MIss Blue's Diary:

Many of you are very aware I am not, and have not been a supporter of Barack Obama.

This is not because I support Hillary Clinton - in fact, I like/dislike Hillary and Barack equally, for very different reasons.

My goal for 2008 is to see a Democrat in the White House.  I felt there were problems with both of the remaining candidates being elected.  I supported John Edwards, in part because I felt he was the most electable in the general election.  We can see where that went.

After watching Hillary throw her campaign in the toilet, I long ago realized that Obama would be our nominee, and I have hoped for the best.  The Wright controversy made me feel we were doomed.
I have called for Obama and his supporters to address this issue, strongly and unequivocally.  I have been roundly chastised by the Obama fans on this site.  Called a Republican, accused of voting for John McCain, accused of being a Hillary-bot, accused of hating Obama with the fire of a thousand suns.  None of which are true, but so goes the hyperbole on this site these days.

This speech is what I wanted to hear. It is truly heartening to see Obama is far better at reading the average voter than are many of his supporters on this site.  

Being skeptical that he could put this issue to rest with one speech, or ten, I am coming away from it feeling very heartened.  It was a great speech, perfect in it's tone and it's talking points.

Without throwing a decades-long friend to the wolves, Obama completely renounced the inflammatory anti-America statements of Rev. Wright.  This shows me loyalty, to friends and to country.  It shows me wisdom, and political acumen.  It shows me sensitivity, to human emotions and political whim.

Senator Obama addressed the racial divide without casting blame.  He shut down the black vs. white argument that has been threatening to take over this Presidential election.  Blame for fueling a divide was put where it belongs - the Rush Limbaughs, the Sean Hannitys, the conservative coalition, the corporate whores who have used racial divides for their financial gain.

Obama's speech was inclusive, rather than divisive.  All minorities were included in those who have suffered discrimination - not just black, but poor, women, hispanics, migrants of all ethnic backgrounds.

As a non-supporter going into this speech, and a white Catholic woman who figured I wasn't involved in this issue other than as a worried Democrat, I felt included.  I felt like I mattered, even in a speech who's main topic was supposed to be a United Church of Christ preacher and his inflammatory remarks.  

This speech, in my view, is the most important one of his career, as it determines where his political career is going in the near term.  He hit it out of the park.

Bravo.  And for that, Senator Obama, you have gained one more supporter.

UPDATE:  First the good news.  Media spin on this speech has been almost universally positive.  Michael Smerconish, noted righty-whacko, is positively raving about this speech on Hardball on MSNBC.  Chris Matthews is in drool mode - he has a new crush, and it's named Barack Obama.

Now the bad news.  It seems some posters here don't feel the need for any new supporters.  Seems if we weren't on the O-train from the get-go, we are not to be trusted and our votes aren't required.  It is nice to see that is not a majority opinion, but it is a dangerous one, nonetheless.  Obama will need every vote he can get to beat John McCain.  And Obama's message seems the opposite of exclusionary.  Perhaps the veteran Obama supporters could get their wayward fellow supporters to tone it down.