What did you think of President Obama's speech at Michigan Stadium?
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Were you there - or did you watch the speech on television? Check out what a few people in the social media sphere had to say, then leave a comment below with your thoughts about what Obama had to say and what it was like in Ann Arbor.
From Gisele Suzanne on Facebook: "It was amazing in person!"
From doctorg23 on Twitter: "Thought Obama gave an excellent speech to inspire the graduates. #umgrad10 #obamaA2."
From _Elenor on Twitter: "#ObamaA2 Audience at Michigan Stadium that gathered to hear Obama's speech was his largest since inauguration, reports say, and we saw it!"
From jennyserwach on Twitter: "Overheard commentary from a member of the crowd leaving after the speech: ''It was legit.'' #obamaa2."
From Amanda Weck via text message: "As the President leaves the stage, I leave the stadium. Congratulations graduates and thank you Barack Obama! I'm definitely not the only person leaving now to beat traffic. The University has done a wonderful job hosting commencement!"
Click here to see a roundup of comments from Twitter, Facebook and AnnArbor.com.
Comments
american
Mon, May 3, 2010 : 5:16 p.m.
I don't have a comment about his speech, but I would like to know "where was our AMERICAN FLAG?" Last I knew this is still America, and I would like to know WHY our own country was not represented. Our "flag" should have been "directly" behind "OUR PRESIDENT" correct???
rulieg
Mon, May 3, 2010 : 9:28 a.m.
Typical hypocrisy. "we should have civil discourse" means "YOU should not disagree with anything I say." Obama is largely responsible for the un-civil discourse in this country, and he needs to practice what he preaches. if he really meant it his minions would stop with the "tea partiers are anti-American evilmongers" junk. but he doesn't mean it. I think it's hilarious that you people believe everything he says even when he's clearly lying. and to my good friend Dave Briegel, uh, yeah he did have a teleprompter. you should know he can't speak without one.
jcj
Sun, May 2, 2010 : 10:14 a.m.
There are those that do and there are those that tell others what to do. There are those that think and those that tell others what to think. Obama would do well to practice what he preaches. He has way too many skeletons in his closet to be casting stones. Student speaker Alex Marston gave a much better speech.
eyeloveypsi
Sun, May 2, 2010 : 9:54 a.m.
It was wonderful to have our president honor our graduates with his presence. It really doesn't matter your political view, how awesome would it be to have the POTUS speak at your commencement? Certainly something to remember the rest of your life! (sorry, hit something that sent this prematurely...)
John
Sun, May 2, 2010 : 9:05 a.m.
It was an honor to hear our President in person yesterday. I found his message very inspiring and it made me proud to be an American.
Hot Sam
Sun, May 2, 2010 : 7:57 a.m.
"""It truly is great to have a President who proudly earned every single accomplishment on merit alone.""" That's hilarious and probably a good topic for another thread. The man does give a wonderful speech...
David Briegel
Sun, May 2, 2010 : 7:28 a.m.
Least qualified? Surely you jest! McCain was the affirmative action candidate (for the semi-literate offspring of Admirals). Last at Annapolis, crashed two multi-million $ jets, maverick, not a maverick, picking an incompetent (spill, baby spill) to be a heartbeat away. Silliness! To Repubs, birthright is a qualification! David and stephanie, Bravo!
Rasputin
Sun, May 2, 2010 : 7:11 a.m.
President Obama is exemplifies the Democratic mantra: We need to work together, we need education, and we need to learn from our past and carry the torch forward! Bravo Mr. President!
stephanie
Sun, May 2, 2010 : 6:48 a.m.
It was a great speech and he really is a great man. I saw one pro-lifer and less than a dozen tea partiers. It was great that it didn't turn into a circus like Notre Dame's commencement.
UWM
Sun, May 2, 2010 : 6:47 a.m.
The man gives a good speech, but that's about it. For all the talk about how smart, talented, etc., he is, I don't see it. Slick-talking is not the same as intelligent, thoughtful, and up for the task at hand. I think Obama's mostly an empty suit who's not qualified to hold the office of the President, but then, I think this is how it's been for him for his whole life. He's advanced his career via a combination of personality and white liberal guilt, aka, affirmative action. He was clearly the least-qualified candidate - less so than Hillary, McCain and yes, even Palin - yet people flocked to his mesmerizing rhetoric and symbolism vis-a-vis being the first serious candidate of color. However, now that he has to deliver we've seen missteps, flip-flops and outright stupid decisions. Still, he gives a really good speech and he's even learning how to memorize them like any good actor; but they said Reagan was a good communicator too. I just don't trust a guy who says "when they hit you, hit back twice as hard" and then a few months later when he's losing the debate says (paraphrasing) "can't we all just get along?" He must think we're as shallow, fickle and vain as he is.
walmartsevil
Sun, May 2, 2010 : 12:21 a.m.
