Barack has a dream - and Bill too

What with Martin Luther King day and the South Carolina primary coming up, the Democratic frontrunners are reaching out for the African-American vote, as these two videos, of first Barack Obama and then Bill Clinton, show.

Barack Obama was at his spine-tingling best in this speech on Sunday at King's Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, reaching oratorical heights that the other candidates could only dream of.

But that same day both Bill and Hillary Clinton were in Harlem and, as the New York Post reported, Bill showed that he, too, had a dream..

Comments

[Fan]

I would have a bigger dream if i was in Clinton's seat. It was a very 'interesting' speech by that fat man.

[NinaK]

Bravo!! Awesome speech by Senator Obama!! What a commanding voice and unsurpassed oratory skills he has!! America, you are looking a man with conviction and truth. Here is the man we need to elect as our President and Commander and Chief. America, rise up and support this gentleman. Senator Obama want to be our President because he truly wants to lead our country into a new direction and a brighter America, and not because he feels intitled or that we owe it to him. "We, the people" have the ULTIMATE POWER and we need to unite our voices and say "NO, DEFINITELY NOT" to the Clintons. Let's JOIN this gifted gentleman in bringing integrity, honesty, and vision to our UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!

[NinaK]

How can Bill Clinton sleep during that service? He demonstrates just how much love and respect (NIL) he has for Martin Luther King and the black community. He also snows no respect for the officiator, Martin Luther King III and the other people in the church. Not only does he snooze, when he wakes up and shifts in his seat, he looks at his watch to check the time!!! TACKY!! NO CLASS!!! But then do either Bill and Clinton show any class? Not at all!

[anna]

Who has not fallen asleep during a speech. No matter how interesting or impoortant it may have been if you are jet lagged or tired some times no matter how U fight it you fall asleep. It just shows he is human.

[PG]

1. One's speaking skills are just that - speaking skills. They have little to do with one's management skills or people skills - two MUCH more important criteria to use when choosing a president. Do you want our Pres. to sound nice, or do a good job?

2. I'm no Clinton fan, but just because a fellow falls asleep during a service doesn't mean he has "no class". He's been on a tough campaigning schedule, and who hasn't nodded off at church occasionally? The only difference is that we don't have cameras watching our every move, and reporting the slightest faux pas.

[roger]

Don't pick on Bill, he was dreaming who he should call tonight for a date.

[NCPeoples]

He fell asleep right there on stage. Only a disrespectful man would do that.

[Jswaim]

The combination of exhaustion from the campaign trail AND the sing-song deep resonance of the speaker (and the length of the speech?) all contributed, I'm sure, to Mr. Clinton's nodding off. Embarrassing, but hardly incriminating!

[Catherine]

I am not a big fan when it comes to politics. I do believe that this year history will change when it comes to selecting the President of the United States. I have always had a positive opinion when it came to the Clinton administration. I also feel that it will be a new change in history if the next president would be a woman. It will also be a change if the US had a president that was partly African American and Caucasian. I lean more towards the democratic party. But selecting the next president should not have anything to do with if they are a woman or African American. It's partly about standing your ground, being firm and not reacting to attacks from the opposing party. By observing both Clinton and Obama, I must say Obama holds the thrown in that area. He is also a excellent spokesperson. I observed Hilary Clinton lash out at Obama on the debate, and I commend Obama for not reacting or lashing back at her. Lets not forget that people are voting for the candidate with the better character and I believe Obama has it. May the best candidate win.
Unfortunately, I have not seen it in neither Hilary, yet Bill. I would say that Obama has my support 100%. Sorry Hilary. I don't think you are the right female candidate for the position. I am not saying that a woman can not be president. She is just not the right one.

[Amclain]

I say we draft Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, we would be a great country, no debts, and we could ask the American people, one year, we buy no toys, save that money, what a Country we would have

[Oye Maa]

There's no doubt Bill Clinton was exhausted from campaigning. He's not a young man any more, you know. But looking at his watch during a keynote address by King's son was disrespectful. Bill Clinton's behavior (attacking Obama) during this campaign has also been troubling, to put it lightly. He seems desperate to get back into the white house, and enjoy the presidential Boeing 747 aircraft once again.

