Can Anyone Answer This Question: What Has Obama DONE Exactly?

Dorothy, I could...and have read quite a bit of web site info. I'm trying to figure when he, himself, has actually publicly stated any of these things to be true. Unless he wrote the website, it doesn't do me a whole lot of good. Many politicians look good on paper. I'm always curious when I don't hear them actually make concrete statements about their actual positions publicly. Do you have any speech or public references to actual statements or stances he, himself, has taken?

Blessings...

I'll admit it. I'm attracted to Obama's fundamental message of inclusion, hope and progressive change. He's built a campaign on cross-cultural, multi-generational grassroots movements and community building, and I believe he reflects what this nation needs — a radical change in direction of this country. It's a wayward ship, a broken record, a busted machine. I can no longer stand by idly and let the old political guard make the same old wack decisions for me. This election will be about how we will bring change, and for the first time in a long time (ever?), we're seeing the possibility that this race could be about something other than political dynasties and old white dudes.

Yes, I've been swept up by the positive energy of the movement and the true enthusiasm my fellow African Americans have dedicated to this campaign. Lately I've been hearing a lot of detractors refer to this message of "hope" and "change" as negative buzzwords, like we've all been suckered into believing in Obama's positive jive. If that's the case, so be it. Call me a sucker. I can't see what's the problem in having the audacity to believe that things could be different for a change. This is a time to come together, leave behind the things that divide us, and work towards the true change we wish to see.

Unfortunately, we're left with not many choices. There is a Libertarian also running and usually several independents and write-ins, but you'll be wasting your vote and they won't be counted. As for me and my house, we'll take our chances on the new guy.

Here's what I know and that is that visionaries are not usually implementers; but they are best at inspiring others to fulfill a vision. Now, let's take a look at Hillary Clinton, she is a “policy wonk”. She can rattle off policy all day and all night and that's what makes her a good senator. She knows how to get things done. What she didn't have the ability to do was to manage and lead people to fulfill her vision of becoming president. Her focus wasn't on the big picture, which is why she ran out of money, and hurt her own credibility in a lot of ways. But, this is not about Hillary. And, by the way, that’s what makes Biden such a wise choice as VP, He knows how Washington works and he is an honorable man. He is less tainted by Washington then Hillary, because he went back to Delaware nightly, has taught law at a college for 17years, and has not become a rich man by his associations.

Obama, who has had fewer years of actual legislative experience, has managed to work a bill ethics reform, get a bill passed to help veterans, and has spearheaded a bill on arms proliferation. The policies that he would like to implement are spelled out on his site. My point is that everyone has a purpose. When Kennedy had the vision for us to go to the moon, he didn't pull out his slide rule and start figuring out how to do it, but he did inspire others to get the job done. A good president must be a visionary; they are not the implementers.

If you look back in history at great people; they all had great implementers working with them. Implementers need the inspiration and vision of others. One is not greater than the other; they need each other. We must all work together, that is the biggest part of his message. I say vote for the vision! Barack has proven, thus far, that he has good judgment and can manage a team that gets things done, in the black! Even in his inexperience, he was one of the few, who had the right judgment about the war, That is a big deal. Bad judgment has been very costly in lives, money, and our standing in the world.

Vote for the Vision!

MJ, I agree. It'd be a shame if our first black president dropped the ball.

And Barbara, I get what you're saying. You're saying the man has a vision and whereas he may not be the one who executes that vision PHYSICALLY, he's so good at motivating, empowering, influencing and delegating the his hand IN it and his direct instruction can get the job done. That IS pretty much what you're saying right? Okay. I get that. And he DOES seem like that type of person. Okay, Ms. Barbara, you've peaked my interest now that I've been encouraged to look through different lenses.

Craig, I got cha. I'm gettin' what you're putting down...and I'm getting some perspective now...thanks to ALL of you.

Now that I understand that he has the power to influence change, what SPECIFIC CHANGES does he intend to make? Anyone?

Mozell, I feel you, too. He's a people-person and in life, that helps a great deal. I imagine the same can be said for the presidency.

Got to chime in one last time on this subject b/c this site apparently has the attention of a lot of potential voters across the country. Mr J, I get what you're saying, but share that w/your lady and buds off-record. Just kidding, brother.

Kind of.

Seriously though, the balance of our political existence doesn't rest on the accomplishments of one man's failure. EVERYONE WILL FAIL, it's how you deal w/failure that matters. Do you think when Carla Fioney (sp) lost her CEO position at HP, it made matters worse for other women CEOs who followed? Of course not! It actually opened doors for many, many women CEOs to follow. And, although the "ignoramuses [that] are particularly bigoted towards us" F**K 'em! They ae going to be that way even if he goes down as one of the BEST presidents ever. We've got to show self-confidence first before anyone else gives it to us.

Barack is a special candidate. How special? Consider this:
Many "young" politicians will throw a hat in the ring knowing full well they have no real chance of winning THIS time around. But they want to be respected, admired and more importantly CONSIDERED 4 to 8 years down the road. So, maybe that's what Barack was doing BUT ended up making such a positive impact on voters who got behind his message that he just couldn't stop. There's a place in my mind that actually believes that. He was only 45 when he announced his candidacy (almost 2 years ago). Think about it: eight years later = eight more experience and the ripe old tender of 53 that's seasoned and ready to take on the top position -- GW was 52 when he took office. Very few get to the top spot as an unknown or as quickly as Obama. But wouldn't you like to have his problem now?

BTW: Barbara Dixon, I absolutely LOVED your post! Great addition. Let's hear more from you in the near future, okay? OK now, bah, bye ...

MJ, I'm with you.

I think that all of the bases have been covered with this post. One thing that I think we all missed is that this seems to be one of the 1st times that I have actually seen a substantial number of black people agree on anything.

This is a great post and I think that everyone will be able to see exactly who Barack Obama is through all of the resources that our people have contributed for reference.

I have heard the quote about there is nothing greater that a man can do than lay down his life for his fellow man. I also remember when Michelle Obama went against Oprah wantng Obama to run for the White House. Mrs. Obama's rational was she did not want her husband to be killed!

I would say that Obama has put weight behind Dr. King's "Dream". I do know that Obama has helped mine and countless people of all races, creeds and gender to feel much better about America being a "mixing pot"....Native-Americans, Chinese-Aamericans can even have a better chance to be on our Supureme Court...Black females to be in the Senate and may be even more than one Black and no Mexican-Americans in an president's administration in the future...And, we can not have to go to war with Russia for being accused of doing in Georgia what Bush says Iran is doing in Iraq.

These are some of the things Obama has done by asking the American citizens to "help him run our American government" by the rules of our own Constitution.

I will be forever grateful that Obama DID NOT listen to his wife/countless blacks who still moan Dr. King 's stepping out on the front lines to advance our race's fight for EQUALITY.....

...Oh,Oh, Obama and Biden may have to get into the leadership role before November..It has just been reported a few minutes ago that Russia is making a promise to respond military against that missle g. W. Bush placed in Poland!!!! I guess this is more of we now as a country need another JFK!

This will probably not mean any thing to those who know nothing about Russia having to get their missles out of Cuba, or JFK would use the military to remove them for so near our American shores.......Politics goes way beyond: media talking heads, race, creed and gender...It takes correct leadership over greed and short term political power(abuse?)...

And how true it is of your comment Emmanuel. There is nothing better that we in the average Black community be given a voice over the public air waves as we are doing on this site. We are all UNITED for the betterment of our race and for our country...

From some one who has lived to see the Democrat convention go from not one Black in the conventions at all to now a Black Presidential nomination at a Democrat convention...I say, "well done my people", WELL DONE!!!