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Obama Gives Wesleyan Commencement Address in Place of Kennedy

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May 25, 2008 2:06 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., paid homage to Sen. Ted Kennedy’s service to the country while he "pinch-hit" for him, delivering the commencement address at Wesleyan’s graduation ceremony.

Amid 15,000 people, Obama passed on a message from Kennedy, D-Mass., who had asked the presidential candidate to speak on his behalf.

"I’d like to start by passing along a message from Ted," Obama said, and then read words from Kennedy: "To all those praying for my return to good health, I offer my heartfelt thanks. And to any who’d rather have a different result, I say, don’t get your hopes up just yet!"

Obama said he was glad to know Kennedy’s sense of humor is as strong as ever, and told the Connecticut crowd that Kennedy couldn’t be there because he is at home resting since being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.

With Kennedy’s wife Vicki and stepdaughter Caroline Raclin (who was graduating from the university) listening in the audience, Obama reminded the students of Kennedy’s contributions to America, adding, "And I have a feeling that Ted Kennedy is not done just yet."

Using the Kennedy legacy for a platform, Obama’s commencement address was a call for the students to serve their country.

"There’s no community service requirement in the outside world -- no one forcing you to care. You can take your diploma, walk off this stage, and chase only after the big house and the nice suits and all the other things that our money culture says you should buy," Obama said. "You can choose to narrow your concerns and live your life in a way that tries to keep your story separate from America’s. But I hope you don’t."

Obama used his own life story as an example to the graduates, retelling his biography and rise into the political arena.

"I spent much of my childhood adrift," Obama said of his upbringing, raised in Indonesia and Hawaii. "My teenage years were filled with more than the usual dose of teenage rebellion, and I’ll admit that I didn’t always take myself or my studies very seriously."

Obama said it was through service that he began to find his way –- and challenged each of the near-700 graduates to do the same.

"You don’t have to be a community organizer or do something crazy, like run for president, "Obama joked of his own story. " Each of you will have the chance to make your own discovery in the years to come."

Obama largely avoided presidential politics in his 25-minute address. This is his first commencement speech of the graduation season.

May 25, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (48)

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Listen to the cheers of our youth. The time is now for Barack Obama. The future he inspires is theirs.

Posted by: bob10001 | May 25, 2008 2:14:10 PM

This was a great speech!

I loved it!!!

Posted by: Brandon | May 25, 2008 2:21:32 PM

Obama's speech was wonderful, a food for taught for the graduands and a spirit uplift.

ij.

Posted by: ij | May 25, 2008 2:29:53 PM

It is the only thing Obama is good for is giving a speech.

Other than that he is completely worthless.

Posted by: seah | May 25, 2008 2:52:12 PM

Wonderful speech. Obama contiue to inspire and lift this County up. My God Bless you Obama!

Posted by: Maxine | May 25, 2008 3:06:56 PM

John Kennedy inspired me when I was a High school student, as did FDR inspire my Parents before. Inspirational Leaders (Presidents) further the evolving standards of decency which is the highest American citizenship. Barack Obama like those before him is such a One, and a threat to those who profit from our divisions, fears and ignorance. When this is all said and done Black and White will be united in a meaningful way like never before in world history. Heaven exists when the devil (lies, wrong thinking, weak ideas, racism and sexism)is destroyed. America will come into Her full glory (Light on a Hill) to be the True Example for the rest of Mankind. That is our Job in this world. Senator Barack Obama will "Help" in this Historic Human Development by bringing people together to discuss what was too painful to discuss otherwise. Inspirational Leadership can accomplish the facet of Human Growth and Progress.

Posted by: Fareed | May 25, 2008 3:13:54 PM

DONT YOU THINK ITS STRANGE THAT OBAMA,
CONSIDERING ITS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND,
NEVER ONCE MENTIONED SERVING OUR COUNTRY IN MILITARY? OR EVEN SAID ONE
THING ABOUT OUR TROOPS? OR REMEMBERING THEM AT ALL? ON MEMORIAL DAY?
WOULD HAVE BEEN A PERFECT OPORTUNITY TO
REMEMBER OUR FALLEN, IF HE DOES INDEED
SUPPORT THE TROOPS

Posted by: Chance | May 25, 2008 3:14:33 PM

Obama has years of ELECTED experience in politics, years of community service and is highly educated. He is more than simply a speech giver and can be expected to inspire others. If you prefer another canidate, fine. But to dismiss him as if he has no background and to dismiss others who find him the right choice is not just silly, but sick.

Posted by: Tee | May 25, 2008 3:15:20 PM

Clinton's supporters you all don't have to vote for Obama because God will touch the good hearted people who will judge Obama not by the color of his skin but by the content of Obama's charater. Just like it is so many who will not vote for Obama, it is just that many who will vote for Obama.