Looking at the two front runner democratic candidates, truthfully, it is very apparent that Obama is a 'natural.' He has the gift. If we were in an ancient culture where an oracle selects a successor, I think that oracle would have picked Obama. He just fits the role so nicely. He sort of reminds me of a youthful version of Nelson Mandela, in the way he carries himself with so much dignity. I think he will help clean up the enormous mess that George Bush has made and restore America's image abroad.

People are always talking about lack of experience as if a president runs the government all by himself, and perhaps with a little help from his spouse and kids. That's hardly the case. Any candidate that wins this election will have access to all the talents in America, to help him or her run the country effectively and efficiently. Unlike Bush, Obama strikes me as a man who would listen to reason before making a major decision. And that's really what he needs to run this country. He has already demonstrated that he has common sense and good judgment.

If you have not already made up your mind to vote for Obama, please give him an honest second look, devoid of all prejudices.

[Arthur]

Wow!!!!! what a great speech by obama. If the job of the presidency was to give great speeches, this guy would be perfect. But since that's not the case, he's not qualified to be president. Beware of obama, my fellow black Americans. He's headed to california for the primaries, and he wants the latino votes. He's already proposing driver liscenses for illegals, and he was for the amnesty bill. You do know what that means, dont you. They become legal and start taking jobs that we as black Americans dominated. We could see the worst unemployment rate among black Americans ever in history. Stop thinking about voting for this man because hes, or as other people call him black. Listen to what he's really saying and doing. He is about to sell black Americans out for votes. The entire democrat party will sell us out. Please, pay attention to obama and really listen to what he says while in california. He is about to sell us out for the latino vote. Just pay attention. Please

[Carlos]

I like Bill. I think he was a great President. But the way he tries to disguise his falling asleep and his boredom (body language is my thing) makes me like him a little less today. Or is it that I'm liking Obama a whole bunch? Probably, that too. I predict Obama wins both the Democratic nomination and the November elections quite comfortably. Furthermore, I predict he'll become the world leader we've all been waiting for (I'm from Bolivia) to get us on the fast lane into the Era of Acquarium.

[Laura]

I confess, I'd have fallen asleep, too, if I'd been on the schedule Bill has been on. As for Obama, he'll make a great president in ... uh... eight years, when he's gotten some experience. If exciting oratory skills are all that a U.S. President needs, why not just elect the speechwriters? Obama can get elected, sure, but can he actually DO everything he proposes?

[Gary Helm]

Bill stays awake and gets excited when he is doing something to further his political aganda and get you to believe his manipulative, fake arthenticity. He is so good with feigned sincerity. He is good. But when someone else has the stage, he loses interested because he is really only concerned about himself and how he can convince you to love him. Sad.

[Andrew Hemming]

Barack,

If you don't win the US presidency and I sincerely hope you do - please come to England and work your magic as our Prime Minister - I feel really cheated when comparing you with Gordon Brown!

[tom taibbi]

lets go hillary tell bill to blow that sax , so loud that he blows obama into the next area code...............

[Francis Ezeu]

So he was tired, big deal.

[Ian MacDonald]

Wow, I have listened to many politicians speak over the years but Obama is by far the best orator I have had the pleasure of listening to. He moved me. He moved that audience. I thought he made it very clear that he is going to bring pride and common sense back America. His attack on the US corporatocracy sure seems to contradict the statements that the Democratic and Republican candidates are pawns of big business. If he does not get assassinated between now and November by the rich and powerful, we may see the kind of advances for ordinary Americans that have not been seen since Roosevelt in the 1930s.

[Kryptoss]

HAHAHA. Bill was looking at his watch.

[Celi]

Wake up American as you writing a new page in History, American need change, I need someone with that vision, words, speeches make you think and Change things, Obama vison about change will be faufilled with each American people who will backing him up.
American is hungry of change it a fact Barrack will bring that change not himself but with you.
The fact is he has already bring a change in sense that young et others Now started to vote. Hillary you exprecience did not do that!
Please see the Change coming and it will come not by magic but beacause of You! YOU! YOU !YOU!

