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Emotional Obama Pays Tribute to Grandmother
November 03, 2008 7:45 PM
CHARLOTTE, NC -- Before a crowd of 25,000 at the University of North Carolina – Charlotte Monday evening, an emotional Barack Obama mentioned the grandmother who helped raise him, Madelyn Dunham, who died last night in Hawaii.
Saying this was a "bittersweet time for me," the Illinois senator said, per ABC News' Sunlen Miller. "We have had a remarkable campaign…No matter what happens tomorrow, I'm gonna feel good about how it's turned out because all of you have created this incredible campaign."
"Some of you heard that my grandmother, who helped raise me, passed away early this morning," he said. "And look, she is going home. And she died peacefully in her sleep with my sister at her side, and so there is great joy as well as tears."
"I'm not going to talk about it too long, because it's hard a little to talk about," he said, nearly choking up.
"I want everyone to know though a little bit about her," he continued. "Her name was Madelyn Dunham and she was born in Kansas in a small town in 1922. Which means that she lived through the Great Depression, she lived through two World Wars. She watched her husband go off to war while she looked after her baby and worked on a bomber assembly line."
Often when we lose someone, we feel the need to talk about them, even with strangers. It helps fill the vacuum. That seemed to be what Obama was going through.
"When her husband came back, they benefited from the G.I. Bill and – they moved West and eventually ended up in Hawaii," he said. "And she was somebody who was a very humble person and a very plainspoken person. She's one of those quiet heroes that we have all across America who – they're not famous, their names aren't in the newspapers, but each and every day they work hard. They look after their families. They sacrifice for their children and their grandchildren. They aren't seeking the limelight. All they try to do is do the right thing.
"And in this crowd there are a lot of quiet heroes like that," he said. "Mothers and fathers and grandparents who have worked hard and sacrificed all their lives and the satisfaction that they get is seeing that their children and maybe their grandchildren and their great grandchildren live a better life than they did. That's what America's about. That's what we're fighting for."
Obama also mentioned a condolence message issued earlier in the day from John and Cindy McCain.
"They were extraordinarily gracious, I want to thank them for that," he said. "Just as I want to thank everybody else whose been praying for us and supporting our family during this difficult time. And it's an incredibly gracious of Sen. McCain and its an example that Sen. McCain has continued to serve his country honorably."
Then he went into his criticisms of McCain's economic policies.
It was the most emotional and, well, human I've ever seen Sen. Obama, who can be affable but also can also have his coolness sometimes seem downright chilly.
-- jpt
November 3, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (89)
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His grandmother did not live through two world wars! He said she was born in 1922. But, WWI was 1914-18. Hopefully he's just incompetent and truly doesn't think we won't catch his Obamisms. I thought he'd bring change.
Posted by: Judy K | Nov 4, 2008 8:06:17 PM
Grey Matter:
A truly patriotic person doesn't suggest that he is the sole candidate that can provide hope and change.
Your example is a stretch to say that McCain is saying he is unpatriotic...he didn't say that.
It's also comparable to "take our country back..." and the like, so whatever, don't be so sensitive.
Besides, I am a friend to many Obama supporters who actually do hate the United States and have said so openly to me...
Posted by: Wade | Nov 4, 2008 1:28:25 PM
My deepest sympathy and support are sent to Barack Obama and his family. The pictures caught yesterday of tears rolling down his face while giving his speech spoke so much about how deeply affected he was losing "Toot".
I hope all Republicans and Democrats unite to send best wishes of sympathy to Barack Obama and his family. Americans really do have big hearts!
Posted by: Sharonklim | Nov 4, 2008 11:31:49 AM
To all of you who have had not one message of positivity and all this negative energy, I sincerely hope you understand how miserable, inhumane, unfeeling, and downright cruel you are.
that said, enjoy watching history be made tonight. I hope that everyday you wake up from this day onwards, you remember how you were on the WRONG side of history.
R.I.P toot.
and my condolences President Obama.
Posted by: Voter in PA | Nov 4, 2008 10:46:34 AM
I lost my brother 16 years ago, and you know what, it still feels like yesterday. Each time I think about him, I break down. So I can understand how Obama feels at this crucial point in his life, and I hope and pray that God will give him the strenght to forge ahead and cross the finish line!
Posted by: amanda | Nov 4, 2008 9:50:09 AM
I am stunned to see some heartless/indifferent comments here. You really need to ask yourself - is this really you, a fellow human being?
Have you ever lost someone you love so much? Do you remember what it was like or do you know what it is like? The fact that he was not there by her side because of you - he wants to make a difference for all of you, for the country, and for the world. He is a great learder and a great person. People like Obama come once in one's lifetime. Make no mistake about it. I am not an American, and I can see that. How can you not?
My thoughts and prayers go to Obama family.
Posted by: whisper | Nov 4, 2008 3:14:26 AM
under that 'dry' tear of Obama is a 'smile of joy' that the real truth and secerets of the real obama have died as well.
