Obama: “There’s Nothing Weak About Being Honorable”

President Barack Obama speaks at tribute to Rep. Elijah Cummings (screen capture)
Seeing President Obama speak at the memorial tribute for recently deceased Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) was a stark reminder of the power of eloquence and dignity. “There’s nothing weak about being honorable. You’re not a sucker to have integrity and to treat others with respect.” (sigh) Watch the clip below. Rest in power, Elijah Cummings.

Obama On McCain: We Never Doubted ‘We Were On The Same Team’

President Barack Obama, speaking thoughtfully and with grace, honored his former presidential opponent, Sen. John McCain today, reminding a worldwide audience of McCain’s sense of duty, honor, and yes, humor.

Just a few highlights as the we were all reminded of two of America’s higher angels: dignity and respect.

Obama offered a long view on how class versus crass handles differences in politics. After referencing the “petty” and the “mean,” he closed the thought with a quote from For Whom The Bell Tolls:

“So much of our politics can seem small and mean and petty. Trafficking in bombast and insult, phony controversies and manufactured outrage. It’s a politics that pretends to be brave and tough, but is instead born of fear.

“John called on us to be bigger than that, to be better than that.

“Today is only one day in all the days that will ever be, but what will happen in all the other days will depend on what you do today. What better way to honor John McCain than follow his example.”

Even President George W. Bush couldn’t resist the temptation to draw comparisons between the current occupant of the White House and McCain: “John detested the abuse of power. He could not abide bigots and swaggering despots.”