BlogHer - One Week to Change - Comments

Promise of Obama | Hope and change

obama promises — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:02:48 -0500

Thanks for posting, President Barack Obama and his campaign promises have been so inspiring, and I agree with you that cooperation is the key to the new generation and the new Hope movement, for real change. Thank you again and I will be reading your blog.

Joni

A big, big thank you from the UK

Karsak — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:38:54 -0600

I guess it's more than a little optimistic to suppose you might have time to continue this blog, but I'm sure you'd be one of the first to say don't give up HOPE :-) So, here's hoping you'll get this message...

First a big, big thank you for the tremendous hope you and your husband have ignited, not just in America but across the globe. You have provided a fantastic opportuinty for America and the world to re-new itself and bring about a healing.

As a mixed race (Jamaican and Irish) female who recently lost my first local election in the UK, watching the president elect and yourself has been truly inspiring. It has encouraged me to get back up and try again.

I hope you get the love and support you deserve in the coming years.

Karen

Congratulations!

tokyoterri — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:20:36 -0600

I hope you and Barack and the family get to spend time to recharge.

His sober assessment of the challenges we face is both frightening and exhilarating: but he is also correct in his belief that we're ready to help make America America again!

Terri in Tokyo

Work: www.modernmediajapan.com
Politics: www.fightingliberal.com
Play: http://thesilversun.wordpress.com/

Congratulations

america4one — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:42:16 -0600

I think it is a wonderful day to see a man of mixed descent reach the White House. To me it shows the ultimate unity when the country can come together, put their racial differences aside, and vote for a man born of the union of a white woman and a black man when in years past both white and black people have discriminated against people of mixed descent. There is no greater symbol of unity that I can imagine. Congratulations to Obama and I pray that the country stands behind him all the way. He is a highly intelligent man with great conviction. May God Bless him and his family as they embark on this treacherous journey to save this country.I think it is a wonderful day to see a man of mixed descent reach the White House. To me it shows the ultimate unity when the country can come together, put their racial differences aside, and vote for a man born of the union of a white woman and a black man when in years past both white and black people have discriminated against people of mixed descent. There is no greater symbol of unity that I can imagine. Congratulations to Obama and I pray that the country stands behind him all the way. He is a highly intelligent man with great conviction. May God Bless him and his family as they embark on this treacherous journey to save this country.

God Bless You

kmaxrnv — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:02:39 -0600

We all worked so hard to make this happen. We did it. But amid the great victory there is also great sadness over your loss of toot. She is watching over you all.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Marilyn — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:48:47 -0600

Michelle,

The tears are flowing--still--this morning after. I want to congratulate Barack and you and the girls on this incredible and historic achievement. And for those of us who dared hope for two full years (since Sen. Durbin's petition) I can only say that this is the best example I've personally experienced of what can be achieved if we never take our eyes off the prize.

THANK YOU for the sacrifices you and your family have made to give back to our country.

May the next four years be filled with the promise of opportunity, the blessings of kindness and the soaring faith of dreams. May you be surrounded by angels and beckoned by greatness. I have no doubt you will make us fiercely proud as our First Lady.

MarilynM at Twitter

Co-Founder of Bloggers for Darfur

Here's hoping for a big win!

jcnash — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:36:14 -0600

You and Barack are truly an inspiration for us all. We look forward to casting our votes tomorrow for the Obama/Biden ticket. Please keep up your heartwarming and informative essays here when time allows. Best wishes from Jill in OK.

Thank you for taking the time

spiritedstrider — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 18:40:59 -0600

Michelle,
I am amazed that you have the time to write here, and really appreciate reading your posts. It would be great if it continues after you'r e our new First Lady! :) Only 2 days to go! Warmly, Barbara

Barbara, The Spirited Strider

Serving others in love, one step at a time

Barack O'Lantern

shaunna — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:18:59 -0500

This was a beautiful post, and you will be a wonderful First Lady.

