an unsung moment of the debate......

[kpete]

an unsung moment of the debate
by greenrose2
Sat Sep 27, 2008 at 09:06:11 AM PDT

...................

It came when Senator McCain was stumbling with Ahmadinejad's name. He was stumbling hard, almost unable to get the name or any semblance of it pronounced. Very quietly, but audibly Senator Obama can be heard saying something. In the first viewing, I knew he had said something there, but was unable to decipher exactly what he had said. In listening to the replay it's easy to hear his comment.

He quietly acknowledged to Senator McCain "That's a tough one." When I heard his remark, his gracious nod to the Senator's struggle to pronounce a very difficult name, his compassion for the man, I choked up. It humbled me. It made me briefly look inward, and feel lesser for originally maybe hoping that it was some cutting barb. And it showed him as a man greater than politics, greater for inspiring empathy and compassion for a fellow man.

Senator McCain's demeaning, belittling style in the debate has drawn criticism. Rightly so in my opinion. Some has been said of Senator Obama's gracious and respectful style, some even criticizing his style for not being more vicious, more attacking. But to me, the real measure of the man, not his "style", but who he is, came in that comment.

It was a very quiet statement. But what it said about Barack Obama is loud and clear.

This man is not only a great leader, he is a very good man.

more at:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/27/11751/6583/851/612394

[Meshuga]

1. I wonder if there is a video of that moment.

I would love to check it out.

[bleever]

17. See post #15 below. nt

[Meshuga]

18. Thanks! n/t

[roguevalley]

42. he helped bill richards during a debate when Richards lost the

thread and was called on. very, very nice.

[Orangepeel]

2. I think that moment was the closest McCain came to exploding

I heard it, but, frankly, I didn't take it as compassion on Obama's part. By the look on McCain's face, he didn't either.

[ladywnch]

6. I don't know he looked pretty close to expoding talking about

*PRECONDITIONDS*......P-R-E-C-O-N-D-I-T-I-O-N-S!!!!!! He looked like he was absolutely going to explode during that whole exchange. And then there was the "horseshit" comment when Obama brought up meeting with the Prime Minister of Spain.

[intheflow]

9. I think so, too.

He shot a glance in Obama's direction that clearly said, "Don't patronize me, boy!" Angry, racist, rude, shallow and incompetent--that's the sum total of what I got from McCain during the debate.

[Solomon]

3. Obama is operating on another whole level.

Great post.

[Cha]

33. Yes, he is..and

I can only aspire..this time nice guys finish first!

[Marnieworld]

4. I heard it and it didn't surprise me

Because I've gotten to know his kindness from the campaign. It reminds me of the story that Gov. Richardson told when he endorse Obama.

From his speech:

"And now, last year, as we campaigned against each other for the presidency, I came to fully appreciate his steadfast patriotism and remarkable talents. And I also realized that here was a really good guy.

And I'll tell you -- and I'll tell you why. And I'll tell you why. I'll tell you why. You all watched those long, tedious Democratic debates, right? I could barely get recognized at any of them.

The one time when I was recognized -- and I was sitting next to Senator Obama -- I said, "Finally I've been recognized." So I turned to him, and we started chatting a little bit. And then, all of a sudden, the moderator, instead of going after other candidates that hadn't been recognized, came back to me and asked me to answer the question. Well, needless to say, I wasn't listening.

And I turned to Senator Obama in horror about to say, "Could you repeat the question?" And Senator Obama whispered, he said "Katrina, Katrina." And so I then gave my answer on Katrina.

He could have thrown me under the bus, but he stood behind me."

Obama has the grace of a person who knows that he doesn't have to nor does he want to win by cheating or taking advantage of someone's moment of weakness. He can win honorably and that is the only thing that would satisfy him.

[Cha]

34. Thanks, Marnieworld..I really didn't

know that story..Obama's about making friends not enemies on the way up.

No wonder Gov Richardson endorsed Obama! That and a lot of other reasons.

[arikara]

43. I'd never heard that story

thanks for sharing. What a difference he will make once he takes over.

[gblady]

5. that is a great article....

and great comments as well....
only got through about 1/4 of them....there were hundreds....
but show that people get this compassionate side of Barack...

[TuxedoKat]

7. I missed that.

Thanks for sharing. I will have to go back and look for that moment.

[Hamlette]

8. Yeah, I heard that when listening again

It's in the last half hour of the debate if you can find it online.

I rewound and listened again to make sure I heard it right.

THAT is the way you mend the hyper partisanship in this country. It's not by bending over backwards, its by treating complete assholes like McCain, men who can't even look you in the eye they hate you so much, with compassion. Notice its not over an issue. He didn't say "I'll drill in ANWAR." He said "I know that's a hard name to pronounce."

Then you stab the bastard in the back.

Read "Miss Manners". You can get away with a ton of shit if you have good manners.

[dgibby]

11. "Tact is

the ability to tell a man to go to hell and make him feel happy to be on his way!"

I don't know who said it, but I sure do agree.!

[K Gardner]

10. Barack Obama is INCAPABLE of "being John McCain". He is a gentleman and a scholar with a heart of

gold.

[Aloha Spirit]

12. He also said "great job" after the debate.

[madmax]

13. Obama is a good man and much too

gracious for most scumbag repugs. McConman included.

Love ya Barack!! :bounce:

[ClayZ]

14. Random Acts of Kindness

Obama carries them in his "pocket" and has forever. He embodies RAK...


McCain is clueless to the concept!


