 Michelle
Obama Addresses Convention: Heartfelt Speech Turns
Undecided's Fears into Tears
by Lloyd
Williams
’I know firsthand’ that the American Dream endures' That is why I
love this country.’ ’ Michelle Obama, August 25, 2008
On February 18th of this year, Michelle Obama said at a rally
in Milwaukee that ’For the first time in my adult life, I am
really proud of my country, because it feels like hope is
finally making a comeback.’ Ever since, that quote has haunted
her, as the question of her patriotism has remained the subject
of speculation by everyone from right-wing pundits and bloggers
to the New Yorker Magazine which put a caricature of her on the
cover as a wild-eyed, wilder-haired, machine gun-wielding
radical in combat fatigues.
Fortunately, on the opening night of the Democratic Convention,
Michelle got a national platform to prove all her detractors
wrong. And she made the most of that opportunity, passionately
delivering a heartfelt speech in which she credited her
sacrificing, hard-working parents with her success for having
instilled her with traditional Puritanical values.
The spirited 20-minute address, frequently interrupted by
applause, deliberately wound its way from her humble roots to
her becoming a lawyer and returning to Chicago where she's
remained committed to social causes even after marrying Barack
and starting a family. The ostensible aim of these undoubtedly
carefully-crafted remarks was to position herself in the
mainstream in the eyes of Middle America as opposed to on the
lunatic fringe.
Her words undoubtedly resonated with blacks as a recognizable
story of sacrifice and struggle en route to overcoming the odds.
More importantly, via the use of catchphrases like ’I love this
country’ and ’God bless America,’ she probably reached plenty of
skeptics and undecideds still sitting on the fence as she
related how very grateful she is to have achieved the American
Dream.
Michelle, Sasha and Malia Obama
At the conclusion, the Obamas' adorable little girls, Natasha
and Malia Ann, joining mommy onstage to wave to daddy in
Missouri served as the perfect icing on the proverbial cake.
Judging by the uniformly-positive, often teary-eyed response
from even some former detractors interviewed after the airing,
it's safe to say that Michelle has finally managed to put the
loyalty controversy behind her once and for all.
Perhaps the campaign will now finally be allowed to focus on the
substantive issues. After all, we do still have two wars,
runaway inflation, mounting unemployment figures, a sinking
dollar, a banking crisis, global warming, the housing market
collapse, outsourcing, and a host of other worries to worry
about.
Attorney Lloyd Williams is a graduate of the Wharton School and
a member of the NJ, NY, CT, PA, MA & US Supreme Court bars.
_________________________________________
Click to read the full text of Michelle Obama's speech
Related Links
Barack Obama on AALBC.com -- Book Video and More
http://authors.aalbc.com/barack_obama.htm
Photo Credit
DENVER-AUGUST 25: Michelle Obama addresses
delegates at the Democratic National Convention August 25, 2008.
The delegates are set to nominate her husband as the party's
nominee for President. http://www.flickr.com/photos/demconvention/2798601725/
Michelle, Sasha and Malia Obam
http://www.flickr.com/photos/demconvention/2798604695/
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