I lay the recliner fully back, turned up the volume on the larger than life television monitor and prepared to listen to the speech that the pundits said would be the destruction of Obama's campaign or at best a last chance to duck or overcome the racial issues being raised by all concerned. Fat chance, last chance! Destroy me that way! My old LazyBoy has never been on such a fantastic trip in all its years. Obama made my day.

I had just watched several black commentators say Obama was indeed in trouble and needed to extract his fat from the fire. I watched poor, old Pat Buchanan speak through a face doomed with gloom as he pronounced Obama DOA and going to throw out a lifeline to anyone who might rescue him from the foibles of his US Marine Preacher who was inflaming the air with racial vitriol. I was wondering how many white guys would have Pat's opinion and be able to say the same thing. Obama made my day.

There was something about the set for the speech that gave me pause. A lectern with 4 US Flags to the left and 4 to the right. No chairs, no backup, just a curtain and wall. Very plain yet very Presidential. Also knowing that it was being broadcast from Philadelphia, Pa., site for the important upcoming primaries but also of the American cry for Independence which first emanated from a building just across the street. Auspicious, grave, yet inspiring venue. It was here that Obama would make my day.

When Obama crossed the stage and approached the microphone there was something in his manner that gave me notice this was not going to be his usual stump speech. Something in his body language, in the way he carried his shoulders and held up his head, let me know here was a man with a mission. Here was someone who might just possibly be a great leader. Someone who we need and have needed for a long time. Someone who could lead our beloved country to a togetherness and unity we seldom see except in disasters and emergencies. Obama proceeded to make my day.

I was also struck by the sudden realization this might just be a defining moment in my relationship to Barack Obama. How I viewed and accepted the upcoming speech might very well increase the support and favor I have of him. It could also turn my attention away and cause me to yearn for someone, anyone, who might save our nation. Someone who I could respect and come to know and fight for as a President. Well, Obama came through and made my day.

What, you may ask, made me so exuberant over the speech once it had been given? What did I hear that made me believe Obama is the answer to our prayers? What words struck me most and how did they convince me? Therein lies a great mystery. I heard no speech. No one word was music to my ears. No one phrase caught my attention. The sounds were there but almost completely turned off by my mind. No, this was no speech. This was not oratory. This was not rhetoric. This was not an oral essay. No! For over 30 minutes I reveled in thinking Obama's thoughts. He didn't say things, he thought them. I could see the workings of his mind and they were wise and gracious beyond common knowledge. Obama gave us his thoughts and his wisdom and an opportunity to look inside the man and see a human much like ourselves. A very good and inspiring human. Obama made my day.