You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Sat, May 1, 2010 : 5:44 p.m.

A behind-the-scenes look at Michigan's spring 2010 graduation, President Obama's speech

By Jeff Arnold

Despite a soggy start to the day, spirits were high among graduates and guests at the University of Michigan's 2010 spring commencement ceremony.

As many as an estimated 92,000 people crowded into Michigan Stadium to watch the ceremony and President Barack Obama's keynote speech.

Comments

Patricia Cockrell

Sun, May 2, 2010 : 6:59 p.m.

Sherry - thank you for your post. I absolutely agree with you in that he's accomplished quite a bit in his short time in office. It's understandable for some to be impatient until their own particular interests are addressed, but it's juvenile to blame Obama. (Remember folks - we have to do this together?) Also, to Tru2Blu76 - thank you for your post. Yours is the kind of respectful commentary we seem to be losing with the advent of instant and anonymous communication. I'm also 65, and I share the same vantage point in our political history as a nation. To hope that anyone can or will 'practice what he preaches' is understandable of course, but a president's integrity can't really be judged day by day. We have no idea what kind of forces are at play at that level of government. Unfortunately it seems the majority of the posts in this type of forum are ugly cheap shots and not helpful dialogue. It tends to scare off nearly everyone but the malcontents. People who are happy with the progress the President is making don't have the same motivation to post online as those who are angry, so it really can seem like the whole world has just gone ballistic. I'm convinced this is not the case in reality. If those of us who want to use these comment forums to really communicate continue to post, maybe we can change things. Who knows?

Sherry

Sun, May 2, 2010 : 4:51 p.m.

JOhnE GR were you there to back up what you are saying?? I know friends who were not there and NO he was not using a telepromter. And, if he had so what. Do you know how many of your close Republican buddies used them?? All of them did. I loved his speech and I believe in him. He came into a rotten situation that was left by the guy before him. So, do not be so quick to judge another, lest ye be judged. No one could have come into this office he holds so well and gotten what you and the rest of the Country wanted so badly, so quickly. I am proud of him and his work that he has done so far. Try taking some pride in the fact that we have a President that is doing so well considering what the last 8 years before him screwed up so badly. Ann Arbor, be proud that we had a great man and President at our Big House.

15crown00

Sun, May 2, 2010 : 3:33 p.m.

Golly i'm sorry i missed it.Would rather watch paint dry.

Mike

Sun, May 2, 2010 : 10:02 a.m.

Not that I agree with JohnE but yes, Obama was reading form teleprompters as all presidents do. Those pieces of glass at eye level to the left and right of him are the teleprompters and that is why he was always either looking left or right while he spoke. I actually liked the speech even though I dislike his policies but it is time for him to practice what he preached.

Eryn

Sat, May 1, 2010 : 11:24 p.m.

Ahh, JohnE GR, there was no TelePrompter at today's ceremony. Obama really was speaking with enthusiasm and emphasis, and maybe some typed up notes. And I'm curious as to what exactly he as done that's unconstitutional. Say what you will about Obama, but he's one of the most brilliant legal minds of our time, and I'm thinking that he could pretty easily figure out that if he signed a bill into law that was unconstitutional, the clearly conservative Supreme Court would shoot it down very quickly. You may not agree with his interpretation of what is constitutional, but unless you feel qualified to argue legal matters with the former president of the Harvard Law Review, I think you're a little out of your depth. And really, why does our great American Republic need Restoring? We have held true to the principles of our founding fathers, and made changes when and where necessary, but the Government of this country is still solely made up of people we elected, and thus the age old saying is still true, you get the Government you deserve.

JohnE GR

Sat, May 1, 2010 : 11:02 p.m.

Sorry, but it is just freaky hearing the President as other Presidents have, read from a TelePrompter with enthusiasm and emphasis with no conscience. They speak about upholding the Constitution when they sign legislation and executive orders that are completely against OUR Constitution. They do it with no quivering, no conscience. It is freaky to me. ~John Restore Our American Republic - ROAR