"I'M ASKING YOU"
Sen. Barack Obama's pinch-hit appearance for ailing Sen. Ted Kennedy at Wesleyan University's commencement ceremony, which I was fortunate enough to attend yesterday (and the speech of which you can see above), certainly did not disappoint. Obama's entrance was greeted with a lengthy standing ovation and his remarks, which lasted about twenty minutes, were met with several more. Obama's speech was peppered with references to the Kennedy family's model of public service and to his own unlikely rise to prominence. The key passage, though, at least in my estimation, was the following:
"You know, Ted Kennedy often tells a story about the fifth anniversary celebration of the Peace Corps. He was there, and he asked one of the young Americans why he had chosen to volunteer. And the man replied, “Because it was the first time someone asked me to do something for my country.” I don’t know how many of you have been asked that question, but after today, you have no excuses. 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. We may disagree on certain issues and positions, but I believe we can be unified in service to a greater good. I intend to make it a cause of my presidency, and I believe with all my heart that this generation is ready, and eager, and up to the challenge."
What really blew me away was the fact that Obama not only stuck around for the presentation of teaching awards, honorary degrees, and the presentation of diplomas to more than seven hundred undergraduate and graduate students... but he also shook the hand of every one of them who wished to shake his. Quite a guy. Anyway, that's all for now, but congratulations and a big thank you to my friend Pauri and his lovely family for inviting me along for this special day.
