In my life I have had his presidency used against me by rightwing asshole family member in a business way, very costly to me.

But it was worth it.

Anybody who supports Obama, even if they are a hairdresser in Iowa, for instance, can be punished for that support and likely will be.

were Tea Party and Libertarian..Dear gawd...

However around some friends I have to tone it down.

I knew the moment I was watching him at the Democratic Convention in 2004...( I taped it and took to school the next day showing it to all my students, and teachers--- telling them to be aware of this Man!)

and then when I met Michelle (and Bo), it sealed the deal

Ah, that speech in 2004~

I think he's one of "those." You know them. You probably had one in your class at school. Or somebody you knew from work or something. And you Just KNEW. You KNEW they were special. There was something special about him or her. You KNEW you were probably gonna hear more about this individual - maybe a LOT more. He or she just stood out. And sometimes you don't know why, or what it is. It's an intangible. But you just KNOW. You'll be mumbling to yourself - "THAT one's gonna be a star!"

I remember thinking - "shit! I wonder if I'm watching the future President of the United States?! Are we maybe seeing the first black President?" I was VERY impressed. He really grabbed everybody. When I see clips of that speech, I am STILL impressed.

"...a skinny kid with a funny name..." That was one HELLUVA line! MAN! Outta the ballpark! No - never mind the ballpark. That line was such a grand slam hit that it hit that ball outta the whole CITY.

He was masterful and spoke with much needed honesty. It was a historic day, and he more than rose to the occasion. It will be remembered long and well.

Yet I knew DU would not fail me in posting images and his speech. It brought tears to my eyes. He is an amazing man and yes, a hero to me. Like the crew of the Starship Enterprise, he has boldly gone where no man has gone before. He has taken on issues no one else wished to touch. He has suceeded where others have failed.

He is my President and has my utmost respect.

Luv ya brer cat.

They betlittle his accomplishments. They attack anything and everything he does. They always find fault. Yes, they are loud, but I refuse to shut up and let them go unanswered.

President Obama will be remembered by history as a great president. Probably one of our greatest. What he has been able to accomplish in the face of unprecedented attack and obstruction – nonstop, day after day, and even from "Democrats" – is staggering. No other president has accomplished as much facing as much hostility from his opponents.

I try to savor each day we have him as president, because it won't be much longer now before he leaves office. Although, I firmly believe that his accomplishments will not end on January 20, 2017. Nor will the BOG end then either!

The last 6–7 years have seen some of the nuttiest, craziest, loudmouths ever elected to high office in DC. President Obama's coolheadedness, his calmness, his ability to truly "speak softly and carry a big stick" and rise above the fray and be a leader, is exactly what we've needed.

Some criticize him because he doesn't yell and scream and pound the podium, because he refuses to sink to his opponents' level. To me, that's exactly what makes him great.

Personally I think he'd make an amazing Supreme Court justice. (But there are many, many things he could do.)

BTW, that is one awesome picture of Selma, 50 years later, with the President and First Lady looking on. Wow, just wow, that kinda knocks the wind out of you. Beautiful and it makes me proud.

Standing in that crowd of people, the guttural raw roar when President Obama and the First Lady crossed the stage made it very clear to me he stands for all of our hopes and dreams, the American dream.

Nothing has or can kill the dream.

And then he made that speech.

- and i am very touched by his honesty and love for our nation - and for all americans. i appreciate his call to action and i was inspired to action.

when the movie "selma" was being filmed i heard oprah comment about the timing of the movie - that it was made at the right time, a time of power. there is a synergy which occurs at the "right time of power" - adding impetus to the action taken.

despite all of the attacks on the president - he shines reason, justice, and strength.

and of course, there was the inspired poem about love at his first inauguration ~ the audacity of it thrilled me. that kind of love can achieve great things and is never wrong.

president barak hussein obama will mark a great place in our history because as a nation, we SHALL & will continue to overcome.

thank you for your op, sheshe