Think Progress

Obama becomes first African-American nominee for President.

aleqm5iv52nkucfg4owuvodkv4ly8rm_ag.jpgThe AP reports that Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) has officially become the presidential nominee of the Democratic party. “I have been asked to inform you that Senator Obama accepts the nomination and will deliver his acceptance speech tomorrow night at the fourth night of the convention to be held at Invesco field,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced today. Obama is the first African-American nominee of a major political party and will accept the nomination on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech.



73 Responses to “Obama becomes first African-American nominee for President.”

  1. livelongandprosper says:

    Finally!

    I’ve been having nightmares for 7.5 years. Soon I can just dream.


  2. Shayne says:

    Woohoo America! This is something we can be proud of.


  3. raynman says:

    THIS is why the terrorists hate us. Our ability to turn our backs from the darkness and move forward scares the terrorists more than any smart bomb or ’surge’. The mighty document that is the Constitution is our first, best and mightiest of weapons in the War on Terror. And now, we have a candidate who will use that weapon wisely, instead of a President who turns his back on it.

    Today, the United States again rises to meet the greatest challenge of the age, itself.


  4. spencers mom says:

    Finally! At 8:14 p.m. EDT Think Progress reports news that is only about an hour and a half old!

    ‘Bout time!

    PEACE


  5. MCMetal says:

    republicans hate facts Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    I recommend everyone read this article from the former dukakis campaign manager. Many of you are truly and utterly clueless with how badly Obama has screwed this election campaign up especially among fellow democrats that you need for his fall election.

    http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,412041,00.html

    Yes I know it’s fox news, but it’s from Susan Estrich.

    August 27th, 2008 at 8:34 pm

    What exactly did the Dukakis campaign win ?

    ‘Nuff said………


  6. Fred says:

    republicans hate facts Says:

    Grow up and be a man. You lost. It’s time to pony up and stop whining. Either vote the way you know is right or go vote for mccain…no one cares.

    I am tired of your whining and trying to create controversy in the democratic party where none exists.

    What can you possibly hope to accomplish? Do you want to take back the democratic election that put Obama in the position of nominee?

    You are a sore loser and are starting to be a sorry human being. I question your motives.

    Now is the time for unity. the primary’s are over.

    I have long supported clinton supporters right to voice their opinion here but what you are doing now is not right and you must stop it.


  7. Count Istvan says:

    Yes I know it’s fox news, but it’s from Susan Estrich.

    Thanks for the warning. I almost read it.


  8. dbadass says:

    republicans hate facts.
    I’ll be happy to read your article but I take offense to your tone. Clueless? What is it that makes you think you both have a clue and are in a position to judge the wisdom of others? For real what exactly is your story? You read like a very angry, judgemental (and with all respect) often borderline personality. Is that just a gimmick or what’s the deal? I think folks might find your ideas more interesting if you toned down the false sense of superiority as well as the TARD caps type stuff. Anyway I’ll check it out.


  9. Oval12345678 aka James K. Sayre says:

    If it’s any consolation to the white racists in America, the Obama-Biden ticket is three-fourths “white,” at least according to American racial folklore. Actually, there are no “races” in humans biologically speaking, merely differences in features, with gradations between different groups that have occurred over thousands of years of travel and marriage and reproduction.

    Folks fifty or a hundred years ago used to talk about the “Irish race.” We certainly don’t hear that term bandied about much in the 21st century… In history, there has even been talk of the “black Irish.” It seems that (supposedly) dark-skinned Spanish sailors stayed and intermarried with local Irish girls… We do love to categorize and label, don’t we, folks?


  10. raynman says:

    My friends, it is time to take back the country we love.

    And whether you voted for me, or voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose. We are on the same team, and none of us can afford to sit on the sidelines.

    Most of all, I ran to stand up for all those who have been invisible to their government for eight long years. Those are the reasons I ran for president, and those are the reasons I support Barack Obama for president.

    I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me? Or were you in it for that young Marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids? Were you in it for that young boy and his mom surviving on the minimum wage? Were you in it for all the people in this country who feel invisible?

    -Hillary Clinton-

    I don’t think anything more needs to be said.


  11. stateofthedivision says:

    Moments ago, I was discouraged by the predicted voting problems from Diebold machines, disturbed by the glad handing Azure Chupacabra (Blue Dog) Democrats, despondent from Bush/Cheney’s plans to go out in a blaze of war glory.