K and R

[bleever]

15. Video link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoDiClNr-70

I had thought it was Lehrer when I heard it first, but it's clearly Obama.

[Meshuga]

19. Obama is a classy guy

It seemed automatic for him to say that.

And McCain is unable to look him in the eye throughout the debate. McCain is an ASS!

[grantcart]

25. very nice

[rateyes]

38. McCain lies about Obama, and Obama is gracious. Obama tells the truth

about McCain, and McCain whispers "horseshit."

Tells you all you need to know about their character.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

16. He still has that Hawaiian Aloha spirit. He's a strong, gracious man. nt

[undeterred]

26. That describes him perfectly.

I know some people have criticized him for complimenting McCain and agreeing with him occasionally during the debate but it occurs to me that this is one of the most remarkable things about Barack Obama. He isn't playing a game when he compliments his opponent. He truly is a humble and gracious man and he finds something good to like about every one. He isn't afraid to come out and say it. (He wasn't afraid to point out his opponent's weaknesses either.) But he has qualities one does not see often enough in a politician and one of those is his graciousness towards other people. Its a beautiful thing.

[Cha]

35. That's a nice way to put

it! Aloha, AnotherMother4PeaceB-)

[bevoette]

20. wow. reading that actually...brought tears to my eyes

i'm not sure why

just...how much this country needs a president like that

[Cha]

37. I always get Verklempt in

cases like these..we've had so much to go through these last 8 years that it's scarred our psyche.

And, we're so close to turning it around that emotions are bubbling just below the surface ready to emerge at the drop of a random act of kindness:)

[RichGirl]

41. I know what you mean.

McCain had been mean, condescending, wouldn't even give him the courtesy of looking at him, yet Obama shows him compassion when he sees he's suffering. He truly is a remarkable man. I'm so grateful we have him.

[bevoette]

21. wow. reading that actually...brought tears to my eyes

i'm not sure why

just...how much this country needs a president like that

[jillan]

22. The moment I fell in love with Obama

was at the last debate of the primaries. The moderator was giving all the candidates a shit question about their past. When it came to Biden, the question was - are you a racist, and repeated a couple of Biden's comments...one being that Obama being "clean and articulate". Biden responded with all he has done for civil rights (he has an amazing record), and all the candidates on stage applauded Biden's response.

But, it was Obama that spoke out.
He said he worked with Joe Biden and had alot of respect for his work on civil rights, and Obama said that he would vouch for Joe anytime.

I just sat there unable to move. First it was such an ugly, unfair question. And when Obama spoke up, my heart melted. It was at that moment I realized that Obama has a heart of gold.

[MadrasT]

23. Awesome. I heard it, but thought it was Lehrer...

I thought I couldn't admire Barack any more... but now somehow I do. The linked article sums up so well how I feel.

[Dollface]

24. I was thinking that maybe Obama didn't call Mclame on some of the blathering he was doing was

he was raised by his grand parents. I don't know about you, but when my grampa rambles off on a tangent I generally let it go. Maybe this wasn't the right thing for Obama to do given the situation, but it is another indication that he is a compassionate person.

[goodgd_yall]

32. I think that's why he might not have brought up McCain's vote on the GI bill

It was one of McCain's "moments" when he was saying how much he cares about the veterans. McCain seemed to be having some emotion come up (whether it was sincere or acting, I can't say). I don't think Obama wanted to shit on it by bringing up the hard truth.

[Phentex]

27. I asked about this in another thread...

I was wondering if he corrected him or told him how to say it.

Thanks for sharing this!

[williesgirl]

28. I heard it during the debate and thought what a great person! rec'd

[wildflower]

29. I love these stories

He seems to operate from the principle "treat people as you would be treated," before anything else. I really admire that.

[SmokingJacket]

30. kick! n rec. nt

[goodgd_yall]

31. Obama has a heart

that's for sure. I think he can't help it, even though many would say he should be more cutthroat.

[Erin Elizabeth]

36. I caught it.

I thought it was really interesting. Obama commisserated with the opponent who had been doing nothing but trying to portray him as a no-nothing.

I think in that moment you got a measure of the man. And it IS the small moments that show these things.

Of course, I also caught and smiled at the moments toward the end when Obama had had enough of McCain's lies and would simply cut in sotto voce with "that's not true."

[ladyVet]

39. I heard that too.

McCain was working into a rant, but stumbled over that hard name. I kind of felt sorry for him just for a second, because I mess that one up half the time if I'm not going slow.

Obama's comment shows what kind of person he is. People say he should be meaner, more "cut-throat" like another poster said, but that wouldn't be his way. And isn't this what we've all been hoping for: a decent person who doesn't take advantage of others, who has compassion, and truly isn't like other politician?

[yardwork]

40. I heard that, too. I had the same reaction. Obama is a decent, good person.

[RiverStone]

44. And did you catch what Obama said as he was shaking McBush's hand at the end...?

"Good job John"

I think McCain knows he is dealing with a new kind of politics, alas he is stuck in the old.

[Rose Siding]

45. It's almost like it's compulsory for him to offer aid when someone's struggling, and so

$25 from both my husband and I. That'll be two more small donations from first-timers in his column.

There he was, in the midst of a debate where an adversarial mindset played strongly to his benefit but he couldn't resist offering support to someone who needed it. Happened so quick you know it was instinctive.

To me, that's huge. It's a snapshot of his soul. I've long believed that Barack is a good man and this illustrative flash is a moving reminder.