Posted on 08/08/2008 11:40:42 AM PDT by pissant
ORLANDO (NNPA) — The line of people at the Orlando World Center Marriott weaved through the corridors and wrapped around corners as well more than a thousand awaited the opening of the ballroom, where presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama was about to speak.
“Yesterday, the crowd was polite to Sen. John McCain here at the National Urban League Conference. But, today, for Sen. Obama, it’s more of a love fest!” reported one excited CBS Radio newsman, among the horde of reporters observing the crowd waiting for Obama.
He was right. People were waiting in line as early as 7 a.m. Saturday morning for the anticipated 2 p.m. speech. The ballroom, which seated well over 1,000 people, had been close to full for presumptive Republican nominee McCain the day before. For Obama, an overflow crowd had to be seated in an adjacent room to watch the speech on close circuit television.
“I stand here before you today feeling no small amount of gratitude. Because I know that my story, and so many other improbable stories, would not be possible without all that the Urban League has done to put opportunity within reach of every American, Obama said in his opening statement to the cheering and applauding crowd. “It’s because of the doors you’ve opened, because of the battles you’ve fought and won, because of people in this room and all those who came before you, that I come here today as a candidate for President of the United States of America.”
It was two days of raw political campaigning by both candidates for the Black audience thirsting to hear perspectives on socio-economic issues. Marc Morial, NUL president and CEO, sat on a stool close to the podium as both candidates spoke. Morial then asked them questions based on issues included in the NUL’s “Opportunity Compact,” a comprehensive report on the state of Black America, which includes extensive research data and policy recommendations.
“This election is about the 47 million people who don’t have health care — including one in five African Americans — people for whom one accident, one illness could mean financial ruin,” said Obama, promising to “guarantee health care for anyone who needs it.”
On the 2.5 million people facing foreclosure, Obama said he would support tax credits to help low and medium-income families as well as establish easier ways to refinance mortgage loans.
McCain, who received several strong applause during his speech, appeared more comfortable with NUL than he did before the NAACP audience a month ago.
“Equal access to public education has been gained. But, what is the value of access to a failing school? Equal employment opportunity is set firmly down in law. But with jobs becoming scarcer — and 400,000 Americans thrown out of work just this year — that can amount to an equal share of diminished opportunity,” McCain said.
But, McCain talked more about education reform than anything, again pitching his support for charter school vouchers, which fell on a silent audience. Most historic African American groups oppose vouchers because they take money that could go to public schools and give it to private schools. “Some parents may choose a better public school. Some may choose a private school. Many will choose a charter school. No entrenched bureaucracy or union should deny parents that choice and children that opportunity,” he told the quiet audience.
The most enthusiastic applause during the McCain speech was for his promise to reform school budgets.
Still, it was Obama who drew obvious awe from onlookers.
It was amazing, everything I thought it was going to be — inspirational and really hopeful,’’ said a beaming Latoya Hoflin, who will be “15 in two weeks.”
Hoflin, from Atlanta, says since she’s not old enough to vote, she will “inspire others and try to get other people to vote for him.”
The Obama enthusiasm crossed the age spectrum. Dennis Rahiim Watson, president and CEO of the National Black Leadership Council and the chairman of the National Youth & Gang Violence Task Force, left the speech with a broad smile, saying he too has a new level of hope.
“Young Black children can be what they see. He has raised the level of our expectations of what we can be. So, I am touched. He felt the pulse of the people, very down to earth, very clear,” he said.
It was Obama’s ability to deliver a clear message that was first on the attack list for McCain.
“If there’s one thing he always delivers, it’s a great speech. But, I hpe you’ll listen carefully, because his ideas are not always as impressive as his rhetoric,” said McCain.
But, there’s one thing on which they both agreed. When Morial asked each whether they will host a White House celebration for the NUL’s 100th birthday celebration in 2010, they both gave emphatic answers.
“How could I say no?” laughed McCain.
Obama said he would because in his administration, the White House would be “the People’s House.”
Well, Wright will g-damn us non-Obamabots during his bedtime prayer while Ayers will blow it up.
