Obama Arrives In Hawaii

From The New York Times:

HONOLULU -- On a whirlwind trip back to Hawaii, Senator Barack Obama spent more than an hour visiting his ailing grandmother late Thursday and is set to return to her bedside on Friday morning after arriving here on a nine-hour flight from the Midwestern battleground of the presidential campaign.

As soon as he arrived on the island of Oahu, Mr. Obama went to the Punahou Circle Apartments, where his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, lies gravely ill. She is to turn 86 on Sunday, but aides to Mr. Obama said doctors advised him not to delay his visit.

It was an unusual departure from the tug-of-war of the presidential campaign, with 11 days remaining in the race. But it was a trip that advisers said he told them was not negotiable. He missed his mother's death here in 1995, a mistake he said he did not intend to repeat with his grandmother, who has been a stalwart in his life.

Obama discussed the trip on ABC this morning:

"I want to give her a kiss and a hug," the Democratic presidential candidate told Robin Roberts in an exclusive interview for "Good Morning America" before heading for Hawaii to see his 85-year-old grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, the woman who largely raised him.

"And then we're going to find out what chores I can do, because I'm sure there's been some stuff that's been left undone," he said.

The Illinois senator took the unprecedented step of quitting the presidential campaign with less than two weeks to go so he could hurry home to the apartment he grew up in and see Dunhill. He rejoins the campaign Saturday.

Toot, which is short for "tutu," the Hawaiian word for grandparent, has been sick for a while and recently fell and broke her hip.

"Without going through the details too much, she's gravely ill," Obama told Roberts in an interview that aired today on "GMA."

Besides the hip, Obama said, "She had some other problems that were getting worse. You know, we weren't sure, and I'm still not sure, whether she makes it to Election Day.

"We're all praying and we hope she does," he said.

Here's a slideshow we've assembled of Obama's grandmother:
(Slideshow by Anya Strzemien)

• • • • • • • Obama with his grandparents Madelyn and Stanley Dunham (aka Toot and Gramps) at his high school graduation in 1979.

Comments

[barrysoetoro]

01:48 AM on 10/26/2008

well, what do you think? he comes back with a birth certificate? I mean a real one. Like the kind that has his foot print on it. just like the one I got from the American hospital.

[barrysoetoro]

01:41 AM on 10/26/2008

You think he might bring back a birth certificate?

[boogiewoman]

03:05 PM on 10/25/2008

My heart aches for what Obama is going through. When you know they are sick and tired, but you can't let go, and its hard for her to let go. Faith and hope is what gets you through.

[roshni]

03:23 PM on 10/25/2008

This has to be a bittersweet time for him. So much going on that she should rightly be a part of.

[CalifroniaMark]

02:08 PM on 10/25/2008

Nice pic but Grand Dad was packin'

[PrefersTruth]

12:57 PM on 10/25/2008

Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you Senator Obama... God's speed!

[cathleen]

02:04 PM on 10/25/2008

Crying and appreciating family. What a wonderful support system for Barack. We are saying our prayers. Hoping she makes it to see her grandson become the President of the United States. What a good job the family did raising Obama.

[Pattycakes90]

12:55 PM on 10/25/2008

My thoughts and prayers go out to Obama and his family at this critical time. I think Obama has the potential of not only being a good president, but a great one. I'm taking my two sons with me to vote this week in Florida. My 18 year-old will vote for the first time. We can't let this opportunity to slip away.

[zanbama]

11:56 AM on 10/25/2008

Obama's mom looks like her father.

[UpstateNY]

11:21 AM on 10/25/2008

You can often take the measure of a person in how they respond to times of difficulty.

There was John McCain during the beginning of the Financial Meltdown - everyone has to admit that he was acting like a crazy person - FIRE THE GUY (but of course he can't and what good would it do), SUSPEND THE CAMPAIGN (which he never really did), HAVE TO FLY IMMEDIATELY TO WASHINGTON (right after I go to NY to attend to previous engagments (except, of course, not David Letterman because it might look too light). No thought - just continual action which went nowhere, accomplished little (maybe even hurt).

Now, you have Barack Obama facing a very difficult time in anyone's life (we've all (or will all) face the loss of those we love dearly) with grace and resolve. He was going to take 2 days to spend with his grandmother now because later might not be possible. He went quickly, quietly - made sure the campaign was set. He did it and will come back to the campaign - sadder but knowing he did the right thing.

That's the leader we want in the White House - I am confident he will bring the same resolve to do the right thing and the same regard for people.

[roninroshi]

11:08 AM on 10/25/2008

Sen. Obama has a the gentleness and compassion that is vital for a great president...the photo of him asending the aircraft stairs speaks volumes about the man's integrity and strength...Please vote early to get this truely great statesman elected President.

[wsmcke]

11:02 AM on 10/25/2008

BTW I was not being negative. Just others to SEE (mainly those who are worried about his ethnic makeup) that he is also part white. Obama, if the voters are fair, will make a great president and unite us all as one country. The is the dream....

[wsmcke]

10:57 AM on 10/25/2008

Obama look a great deal like his Grandfather in photo three.... wow.

[thepianodiva]

11:05 AM on 10/25/2008

I noticed that too. And in photo 2 very much also. Look at the way his grandmother hugs him in the high school graduation picture or the cute one on the beach with his grandad. Obviously he was the apple of their eyes! Much love there. Maybe that is why he is the exceptional person with the exceptional character and temperament he has now.

[LaShon]

05:42 PM on 10/25/2008

Love the shot with Barack and his Granddad on the beach.

[maidenofdforest]

10:45 AM on 10/25/2008

We should certainly like a president who looks back at their guardians with love, honor and respect. Today, Sen. Obama has shown repeatedly his grandparents has raised with with these virtues by taking care of his own family. His mother and grandparents must be so proud as the citizens voting for him would be proud that this man is not insensitive.

[RationalDubSteppa]

10:18 AM on 10/25/2008

As an Obama supporter, I have never felt this much concern and sadness for a political leader. My thoughts and love our with him and all of his family. I know how devastating the feeling must be. What amazes me about Obama, is how with the steely resolve of Superman he marches forward on his mission to change the direction of our beloved country. He is a true American hero and I wish him and his family all the best.

Obama 4 Life!

[roshni]

03:25 PM on 10/25/2008

I completely agree. I have never felt so personally invested in a candidate, let alone his entire family. He is one in a million.

[boing007]

10:15 AM on 10/25/2008

Naomi Klein: Nationalize Exxon, Shell ... Insurance companies? Why not!

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20081110/naomibailout_video

[ChessLover4Obama]

08:52 AM on 10/25/2008

This picture of Sen. Obama will break your heart.
by Ekaterin
Sat Oct 25, 2008 at 01:05:57 AM PDT

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/25/35715/275/46/641699

"As so many of us know, it is unbelievably difficult to say goodbye to a loved one, knowing you probably won't see them alive again. May our courageous candidate be surrounded with love and comfort in the days ahead." --Ekaterin

"Bless you, Senator Obama. We are so proud of you, so privileged that you are our candidate."
--Ekaterin

I couldn't have said this better, Thank Ekaterin "Daily Kos"

[rcwblessed]

01:00 PM on 10/25/2008

Thanks for sharing this link. The picture and article were so sad.