Great opening night. I hope both parties can emulate the tone and demeanor of Rep. Jim Leach. People from both parties have done an awful lot in making this country what it is. Its not necessarily the party name, but the individuals who make it out of the process and have the courage to stand up what they believe for, and speak out, often when its not popular. Here's to 2 fine candidates running for President, and may God bless us with our selection, that America becomes all the better.

Michelle Obama and the Obama family represent the very best our country has to offer. They are a good and decent family who worked hard and have had extraordinary success. Her speech last night brought tears to my eyes. It is so sad that some people take one quote out of context and pretend she doesn't love her country. Of course she loves her country.

But the reality is that many, myself included, have been deeply disappointed in the direction we have been heading. The American Dream is slipping away for many people. But when Michelle Obama spoke tonight with such warmth, class, and grace it gives me hope. What an incredible role model for girls and women across the country!

You have to admit, whatever your persuasions, Obama is a quality guy who believes in what he is doing and that what he is doing is what is best for America. I can't say that for a lot of other politicians but I can say it for him. He really seems to be about selfless service.

Former President Jimmy Carter, said that the Bush administration "ignored the plight" of the victims of Hurricane Katrina for three years-- I would like to remind 'Jimmy' that Democrats governed the Katrina area before the storm, during the storm and after the storm. If Katrina is an example of Democrat leadership, may God have mercy on our America if they take the presidency and still control congress. /I am so glad 'Michelle' is now proud of her country, even when I served two 2 painful years in Vietnam, I still was proud of my country, and always was, and always will be.. These people scare me with their lies.

Which is it? An America that she loves and allows people to rise above or one that she is ashamed and embarrassed of?
GO PUMA!!!!

Great speech. What a well trained lawyer she is. And the family, is, well, obviously, a true family.
Very impressive.

I'm sorry, but it's difficult to accept Michelle Obama's words that she loves this country, when early on in Obama's campaign, she expressed openly, her hate for America. That, coupled with Barack's association over the past 20 or so years, with Rev. Wright, makes it very difficult to believe the sincerity of anything the two of them say.

From this article (I didn't watch the convention last night), it certainly appears though, that she gave a good opening speach.

With where our nation is today, I most certainly hope we still have the Lord's blessings.

What a wonderful sentiment to read first thing this morning. One can only hope your example sets the tone for all the comments that follow.

At the church I attend each Sunday we occasionally sing a hymn that serves as a reminder to us both of our heritage and responsibility as Christians. The second verse begins

"Fill our heart with sweet forgiving; Teach us tolerance and love."

Never have those words been more applicable than they are today. Will we just sing the words or will we live them?

I do not know about you, but I for one am tired of the hate. Tired of the character assassinations, tired of watching words twisted for personal gain.

You have a good family in the Obamas, who worked hard to rise above the poverty of their birth, to rise above the negativity of this world, who a perverted press describes as elitists. Or you have an admiral's son who married after divorce a trophy wife, who makes millions each year from beer sales. Let's not go there.

Let's look at the issues, the problems our nation faces, the solid solutions available, in detail one mouse click away, on the candidates websites and let's avoid the hate speech that is tearing our country apart.

You wrote, "He really seems to be about selfless service."

Sen. Obama has parleyed stints as a community activist, state senator, and one-term US senator, into a multi-million dollar income.

I don't begrudge him this at all--more power to anyone with the drive and smarts to get rich from their honest labors. But spare me the 'selfless service' baby food.

There are some very cynical DN readers who have hearts of stone. I wonder how you'd feel about listening to Cindy McCain describe recovering from her druggie period?