Posted by: Tiffany | May 25, 2008 3:17:58 PM

"When asked about why they do not vote for Ms. Clinton..."

I don't know who you're talking to, but in my circle, the usual answer is, "because she's a power-mad lunatic that's getting crazier by the day". I mean, just listen to what she says. Whatever social limiter used to exist on her tongue is breaking down rapidly.

Obama, while the rigors of the campaign have clearly exhausted him, remains thoughtful and careful in all he says. I guess Ms. Clinton asked the question: qwho do you want answering the phone at 3AM? I'll take the guy who can exercise good diplomacy under duress, not the one who breaks down and starts spouting hateful gibberish.

Posted by: RickRussellTX | May 25, 2008 3:18:00 PM

Chance,

Memorial Day is officially tomorrow. How do you know what plans he has for the troops.

Your President should be at Arlington Cemetery with Hillary Clinton and John McCain apologizing to all the mothers and fathers of the fallen soldiers.

Obama did not send them there to die, Hillary, John McCain and Bush did.

How will you be honoring our fallen soldiers, chugging down beer and hamburgers on the barbecue?

Posted by: C. Jenkins | May 25, 2008 4:03:56 PM

at what point do these nasty silly posts stop and we try and win the November election together

Sen Obama has already won the most pledged delegates which was the original criteria when this started months and years ago

There has to be respect for rules and the rule of law - all Sen Clinton is doing now is feeding the flames of hate and distrust

What is the priority here?

Posted by: alison | May 25, 2008 4:11:51 PM

Public service is good if you have trust funds, like the Kennedys.

You think most of these limosine liberals would go into politics or public service if they had to live off the salary of a public service?!

10 years of public service wouldn't pay for the bar tab for one month of any of the Kennedy clan.

Posted by: Jo | May 25, 2008 4:27:56 PM

Barack is no JFK or FDR. Those people wouldn't be in the same building as terrorists like Bill Ayers or Reverends like Wright, much less be in their home for dinner or go to their church for 20 years.

So PLEASE quit comparing them. Obama had some "magic" until THOSE people came out of his closet. Now he's just another radical anti american saying anything to get elected.

Thank GOD we found out what he's really like before it was too late.

Posted by: Jo | May 25, 2008 4:32:56 PM

An eye for eye makes every body blind - Pro Obama bloggers should be ignored - the Kennedy name does not carry much weight in most of the country and making an Obama a Kennedy seems to be a disadvantage to him. McCain will win in Novomber 2008 since the swing states will favor him.

Posted by: hrao | May 25, 2008 4:36:50 PM

I see the Clinton crazies have even thought of ways to put down Obama for delivering a speech exhorting America's youth to try to serve the country and to work for the greater good of our country and their communities.

I used to wonder why Clinton's die-hard supporters were so bitter and angry, but after hearing Clinton's comments yesterday, explaining why she was still running even though there is no realistic chance of her winning, its obvious that her most die-hard supporters are a mirror reflection of that twisted, amoral woman.

Posted by: RoyM | May 25, 2008 4:38:26 PM

Ethically, Hillary should be saying, "IF YOU ARE ONLY VOTING FOR ME BECAUSE I AM A WOMAN, I DO NOT WANT YOUR VOTE". Ethically, Obama should be saying, "IF YOU ARE ONLY VOTING FOR ME BECAUSE I AM A BLACK MAN, I DO NOT WANT YOUR VOTE." Neither one has said that, and it needs to be said.

Posted by: ChayaFradle | May 25, 2008 4:53:54 PM

The truth about RFK statement which wasnt an issue til Obama made it one...

“The Obama campaign did put out a statement almost immediately condemning the remarks,” Mr. Wolfson said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “It was unfortunate and unnecessary, and in my opinion, inflammatory, for the Obama campaign to attack Senator Clinton on Friday for these remarks, without obviously knowing the full facts or context.”
In addition, the Obama campaign sent the entire political press corps the transcript of a searing commentary about Mrs. Clinton by Keith Olbermann on MSNBC.

Absolutely sick!!!

Posted by: Jr | May 25, 2008 5:46:21 PM

New politics = old politics with hypocrisy!!!

Unity = only his supporters matter!!!

Posted by: Jr | May 25, 2008 5:47:31 PM

Yea his head is so far up Obamas bottom is gross... He lies about the real stuff and makes up the rest as he goes, he needs to go back to sports where he obvisouly knows more, Olberman isnt a journalist, he is a brown noser!!! Maybe a good one, but his career will be short lived, lying like he has..

Posted by: Jr | May 25, 2008 5:52:33 PM

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