As you are so busy I doubt if you're following this thread, (but) hopefully someone within your staff is. A virtual friend of mine carved the most awesome pumpkin of Barack, and authorized my putting it up on my blog today. It dawned on me within the past hour that your girls would probably love to see a picture of the Barack O'Lantern, so here's the link:

http://shaunna.typepad.com

I'll be working the phone banks this weekend and my ballot's already mailed.

Best of all good things,

-shaunna

Operation Breakthrough & Sisters Berta & Corita

rwardkc — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:14:46 -0500

My family and I are just a few of the hundreds of supporters and volunteers at Operation Breakthrough, the day care (and much much more) service for Kansas City's working families who live mostly at or below the poverty line. Thanks for mentioning the GREAT work and personal sacrifice of Sister Berta and Sister Corita, founders and leaders of this effort.

We encourage you to come back to KC as First Lady for a longer visit and hope you will take the time to make a personal visit to the Operation Breakthrough facilities. We welcome the support and volunteer efforts of people everywhere with this important service. Take a closer look at www.OperationBreakthrough.org.

BigDogKC

“The reason most people fail is that they trade what they want most for what they want at the moment

I'm so glad someone told me to look at your blog Monday

Sister Berta — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:41:00 -0500

Hi Michelle, Serving on the panel at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and meeting the women who spoke with you was one of MY favorite memories too! I agree that amazing things can happen when people come to together and get to know each other. We see it every day at our childcare center. There are so many needs in our communities and they need to be addressed. Some need to be addressed by government, but many can be addressed by individuals who care. Glad to hear the girls are excited about Halloween. I have to go now because we have 670 children here today who are also excited and I have to help get them into their costumes! That, by the way, is a great example of your message that individuals can make a difference. Every one of these costumes was donated by someone in town who wanted our kids to be able to celebrate Halloween, just like their children do. Take care, Sister Berta

Yes she can! More Michelle Obama at BlogHer!

sognatrice — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:38:22 -0500

Add me to the list of those who would love to read more posts by Michelle Obama--and not just because we share a great first name ;)

I sent my absentee ballot to PA weeks ago and just sent in a donation. GOOOOBAMA! Now let's keep reminding everyone who hasn't voted just how important it is to take *nothing* for granted and to *get out and vote!*

I also have to add: a few weeks ago I picked up a copy of Uomini & Business (Men & Business) here in Italy (yes, Italy has a long way to go on equality). Imagine my surprise when inside I found a fabulous article on Michelle Obama by Desideria Cavina. I think it's safe to say that even Italy is pazza per (crazy for) the Obamas.

---

Michelle Fabio, Esq.

Bleeding Espresso

About.com Guide to Law School

Italy Magazine Guarda! Columnist

voted

kmaxrnv — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:35:13 -0500

Early voting started over a week ago in Nevada. I have ALREADY VOTED FOR OBAMA. It was the first time I've been excited about my vote in a long time. I voted for Kerry too but he was not my first choice. This time my candidate made it and I have given money from my Social Security check each month for almost a year. I registered voters, worked at campaign hdqtrs. Emailed friends and family to vote for Obama. My son and his girl friend voted for Obama, as well as my daughter. My oldest son had never voted before, but this year he registered to vote so he could vote for Obama. Even the girlfriends parents (staunch republicans) are voting this year for the next PRESIDENT OF THE UNTED STATES, OBAMA.

voted

kmaxrnv — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:35:11 -0500

Emotional Support from Canada

CosmoChick — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:25:30 -0500

Michelle,

Thank you for being so grounded and so true. Thank you for being so calm and supportive. You are inspiring, and your inspiration reaches all of us up here in Canada. I believe in your husband, he is strong and shows great leadership. The issues, yes, for sure. But also his character. You can see it in what he says, and mainly in what he doesn't say. He doesn't rise to the pettiness, he is calm and collected.

I'm watching Bill Clinton speak right now as we speak. I believe that it is Barack's steadfastness that finally got the Clintons to get onboard, wholeheartedly.