    Just when I was ready to request to an absentee ballot and mail in an NRCC like donation, I read this post. The smallest ray of hope appeared.


  12. freeman says:

    Congratulations Barack Obama , now please take off the gloves ! You have plenty of material after 8 years of neo conservative treason .
    Dennis Kucinich’s speech would be a wonderful battle strategy, the kind of hardball that would set democrats firmly apart from the republicans.
    Your sign looks great by the way in my front yard .


  13. Fred says:

    What an amazing day in America. I grew up in the deep south when there were still white and colored drinking fountains, etc. so I really never thought I would live to see this day.

    Join us RHF in this celebration of diversity.
    We would be joining you in your celebration if Hillary had been the nominee.


  14. pete says:

    I especially like the part where Saint Hillary philibustered FISA, voted against the war, denounced Bush before the U.N, swam the English Channel, slayed Godzilla, and ran the cleanest/kindest/most enlightening/smear-free primary campaign in U.S. history.

    Oh wait. One would need to be insane to believe any of that crap.


  15. jurassicpork says:

    My buddy Mike Flannigan’s also at the Pepsi convention center. You may not wanna read his dyspeptic dispatch if you’re an unabashed apologist for ersatz liberalism. However, if you don’t mind seeing it get a’bashed once in a while, amble on over to see what my pal Mike’s written.


  16. Zooey says:

    Woo hoo!!

    There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s not an on-coming train.

    The Bush nightmare will soon be over.


  17. Badmoodman says:

    Poor Hillary. She was forcing a smile through thinly clenched teeth while asking for an acclimation nomination of Obama. The rift remains.


  18. Shayne says:

    I’ve been a die hard white feminist for over 30 years and have a young daughter as well and was for John Edwards. I can tell you the racism and dirty dealing from Hillary is what drove me to vote for Barack Obama but if I had heard any sexism out of him or if he had fought as low as she had I wouldn’t have voted for him.

    If RHF can’t stop telling lies and is just here to stir up divisions then he needs to be flagged until he goes away.


  19. gummitch says:

    republicans hate facts Says:

    I recommend everyone read this article from the former dukakis campaign manager. Many of you are truly and utterly clueless with how badly Obama has screwed this election campaign up especially among fellow democrats that you need for his fall election.

    Jeeze, thanks for getting past all the name-calling you were complaining about. Great example you set for tolerance of other people’s opinions.


  20. Count Istvan says:

    Badmoodman Says:

    The rift remains.

    Only between your world and reality.


  21. KYJurisDoctor says:

    Hillary Clinton may have NOW redeemed herself with her CLASS act of moving for nomination of Barack Obama by acclamation! OsiSpeaks.com


  22. Shayne says:

    One other thing, there are women in public office with more experience than Hillary has. When one of them comes up through the ranks and achieves the nomination without using the name of her husband THEN and only THEN will women have a reason to be as proud as we should all be that a poor kid from a broken family achieved such a thing.


  23. Zooey says:

    republicans hate facts Says:
    Yes I know it’s fox news, but it’s from Susan Estrich.
    August 27th, 2008 at 8:34 pm

    So?


  24. livelongandprosper says:

    republicans hate facts

    Apparently so do some democrats!


  25. gummitch says:

    MCMetal Says:

    What exactly did the Dukakis campaign win ?

    ‘Nuff said………

    Indeed. I’m sure the first place I’d look for advice here is the campaign manager for Dukakis.


  26. RandomChaos says:

    Woot! A wonderful day it is indeed. It reminds me of something uttered back in the late Sixties. It was appropriate then, and I think bears repeating now.
    “One small step for Man, One giant leap for mankind”
    Nuff said.

    Cheers


  27. pete says:

    Hey rhf. Bill Clinton, the one who was smart enough to actually be elected President, is calling you a cry-baby traitor to the Democratic party.

    Personally, I still don’t like him or trust him but, he gives a Hell of a speech and is dead right on this point. If you vote against Obama out of some type of warped Hillary worship? You are as much an enemy as the goons who hold the reins today.


  28. Game of Life says:

    I’m all warm and fuzzy on the inside.

    Go Obama/Biden 08


  29. Shayne says:

    Bill Clinton is reminding me why I was ready to vote for him for a third term.


