Its real funny to me that we can make history today and no one has a comment, but we can comment on Game's beef with Jigga or who's sleeping with who. When Obama was talking about education for all, the very people that blog on this website is the people who he was referring too!

This speech was EPIC. All politics aside. If this speech did not resonate with you, then I'd think you were out of touch with your goals and own ambition. This was inspiring and motivational.

THis speech goes beyond normal politics and into real life issues. Obama has ideas and put it out there with tact and humility.

I am proud of this day and will cherish this moment in history. Politcs aside...

This site doesn't get a lot of comments anymore because the new design sucks.

The speech was great and im glad he's my next president. In the middle he broke with "listen here, I will NOT raise taxes for 95% of Americans....". The whole speech was pretty alright and I felt honored to be listening to it.

To the naysayers and the republithugs who claim Obama is an empty suit with no substance: perhaps you need to get your eyes checked or have a doc take a look at your ears. The speech was jam packed with detail and if you want more, go to his website and read about it.

Booyah! Ding dong McCain is WRONG.

Well this is a historic moment, but I guess I am going to be the bearer of bad news. And no, I am not a republican, or right winger, or any of that foolishness. Mr. Obama's speech was so filled with imperialist jargon and outright propaganda that I am really surprised people find it that "epic," and "inspiring." Clearly, if McCain gets elected he's going to do a lot of things that will be terrible. But people are really fooled by Obama. Politicians don't change much of anything, and elections are just a spectacle.

Both Obama and McCain are wrong. These elections, these political parties, and government is what has ruined democracy and will continue to do so. And if you haven't guessed, I am one of those people who are out in the streets fighting against both the Dems and the Reps.

Lastly, the fact he is nominated is historic. The fact that all of these people are corporate politicians, with a desire to project "American" dominance around the globe is the reality of the situation. Stop being fooled so easily.

@ Smashthestate

Just shut the fuck up with your negativity. That's NOT what our country needs right now.

Obama can help us out but it can't fix the outright ignorance shown by this guy who just posted.

If you're not helping us work towards a solution then you're part of the problem so just keep your opinions to yourself.

We in the UK are rooting for Obama. We are closely following developments across the pond. It is just sad that Tupac aint around to witness all this..RIP Makaveli..plus all those who lost their lives for the upliftment of our people..see ya'll when we get there..

To be honest I see “Smash the State’s” point western Democracy only gives a veneer of freedom and purpose the last Bush election proves that point "Mob rule" but the mob ruling aren't the American people.
And republicans by nature of their name should be working for the republic allowing you guys to control your own destiny and once again their only interested in controlling to their own ends. The two are just different sides of the same coin one destroys the other makes efforts to rebuild they cancel each other out what you need to do is get rid of the Damn coin (or the both sides of government).
With Obama I actually like this guy I think he has a good heart and genuinely means well but will the machine he represents beyond to Party polytrickal allow him to do what needs to be done or remove him before he becomes a problem. I hope I’m wrong but Kennedy, Luther-King heck even Lincoln need I say more.
But with a family tree that somehow includes the Cheney’s I’m still suspicious, but don't take my word for it. Recorded History plays better devils advocate than anyone could. @ Johnny Ace I applaud you for being optimistic but there is always more to this thing called politics that you aren't be told. Don’t be duped!

@JohnnyAce

I don't think you even paid attention to what I said. I don't really think what I said was that negative. I think Obama, like Artrookie said, probably has a "good heart and genuinely means well" but if one really looks at the situation, and even Obama's proposals they aren't that different from the status quo. That is not entirely his fault, because all statist political systems work this way. There are a small set of options any president or candidate has.

But like I was saying, people are really deluding themselves if they think that an Obama presidency, or any presidency for that matter, is going to change things that radically. And if we want to look at recent history seriously, a lot of the problems we have now are also directly attributal to Clinton also. The so-called welfare "reform" was a Clinton proposal that helped drive people into deeper poverty. NAFTA was signed by Clinton, and the ridiculous arming of the police in this country was from Clinton as well.

Obama, clearly, will not be as imperial as McCain but he will commit a lot of crimes in office. He is openly saying he will assault Afghanistan further, and he is openly stating that there will be no real solution to Israel and Palestine. The two parties are two sides of the same coin. And the other ones aren't that much different. Democracy is found in the streets.

