June 4th, 2008
The brand-new U.S. senator looked directly at the Rockford Register Star’s “Young American” award winners at Cliffbreakers. He honored the 40 outstanding teens by challenging them to change the world:
“We are sitting here because in each of you, someone saw a spark. It’s a spark that goes deeper than tests, grades and service awards. It’s the spark that keeps each of you asking ‘why or why not?’ The one that keeps you always searching for answers to those questions. The one that makes you say ‘I don’t have to be content with the present, because I have a role in changing the future’.”
He warned them that the U.S. can’t continue to be a world leader unless it competes with the world:
““We can’t stop the process of globalization; it’s inevitable…it’s here to stay. What we can do is make sure that each and every one of you are prepared for it.”
And he told them to keep on learning for the rest of their lives.
“The days of lifetime employment are essentially over. What will be possible is lifetime employability. If you’re prepared and understand that you have to upgrade your skills and seek information, (then) no matter what happens in the economy, you’re going to be able to adapt.”
That was Barack Obama, on May 7, 2005. It still summed up his essential challenge to Americans, young and old, on Wednesday, when the still-first term senator spent his first day as the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee for president.
June 4th, 2008
Obama’s victory over Clinton, although close, is remarkable in that a relatively unknown black man beat Team Billary, the most formidable political machine since Boss Tweed.
I remember when Obama launched his campaign in the winter of 2007, I asked a Chicago political writer and former colleague whether he thought Obama would gain traction. No, he said, Obama couldn’t withstand the expected onslaught from the Clintons. That was the common assumption,l that Obama had a bright future, but it wasn’t going to be in 2008. That year belonged to Hillary, the pundits agreed.
But Obama has defied the odds before. In 2004, I remember interviewing him when he stood at 3 percent in the polls during the Democratic primary campaign for U.S. Senate. He wasn’t even being seriosly covered by the press. Reporters were focused on other candidates, namely the millionaire Blair Hull and Dan Hynes, then as now the state comptroller. Obama surprised everyone by winning the eryone by winning the primary.
Then he gave that rousing speech at the Democratic convention in 2004. Meanwhile , the
Republican candidate, a guy named Ryan, imploded over a bizarre sex allegation made by his wife, actress Jerry Ryan, in their divorce proceedings. He quit the race, and Rockford’s own state senator, Dave Syverson, stepped up to the plate and recruited a candidate for his party — Alan Keyes, far-right talk show host from — Maryland! We all know how successful Mr. Keyes was. Obama cruised to victory.
And so, ladies and gentlemen, if Obama becomes president, and I think he will, we can look to our own Dave Syverson as the man who paved the march to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
He’ll be Famous Dave. Or Infamous Dave, depending on which side you’re on.