  30. pete says:

    Well, it’s confirmed. Bill didn’t want Hillary to be President. Because if he had given speeches like that, on her behalf, she would have won the nomination.


  31. joe cantwell says:

    glad i’m alive to see it.

    :)

    thank you.

    #


  32. MCMetal says:

    “The power of our example and not the example of our power” …

    It really is truly wonderful and inspiring to hearing such a great public speaker like B Clinton after 8 years of unintended zaniness and hilarity from an unintelligible moron , which is being continued by a thousand year old Depends wearing gold-digging philanderer…………..


  33. Doc Rock says:

    Let’s hope he becomes the first to win the Presidency (and in 2008!).


  34. the Lone Voice of Reason says:

    Far too long racist have not been called out for their ignorance. Now is the time to ask them how can they hate blacks in the workplace, TV, or any other arena or field other than the ones that they worship them on with a ball in their hand. It is ridiculous and draconian and it has to change.


  35. Marie says:

    As for Obama – I was worried all the way up to the nomination about this all coming together — they did it. I am pleased and relieved.
    I had to listen to Clinton’s speech tonight on the car radio — he performed as good as can be expected. Maybe even better than expected. He has restored his reputation in my mind.

    The end is in sight now. Obama will be president.
    We have seen history being made. Keep notes, newspapers, etc. for your grandchildren.


  36. Game of Life says:

    rhf, I expect this from repugs.

    Instead of joining in on this historical event, you link to, of all things, faux news.

    Guess what rhf were’re happy and you’re not. Oh well.

    Quote from G’s to Gents: I’m more than thrill, I’m happy.


  37. Buckie Boy says:

    Maybe an Native American can at sometime be considered, makes me proud that we minorities are being considered as “citizens” now.

    Congratulations Barak


  38. Buckie Boy says:

    Ok, RHF, you are really starting to be a pain in the butt, you are a lonatic, I will flag all your posts from now on…

    …on just being a lonatic and pain in the butt.


  39. Buckie Boy says:

    get the drift…

    LONatic

    LUNatic

    Loner


  40. IBTunion4obama says:

    This is historic. I can’t wait until we get another President that supports labor unions, keeping jobs here, and creating good paying jobs. I’m sick of this corporatist idiot of a President we have now.


  41. sectionop92 says:

    I live in northern San Diego county, where it has been easy so many times in the past for independents to be swayed to the conservative cause or for their trickery to go virtually unnoticed, only to be noted by those who keep their eyes open to the facade around them. When I’ve driven to my parent’s house, I literally can count into the low teens sometimes all of the “For Sale” signs I make on my 1.1 mile trek. What these conservative policies have done to the housing market is not only unforgivable, but to make neighbors put other neighbors on the street in the name of “their rule of law” is downright horrid.

    We need the whole Democratic party and whomever else wants to add their voices to evict the Republicans from the White House and from as many House and Senate seats as possible, so that the rekindling of the American dream can have the one thing it doesn’t have under the shadow of the GOP: hope.


  42. republicanSScareme says:

    The Democrats have made some wise choices and now we are United and we WILL WIN in November!

    God Bless America. Down with tyrants!


  43. clarkorwell says:

    Finally!!!! We can move forward as a nation and be proud of what we stand for. The conservative era has come to an end. It is the start of a new America. And it’s about time.


  44. pbg says:

    How on earth can you be a Hillary supporter if you don’t do what she asks you to? Tells you to?
    Anybody who says the rift remains is a McCain operative. Period.

    That said, I’m 55 years old. I watched armed troops line American streets to keep white people from attacking little black kids on their way to school. I watched people who looked like me and dressed like me, there faces contorted by hate, screaming obscenities just because black children were going to be in the same school as their kids. The same school. I remember the murder–murder–of Viola Liuzzo by Klansmen who chased her for 2o miles in a car and then pulled alongside her and shot her twice in the head. I remember the defense lawyer for the murderers calling her a ‘white n¡gger’ in court, and the cross burned on her family’s lawn in Detroit.
    I also remember The Man, Irving Wallace’s sensational shocking bestseller about the unthinkable happening–a black man becoming President of the United States.
    I never thought I’d see this day. I really didn’t.


  45. mark_scism says:

    “THIS is why the terrorists hate us. Our ability to turn our backs from the darkness and move forward scares the terrorists more than any smart bomb or ’surge’.”