I partially agree...[I am an Obama supporter] in that politicians need to say what will get them elected. I agree that things probably (realistically) won't change much, but I'll try to stay positive. Obama has set a very high bar for himself, which I regret because it would only serve the opposition should he fall short (not necessarily fail). Imperialism (as you call it) is a natural, necessary, and crucial trait that America needs to retain. When they speak of 'our role in the World', they speak of your so called 'imperialism'. We have to be in 'that role' in order to maintain our high standard of living. As bad as you think you have it, it could be much much much much worse.

But I think Jay Smooth put it best when he said politicians are like plumbers. What they do is so crucial, yet should you peer too closely you'll not like what you see. Its a politician's job to yell out all of the things that he would 'like to' do. Its Barack's job to win this election, and its an ignorant and (frankly) weak-ass tactic to paint Obama's gift for oratory as any more of a ploy for election than any politician. Its only in the case of someone like Bush, where actions have a direct cause and effect that benefits him (directly and/or indirectly) while putting everyone else at risk.

(No one probably had much to say 'cause the speech smacked everyone out their stupid ass preoccupations with shit that never mattered. BA-YM!)

@Smashthestate

While I cannot deny that you have made some good points, I think your focus is off. The presidency is a symbol. Not of one man, race, political party, or ideology, but us as a people(and not just black people but all Americans). You see as much as we like to lay the problems, and failings of this county over last 8 years at president bush's door step, we have to keep in mind that he is only a man, just like Mr. Obama is a man. Neither one is perfect.
The difference however, is that one inspires hope for the future. A hope that has cut through the fog of fear that has gripped this nation ever since 9/11. A hope that has also cut through all of the other bullshit that comes with being a confused and fearful nation; the distrust, infighting, isolation, and neglect. Not just in this country, but the world over. Did you ever think we would see a day when an African-American man would stand in front of, and speak to a crowd of over 200,000 Germans and receive a standing ovation, or be of such political importance that someone would actually snatch the note on which his private prayer to God was written out of a wall in Jerusalem.
Once again the man is not perfect, but who amongst us is. I'm not telling you not to be wary of the government, no matter who is in charge. What I'm will say is this - Let's move forward from the past 8 years of failed policies at home, and abroad. We in the Black community have always had a long running distrust for our government, and with good reason. But for the first time in 45 years, we have potential leader that personifies the "dream", and has the audacity to put the "People" first. That in and of itself speaks volumes. Especially, especially when you look at the alternatives. Peace!

Obama's place in office will lead to real scrutiny of the black community. For a long time there have been cries of a lack of decent role models to guide a wayward youth...well there it is now - in potentially the pinnacle of worldwide influence.

It's our moment to step up to the plate, not just obama's.

-Loch "The optimist" RDouble

you sound convinced now Biko I was wondering when you would snap out of it...we are witnessing AND participating in history!

ALL THE NAY SAYERS SAYING WE CAN'T CHANGE, I'M REALLY HAVING TROUBLE SEEING WHATS THE CHOICE IS HERE. IF WE KNOW GEORGE BUSH JR. FUCKED UP AND MCCAIN IS GONNA CONTINUE WHAT HE STARTED, THIS SHOULD BE A NO BRAINER. THIS COUNTRY IS FUCKED UP RIGHT NOW THAT SOME PEOPLE SO CALLED (REPUBLICANS)AND WHITE PEOPLE WOULD RATHER SEE THIS COUNTRY GO TO HELL IN A HAND BASKET, THEN CHANGE. HOW THE HELL IS OBAMA ONLY 5 POINTS AHEAD IN THE POLLS? FOR THE RECORD I THINK POLLS ARE BUNCH OF BULLSHIT!!! HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW ANYONE THAT HAS BEEN POLLED?? I THINK THE DIFFERENCE IS OBAMA IS BLACK AND SOME WHITE PEOPLE IN THIS DAY AGE AND TIME WON'T VOTE FOR A BLACK MAN!!!!!! ITS TOO LATE FOR THAT NOW, GET OVER IT!!!! THIS OLD WAY OF THINKING GOTTA GO. WE GOTTA CHANGE, IF DON'T CHANGE OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR CHILDREN WON'T HAVE A FUTURE. PEOPLE DO WHAT THEY GOTTA DO EVERYDAY TO SURVIVE, SO WHY CAN'T GOVERNMENT. ITS NOT GOING TO BE EASY FOR OBAMA TO DO ALL THE THINGS HE SAID HE IS GONNA DO. IF SOMEBODY GOT A BETTER PLAN LETS HEAR IT. WE CAN'T ACCEPT MORE OF THE SAME. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD WORK FOR THE PEOPLE, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. ITS RAINING AND BUSH TELLING ITS SUNSHINE OUTSIDE!!!!!!!!

