Midwest Voices

Yael T. Abouhalkah

The Kansas City Star

If you’re a Kansas Citian, you’ve likely seen Emanuel Cleaver talk as a mayor back in the 1990s or as a congressman over the last decade.

But unless you have seen him preach at his southeast Kansas City church sometime in the past, you probably weren’t ready for this.

It’s his rousing speech Wednesday to the Democratic National Convention.

Cleaver brought the crowd to its feet with his rocking, preaching style. It was a riveting performance.

Positively, he talked about the need for civility in Congress, something he has (imperfectly) worked on during his tenure in Washington.

And he did talk about bringing all of America together to work on improving the nation’s future. That was the best part for me to see.

On a less-positive level, Cleaver didn’t give independent voters enough factual reasons to hop aboard the President Barack Obama train this fall.

But let’s face it: Cleaver wasn’t there to do that. He was there to fire up the crowd. And he did it in rousing fashion, enough to make a lot of Kansas Citians (though not all; sorry, GOPers) proud.

Comments

1. 

   George Hunsucker

   Northland

   9 months, 2 weeks ago

   There was no mention of his “business” either which we, the taxpayers, are stuck with.

   Good work reverand Cleaver—following the word…

2. 

   William R. Nelson

   9 months, 2 weeks ago

   “Poor, rich, we are one!” Cleaver exhorted.

   Probably explains why he expects the tax payers to pay off his 1.3 million dollar business loan.

   Preach it, Brother!

3. 

   George Blake

   9 months, 2 weeks ago

   What Mr. Cleaver forgets is it was the Republicans under LBJ who gave him his keys to the city. We Republicans voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1963 and backed LBJ after the Democrats / Dixiecrats bailed out in protest. Frederick Douglas was a Republican. So were many other minority Statesmen. Condoleezza Rice and other ground-breaking blacks are Republicans.

   Mr. Cleaver also ignores the fact that Republicans are not just about Big Business, but putting Americans back to work. That automatically pulls in the Poor, Children, Elderly, etc. Employing people means there is LESS poor and hungry, not more. 23 Million unemployed means MORE people on the street, MORE poor, MORE disadvantaged, MORE disillusioned.

   I AM always looking forward, Mr. Cleaver. I AM full of hope. And, I AM Republican and PROUD of it.

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