    Seriously, somebody at this website still believes in the “war on terror”? There aren’t that many “terrorists” and they don’t “hate our freedom.” They hate the government’s foreign policy

    Congrats to Barack, but VOTE NADER. Obama is a corporate tool who let telecoms off the hook and will let Bush/Cheney off for war crimes


  46. A Patriot Acting says:

    I agree with pbg and am begining to think that rhf is just another dittohead posing as a progressive. His trollish rants and devisive digs have “troll” written all over it. A true progressive is swayed by honest facts and reality. With these staring rhf in the face, he is still unable to see right from wrong. His reasoning (or lack thereof) scream “troll”.


  47. RUCerious says:

    This makes me very proud to be an American, a democrat and a voter.


  48. Kay says:

    Finally. I am thrilled about this historic moment.

    Too bad it wasn’t McKinney getting the nomination.


  49. Fred says:

    mark_scism Says:
    Congrats to Barack, but VOTE NADER. Obama is a corporate tool who let telecoms off the hook and will let Bush/Cheney off for war crimes

    Don’t try to sell nader as a progressive. He’s not.

    The topic of the thread has nothing to do with nader. It’s about the fact that America has nominated it’s first African-Americian for president of the US and it wasn’t naders party that did it.


  50. Kay says:

    I guessed I fooled myself right up until FISA that Obama was a progressive (ThinkProgress). My vote for Obama is lukewarm.
    My vote for Obama is only to prevent McCain. I wish I could say that my vote for Obama was a full-fledged 100% support vote.

    I guess, again, it’s the lesser of 2 evils.


  51. Kay says:

    I have a dream too: that 9/11 is reinvestigated and that the House of Bush is finally prosecuted.

    Will Obama do this?


  52. McWars says:

    There’s always more work to be done, but I am glad that a chapter of inequality has been closed in our history. This chapter has a good ending. African-americans can feel represented at the highest office (they sorely need attention to issues disproportionately affecting them), and all Americans can have a president leading us into the 21st century, because I sure as hell don’t feel like I’m in the year 2008.

    Thanks, democrats, for the diverse candidates this election season.


  53. McWars says:

    John Kerry

    Make sure you comply with the terms of your probation. Is use of the internet off-limits to people like you?

    Shut the hell up.


  54. Fred says:

    John Kerry Says:

    move on traitor. You are gum on the bottom of a shoe.


  55. bitterale says:

    Cynthia McKinney was the first African American nominee for president. There will be no need to marginalize her, as they will Ralph Nader, because the corporate media has seen to it that most Americans will never hear her speak. Her message speaks thruth to power and the establishment (Democratic and Republican alike) will have none of it.

    Will


  56. EugeneDebs says:

    John Kerry Says:

    …and the first brotha to LOSE!!

    Nice going Hussein!!

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

    You really are a worthless ignorant piece of garbage arent you. Stupider than brass bubblegum and a bigot to boot. Do the world a favor and DO. NOT. BREED.


  57. Fred says:

    bitterale Says:
    Cynthia McKinney was the first African American nominee for president. There will be no need to marginalize her, as they will Ralph Nader

    Cynthia will be heard more now than ever. It’s not democrats who have silenced her it is the republicans.

    nader marginalized himself….as did perot, they are the same.


  58. desertflower1 says:

    For the first time, in 8 long years, I am proud of my country!!


  59. desertflower1 says:

    To KAY…MAybe you’d feel alittle better and more enthusiastic about Obama if you compare their ideas on women’s issues.THAT should bring you around to Obama 100%!!!!


  60. Kay says:

    bitterale,

    thanks for reminding me that Cynthia was the first African-American nominated for President! (Green Party!)


  61. bitterale says:

    Fred:
    I hope you are right about Cynthia. But watch how the Dems and Repubs keep her out of the “debates”. They are very afraid she wil bring up topics the corporate selections for president are not allowed to.

    I’m not sure how Nader could marginalize himnself. Seems counterproductive to me if it were even possible. If you mean his supporters kept Gore form losing the 2000 election then that tired old sod was disproven years ago. Any one of the other seven independents running for president had more votes than the Bush/Gore margin. The Dems blamed Nader because it was easier than facing the truth that Gove and the Dems ran a very poor campaign.

    One more note about Nader: I’m willing to try a consumer advocate. Weve tried corporate advocates for decades which led us to the mess we are in today.