As I listened to Michelle Obama last night I wondered how anyone could demonize such a thoughtful and gifted woman. Her words were not mean-spirited or accusitory and she talked about America in the best sense and with the highest ideals. "The world as it should be..." - what a wonderful theme to follow. I can think of no better example to illustrate the great opportunity and potential of every citizen in this country. I know that some will continue to oppose the candidacy of Barack Obama regardless of the words spoken or the images left by this week's convention. My only hope is that we can see each other as Americans first, regardless of our party affilliation, and that we might have a civil discourse about important issues rather than vitriolic name calling that achieves nothing except for driving a wedge deeper into the heart of America. I think Mrs. Obama set the right tone.

I just can't seem to listen to a speech from a woman that's stated in the past that she was ashamed of our country. I can understand her saying she was ashamed of politicians or people but she said country. Hearing something like that makes it hard to hear anything else and hard to see her as one that would do well as a First Lady.

I was moved by Mrs. Obama's words. I thought she was poised, eloquent, and sincere. I didn't expect to be as impressed as I was.

... to Hesitant Politician. Newt Gingrich wrote this morning a perfect article describing how most Obama-backers refuse to see Obama for what he is - just another, typical politician.

He has no experience, waffles on every important issue that comes up, repudiates his own reverend, and now picks a running mate who is McCain-lite in his foreign policy leanings. Joe Biden, while as good a guy as Obama, received about 9,000 votes in the primary and then dropped out. Hillary Clinton received 18 million votes and was snubbed by Obama.

Obama is a typical, pandering politician who is in way over his head. Clinton could have saved the ticket. I'm voting for McCain.

It is time to get past the rhetoric and emotion.

Teddy Kennedy as a hero? Remember Chappaquidic.

Michelle Obama as a lover of the US? As noted above she has recently said she hates it.

Barak Hussein Obama, whatever his intentions might be will not be a unifying force but one of the most divisive forces the US will ever face.

I think "said nothing" makes a very good point. There is no specifics only generalizations - I have read Obama is for homosexual marriage and is pro abortion but they don't talk about that or what needs changing - like a focus on more liberty with an emphasis on following a moral code. None of that just a lot of emotion and psychobabble.

I just cannot believe how naive this nation is when it comes to elections in general, but especially the presidential election. The nation is not a two party system but a one party system with two factions. Tell me where the changes for the betterment for all have been during the past 80 years. The nation has stood by and elected nothing but globalist governing thinkers that have completely thrown the soveriegnty of the greatest nation at it's knees. McCain or Obama it does not matter, it is the same ends from a different means. If I am wrong, let us all take a look at the last 30 years and see what the congress and senate have voted for, and how our economic system has been manipulated, and how our foreign policy has changed. I believe it is the fault of not a few but most of us, and the fault lies with those who only need to look into a mirror. Government by the people for the people? Not any more.

I watched Michelle Obama last night and Ted Kennedy and it brought tears to my eyes. Finally I see some glimer of hope. Finally the country that all our ancestors strove so hard to come to. The Obamas are an inspiration. The Kennedy Family which has given so much to the people of this nation are such an inspration. Finally I am hopeful again for my children

Gingrich is the same man that relentlessly harassed Bill Clinton about his sexual infidelity while simultaneously cheating on his spouse. Newt is nothing less than a partisan hack who's ramblings should be dismissed as such.

Obama inspires people, and his "inexperience" is synonymous with not being corrupted by the special interest lobby. I for one will never vote for McCain, as his policies seem to line up with Bush Jr., and the Republican Party line. No thank you!

This speech was a direct response to her earlier statement. So all of you saying how eloquent and beautiful this speech was, how did you like the other one where she said for the first time she was proud of this country?

Should the election really be about saying something stupid, and then giving a speech to cover up what you said earlier. What about the issues? When will anyone ever talk about the issues? I could, with the help of a good speech writer, give a great idealistic speech. That doesn't mean I am a good person or does it mean I should win the election.

But, he does have a decent family. However, My ONLY complaint is that the daughters were not dressed modestly. I have an African American daughter who is 8. She watched a few minutes and asked if she could have a dress like the obama daughters. I told her no. It was not a proper attire for a modest young lady like my daughter. Petty and picky, I know. but heck. If your going to put them in the limelight, at least make sure they are dressed properly.