You are an inspirational couple. For giving hope back to America and to the world, I thank you. The world awaits, we're holding our breath. Go win this thing!

One Week to Change

Michelle Obama — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:52:57 -0500

The leaves are turning, the air is crisper, and my girls are completely wrapped up in their preparations for Halloween. Yep, it’s definitely fall.

Malia and Sasha spent hours this weekend putting the finishing touches on their costumes. Then they paraded around with their friends at the Halloween party we hosted on Saturday night. Malia was what she calls an “evil fairy,” and Sasha was (I can hardly believe I’m writing this) a corpse bride. They were both aiming for terrifying, but as Barack put it, they really are just too cute to be scary.

In a few days, we’ll go trick-or-treating. And then, just a few days later, it’s Election Day.

After 21 long months, the big day is almost here.

This campaign has been such an incredible experience for me and for our family. I’ve learned so much. And I don’t just mean how to travel to five states in two days, or where to find places for kid-friendly fun anywhere in America on a moment’s notice. (Though, believe me, these are extremely useful skills.)

I’ve learned that there is so much more that unites us as Americans than divides us—no matter what our differences may be. I’ve seen neighbors pitching in when the folks around them need a hand—without being asked, and sometimes without even being noticed. Strangers seeing each other struggle, and standing up to say, “I don’t know you, but I want to help.”

This is exactly what Barack has been talking about for years. The fundamental values and experiences that bring us together… regardless of our race, our political party, our socioeconomic status, our age or our gender… all the threads that connect our lives and our futures. Because the truth is, we are in this together. We will rise and fall together. And the only way that we’ll build a better future for our kids is by coming together and working together for change.

As Barack always says, We don’t live in red states or blue states… we live in the United States. And during the past 21 months, as I’ve traveled around this beautiful country, I’ve seen the truth of his words again and again.

Now, with just two weeks to go until Election Day, I’d like share with you one of my favorite memories from the campaign trail, for you to get a sense of the extraordinary strength and kindness I’ve seen on my travels.

Throughout this campaign, I’ve hosted roundtable discussions with women—both to introduce myself and our family to the American people, and to hear the questions and concerns of folks all over this country. A few months ago, I was in Kansas City, Missouri, meeting with a group of local women, when one woman started talking about her son.

He had some developmental problems, and his pediatrician urged her to give him as much enrichment as she could. But she didn’t make enough money to afford daycare. So instead of spending his days playing with other children in a lively environment, this little boy was spending his days sitting in a relative’s living room, waiting for his mom to finish work.

This mother was heartsick over how to give her son a better quality of life during these crucial formative years.

Another woman was participating in the discussion that day: a nun named Sister Berta, who runs a nonprofit agency that cares for low-income children while their mothers are at work. And after we finished our discussion that day, Sister Berta quietly went over to the woman, and offered her son a spot at her center—for just $10 a week.

It almost seemed like a miracle. Right when that woman was brave enough to tell her story, there was someone listening who could help her. And two people who didn’t know each other before that morning found their lives on a different path after we left.

I think about that moment all the time. Because that right there—that sense of cooperation, that unity—that is why Barack is in this race. Because he believes so deeply in our ability to come together in times like these—times of crisis—to overcome any challenges that we face.

It’s going to take all of us working together to build a better future. And we have to start now. This election gives all of us the opportunity to change our world. So please, make the most of this moment. Educate yourself, and your friends and family, about the issues at stake in this election. And please, no matter who you vote for, make sure you vote.

I know we can do this. I’ve met so many strong and compassionate folks on the campaign trail. Folks like Sister Berta, who knows that we rise and fall together—and who can’t stand by if the situation demands that she step up.

My family is committed to this campaign because of people like her, and people like you.

So I’ll be carrying so many stories in my heart during these final days, wherever I go—whether I’m on the campaign trail, or collecting candy from our terrified neighbors, as I go door-to-door with our ghoulish girls.