    *****
    “I’d rather vote for something I want and not get it then to vote for tsomething i don’t want and get it.”
    Eugene Debs
    *****


  62. Fred says:

    Kay Says:
    bitterale,

    thanks for reminding me that Cynthia was the first African-American nominated for President! (Green Party!)

    Wasn’t Jesse Jackson a nominee at least once before that?

    Obama is actually going to get elected though and that’s the point I think.


  63. Fred says:

    bitterale Says:

    nader took gop money to run against democrats. How do you get around that?


  64. bitblt says:

    First African-American President…?

    While bit understands that BHO’s father was from Africa, it strikes bit as somewhat( a bit ) misleading to refer to BHO as African-American. While technically accurate this hyphenated American designation usually means that one is the descendant of slaves brought to the North American continent in the early days of the British colonies. BHO does not descend from these slaves who help build the USA.

    Further, the Senator’s first two names are distinctly Arabic. Was BHO’s father an Arab? If so, wouldn’t it be more accurate to call him an Arab-American?

    bit doesn’t thing this is particularly important. However, it doesn’t seem somewhat( a bit ) ironic that the first African-American candidate for POTUS is not a descendant of slaves, but more likely a descendant of slave owners.


  65. bitterale says:

    Fred says:

    nader took gop money to run against democrats. How do you get around that?

    I believe it was in Oregon and was a safe Democratic state.

    Admittedly that did not go unnoticed by me at the time and it upset me as well because it was before I awoke and realized how futile the exercise of voting for the lesser of the two evils really is.

    Do not lose sight of the fact that the word “progress” is in the title of this blog.

    I am under no allusion that Cynthia or Ralph can win the election but it is important to not exclude them from the debates. Their presence will raise the bar and hopefully allow for a more relevant discourse.


  66. Fred says:

    bitblt Says:

    bb doesn’t get it and I’m not surprised.

    bitblt thinks that you should call a black man an arab based on name.

    bitblt thinks Barrack Obama is not a man who made it in the world by himself, unlike mccain, bush, etc.


  67. Fred says:

    bitterale Says:
    I am under no allusion that Cynthia or Ralph can win the election but it is important to not exclude them from the debates. Their presence will raise the bar and hopefully allow for a more relevant discourse.

    I would agree with this. There seems to be no logical reason to exclude them from the debates.


  68. Fred says:

    bitterale Says:
    If you mean his supporters kept Gore form losing the 2000 election then that tired old sod was disproven years ago.

    I don’t agree with this. I firmly believe that the naderites cost us the 2000 election. You make statements that imply proof yet I see none.

    If it had not been so close then the gop could not have stolen it and it would not have been that close without nader in the mix…..it’s called a spoiler and it’s a fact. Perot did the same to the gop in the 90’s


  69. Fred says:

    bitterale Says:
    Do not lose sight of the fact that the word “progress” is in the title of this blog.

    And how exactly is getting rid of gop domination of our country not progress?


  70. bitterale says:

    Fred says:

    I don’t agree with this. I firmly believe that the naderites cost us the 2000 election. You make statements that imply proof yet I see none.

    If it had not been so close then the gop could not have stolen it and it would not have been that close without nader in the mix…..it’s called a spoiler and it’s a fact. Perot did the same to the gop in the 90’s

    I understand your sentiments and they are shared with many but where does it say in the Constitution that Ralph Nader did not or does not have the right to run for president?.

    By using this tired old spoiler logic it can just as easily be concluded that Gore lost the election for Nader.


  71. bitterale says:

    Fred Says:

    And how exactly is getting rid of gop domination of our country not progress?

    When you realize that both the Democratic party and Republican party are nearly identical. The only thing that changes is the face of puppet that is running for the office.

    I understand exactly what you mean and I was there myself 8 years ago.

    The only significant difference between McCain and Obama is that McCain espouses that he is pro-life where Obama espouses he is pro-choice. Either candidate will continue the Bush doctrine of preemptive war.


  72. bitterale says:

    Fred says:

    I don’t agree with this. I firmly believe that the naderites cost us the 2000 election. You make statements that imply proof yet I see none.

    ASk and ye shall receive…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAyNWXnTZ84


  73. mauro7inf says:

    As has been mentioned above, Obama is not the first African-American nominee, just the first from a major party.

    And to think that it might have been Alan Keyes…



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