Posted on 05/28/2008 5:37:42 AM PDT by Libloather
Obama Speaks At Wesleyan In Kennedy's Place
By MARK PAZNIOKAS And CHARLES PROCTOR | Courant Staff Writers
May 26, 2008
SEN. BARACK OBAMA addresses the Class of 2008 at the Wesleyan commencement on Sunday morning. University President Michael Roth is seated at left. Obama stood in as a favor to Sen. Edward Kennedy, who was to be the speaker until diagnosed last week with a brain tumor. (MICHAEL KODAS / May 25, 2008)
MIDDLETOWN — - Barack Obama stepped in Sunday for the ailing Sen. Edward Kennedy with a call to service at Wesleyan University that was a tribute to a storied political dynasty and a nod to his own presidential ambitions.
With words borrowed from John F. Kennedy's inaugural and Robert F. Kennedy's visit to Africa, Obama invoked the idealism that drew previous generations to the Peace Corps and the Civil Rights movement.
"And because they did, they changed the world," Obama said.
Obama, 46, who is poised to earn his own place in history as the Democratic presidential front-runner with three remaining primaries, spoke to 737 graduating seniors and 15,000 onlookers at Wesleyan's 176th commencement.
He stood in as a favor to the 76-year-old Kennedy, who was to be the speaker until diagnosed last week with a malignant brain tumor.
"Teddy wanted to be here very much, but as you know, he's had a very long week and is taking some much-needed rest," Obama said. "He called me up a few days ago and I said that I'd be happy to be his stand-in, even though there was no way I could fill his shoes."
Kennedy's stepdaughter, Caroline Raclin, was among the graduates. His wife, Vicki, was in the audience.
The crowd rose and applauded when Wesleyan President Michael S. Roth mentioned Kennedy in his remarks. They applauded again when Obama invoked his name:
"I'd like to start by passing along a message from him: 'To all those praying for my return to good health, I offer my heartfelt thanks. And to any who'd rather have a different result, I say, don't get your hopes up just yet!'"
Obama paused for the applause and laughter.
It was Kennedy and his niece, Caroline, who boosted Obama's candidacy in January by endorsing him at a rally at American University. Kennedy also shared a stage with Obama on the eve of the Super Tuesday primaries in February, drawing 17,000 to a downtown Hartford arena.
Obama's dramatic substitution for Kennedy caused Wesleyan to hastily distribute 10 tickets to every student for graduation ceremonies on Andrus Field that traditionally had been open to the public.
Some enterprising students posted ads on Craigslist.org, selling tickets for as much as $200. When spectators were admitted at 7:55 a.m., many sprinted to claim the best seats for a ceremony that began after 11 a.m.
Foss Hill, which overlooks the field, was open without tickets. The first spectators arrived at 6 a.m. They spread blankets and unfolded chairs and sun umbrellas. A few tossed Frisbees. One carried a game of Scrabble.
Ron Dubrevil and Lesley Jacobson drove from their home in Bennington, Vt. The couple canceled their weekend trip to New Hampshire to make the two-and-a-half hour drive to Wesleyan.
Jacobson, a 57-year-old teacher, called Obama intelligent and genuine. "He would be a wonderful representative for us to the world," she said. "He brings hope. Hope for change."
The first glimpse of Obama emerging from Olin Library sent a wave of applause across the 10,000 sitting on Andrus Field and another 5,000 sprawled on sunny Foss Hill.
Obama, who holds an undergraduate degree from Columbia University and a law degree from Harvard University, wore academic robes.
In a 22-minute speech, Obama said he borrowed from the talk Kennedy had intended to deliver.
"Now, the topic of his speech today was common for a commencement," Obama said. "But one that nobody could discuss with more authority or inspiration than Ted Kennedy. And that is the topic of service to one's country — a cause that is synonymous with his family's name and legacy."
He quoted from a Robert F. Kennedy speech delivered in Cape Town, South Africa, about how even a single act of service, of standing against injustice "sends forth a tiny ripple of hope."
Obama drew a connection between his own life and the Kennedys' tradition of service.
"I was born the year that his brother John called a generation of Americans to ask their country what they could do," Obama said. "And I came of age at a time when they did it."
Obama, who has written of his young drug use, told the students he spent much of his childhood "adrift," but college and law school transformed him into an activist, leading him to the South Side of Chicago as a $12,000-a-year community organizer.
He said there are many ways to serve.
"You don't have to be a community organizer or do something crazy like run for president," Obama said.
Wesleyan already has a tradition of service: 164 graduates have joined the Peace Corps since 2001, he said.
Obama said the first Peace Corps volunteers stepped forward simply because John Kennedy asked a generation to do something for their country.
"I don't know how many of you have been asked that question, but after today, you have no excuses," Obama said. "I am asking you, and if I should have the honor of serving this nation as president, I will be asking again in the coming years."
Two Wesleyan students in the graduating class, Robert McCourt and Nyambura Gichohi, have been selected as one of 100 Projects for Peace participants. They will work on renewable energy projects in Kenya, where Obama's father was born.
"We need more of you to serve abroad," Obama said. "As president, I intend to grow the Foreign Service, double the Peace Corps over the next few years, and engage young people of other nations in similar programs, so that we work side by side to take on the common challenges that confront all humanity."
It was one of the few references he made to his campaign.
After delivering his speech, Obama greeted every undergraduate as they approached the dais to receive their diplomas. Many stopped to shake hands.
University officials admonished students not to bring campaign materials.
But that didn't deter Genevieve Angelson, a 22-year-old film studies graduate who spent an hour plastering a blue, white and red felt "08" across the front of her gown, and "Wes we can" in black felt letters on the back — a play on Obama's campaign slogan "Yes we can."
The self-described Obama fan from New York City said she was moved to tears by his speech, and especially affected by his call on graduates to weave some type of service into their lives.
"Of course that's what someone should say to us right now, and I don't think anyone else has," said Angelson, who plans to attend acting school in New York next year.
And this goofball teaches children.
After one year in office, we’ll see if he brings hope or hopelessness.
"Of course that's what someone should say to us right now, and I don't think anyone else has," said Angelson
I wonder how she would have felt about some stupid Republican talking about volunteers being "a thousand points of light". I'm guessing she would have laughed.
the Obama’s idea of a successful career is a government job...to work for a corporation is evil in their mindset.
"Of course that's what someone should say to us right now, and I don't think anyone else has," said Angelson, who plans to attend acting school in New York next year.
Sorry, Ms. Angelson but acting doesn't qualify as service. Why do these people need someone to tell them what to do?
What kind of “hope”? Hopity hope hope? and what kind of change? Changity change change? Go for the infantile idiot vote. It’s growing.
and she still has to pay back her student loans.
Might prove to be difficult based on in an income from waitress tips.
Serve your own self, Obama. I don’t need you to tell me what to do.
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