Where's your PROOF that Michelle Obama specifically stated that she hated America?

You people have NO knowledge of Obama. (He is NOT for homosexual marriage, is against late-term abortions, etc)

As for "moral code" -- I guess you all missed Obama's speech where he railed against fathers abandoning their children? THAT is one of the worst problems our country has, rather than the silly wedge issues you all indulge in.

You Republicans have been in power for 8 years, and didn't change anything about the issues you say are important to you.

readers in this state have been listening to too much sean hannity and rush limbaugh. the comment about p.diddy was so racially charged and repugnant that i cringed while reading it.

the obamas are good people. you may differ with their policy choices, but lay off the bigotry.

So many here take in everything that the media spoon-feeds them. Just take a look at Obama's history. He's an opportunist who alligned himself with the divisive black baptist church to elevate himself within the Chicago inner circles. The only reason he ever won as a state representative was because he got the other candidates thrown off the ballots. Chicago corrupt politics at its finest.
The problem is nobody knows what Obama stands for. He says change - but selects Biden as his VP?? Biden was FOR the war. Biden sided with McCain on the surge.
Obama will tax us as if we're Canada or Europe. He is pro-abortion. That's the only thing that even he can agree with.

Michelle Obamas controlled speech was nothing more than a commercial. The people of this country need to understand the difference between the truth and a charade.

As with the press, Michelle has engaged in the trashing of some of our most sacred values - essentially a Joseph Paul Goebbel of the 3rd Reich wearing a cheer leader dress and shaking pom poms as a cheerleader for abortion, for gay marriage, for the greatest re-distriibution of wealth that a Marxist could imagine.

Using family to shore up a tax and spend husband will not help Barrack. It only reinforces how out of touch she is as she sits in her mansion, and has to deal with being responsible for many needy people not receiving emergency care at the hospital with which she was employed.

Her commercial was great, but very deceptive and hypocritical

You conservatives really don't have any real values.
When Clinton cheated on his wife you wanted his head, when McCain does, you look the other way.
Does McCain really have the values that you want in our next leader?

You sit here and trash the Obamas while never talking about the real issues. The reason for that is, you don't know the real issues. You still think that drilling here in the USA will help gas prices come down. Please research the GLOBAL Petrol trade. ALL oil goes on the same market, unless you want to do what Venezuela did and nationalize oil, while taking away our freedoms.

Obama shows what direction we are headed in, the same old Karl Rove Washington is a thing of past!!

I thought Michele gave a good speech last night about the family. I do belive her Husband made a big mistake in not chooseing Hillary as a running mate. It was a chance to Represent women on the ticket as well as blacks ater all it was a very close race. Biden dropped out early with very little support.Hillary would given the ticket the ballance that would have been a sure winner

so great! Some show the bitterness that is the right-wing Republican agenda "it's our way or no way". We will show you guys the highway! Get a life!

I do not support Obama, but I admit he and his wife are amazing orators and seem to be very good people. However, I disagree with the policies he supports. That's why I am not voting for him.

There are many people who look at issues and proposed policies in deciding who to vote for, but there are many who do not. It's not about the fancy speech or buzz words like hope and change. It's about thinking about our problems and issues and deciding who has the best solutions to face those. Watching the candidates' ads and debates, and the campaigns in general, reminds me of people running for student body president of their high school. It's all a popularity contest. Let's look beyond the superficial and see who can really push us in a positive direction in the future.

Just for the record, I equally don't support Senator McCain. I agree with DB @ 8 a.m. that really it's a one-party system with two factions. They are both propelling us toward global government and less liberty. I'd like to see more politicians putting forth policies which will rid us of government's increasing intrusion. Neither current presidential candidate will.

