Obama Leaving Campaign Trail To Be With His Sick Grandmother

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is canceling nearly all his campaign events Thursday and Friday to fly to Hawaii to visit his suddenly gravely ill 85-year-old grandmother, his communications director said.

Robert Gibbs told reporters aboard Obama's plane that Obama's grandmother, Madelyn Payne Dunham, who helped raise him, was released from the hospital late last week. But he said her health had deteriorated "to the point where her situation is very serious."

Events originally planned for Madison, Wis., and Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday will be replaced with one in Indianapolis before he makes the long flight to Hawaii. On Friday, Obama's wife, Michelle, will sub for Obama at rallies in Akron and Columbus, in Ohio, said campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki. Obama was expected to resume campaigning on Saturday, at an undecided location in the West, she said.

"Senator Obama's grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has always been one of the most important people in his life, along with his mother and his grandfather," Gibbs said. "Recently his grandmother has become ill and in the last few weeks her health has deteriorated to the point where her situation is very serious. It is for that reason that Sen. Obama has decided to change his schedule on Thursday and Friday so that he can see her and spend some time with her."

Citing the family's desire for privacy, Gibbs would not discuss the nature of Dunham's illness. It seemed likely that she was close to death, as Gibbs said that "everyone understands the decision that Sen. Obama is making."

It could be a momentous one in his bid for the White House against Republican John McCain, with Election Day just two weeks away on Nov. 4.

In a campaign ad this year, Obama described his Dunham as the daughter of a Midwest oil company clerk who "taught me values straight from the Kansas heartland" _ things like "accountability and self-reliance. Love of country. Working hard without making excuses. Treating your neighbor as you'd like to be treated."

She's also the "white grandmother" he referred to in a speech on race.

Obama last visited Hawaii in August, when he spent a week on vacation after he had clinched the Democratic presidential nomination.

WATCH: MSNBC's Rachel Maddow discusses the latest news regarding Obama's decision to leave the campaign trail:

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On the Net:

Obama: http://www.barackobama.com

Comments

[NetProphet]

This is very commendable on the part of Barack. Who ever said Liberals are not home/famil­y-oriented­?!?

LOOK FOR A NEW CAMPAIGN PUSH AFTER HE RETURNS TO US!

GO GO OBAMA!!!!!!!

[repent america]

He is in hawaii for other reasons and most people don't have a clue!

http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/hank/081023
May God Bless his gramma.
Peace and Love.
R.A.

[ohmetoo]

Renew America my asq, Donald Hank is a former language teacher, currently operating a technical translation agency out of his home in Wrightsville, PA.. Christian World View Network

[yellow dog democrat]

Think the Huffington Post could maybe put up a special blog to post get well and/or Happy Birthday messages for Toots, then forward it on to her or to one of the Hawaii newspapers? We are in northeast Alabama - don't know if she's even in condition to know about such well wishes, but it would still be a nice gesture. May seem silly or hokey, but MY own late grandmother would insist.

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

Great Idea! I think it would really be a lift for Obama's grandmother and Obama.

[judesedit]

I am so glad he is going to see his grandmother. I would be more concerned if he didn't. And he can use my taxpayer dollars to get him there as fast as possible. There is no comparison between this devastating event and buying clothes. Our prayers go out to you, Barack, as they did to Joe and family when his mother-in-law passed away. My mother is 93 and each day I awake, I thank God that we have another day. Even if you don't live with someone, just knowing they are somewhere on this earth and doing well is comforting. I pray she lives to see him elected. That would be wonderful.

[PRIDEsupporter]

My and my whole family's support is with you Obama.
Our prayers go out to you and your grandmother and may she be well enough to see you in the White House and may she be smiling down upon you either way for there is a special spot in Heaven for her I'm sure.
God Bless You All. :)

[realspirited]

Don't worry, we'll hold the fort. All our best to you and your family.

[Soren1]

My prayers go out to Barack for comfort and that his grandmother lives to see him elected. I hope she's not watching all the horrible things the other party is saying about her wonderful grandson.

[LindyLee]

Gosh guys, don't forget that John McCain suspended his campaign for a few days, as well, but that was for the benefit of us and the country when the economic crisis hit and the Senate and Congress needed leadership.

[eveningprim]

he did that as a stunt, which was useless and transparen­t...

[m4vogel]

Were you really fooled by that, you should know better than that he did it for politics, not for us and not for the country

[LindyLee]

I feel very sorry for Senator Obama, flying alone to see the woman who was the most influential person in his life, dying. His wife is not even going with him to lend any form of emotional support.

