Breaking: Obama’s grandmother passes away
posted at 5:17 pm on November 3, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Madelyn Dunham, the grandmother of Senator Barack Obama, has died today from complications of cancer. She passed away a day before voters go to the polls to determine whether Obama or John McCain will occupy the White House for the next four years:
A day before the presidential election, Barack Obama announced the death Monday of his grandmother, who helped raise him and who he praised as the cornerstone of his family. The Democratic presidential candidate announced the news in a joint statement with his sister Maya Soetoro-Ng. He said his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, had died peacefully after a battle with cancer.
He said: “She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility. She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances.”
The candidate learned of her death Monday morning while he was campaigning in Jacksonville, Fla. He planned to go ahead with campaign appearances.
It’s a good thing that Obama took a couple of days to see her last month. Reports said that her health had seriously deteriorated, and Obama would not likely get another chance to see the woman who had been his primary guardian for a good portion of his childhood. Unfortunately, those reports proved only too prescient.
Obama made the right decision at that time, and he’s making the right decision now. With hours to go, both campaigns have to focus on getting out their message to voters in the battleground states and around the nation. This country deserves a complete debate on the merits and demerits of each candidate, and there simply is no more time for delays.
Our prayers are with the Obama family and the candidate himself. Mrs. Dunham sounds like a remarkable woman who led a good life.
Update: Those commenters “questioning the timing” need to get a life. Those wishing ill on Senator Obama or his family (in the past or present day) will find their comments deleted. Get classy and stay that way, please.
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What sad news. My condolences to Barack Obama and his family.
Well-Armed Lamb on November 3, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Sad indeed, I’m sure the Omama’s have enough stress right now.
Maxx on November 3, 2008 at 8:43 PM
You continue to surprise me more than anyone else in this entire site.
I got nothing in response.
Esthier on November 3, 2008 at 9:00 PM
Condolences to the family.
Dr. Conservative on November 3, 2008 at 9:03 PM
As much as I am philosophically opposed to Obama I don’t hate him. This is a sad day for his family and it’s unfortunate his grandmother couldn’t at least live to see the results of the election.
Loki on November 3, 2008 at 9:31 PM
I think we should show Obama’s grandma just as much respect as lefties give to every dead conservative…
Speedwagon82 on November 3, 2008 at 9:31 PM
I echo your tone and sentiments, Ed. Extend gracious condolences to the Obama family – as anyone else would hope to receive if they were to lose a loved one.
My own grandmother managed to die the day after my folks’ 25th surprise wedding anniversary party. Sometimes – even the grandma you love so much doesn’t time it perfectly …. :(
pbundy on November 3, 2008 at 9:32 PM
God bless the hearts of the Dunham/Obama family who are hurting tonight.
Having said that,
Quoting “The Donald”….it’s not PERSONAL, it’s BUSINESS…as in the the business of runnning my Country!!
Country First on November 3, 2008 at 9:56 PM
I question the timing for a typical white woman to die right on cue. I wonder what Barry fed her when he went for his unsupervised “visit”. Bet he cleaned out the attic before he left.
Alden Pyle on November 3, 2008 at 9:57 PM
***Don’t know how it got eliminated, but I wrote after “Having said that,”
VOTE MAVERICUDA TOMORROW!!!
Country First on November 3, 2008 at 9:58 PM
My condolences to Senator Obama & his family. We may disagree with his policies, but the death of a Grandmother who only wanted her privacy should be cause to stop and say a prayer that she is at peace and that Senator Obama works through his grief in his own way. God Bless.
Kevin in Southern Illinois on November 3, 2008 at 10:03 PM
RIP Maddy.
I wonder what kind of discussions you would have with my Grandfather on how your grandson turned out.
I still want to see Obama’s face when he loses tomorrow night, even if I know it is partly his grandmother’s death.
BKennedy on November 3, 2008 at 10:07 PM
That kind of stuff belongs at the Daily Kos and other smear sites, not here at HA. Please refrain from comments like that in the future.
nazo311 on November 3, 2008 at 10:26 PM
That’s not cool. Just because someone is a hard leftist doesn’t mean they’re a murderer. Besides, this thread is for condolences, not baseless insinuations. It would take alot of evidence to make me believe that someone would kill their grandmother for a sympathy vote. Even holding the low opinion of politicians I do.
If you like Obama or not, a family member’s death is an emotional bombshell not easily survived. I would those that pray to please say one for the Obama and Dunham families.
Bo on November 3, 2008 at 10:26 PM
madmonkphotog,
you are a complete idiot!
So, either he had his grandmother murdered, she made a pact with him that she would commit suicide just before the election, or her death has been faked.
rfburnhertz on November 3, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Why stop there? The logical next step is to start wishing people dead. Go big; the world is yours.
The Race Card on November 3, 2008 at 10:38 PM
If you want to be like them, then that is your choice. I’d prefer to think our side is better than that, but some people seem to want to prove me wrong. I thank God for the rest who don’t.
Esthier on November 4, 2008 at 12:17 AM
I’ll say the timing seems ironic, but that’s all, and nothing more…stranger things have certainly happened, and history is full of much bigger ironies.
A sad day for the family, condolences to them. I’m sure it’s a small comfort, but at least they’ve probably had some time to prepare themselves for the inevitable.
Cylor on November 4, 2008 at 12:21 AM
This was the woman who raised Obama, and now she has passed away so close to the election. My condolences to the family. This couldn’t have come at a worse time.
El_Terrible on November 4, 2008 at 12:22 AM
..Why?
Reaps on November 4, 2008 at 1:21 AM
Condolences to the family. I see no reason for us to lower ourselves to the rhetoric of the left at a time like this.
NoFanofLibs on November 4, 2008 at 7:58 AM
Madelyn Dunham,go with God
tre on November 4, 2008 at 8:50 AM
Her death is a sad thing, but don’t forget, she DID raise a lying, manipulative, insidiously anti-American Marxist monster.
rrobin on November 4, 2008 at 9:00 AM
My condolences to the Obama family and their loss.
Troy Rasmussen on November 4, 2008 at 9:46 AM
Yes he killed his racist grandmother for sympathy votes.
What a sick lunatic!
SaintOlaf on November 4, 2008 at 1:13 PM
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