"A Flawed And Imperfect Vessel"
Barack Obama was in Detroit today for a meeting with local African American leaders. Full pool report is available after the jump.
Pool Report
Chozick, The Wall Street Journal
Meeting with African-American leaders. The attendees were invited by the
Obama campaign and consisted of elected officials, community leaders and
faith leaders. Jen Psaki said the talk was organized "to provide
information about the campaign."
No news. Obama delivered about 15 minutes of remarks focusing on how
activism at the community level is needed in order to progress his
national political agenda.
He took a few questions after the speech but your pooler was not allowed
to stay and listen to the Q&A and did not receive an explanation as to
why she was rushed out.
Obama talked about early childhood development as a key to help young
people, especially African-Americans, succeed. "We know that in a
country as wealthy as America, if you're able to work, you should be
able to find a job," he said to shouts of "amen!" from the crowd.
"We know that in a country as wealthy as this one we should be able to
create the kinds of energy policies that don't lead to $4 a gallon
gasoline," he said. "Grassroots organizing can shape politics."
"The best education I've ever had was my work as a community organizer
because it taught me ordinary people can do extraordinary things," Obama
said to applause and nods of approval. "I continue to be an organizer at
heart."
He called himself a "flawed and imperfect vessel for this mission" and
said that after he wins the general election "we're going to have more
work to do to make sure these aren't empty promises."
He asked the attendees to do everything they can to register voters in
Michigan. "We want every single person, every living soul here in
Michigan to get out and vote."
Obama referenced his Father's Day speech in Chicago on Sunday and said
it is "interesting to see the pundits making a fuss over it because it's
something I've said for years."
When a child picks up a gun and shoots another child "that's not just a
problem of gun control, that's a problem of self control." The crowd let
out a big "amen" and "that's right" in almost perfect unison.
He told his standard story of the woman in South Carolina who started
the "Fired up! Ready to go!" chant. "One voice can change a room...Your
voice can change the world," he said receiving a standing ovation.
a "flawed and imperfect vessel for this mission"
Well he got that much right.
"We know that in a country as wealthy as America, if you're able to work, you should be able to find a job,"
Does that include work like working in a slaughterhouse or picking grapes for a few dollars a day?
"The best education I've ever had was my work as a community organizer because it taught me ordinary people can do extraordinary things,"
Funny how we're never treated to specific examples of how ordinary people can do extraordinary things. You'd think he'd have lots of examples.
"we're going to have more work to do to make sure these aren't empty promises."
Considering his whole campaign was made up of empty promises, it looks like he's got his work cut out for him.
Obama referenced his Father's Day speech in Chicago on Sunday and said it is "interesting to see the pundits making a fuss over it because it's
something I've said for years."
Actually the pundits made a fuss when Bill Cosby demanded that parents do their jobs. I can't find any reference to anything Obama has said for years on the subject.
When a child picks up a gun and shoots another child "that's not just a problem of gun control, that's a problem of self control."
Really? And where does he stand on gun control? It turns out here, there and everywhere.