Hmm.... *Animal Farm*
THE [ORIGINAL] SEVEN COMMANDMENTS:
1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
7. All animals are created equal.
....those who forget / ignore history; are doomed to repeat it. 
It certainly hasn’t improved.
Let the MSM media just keep it up-their drooling all over Barry in Europe has already begun to backfire, some have even admitted it (a few), but mostly they never learn. The more they slobber all over Barry, the more they push away most Americans, who don’t like having anything shoved down their throats this blatantly.
At the end of 4 years America will be in the poor house.
Except that "America" is the white oppressor's name for this continent. It will be re-designated The People's Republic of Aztlan.
I wouldn’t believe him if he was casting a shadow and said the sun was shining!
He is a lying radical, racist sleazeball.
I wouldn’t believe him if he was casting a shadow and said the sun was shining!
He is a lying radical, racist sleazeball.
What a liar. It will be anything but.
As I recall, the best way to enjoy Billy Beer was to pour it on a runway.
The People’s House?
I’m gonna hang out, set up my grill & cooler of beer. Call over the neighbors, and we can watch a Cub game. I’m sure the Prez has a great big screen. Maybe I can make some long distance calls.
This “People’s House” crap is such nonsense. Like that will really happen.
Exactly! When someone wants to name something “the People’s” whatever, look out. The people’s railway system, the poeple’s highway, the people’s party, the people’s supply house... it’s a communist type phrase from the get go.
When I see things like “the People’s Almanac”, I can’t help but wonder.
Dolemite said it first.
Time to dust off Abraham Ascher’s excellent analysis of 1905 Czarist Russia and the Revolution, and Orlando Figges, A People’s Tragedy, Bolshevik Revolution.
This is definitely scaring me. With the Marxist Ayers backing him, plus all the fringe pseudo-revolutionary nutcases and Muslim backers, plus the corporatist money, and all the “Progressive (read communist)” elected officials, I have no idea what type of Marxism is coming. It’s a Marxist variant, but with some nasty overtones.
At least he didn’t say, “People’s Palace.” That phrase was probably scrubbed.
obama said “I stand here before you today feeling no small amount of gratitude. Because I know that my story, and so many other improbable stories, would not be possible without all that the Urban League has done to put opportunity within reach of every American, Obama said in his opening statement***
The UL has done nothing for every American; just like the naacp they are only working for the blacks in America and could not care less for the other minorities or the whites.
obama said “This election is about the 47 million people who don’t have health care — including one in five African Americans — people for whom one accident, one illness could mean financial ruin,” said Obama, promising to “guarantee health care for anyone who needs it.”****
See there it is, it’s all about the AA’s. What about the American Citizens who do not have health care and could come to financial ruin with one accident or sickness. Universal Health care will not stop this. It will actually make it worse. The 47 million number of course is not correct even if you include the illegals. Some people choose not to buy health care insurance.
The reported wrote “The Obama enthusiasm crossed the age spectrum. Dennis Rahiim Watson, president and CEO of the National Black Leadership Council and the chairman of the National Youth & Gang Violence Task Force, left the speech with a broad smile, saying he too has a new level of hope.
“Young Black children can be what they see. He has raised the level of our expectations of what we can be. So, I am touched. He felt the pulse of the people, very down to earth, very clear,” he said.****
What do they see? They should see a socialist/communist loving, Anti-American Chicago politician that will say and do anything to get his grimy hands on the oval office and destroy this republic. But of course all they see is the color of his skin. What ever happened to MLK? I know along comes this snake oil salesman named hussein-obama and you no-longer need to judge a man by his character now you should judge him by the color of his skin. (but only if he is black)
I have said this many times but if anyone votes for obama or any other candidate based on the color of his skin (black, white, etc) and not the content of his policies you are going against everything we are suppose to stand for in America. And to you black Americans you are going against everything that MLK supposedly stood for. Study this man’s policies and you will see he is not right for America. (unless of course you wish for America to be a socialist/communist country).
I’m done this is making me sick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yep...So much for a constitutional scholar...That he doesn’t know that the House of Representatives..is as it has allways been...who knows wht the future portends with leaders like you...is ‘The Peoples House’.
Well, you know what they say, “If it’s not nailed down....”
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