[jackson Bakare]

Although a'm not an American ,a'm pleased to have this opport.to write this comment .
I have great respect for Senator Clinton ,she possesses a wealthy of political experiences. She has everything to make a good president. However,to vote her into power at this time in history would be robbing Americans of a rare opportunity of having an inspiring leader like Barack.
Dear Sen.Hillary in one of your your attacks against Barack,u seem to suggest that eloquent leaders ca'nt be performers .If you think this way you are wrong.Although ,am younger and less experienced in history like Sen.Hillary but I atleast know that the best leaders human kind has had are those who inspire ,rally pple for a common goal .Hillary seem to lack this talent.If u can't show your experiences thru inspiration and hope,then u are not experienced .Obama ,it's yours.

[George]

So Bill is unfit because he nodded off? Hmmn. I guess that means the same for Ronald Reagan who nodded off while at an official foreign dinner. It certainly is less offensive than GHW Bush who threw up on the Chinese premier!

[Margie]

I agree with the one that said I am for a woman president but Hilliary is not the woman. She is for push and shove and she does a good job of that. I have seen the real Hilliar at times when the press is not present and believe me we do not need that in the White House. After all she is not woman enough to keep her husband at home. If she can't rule her home how can she rule the country.

[Sophia]

I love your comments, Margie! She's not woman enough to keep her man home! My, I wonder how old you really are?! And if you remember a time when women didn't have all the advantages that you now enjoy? When I went to high school, kids went outside to smoke between classes because cigarettes were available to anybody with the coins to buy them out the machine. The Clintons changed all that. The nation is becoming a non-smoking and healthier nation due to this one little thing done during the Clinton administration. And this is just one little thing from the good ole days...what do you care about anyone's private business?

[kathy]

Bill looks like a tired old bag, just like Hillary looks, like a tired old hag. The people around the world laugh when they hear the name. Embarrassing Clinton's please go home.

[janice]

Bill and Hillary are an embarrassment. Their scandals are not over and are not forgotten. We are tired of the drama.

[DOROTHY]

I HOPE THAT HILLARY WIN SHE IS A BETTER FOR THIS COUNTRY

[Desiree]

Ok guys.Im not American, Im just giving my opinion on this.Just because he was falling asleep doesnt mean he has no respect for Martin Luther King, thats overreacting on your part.How many of us have fallen any asleep during any long speech or college lecture, church service? It depends on the person delivering the speech,you have to have that animated sort of personality to connect with your audience.Some people dont have that ability & that in turn can put your audience to sleep.

[cindy smith]

Forget about what "hags" both Hillary and Bill look to be!

Remember, they are the most CORRUPT AND IMMORAL people living today!

If, we in America are really interested in CHANGE, we will be concerned about returning to our Constitution as our Forefathers intended it to be followed!

[Lisa W]

You guys are way too hard. Bless his heart, the man is tired. He's no spring chicken either.

[Tangent]

Having struggled not to nod off during speeches and the like, I can almost sympathize with former President Clinton there. I guess he should have taken a nap before listening to the speech... or drunk an energy drink or three.

But seeing that I utterly despise Clinton and his wife for what they put us through starting in '92, and all I can do is find immense amusement at this sleepy gaffe. No, it's not disrespect of blacks or the like. It's a simple slip. But it still is quite amusing... especially the end when he checks his watch.

[CR of Aurora]

At one time, I was definitely for Hillary, but to see the desperation and extremes that she and her family will go to remain in the race has been completely appalling! They have been changing the needed counts since she started off losing. (Since when has 100 less meant that you are winning, except in golf?)Before this nomination race, you would not have gotten me to believe that the Clinton's could be so devious and dirty in their politics, but that has changed. (Race baiting?)Hillary, you just missed your opportunity. Times have changed. People have changed. A woman president would have been great, but you are not the one.Why not groom your daughter to run in a few years. And please make sure that she maintains a non-gutter political stance.