I have posted here in the Deseret News many times, and have repeatedly recommended that we all do our own research on these candidates - and NOT simply vote the two-party system which is a hoax anyway. In my humble opinion, church members should seek a candidate who supports the U.S. Constitution and vote along constitutional lines. If you've read the words of our latter-day prophets and the BofM, you'll know why that should be your dominating factor.

I left the republician party around the middle of Bush's first term. I've never believed by voting my conscience, that I've ever thrown my vote away. Those of the two major parties will tell you otherwise, because they along with the media want to stay in control - yes, there is a globalist agenda. I do understand and agree that the American Constitution candidate will not get elected. But I'll be darned if I'll vote the lesser of two evils - and they are "both" evil.

"For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the hosts of heaven" D&C 38:11

Can you imagine Cindy McCain trying to make a speech like this? "When we were cheating on John's wife, I knew he was a very special man..."

Feel however you want politically, but you have to have the right-wing blinders on pretty tightly not to admit that the Obamas seem to be a strong family that exemplifies America at its' best. Utah being Utah, though, most of you will continue to parrot what the Limbaughs and Hannitys say. Sad, sad, sad.

(Oh, and Obama couldn't have picked Hillary Clinton as his running mate even if he wanted to. The Republicans have been dreaming about running against her for years.)

I too, was elevated by last night's speech and the tone of the initial comments here today. Too bad there are so many sad, angry folks who quickly change the mood.

My son and I actually met Michelle once. The thing that impressed us most about her was her warmth and authenticity. She speaks sincerely and from the heart.

And can't you folks give it a break with all the lines about how she hates her country. She had one slip of the tongue, months ago, which she later explained. (In fact, even Laura Bush defended her.)
Still, some people seem to think this is THE ONLY thing that matters. (Sure glad John McCain never makes any errors when he's speaking, so we can all safely rally around him.)

IMO, Michelle is one kind, authentic, and eloquent woman who I would love to see as the next first lady of the United States.

If you are easily swayed by words and believe everything you hear, then, indeed, Michelle did her job well. Heartfelt? Impassioned? Um, no. Two weeks of preparing the exact words in a speech and practicing the delivery of the message you want to portray is a talent she shares with her husband. However, I'm of the opinion that your true feelings and beliefs are displayed not in speeches, but in unguarded moments when you say and do things that reveal your true character. And trotting out those two little girls every chance they get is fast approaching 'exploitation'. What I witnessed was a calculated, choreographed, practiced performance.
P.S., Teddy Kennedy promoting family values and espusing morality? What a joke! Any other politician would have gone to prison for manslaughter.

Great speach. Go Obama.

vote for McCain. He cheated on his first wife, divorced her, and married another woman 5 weeks later. That is not the type of person I could support. Not to mention his next wife, who stole from her nonprofit organization to fund a drug habit. Real conservative values. Why is it we attack Obama for not having experience, while McCain's life is never really scrutinized because of Nam?

Okay.

AMom'who knows': "An America. . . that she is ashamed and embarrassed of?"

Keith in Colorado: ". . . she expressed openly, her hate for America."

I guess I'm just old fashion: ". . . a woman that's stated in the past that she was ashamed of our country."

BopP: "Michelle Obama as a lover of the US? As noted above she has recently said she hates it."

Richard Drake: "Michelle has engaged in the trashing of some of our most sacred values"

So would any of you like to back up your accusations with anything like proof? Give me the quotes people. I would love to see the quote where Michelle Obama says she hates her country. I'm sure you guys can back up your claims. You guys can do it right?

Don't tell me you all are just making this stuff up.

KJB,

You equate the Obama family "to be a strong family that exemplifies America at its' best"? All I can say is what they're feeding you is certainly working. But then again, you're not alone. Only until America truly wakes up from their deep sleep, they'll continue to allow themselves to be lead along like cattle.

being she is a lawyer(trained liar) and the wife of a wanabe, her speech was on que, a true fairy tale

@ FlaLady,

I think you do Michelle Obama a disservice, and I think it is mean-spirited of you to do so. The Obamas don't trot out those two little girls every chance they get. In nineteen months, how often have you seen them? I remember twice.

