place This hotel was decorated with the most incredibly gaudy stuff (but still cool in a crushed red velvet kinda way) circa 1750. There were big gold framed paintings of Mozart and his contemporaries all over. And in between the paintings, there were huge posters saying “Obama for America!.” “Obama for President!” When I went to check-in, the owner heard my accent and immediately started talking to me about the election. “Obama gives us hope,” he stated. “I wish we could all vote for him,” he continued. The 60-something French tourist behind me joined in the chorus of “We need him for America and we need him for us.” So, even though this may be idealistic, for the past eight years these were not the kind of words I have been hearing. Believe me on that one.

This man with the that funny name that's just a bit too close to that other man's name (who we still have yet to find) was offering something to the world that the world needs as much as we do – hope.
Yeah, we know hope is not enough. But the absence of it is deadly.

I am still a healthy skeptic, but I am not swayed by these empty arguments such as “is he elitist?” “Is he rich?” “Will he be ready on day one?” Heck, they are all rich and went to the most elite schools in the world, and how do you gage if anyone is really and truly ready “on day one?”
We know that Obama must bring the goods. We must keep him accountable to the people who put him in the position he is currently in. We must make sure that he doesn't bend too much that he snaps his integrity and our belief in him at the same time.

I'm tired though and I am hungry for change.

I'm just tired of this war and the lies and more lies being quietly exposed around it. I'm tired of when someone is is given the “smart” label that that is actually spun by the great spinning machines as a fault. I don't want a president I can have a beer with, we see what that got us. I want a president who truly does believe that diplomacy works or at least gives it a try. I want a president that recognizes that an isolationist foreign policy is not the way to go in a world that has become increasingly global. I want a president that does not believe we need to “Americanize” the world, but in his or her own leadership represents what is best about a democratic political system, as well as be a serious vocal champion for human rights. I want a president who will not stack the Supreme Court with Justices who are ready, willing and able to wipe-out reproductive justice for a generation of women, after a prior generation of women fought so hard for us to legally own our bodies and make our own choices. This is what I hope for and so much more.

Maya Angelo in her poem “And Still I Rise” said to folks in her breathtaking poem:

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

Senator Obama you are “ the dream and hope of the slave,” as well as the same for so many others – women, men, and children of all hues.

Now Mr. Obama, mean what you say, and say what you mean. We're listening.

I will see you all soon in Denver!