I'm very impressed with Obama's speech to DNC after watching it the second time.

[Clarkie1]

The first time I was on my way out to work, so just caught bits and pieces, but the line "I'm calling on you to hope" stuck in my mind.

Obama is right that our greatest foes are not Repubublicans, but our own cynicism. Both he and Clark struck the correct tone for our times...somber and realistic, but not pessimistic.

Obama's oratory was by far the best, and his message was perhaps the most important. It rang of the highest sincerity and integrity, something I find missing in most politicians today.

[PresidentObama]

1. Obama may be 'it'

He knows what we want to hear, and he says it. Which is a powerful tool no politican has had in this capacity since Bill Clinton's rise. He's definitely one to watch. I like Senator Obama, not supporting him in the primaries, but he's a rising star. And I was very impressed by his and Clark's speech.

I wouldn't be disappointed in either getting the nomination. Obama/Clark and Clark/Obama would be golden!!

[Clarkie1]

2. I was also most impressed with Obama and Clark's speeches.

I think they went together well because they both struck the correct tone for our times...somber, realistic, and yet unwaveringly hopeful.

I was stuck with how Obama's call to rise above partisanship was similar to Clark's call for a return to civil discourse, the foundation of a liberal democracy. To me, both Clark and Obama seemed to be the ones climbing the loftiest peaks and rising above it all.

They both struck me as true American leaders; the rest, frankly still seemed a little like game show hosts to me...

I really appreciated Obama's line, "this is not a game."

[illinoisprogressive]

3. I found it the most interesting speech. Many were so interchangable

Obama answered his critics in his speech and also called on us to help him to prove that hope is powerful. His line that he couldn't do it himself was especially poignant and inspiring.
I am probably bias on my opinion since he is my senator and I also am supporting him for president.

[sandnsea]

4. I loved that speech

I cried through at least half of it.

"the hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him, too."

That's exactly what America is all about. America is not defined by the land that ends at the borders. America is the idea that every person on the planet can fulfill their own potential, we are all important and there's a place for every one of us.

[Kahuna]

5. You could hear a pin drop as Obama was speaking. He sure..

is spellbinding. That's for sure.

[Clark2008]

6. I simply don't see it.

He speaks well, sure, but he doesn't give me the tingles.

I guess it's because I just don't see him winning in a general election. I've got blocks up or something.

Added to clarify: I like Obama just fine; however, after what I witnessed in the Ford/Corker race, I simply have serious doubts that a black man can flip enough reddish/purple states to win in a national election and unify the country because of the divisiveness the Republican Party has spread.

[Kahuna]

7. I like Obama and think he could be president... But...

I prefer Gore and Clark! Then maybe Obama.

[Clark2008]

8. I added a claifying statement to my post.

I like Obama just fine, mind you. I think he's well more sincere than HRC and certainly Edwards. You just have to consider that I'm in Tennessee - a purple state (we have Dems running the state, a split Dem/Rep mix for US congress and two Republican US senators) - and I saw voting-booth racism up close. That's why I'm so skeptical that Obama can win a national election.

Personal sour taste in my mouth from the dirtiest campaign in Tennessee history.

[Clarkie1]

9. My top three.

Clark
Gore
Obama

All three have a greater vision for America. They are my "first-tier" candidates. I might end up adding Richardson to this list, not sure yet.

The second tier all seem like game show hosts to me.

[Kahuna]

10. I like Richardson too. He has a great sense of self and no one

other than Gore or Clark has a better resume.

[sandnsea]

11. Oops, you meant yesterday

Well hell yeah, that was awesome too! He's got the right strategy to neutralize right wing hate talk, even if he isn't calling it a strategy. He answers the nagging questions that people have about this country, that people don't even know they have until he brings them up. It was very good and I was very impressed with the respect and support. He's captivating.

http://www.dnc.org/a/2007/01/barack_obama.php