There is little doubt in anyone’s mind that we have witnessed one of the most stunning, history-making speeches of our generation. Sen. Barack Obama stepped up to be the podium making presidential promises, and I’m cool with that: that’s what politicians do. But, to my surprise, and in a very unpolitical way, he gave us a blueprint that we Americans finally can know what’s on his mind: there is some red meat to chew on, and for the haters to pick apart.

His speech was uplifting without being sappy; spiritual without preachy; smart without being intellectual; deeply introspective without being self-serving and boldly assertive without being naïve. There is a sense now that he knows what lay ahead, that he is not intimidated and ready to meet the challenge. He came across as a confident but not cocky, a delicate balancing act for a Black man. You and I know that any time a Black man stands up for himself and his ability, people say he thinks too much of himself. Obama addressed his vulnerabilities while popping his collar just a touch. 

He touched on every-day issues and made sure he told everybody that he felt them, and he heard them. And he’s on it. You really can’t ask a whole lot more of a presidential candidate than to feel your pain and do what he can to address your issues. Obama wasn’t that Harvard grad: he came across as a concerned neighbor who wants to make your block a better place to live, and that was just the right note to hit. He reached out in other ways, too.

His story of being raised by a single mom and abandoned by an absentee dad resonates in a country where 50 percent of all marriages fail, and most children are only going home to one parent. Even being politically neutral at this point, I felt his determination to be worthy of his mother’s sacrifices in my heart: I, too, have built my career and it’s relative success in an effort to think that woman who read to me as a child, who worked three jobs at a time, but was never too broke to buy me a book, and never too tired to check my homework. This is my story. This is Obama’s story. Next, Obama will have to protect and defend his plan, a helluva job. He’ll be forced to stand and deliver and make sense of all those promises.

What do you think? How do we know Obama has what it takes to keep his promises?  Tell us here.

Images courtesy of bet.com.

(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One.  TV One does not take responsibility for their content.) 

Former President Bill Clinton showed us how he’s been able to side-step sexual indiscretions and exhibit the swagger and sway that he has become famous for when he spoke at the Democratic National Convention. Bill Clinton made the apologies, directly or by implication, that his wife didn’t make the night before last.  It’s a shame his speech wasn’t on broadcast TV and it’s hard not to see this as a diss from Obama’s people, but Clinton played his position.

It’s funny, because two weeks ago, Bill wouldn’t say if Sen. Barack Obama was fit to lead. Yesterday, he was clearly down for Obama, clearly on the team. This was definitely the best speech Clinton has given since he left office. He flipped the script on all that tough talk he delivered on the campaign trail, stepped up and gave the best argument for an Obama-Biden White House. "With Joe Biden’s experience and wisdom, supporting Barack Obama’s proven understanding, insight and good instincts," he said, "America will have the national security leadership we need." His rap was so smooth, that most people and pundits say that Black America has forgiven him for turning his back on Black people and making nasty comments earlier this year. I say, you can’t trust political apologies. But what do you think?

Can Black America forgive The Clintons and accept their endorsement without being suspicious?  Tell us here.

Images courtesy of necn.com.

(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One.  TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)