Let me start off by sayin that I am not black, that being said...

Politicians suck. The reckless way the country is run (especially recently) at times sucks. The lies and deceit suck. I know I hear you and feel you. But ask yourself when have you ever seen this? This man is black! This man was raised in a middleclass home like many of us! He wasnt born with a silver spoon in his mouth (so how the F*** could you care about the poor and disadvantaged if you did!?) He touched on alot of things that have been burdens for us, he was talking about REAL problems!This is new, this is different,lets give it a shot!

You also gotta love the way he admitted that its just not the government that has to look at itself, that we must also do the same, take care of our children, communicate more with them, conserve electricity, save gas and so forth...

If you believe yourself to be an American and didnt feel the blood pumping faster as it coursed through your veins last night as that man gave that speech then you might need to put on a blindfold and press the rewind button so that you can see what hes really trying to say.

Politicians suck. The reckless way the country is run (especially recently) at times sucks. The lies and deceit suck. I know I hear you and feel you. But ask yourself when have you ever seen this? This man is black! This man was raised in a middleclass home like many of us! He wasnt born with a silver spoon in his mouth (so how the F*** could you care about the poor and disadvantaged if you did!?) He touched on alot of things that have been burdens for us, he was talking about REAL problems!This is new, this is different,lets give it a shot!

You also gotta love the way he admitted that its just not the government that has to look at itself, that we must also do the same, take care of our children, communicate more with them, conserve electricity, save gas and so forth...

If you believe yourself to be an American and didnt feel the blood pumping faster as it coursed through your veins last night as that man gave that speech then you might need to put on a blindfold and press the rewind button so that you can see what hes really trying to say.

Loch is right. This really puts African Americans in the international spotlight, in a truly positive way. For the speculators, this raises the 'black stock' up, but if we don't step into the role of respect and honor that we've been working, crying, and struggling for for years then we face losing credibility forever (or a long time).

A black man who is successful in a profession other than entertainment (arguably)...hmm...smell that...?

Smells good.

Man, I loved the speech.

I keep seeing Conservatives criticizing Obama and his speeches to be too lofty, too stirring, too polished and rhetorical.

I want everyone who reads this to know that the only reason the Republicans are criticizing Obama's gift of gab is because they don't have a candidate with that gift. If the Republicans had a motivating candidate, I guarantee you they would use that to the fullest possible extent.

As a matter of fact, the Republicans did have a candidate with the gift of Gab in 1980...Ronald Regan.

Not only did Ronald Regan make very inspiring speeches with very lofty goals of uniting a country; he LITERALLY was a career Actor before going into politics. Which also points out the hypocrisy of accusing Obama to be a celebrity; their favorite President was an Actor!

But anyways, back to the OG point. Regan's acceptance speech was every bit as lofty as Obama's. Check it:

"More than anything else, I want my candidacy to unify our country; to renew the American spirit and sense of purpose. I want to carry our message to every American, regardless of party affiliation, who is a member of this community of shared values.

Never before in our history have Americans been called upon to face three grave threats to our very existence, any one of which could destroy us. We face a disintegrating economy, a weakened defense and an energy policy based on the sharing of scarcity."

Sound familiar?

So, the next time you hear a Conservative criticize Barack for having the gift of Gab, just say "Hi, hater!" and tell em' to read any of Regan's speeches.

Obama's speech was amazing.

McCain just chooses a woman for VP, the Governor of Alaska. what a strategic move, obviously he's trying to move in on HRC supporters. Does anyone even know this broad. I'd applaud such a good move if anyone actually knew anything about her. But a smart move nonetheless.

