Two stories about Barack Obama's compassion

News Type: Event — Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:31 PM EDT

New stories show Obama's compassion in 1988 -- and today.

I'm curious about Barack Obama's personality, and two stories showed a deeper view.

A Norwegian newspaper discovered a 1988 incident at an airport in Miami. 20 years ago, Mary Andersen was a newlywed, flying to Norway to join her new husband. Starting a new life, the 31-year-old carried all her most cherished possessions in her luggage -- but was told at the busy airport counter that she couldn't take them on the plane without paying an additional $103 surcharge. She didn't have the money, and had no one else she could call. The airline worker remained unsympathetic, and "I started to cry," Mary remembered to the Norwegian newspaper. "Tears were pouring down my face and I had no idea what to do.

"Then I heard a gentle and friendly voice behind me saying, 'That's OK, I'll pay for her.'"

Mary turned around to see a tall man whom she had never seen before.
-He had a gentle and kind voice that was still firm and decisive...

Although this happened 20 years ago, Mary still remembers the authority that radiated from the man.

Barack Obama was just 27 years old -- he hadn't even finished law school -- but the woman watched over the years as he went on to become his party's nominee for the Presidency of the United States.

And I thought of that when I watched this interview Thursday. CBS questioned Obama's decision to suspend campaign to visit his sick grandmother. Obama's answer?

"I think most people understand that if you're not caring for your family, then you're probably not the kind of person who's going to be caring for other people."

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{"commentId":3709232,"authorDomain":"powerhouse440"}

ME-powerhouse

This is supposed to make me like the guy that will tax this country into a depression in the name of helping the little guy? That's a laugh.

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#1 - Sun Oct 26, 2008 8:59 PM EDT

{"commentId":3716850,"authorDomain":"smperry"}

Stacie - Houston

Well, I read the story, .....wonder, is this true? Couldn't find on "Snopes" .

Someone comment? I'd like to really believe Obama's okay. I just ...well, it's like this: He's for abortion, can't do that. For more government...Don't need that. But if he's got a real heart for people, I'd like to know that. ??

Thanks.

{"commentId":3716850,"threadId":"398694","contentId":"2033587","authorDomain":"smperry"}

#2 - Mon Oct 27, 2008 12:01 PM EDT

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Two stories about Barack Obama's compassion

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