Posted by: Bubba | Nov 4, 2008 2:44:51 AM
By the way, I'm obviously gonna vote for Barack. I am also watching tv tonight and Sarah Palin's last speech. She's pretty good...not the empty coat that some say. I think she has more smarts than people have given her credit. But, she's not the leader that Barack is....campaign is over. Sarah, I like ya. But I ain't gonna vote for ya. Good-bye!
Posted by: Leigh | Nov 4, 2008 2:40:56 AM
My deepest sympathy.
His character has shined from the day we were introduced to him in 2004. Tonight, I can't imagine how torn he must be.
All of us have lost loved ones. I lost my grandma, grandpa, and then I lost my dad in a year. It was a bad year.
But it reinforced my belief in empathy. In empathy we learn what's most important...that we will be remembered for what we do for others and not ourselves.
Barack exemplies hope, courage, and character.
McCain is not a bad guy. He's a fine fella who's provided HUGE service for our country. I am grateful for him.
In a contest between two great men, I will vote for the one that appeals most broadly to our best as people and a country. That leadership has been represented by Barack. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, and at the time we most need it.
Posted by: Leigh | Nov 4, 2008 1:18:42 AM
I heard the Obama campaign has a ground organization that gathers the crowds at every stop, like a concert planner....that's why you see the crowds...it is such a well oiled machine.....to appear as if the rock star just gets these crowds. It is much more than that and alot of organization.....his puppet masters are the best, I'll give him that.
Granny under the bus won't give him any sympathy votes though.
Posted by: Hopey Uniter, is Dopey Divider | Nov 4, 2008 1:12:01 AM
Obama is SO dishonest, if she was born in 1922 then World War 1 was already over. The expression "Two world wars" means WWI and WWII. Korea wasnt called a world war, neither was Vietnam.
OReilly showed clips of Obama in their interview, when Mr Factor brought up Bill Ayers? Obama lied about it, saying he was 8 years old at the time and Ayers did work in education. Oh really? what KIND of education? educating people to do... what? radical extremist anti American terrorism?
A move towards anarchy, violent overthrow of the US govt and installation of Marxism, and Obama is okay with all that, and LIES by saying Bill Ayers did reprehensible things when he was 8?
What a weak minded fool a person must be to believe Obama's excuses for his work with unrepentant terrorist Bill Ayers and other radical anarchists; But wait, there's more! in Obama's own books he talks about how he sought out radical persons in college to buddy up to; Obama said the USSC was wrong to not uphold (socialism);
Obama's excuse for Ayers was he isnt in the campaign; but a real American would point to Ayers' group as terrorist centered, Obama praises Ayers and the media treats it as just fine? no its not fine.
Any emotion Obama might show? Obama is such a poker faced liar I do not believe he had any emotion but his handlers told him to act sad. Obama is NOT worthy to win the election, he is an anti American terrorist sympathizer, friends with 1960s radicals hiding his past, hiding his agenda, hiding his college work, and arguably not even a natural born US citizen.
vote for McCain/Palin
Posted by: Bradz1234 | Nov 4, 2008 1:11:20 AM
Nice snarky comment at the end Jake. Shame on you.
Posted by: Steve | Nov 4, 2008 1:00:04 AM
rick ruud is funny how you think everybody that voted for obama did it for sympathy, when the truth is people did it and are going to today because their tiered of all the bull crap bush has given us for the past 8 years, mccain may not be him but he sure supports him and he will continue to do what his lil friend has been doing, dont be mad that maccain looks like has lost so far, nobody knows for sure, but we both know that so far OBAMA IS OUR NEXT PRESIDENT
Posted by: Carmen | Nov 4, 2008 12:48:57 AM
He should have been there with her. Using his grandmother who helped raise him in a speech just isn't the same.
Posted by: RL in Illinois | Nov 4, 2008 12:35:51 AM
Jake, it was a fine tribute until the last paragraph when you say it was the most human you'd seen him. Come on, he lost the grandmother who raised him today. Where's your humanity for that matter?
Posted by: kat | Nov 4, 2008 12:28:19 AM
congratulations John Mccain 24 hours you will be our next president and it will not be for a sympathy vote
Posted by: rick ruud | Nov 4, 2008 12:18:54 AM
A great tribute to his Grandmother!
Obama/Biden 2008!!
Posted by: Richard | Nov 3, 2008 11:50:47 PM
A vote for McSame is an extension of WBush. Nobody needs a four more years of failed WBush/Cheney/McCain policies. America needs another leadership with leaders who have a high IQ not the one with very low IQ such as WBush, McSame and Sarah. We are 300 million people we have smart people let us get them leading this greatest nation on earth. God bless America, God bless Obama and God bless Biden.
Posted by: BKMC | Nov 3, 2008 11:50:45 PM
before its too late, vote for mccain we know his background. we honestly do not know obamas, except the bad background,
Posted by: rick ruud | Nov 3, 2008 11:38:24 PM
And at what point in this touching speech did he give John McCain the finger?
Posted by: Thank God for Karma | Nov 3, 2008 11:26:36 PM
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