Obama's Most Painful Experience

[illinoisprogressive]

WASHINGTON, Iowa -- With most voter questions dealing in weighty policy matters, a man in the audience asked Sen. Barack Obama a somewhat unusual question this afternoon.

"What would you say is the most painful and character-building experience of your life that puts you in an important position to make important decisions of life and death and the well-being of our country?"

After a brief pause, Obama talked about his childhood:

"I would say the fact that I grew up without a father in the home. What that meant was, I had to learn very early on to figure out what was important and what wasn't and exercise my own judgment, in some ways to raise myself. I mean, my mother was wonderful, and was a foundation of love for me. But as a young man growing up, I didn't have a lot of role models, and I made a lot of mistakes. But I learned to figure out that there were certain values that were important to me, that I had to be true to. Nobody was going to force me to be honest. Nobody was going to force me to work hard. Nobody was going to force me to have drive and ambition. Nobody was going to force me to have empathy for other people. But if I really thought those values were important, then I had to live them out...That's why it's so important for me now, both as a United States senator, as presidential candidate, but also as a father and a husband to wake up every morning and ask myself am I living up to those values that I say I think are important. Because if I'm not, I shouldn't be president."

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2007/10/obamas_most_painful_experience.html

[Olney Blue]

1. I really admire this man.

[Glimmer of Hope]

2. Me too and I am proud he is a Democrat.

[Olney Blue]

4. Me too.

:bounce:

[flpoljunkie]

3. When he talks about his mother in the introduction to his book, it is really overwhelmingly moving.

His first book, "Dreams From My Father." I recommend it to everyone.

[silverweb]

8. Yes.

That is a wonderful book.

[silverweb]

5. Perfect answer.

My respect and admiration for Obama grow daily. He has a brilliant mind, an amazing background, and I believe in his goodness and sincerity.

He inspires me and I want him to be our next President.

GObama!

[Terri S]

6. One of the most amazing men we've ever had running for office.

I read a lot of blogs where people write negatively about him (often right here at DU), and wonder if this country deserves someone of his character, intellect and integrity.

[jenmito]

7. Wow. Thoughtful, honest answer...5th Recommend!

He really has come a long way as well as done everything on his OWN. No coattails to ride on, no Washington establishment to help him, etc. Gobama!

[Nimrod2005]

9. Our next President!

[killbotfactory]

10. That's the Obama I like

Imagine! A thoughtful, intelligent president! It can happen!

[Nutmegger]

11. With Obama, there is hope for the future...

R&K

[Colobo]

12. This man needs to be Our Next President.

[illinoisprogressive]

13. A very insightful and honest man