I wish he wasn't using his campaign jet for the trip, wasting all that fuel while every day Americans are working hard at conservation. But he doesn't view himself as an everyday American and couldn't be bothered flying commercially, even using first class...be­cause he is elite...a celebrity of sorts...he is special...­.too special to conserve energy.

[peskyliberal]

As a shareholder in Obama, he has my blessing using the "company" plane.

[KathieKH]

Ditto!

[PT6]

Michelle is filling in for him while he is away!

So don't worry the Obamas are staying on top of this!

McCain suspended his campaign and flew to New York in his plane to interview Letterman and we all know how that turned out.

By the same principle Mccain should not have used his plane during a suspension!

[IslandBilly]

Well, Lindy dear, I suggest that Obama is more interested in conserving energy than John McCain or maybe even you - but he has made a judgment about the importance of seeing his grandmother. His loving wife is going to stay on the campaign trail, which is a sacrifice that other candidates' wives might not make; and so they work out their family obligations. Being a Christian, I am sure that relationships are very important to both Barack and Michelle, and sometimes you just have to spend the money and resources to fulfill the requirements of real, loving, family relationships. I am quite happy to think that my campaign contribution might have made it easier for him to do this.

[eveningprim]

are you out of your ******* mind?

like any candidate is going to jump on a regular commercial flight right now? the time and money and, yes, "energy" you claim to be so worried about would total WAY more than if he just did it this way. if you're pants are in such a bunch to conserve "energy" turn off your computer and read a book.
it might help.

love, an obama supporter and fundraiser who has not turned on her air-conditioning all year and it's 95 degrees today in L.A., october the 23rd!

[m4vogel]

Thanks 4 your comment God bless you and Obama and his family you are my man. Some people just do not know the meaning of true love.

[KathieKH]

Unfortunately I was the one that received the call that my grandmother was dying and my Dad needed to get there quick. I called out to the ballpark, got my mother and broke the news to her. I tracked down my brother that was campiing and broke the news to him. I called my sister, who was on vacation and I was watching her children, that our grandmother was dying. I didn't get to go and see my grandmother before she died and I was the most like her and unfortunately, her favorite. It is something that I regret not being able to do, therefore; I don't begrudge him for wanting to be with her when she was so important in his life. He missed being there for his mother's death and won't make the same mistake twice. My thoughts and prayers are for the Obama family and I am glad he wants to be there as much as he can. What respect and love he must hold for her. BTW, I flew to Hawaii on commerical airlines and it took forever, I am glad he has the transportation to get him there quickly. God Bless the Obama family and God Bless America.

[foxfan]

God bless Sen Obama and his grandmother and the entire Obama family.

[huhwatjusay]

sending my aloha to the Obama family.

sending my dollars to the DEMOCRATIC Party.
it's not over until the last vote is counted people...v­ote early!!!

[semperfidevildog]

you mean the last of the electorial college votes

[TJane]

What a contrast. McCain suspends his campaign for a self-serving attempt to look like he's in charge and can capture some glory. Obama leaves the campaign for what could be a last visit with his incredible grandmother. He knows the importance of family and he has his priorities straight.

[Archivist1000]

I had a sad moment for Hillary the other day when she said (paraphrasing) that nobody should
'assume' anything .... a lesson she learned the hard way, to be sure!

Hillary understands that while a candidate can be the frontrunner for a long time, at the end of the day, all that really counts, is the VOTE .... it would be a shame if Obama supporters took victory for granted, and stayed home on November 4.

GO VOTE EARLY if you can .... but VOTE ! Take NOTHING for granted, it aint over 'till it's OVER ....

GO VOTE EARLY if you can ... you or someone you love might get sick on Nov 3 or 4 and you
might be unable to go!

GO VOTE EARLY if you can .... there may be problems at the precincts .... don't be caught out !

GO VOTE EARLY if you can ... Obama has been working his butt off for 2 yrs, just for this one
DAY .... don't let him down, when he needs YOU

GO VOTE EARLY if you can .... elections are won one vote at a time, and the result lasts 4 yrs!

[blissiseasy123]

My heart goes out to Obama and his grandmother. I'm glad he's going to see her. I'm BANKING ON HEAVEN that she lives to see her beautiful grandson in the White House.

http://www.bankingonheaven.com

[TJane]

Already did it. But thanks for reminding everyone not to wait. You never know what will happen at the last minute--sick kids, last minute business trip. Don't wait. it is too important.

[NevaforLeadership]

Reading "Dreams From My Father" started my journey as an Obama supporter. From that book, I know about the huge contribution Barack Obama's grandmother made to his life and what he has become today.

Let us all pray in our own way that she makes it to see her grandson inaugurated as president of the United States.

[munki]

It is so touching..­.