By the way, if true feelings are displayed in unguarded moments, what do you make of John McCain's tirades and his calling his wife a vile name?

I don't recall Mrs. Obama saying that she hated this country....I do recall her saying that for the first time she is proud of our country. I too am fed up with all the rhetoric. Wade through all the emotion of 'yes we can' and 'I was a prisoner of war' time to look at the issues and where each candidate stands and where we as individuals stand on those issues. I like some of McCains ideas and I like some of Obamas ideas. Too bad there isn't an in between candidate.

Listen to the Republicans trash that beautiful Obama family and you know what's in their souls.

Pretty good attempt for a communist/socialist trying to hide her real feeling's about America. How can she and Barack say they participated in the "American Dream" and then state we need to CHANGE America? CHANGE to them is redistribution of wealth. No more American Dream.

There are many seriously angry people out there, with dark souls.

DHM,

"I think "said nothing" makes a very good point. There is no specifics only generalizations..."

The Obama's have been specific on numerous occasions and have given in depth speeches. There's a time for everything and last night was not the time to rehash what has already been discussed.

Michelle Obama had a few minutes to make her point, talk to everyone and do so in a manner that everyone would be able to understand. Last night wasn't the time to discuss policy.

"I have read Obama is for homosexual marriage..."

Obama isn't for same-sex marriage. There you go. I have the lie to rest. So we won't need to discuss it anymore.

"...and is pro abortion but they don't talk about that or what needs changing - like a focus on more liberty with an emphasis on following a moral code."

Obama talked about his position on abortion at the recent Faith Forum, and has stated his position on the issue in numerous other settings. His position is consistent with the stance of the LDS Church and that's good enough for me.

"None of that just a lot of emotion and psychobabble."

Why didn't you give the speech then.

It's general statements like "the world as it should be" with no description of what that consists of that scares me!

It is shocking how many people here are making decisions of how "wonderful" the Obama's are, based upon some well written and choreographed speeches that were calculated to convince the masses how "All American" the Obama family is.

Hasn't anyone here ever heard the expression "I cannot hear what you say because your actions are ringing too loud in my ears"? don't tell me how wonderful you are. show me!!!

I guess I'm just old fashion,

"I just can't seem to listen to a speech from a woman that's stated in the past that she was ashamed of our country."

Michelle Obama has never said that she was ashamed of her country. There you go. I have put the lie to rest.

"Hearing something like that makes it hard to hear anything else and hard to see her as one that would do well as a First Lady."

Since she didn't say it your point really makes no difference. At least Michelle Obama didn't say that was tough to be proud of her country like McCain has said it's tough in some respects to be proud of his country. Instead, she said that for the first time in her life she was "really" proud of her country which clearly means that she has been proud of her country in the past.

On the other hand McCain has said that he finds it tough at times to be proud of his country. I guess if McCain is having such a difficult time being proud of his country then we can let Michelle Obama slide for being REALLY PROUD of her country.

Political Spin,

"This speech was a direct response to her earlier statement."

It was a direct response to your lies. Michelle Obama never said that she was proud of her country for the first time. Instead she said that for the first time she was REALLY PROUD of her country.

Personally, I'm glad that she's REALLY PROUD of her country especially considering that John McCain is going around saying he STILL finds it TOUGH to be proud of his country. Now, if he said it was tough to be REALLY PROUD of his country then he may have a point about Michelle Obama not being really proud of her country until recently.

"So all of you saying how eloquent and beautiful this speech was, how did you like the other one where she said for the first time she was proud of this country?"

I like McCain's better where he said THAT HE FINDS IT TOUGH TO BE PROUD OF HIS COUNTRY. The hypocrite and his supporters are condemning Michelle Obama for BEING REALLY PROUD of her country while he STILL finds it TOUGH to even be PROUD of it.

Shame on McCain. I've never found it tough.