by Christi Parsons
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.--Barack Obama will suspend campaigning for a day and a half so that he can fly to Hawaii to be at the side of his gravely ill grandmother, a campaign aide said late Monday.
Madelyn Dunham, 86, was released from the hospital at the end of last week and returned to her home in Honolulu with a health condition the aide described only as "very serious."
But Obama's decision to cancel campaign events "underscores the seriousness of the situation," communications director Robert Gibbs told reporters during an evening flight following a campaign event in Orlando.
As Obama recounts his life story in his memoirs, Dunham, his maternal grandmother, was deeply involved in his life, acting in many ways as a surrogate parent.
At one point in his youth, Obama left his mother and sister, who were living overseas, and returned to Hawaii to attend private school and live with "Gramps" and the grandmother he called "Toot."
"She poured everything she had into him," Gibbs said of Obama's grandmother.
Obama will continue with scheduled events in Florida this week but, instead of going to Des Moines to campaign on Thursday, he will take a detour to Indianapolis and then head to Hawaii. He plans to spend Thursday and Friday with his grandmother.
His wife, Michelle Obama, wasn't planning to travel to Hawaii with him, according to Gibbs. The campaign did not immediately know if surrogates would take Obama's place on the campaign trail.
Comments
Why are we voters always suspicious of any campaign maneuver.? Because the candidates are so masterful at explaining their purpose?. ...................
http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/10/20/justifying-political-tactics/
Posted by: Ohg Rea Tone | October 20, 2008 11:18 PM
I wonder what kind of funeral they will have for her and who will officiate? You know Obama never went to see his mother when she was dying of cancer. He has since said he regrets that choice. It is good to see he has learned from that.
Posted by: D. D. Newman | October 21, 2008 1:21 AM
And cue Republicans calling a family tragedy a "cheap stunt" in 5,4,3,2...
Posted by: Kevin | October 21, 2008 1:53 AM
I referenced this article in a blog post discussing Barack's ailing grandmother.
http://chicagoinsider.us/
Posted by: J | October 21, 2008 5:07 AM
J.....Maybe you didn't read this part. Instead of touting fiction websites....why don't you just lie and make it up?
DISCLAIMER: The innermost thoughts and emotions expressed in this journal are entirely fictional and should not be taken as truth or as representative of any specific politician, elected or otherwise. Believe at your own risk.
Michelle’s Secret Diary: A Klat Talk site.
Posted by: bill "Hussein" r. | October 21, 2008 8:09 AM
I'm not an Obama supporter, but that is besides the point, it's good he is going to see his grandmother and perhaps say the things that he needs to say to her and just be there for her. This may be the medicine she needs to bounce back. I hope the best for his grandmother and may God bless her.
Posted by: vla | October 21, 2008 8:34 AM
This is just crap. McCain tried to play the electorate by announcing the suspension of his campaign in an attempt to look like superman on the economic crises.
Obama has not "suspended" his campaign. It is still moving on with his running mate and various others all campaigning. Obama is just taking a few days off for an ill loved one.
For you to even use the phrase "suspending his campaign" is totally inaccurate and shows a petty bias that is barely concealed.
Posted by: mageduley | October 21, 2008 1:25 PM
Are you serious? I can’t believe so many people are buying this crap! I truly pray to God that his grandmother IS ill, and that His hand will heal her. (And no, that is not to say that I am willing ill-thoughts or actions or will on another person, but rather, that Obama is telling the TRUTH) Otherwise, this is just another case of Obama having to cover his trail of lies and deceit in order to attain his personal objective. Is it simply coincidence that the day he announced his sudden return to Hawaii (to visit a grandmother he’s said mixed things about) happens to be the same day that his time expired to comply with the demands of a Federal lawsuit which began back in August, which he failed to do?! Look into Berg vs Obama. It was finalized TODAY, 10-21-08. You be the judge. I hope his grandmother truly is ill, and that he is not simply exploiting her to better himself, which is all that he has done to the American people. McCain argues to suspend the campaigns during the "largest economic crisis since the Great Depression" (quote B.O.) and was criticized for it. Now Obama suspends his to "visit his ill grandmother" and y'all want to make him a saint?! All this man cares about is HIMSELF, and he has no problem exploiting YOU to get what HE wants (which currently happens to be AUTHENTIC US CITIZENSHIP)
Posted by: JfromDallasTX | October 21, 2008 9:46 PM