Professor,
I guess that we will have to agree to disagree on this one.
Barack Obama, as an IL state Senator for the past several years has been an exceptional force in the state legislature. This is one of the reasons that he was able to sweep the Democratic primaries besting at least 7-8 other Democratic primary candidates, some of which were real movers in IL.
Additionally, having had the pleasure of listening to him as my professor of Constitutional Law during the time that I was in law school (he's also a lecturer at my lawschool and teaches Voter Rights and Constitutional Law: Equal Protection), I can say that he is very well-respected as a great mind both by faculty and students alike on an academically level as well as a real-world level.
I would disagree that he's an average Joe. It was not only Black people in IL who put him in office (although I don't want to diminish our efforts -- Black people from ALL economic levels worked tirelessly for him in a ton of capacities from donating to his campaign to hosting receptions for him at our various lawfirms, etc. to those who worked on the streets during election day to get out the vote) - he got the majority vote from Black, White, Hispanic and probably every other group in IL. I would say that he's far from average and go as far as to say that he's probably the next great rising star.
No, he's not going to sound like MLK, which is part of the reason that I think that he appeals to some in our community. Of course this is my opinion but I think that folk are tired of the old guard which was solely comprised of preachers having the preaching style and are ready for some new fresh faces and styles. And yes, he is down-to-earth. This is something else that I think that alot of people really like about he. It may be an act, who knows, but he genuinely seems to care about people.
SC
Quote:
Originally posted by Professor
i guess that's my point, nothing made him exceptional. don't get me wrong, i think the guy is ok. after seeing him on tv and all the media attention i expected him to have presence like during the convention. while i'm sure that he is intelligent and will uplift AA, I found him to be just like the guy next door. he's down to earth and all - i guess i was expecting him to challenge me like a martin luther king. i don't want to take away from him, i just thought he was ok nothing more and nothing less. i spoke after him and started out with something like i did not ride the bus with rosa, i did not walk the streets and highways with martin and i did not attempt to eat at the lunch counter with the brave souls in greesnboro - the media only gave him a second and then played my speech - maybe i just had a good day. anway, i wish him the best and he has my support
|
Hybrid Mode