Lets see how many HRC supporters jump to the republican side now, it will prove how fickle they really are.

@Smashthestate:

So what would you propose? Not voting for anybody?

Only an idiot would think that Obama would be able to completely overhaul the government. Anyone who thinks that any candidate is going to somehow create the democratic country of your dreams is a damn fool. But the bottom line is this, we, as a country, are a lot worse off than we were during the Clinton years, despite his failures. Bush is not just a failure, he's a disaster... a venerable plague upon the middle class and lower..... and McCain agreed with his policies 90% of the time.

Its a no brainer for me, but then again, my decision is based on reality. Obama's focus points will benefit me. I don't give a fukk about abortion, same sex marriage or Obama's pastor. Those issues don't affect me. Gas prices, the war, health care and the economy are wreaking havoc in my life (and my pockets)... those are all issues that Obama addresses and can realistically change.

I'm not looking for him to create a Utopia, just a country to live in where I can create my own.

ALLTHOUGH IM NOT VOTING FOR OBAMA. I WILL SAY HIS SPEECH WAS NICE. AND ITS GREAT TO SEE HISTORY BEING MADE.

I luved his speech. As a HRC supporter, Obama touched on the things I needed to hear. I'm not going into all the nuts & bolts of his speech or offer debate as to why he Is Better Qualified than McCain-- besides Obama covered that for us yesterday.
I'll just sum it up--- if he is not the next President, the US will have made a grave mistake.

I love that the HRC convert to McCain (Mixed Chick) is typing in all CAPS...just about sums it up before even getting started.

@ TooMuch

I appreciate your honesty.

This was sent to me on why NO black person male or female Dem or Rep should ever dare vote for McCain

McCain as a young congressman in 1983 voted against a federal holiday for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The holiday went into effect in 1986. Only 27 states and D.C. honored the holiday that first year. Activists in state after state tried to prevent it from being recognized.

In Arizona , a bill to recognize a holiday honoring MLK failed in the legislature, so then-Gov. Bruce Babbitt, a Democrat, declared one through executive order.
In January 1987, the first act of Arizona 's new governor, Republican Evan Mecham, was to rescind the executive order by his predecessor to create an MLK holiday. Arizona 's stance became a national controversy. McCain backed the decision at the time.

In 1994, McCain Sided With Senator Jesse Helms and Voted To Eliminate Funding For Martin Luther King Commission. McCain voted in favor of a Helms amendment “to prohibit federal financing for the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday Commission.” The amendment failed 28-70-2. [ S Amdt 1738, Vote #127, 5/24/94; CQ Vote Description]

McCain Voted Against The Civil Rights Act Of 1990 FOUR Times. In 1990, McCain voted against a bill designed to address employer discrimination at least 4 times. According to the Washington Post, the “Civil Rights Act of 1990 is designed to overturn several recent Supreme Court rulings that made it much more difficult for individual employees to prove discrimination.
The legislation, being fought by business, also would impose new penalties on employers convicted of job discrimination.” [S 2104, Vote #304, 10/24/90; Vote #276, Vote #275, 10/16/90; Vote #161, 7/18/90; Washington Post, 7/9/90]

Unbelievable that there are still Blacks Republican and Democrat (HRC supporters of course) that are going to still vote for this guy

@toomuch

I don't propose anything with the electoral process. You and everyone else make their own decisions based on what you think is right. I'm not telling people to not vote for Obama; I think he would be far less brutal than McCain. But I also don't think people should fool themselves. That was my main point. Of course "only an idiot" would think Obama would bring some radical change but this is what I am consistently hearing people say about him. And my main proposal is for people to get involved in the activist/grassroots movements; particularly the anti-authoritarian movement.

@DevoG

I understand what you're saying and I agree about the presidency. It is mainly a symbol, as we have really seen with Messr Bush. I would argue that the difference, or problem, is not about the characters and inspiration of Obama, Bush, or McCain. Clearly Obama inspires more people; hell he inspires me too. But what I am really concerned about his democratizing society, and putting an end to imperialism. So I am just proposing that people don't let themselves get too swindled.