A Lower Key Obama
Posted : April 8, 2007 at 2:11 pm [America/Los_Angeles]
And it allowed for moments like one that took place at the V.F.W. Hall in Dakota City, after almost everyone had gone. Mr. Obama was approached by a woman, her eyes wet. She spoke into his ear and began to weep, collapsing into his embrace. They stood like that for a full minute, Mr. Obama looking ashen, before she pulled away. She began crying again, Mr. Obama pulled her in for another embrace.
The woman left declining to give her name or recount their conversation. Mr. Obama said she told him what had happened to her 20-year-old son, who was serving in Iraq.
“Her son died,” he said. He paused. “What can you say? This happens to me every single place I go.”
The next day, at the rally here, Mr. Obama described the encounter for the crowd. The woman, he said, had asked if her son’s death was the result of a mistake by the government. “And I told her the service of our young men and women — the duty they show this country — that’s never a mistake,” he said.
He paused carefully as he reflected on that encounter. “It reminds you why you get into politics,” he said. “It reminds you that this isn’t a game.”
- “2 Years After Big Speech, a Lower Key for Obama”
As a leader, I think he lacks the kind of fiery passion that I look for in leaders. My wife says that’s probably because I am passionate myself. I am sure she is right. In any case, I do like Senator Obama. I know he has the intellectual curiosity and down-to-earth honesty that I tend to like. I still am not sure if he is ready for the B-I-G job.
- Anand
Category: US |
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