Obama Calls for More Responsibility from Fathers at Church Speech

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Obama Calls for More Responsibility from Fathers at Church Speech

June 15, 2008 3:04 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: Barack Obama used the Fathers Day holiday to push the message of the parental responsibility – singling out fathers needing to step up to the plate within their families.

"We need fathers to realize that responsibility does not end at conception," Obama said to the Apostolic Church of God church in Chicago, "What makes you a man is not the ability to have a child – any fool can have a child, that doesn’t make you a father – it’s the courage to raise one that makes you a father."

The Illinois senator said that too many fathers in the African American community are MIA in their families – acting like boys rather than men – and the foundations of the family and the community has suffered. Obama – himself a father of two – laid out three areas where fathers must parent better: by setting high expectations for their children, instilling the value of empathy, and passing on the value of hope.

Obama used his own presidential run as an example of demonstrating high expectations in excellence to children.

"People would come up to me and say 'oh Barack, we love you man, we're rooting for you but we just don't think that a black man can be elected president.'" Obama recalled of the early days of his candidacy, "We had already defeated ourselves before we even started. We didn't set high enough expectations for ourselves, we believed that somebody else can do it but we can't do it. And that filters down to our children."

Senator Obama has been known in the past to preach a tough love message to parents – and reiterated many of the same themes in parenting before the predominantly African American community today

"Chris Rock had a routine. He said some-too many of our men, they're proud, they brag about doing things they’re supposed to do. They say ‘Well, I- I’m not in jail." Well you’re not supposed to be in jail!," Obama exclaimed, "Don’t brag about that. You know, so we’re glad that you’re in the home, but engage your child."

Obama said that Washington has a responsibility as well to fathers – like rewarding fathers with a large Earned Income Tax Credit, and getting rid of the financial penalties imposed on married couples.

Seated in the front pew were Obama's wife Michelle Obama and his two daughters Malia and Sasha. This was the first time the Obama family has attended church since formally cutting ties with their controversial Chicago church, Trinity United on May 31.

Obama – who received a poem for Fathers Day from his youngest daughter – joked that he had asked his wife why Fathers day wasn't as big as Mothers Day.

"She said 'let me tell you, everyday is Fathers day. Every day you're getting away with something. You're running for president; don’t talk to me about it!’"

June 15, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (115)

User Comments

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Jj-- I also suggest the same for McCain. Let's try to dry the wells of each candidate and see which one goes first.

Or how about we do neither and stop the stupid games (Operation chaos anyone?) and try to have an honest debate.

It's silly to me that the Republicans used to talk about honor and dignity so much but when it comes to the very democratic principles that this country is founded on (Yes I know it's a republic but a republic can be a form of a democracy, cross off talk point #2)they seem ready to play games with it.

Let's all try to grow up and have an honest discussion.

Posted by: M Laka Fett | Jun 15, 2008 3:19:04 PM

And what about being responsible NOW??? He has abdicated his fatherly duties to his childrens' grandmother.....who is this joker kidding??????

Talk about calling the kettle black!!!

Posted by: Steve | Jun 15, 2008 3:47:54 PM

SOODD: Same old Obama, different day!

Posted by: Soetoro No! | Jun 15, 2008 4:07:46 PM

You "negative" posters all crack me up...

The same ole spin, the HATE-FILLED CHURCH talking points.
Anyone with even half a brain can sense your foaming at the mouth frustration - and I don't blame you at all.
I think that if I was as anti-Obama as some of you, and he delivered such an eloquent and right-on speech as he just did, I would be struggling to come up with something intelligent to say too.

None of you have.

Not one comment has attacked any of the points he made.
Not one of you can address the CONTENT of his speech.

You attack him and his character instead.
Does that make you all feel real good? Good, cause it makes me laugh.
You guys really are desperate!!! Hhahahahahaah.

Now, watch.
I will get attacked too.
I love it!

Posted by: mick | Jun 15, 2008 4:09:16 PM

Obama: "Present".

Posted by: Soetoro No! | Jun 15, 2008 4:12:09 PM

Here Here Mick & bhrandon.

The attacks are getting very playgroundish.

Posted by: Sally | Jun 15, 2008 4:12:12 PM

Obama: "That's not the that I knew.".

Posted by: Soetoro No! | Jun 15, 2008 4:14:09 PM

Let us be clear on the fact that Obama is a Christian. please show a little class and respect, I can't beleive the narrow minded attitudes of some people, let us be proud that we are Americans and show the world that we are an intelligent nation. Yes Obama is CHRISTIAN.

Posted by: dane | Jun 15, 2008 4:15:14 PM

And what about being responsible NOW??? He has abdicated his fatherly duties to his childrens' grandmother.....who is this joker kidding??????

Talk about calling the kettle black!!!

***************************************

Say what? This is prime example of the failure of "No Child Left behind"

Posted by: Thinking | Jun 15, 2008 4:19:07 PM

To thinking, you are a prime example of what intelligents.

Posted by: dane | Jun 15, 2008 4:27:14 PM

Obama: "Why, I never ever heard my mentor say a single hateful word in 20 years!"

Posted by: Soetoro No! | Jun 15, 2008 4:31:36 PM

@ dane
To thinking, you are a prime example of what intelligents.
************************************

Perhaps you mean intelligence?

Posted by: Thinking | Jun 15, 2008 4:32:40 PM

Thinking - chortle, chortle!

Posted by: A | Jun 15, 2008 4:33:13 PM

MICK:: "There is nothing more real than a man's CHARACTER and VALUES. The track record of what he has actually done is far more important than anything he says, however elegantly he says it."

Posted by: Russ | Jun 15, 2008 4:34:03 PM

Thinking, you are right for once, glad to see that you at least pay attension.

Posted by: dane | Jun 15, 2008 4:38:56 PM

Obama -- full of sound and fury, signifying nothing! Hope without substance, opinions that change daily.

An empty suit kept upright only by an enormous amount of hot air.

Posted by: A | Jun 15, 2008 4:43:48 PM

Michele is right Obama is getting away with something, running for president.

Posted by: Dennis | Jun 15, 2008 5:06:23 PM

I read all the anti Obama chant in this forum. And they are pathetic. I pity you. It must be hard. Obama is gaining popularity every day. More and more people are on board. Must be really hard for you.

Posted by: Al, San Francisco | Jun 15, 2008 5:08:44 PM

Obama limped his way to the Democratic nomination.

The DNC rules committee gave the nomination to Obama.

Hillary supporters won't forget how badly they were treated by Obama supporters.

You reap what you sow.

Posted by: Stephanie | Jun 15, 2008 5:11:18 PM

What's important is not always voting blue (Democratic) or red (Republican), but red, white, and blue (what is best for America). Rookie U.S. Senator Obama, who is too far left, and who showed very poor judgement following Racist Pastor Jeremiah Wright for two decades, is bad for America.

Posted by: Vernon | Jun 15, 2008 5:14:57 PM

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