Is this moderated? My first comment didn't show up.
walmartsevil
Sun, May 2, 2010 : 12:18 a.m.
I'm with you Christy. It's kinda scarey reading some of these comments. But he was very open about his plans for escalating the wars during the debates, before he was elected. But a lot of people still voted for him, thinking he was the antiwar candidate.
stunhsif
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 11:44 p.m.
Bring in the Clowns and their Dead Clown folllowers!!!!
bruceae
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 10:47 p.m.
That's all this clown can do is give a speech. Too bad he can't do anything else. Of course he can just be like Grandholm blame everything on the previous administration.
walmartsevil
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 10:40 p.m.
I'm with you Christy. There's something a little scary about this. He openly promised to escalate the wars during the debates, before he was elected. And lots of people voted for him because they thought he was the antiwar candidate.
concurrent
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 9:05 p.m.
Wow, Stan. You really missed the point of his speech. It's certainly fine if you disagree with the president's policies, as I don't agree with many of them myself. You, however, are just being insulting and demeaning.
Rebecca
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 8:58 p.m.
Bravo! To the graduates, the University and President Obama! We watched the entire commencement from home and we were so moved. (Also upset we missed it in person) How great for any of you who had the pleasure of experiencing this first hand. My favorite part of Obama's speech though was when he said.."Uh...Go Blue" made us LOL!
stan
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 8:15 p.m.
The speech was like his presidency: terrible. The day he leaves office will be a great day for this country. Oh, and Mr. President, a LOT more than one third of the country thinks you're an idiot.
Hunterjim
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 8:14 p.m.
Nice speech, however he must practice what he preaches!!!so far its "do as I say not as I do....."
AG
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 7:45 p.m.
More of the same "let's just get along." In my opinion that's not we need at this turning point in our history. He's no FDR....
NoSUVforMe
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 7:07 p.m.
How lucky we are to have Barack Obama as our guest at the U of M graduation. We are so blessed to have this great man as president.
David Briegel
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 6:59 p.m.
Top Cat, Nor did he mention the trillions of Reagan/Bush/Bush deficits! Peregrine, good post! They should also include the "lost freedoms" they always lament. Anyone see those today?
Top Cat
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 6:49 p.m.
I guess he didn't say anything to the graduates about the trillion dollar deficits he has created and how the graduates are supposed to deal with the consequences. Oh yah, "A positive person with a positive message." Never mind.
Peregrine
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 6:47 p.m.
@Jim H, Since you read Obama's speech, you likely did so online. So you could have copied and pasted at least a few of the "exaggerations, misrepresentations and inaccuracies" that you claim the speech was "full" of. And yet you did not for some reason. So I challenge you to copy and paste some in a response, lest you be accused of exaggeration, misrepresentation, and inaccuracy. Looking forward!
David Briegel
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 6:31 p.m.
This brilliant man didn't even need a teleprompter! Sick of that lunacy! It truly is great to have a President who proudly earned every single accomplishment on merit alone. A person who wasn't pulled along by his birthright. A positive person with a positive message! Imagine.. wagoo proved that 48104 was correct!
Mom in Town
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 6:04 p.m.
I thought it was Ok, but Granholm on the other hand was HORRIBLE! I don't think she could have kissed up to the president any more if she tried. It was pathetic.
Jon Saalberg
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 3:42 p.m.
Seeing him in person only reinforces every reason I voted for him. He it truly a great speaker and a great President.Despite some media claims to the contrary, there were hardly any protesters - on our way in, we saw maybe a dozen people.
psaume23
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 2:48 p.m.
The President's speech was excellent, and the commencement ceremony was outstanding overall. Great job by UM altogether, and congratulations to our fellow alums.
48104
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 2:45 p.m.
I thought it was one that would make thoughtful people reflect on some of their own choices, and would make close-minded blowhards respond with the same rhetoric they've been parroting since the election.
Jim H
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 2:36 p.m.
I read it and thought it was a pretty standard political speech, full of the usual exaggerations, misrepresentations and inaccuracies I've come to expect of politicians of both sides.
David Frye
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 2:33 p.m.
It's great to have a president we can be proud of!
Edward R. Murrow's ghost
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 2:22 p.m.
A wonderful speech! I hope people read and/or listen to it before they begin the criticize it.
DagnyJ
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 2:17 p.m.
I thought it was thoughtful, moderate, and inspiring. But then I read the AP report that says is was "a blunt caution to friend and foe" and noted that some discourse might inspire some to "violence." Which is really weird because I barely heard that part. But that's what the news people decided would see, so that's what is in the first paragraph.
KarenH
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 2:09 p.m.
Inspiring, moving, intelligent, beautiful. Enjoyed every minute of the speech.