Two Men, One Vision: King and Obama

Powerful Speakers With Iconic Speeches - King: Known as a powerful orator, Dr. King’s rousing speeches are a significant part of his legacy. His iconic “I Have a Dream” speech was delivered at the March on Washington on August 28, 1963. <br> </br>Obama: On Aug. 28, 2008, 45 years after King's "Dream” speech,  Obama accepted the DNC nomination, evoking many symbolic King comparisons punctuated with the slogan "Yes We Can!".

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Powerful Speakers With Iconic Speeches - King: Known as a powerful orator, Dr. King’s rousing speeches are a significant part of his legacy. His iconic “I Have a Dream” speech was delivered at the March on Washington on August 28, 1963. <br> </br>Obama: On Aug. 28, 2008, 45 years after King's "Dream” speech, Obama accepted the DNC nomination, evoking many symbolic King comparisons punctuated with the slogan "Yes We Can!".

Advocates for the Working Class - King: King’s Poor People’s Campaign addressed issues of economic justice and attention to poverty, and was the inspiration for the March on Washington. &lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;Obama: A huge point on the Obama campaign platform was a proposed tax cut for 95% of working families, and significant tax relief for the middle class.

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Advocates for the Working Class - King: King’s Poor People’s Campaign addressed issues of economic justice and attention to poverty, and was the inspiration for the March on Washington. <br></br>Obama: A huge point on the Obama campaign platform was a proposed tax cut for 95% of working families, and significant tax relief for the middle class.

Both Attended Boston Area Grad Schools - King: Dr. King received a Doctorate of Philosophy in Systematic Theology from Boston University in 1955. &lt;br&gt; &lt;/br&gt;Obama: Obama received a Juris Doctor (J.D.) and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1991.

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Both Attended Boston Area Grad Schools - King: Dr. King received a Doctorate of Philosophy in Systematic Theology from Boston University in 1955. <br> </br>Obama: Obama received a Juris Doctor (J.D.) and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1991.

Pretty, Smart&lt;bR&gt;And Elegant  Wives - King: After his assassination, Coretta Scott King assumed the face of a strong widow, while gracefully fighting to maintain the integrity of her husband’s legacy. &lt;br&gt; &lt;/br&gt;Obama: His wife Michelle is already influential in her own right. She draws huge crowds, attracts interest in her style, and is single-handedly changing the public image of the African American woman and mother.

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Pretty, Smart<bR>And Elegant Wives - King: After his assassination, Coretta Scott King assumed the face of a strong widow, while gracefully fighting to maintain the integrity of her husband’s legacy. <br> </br>Obama: His wife Michelle is already influential in her own right. She draws huge crowds, attracts interest in her style, and is single-handedly changing the public image of the African American woman and mother.

King and Obama, The Athletes - King: As a youngster, King played baseball, ran track, and was even on his high school football team. Legend has it he was quite the trash talker.&lt;br&gt; &lt;/br&gt;Obama: The President is an avid sports fan, and was a high school basketball player. He had a ritual of playing ball on the day of every primary election.

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King and Obama, The Athletes - King: As a youngster, King played baseball, ran track, and was even on his high school football team. Legend has it he was quite the trash talker.<br> </br>Obama: The President is an avid sports fan, and was a high school basketball player. He had a ritual of playing ball on the day of every primary election.

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Leaders of Great Movements - King: As the public face of the Civil Rights Movement, King’s power attracted not only thousands of supporters and activists, but concern from the government. &lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;Obama: During his presidential campaign, Obama inspired a movement for hope and change that took over the country. Since his inauguration, it has morphed into a philosophy that has reset American policy both at home and abroad.

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Leaders of Great Movements - King: As the public face of the Civil Rights Movement, King’s power attracted not only thousands of supporters and activists, but concern from the government. <br></br>Obama: During his presidential campaign, Obama inspired a movement for hope and change that took over the country. Since his inauguration, it has morphed into a philosophy that has reset American policy both at home and abroad.

Community Service - King: The Civil Rights leader saw the importance of community service, and his national holiday is designated as an American Day of Service.&lt;br&gt; &lt;/br&gt;Obama: His first foray into his professional life in Chicago was as a dedicated community organizer.

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Community Service - King: The Civil Rights leader saw the importance of community service, and his national holiday is designated as an American Day of Service.<br> </br>Obama: His first foray into his professional life in Chicago was as a dedicated community organizer.

Crowds of&lt;bR&gt;Adoring Supporters - King: Before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, King was a reluctant leader. But his speeches grew huge crowds and many famous admirers and friends like Harry Belafonte.&lt;br&gt; &lt;/br&gt;Obama: Drawing enormous crowds throughout his presidential campaign, Obama drew criticism as a “rock star.” Celeb supporters include Oprah and Will Smith.

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Crowds of<bR>Adoring Supporters - King: Before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, King was a reluctant leader. But his speeches grew huge crowds and many famous admirers and friends like Harry Belafonte.<br> </br>Obama: Drawing enormous crowds throughout his presidential campaign, Obama drew criticism as a “rock star.” Celeb supporters include Oprah and Will Smith.

Vision for  a United, Strong, Integrated America - King: His dream was to one day have all races living together in harmony.&lt;br&gt; &lt;/br&gt;Obama: He is multiracial, and his diverse administration and supporters show he is making good on King’s dream.

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Vision for a United, Strong, Integrated America - King: His dream was to one day have all races living together in harmony.<br> </br>Obama: He is multiracial, and his diverse administration and supporters show he is making good on King’s dream.

Two Loving Dads - King: Father to Yolanda, Martin III, Dexter and Bernice, Dr. King was a doting father who didn’t allow his work to trump his family time.&lt;br&gt; &lt;/br&gt;Obama: He’s one of the coolest dads around, promising on national television that his girls Sasha and Malia could have a puppy.

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Two Loving Dads - King: Father to Yolanda, Martin III, Dexter and Bernice, Dr. King was a doting father who didn’t allow his work to trump his family time.<br> </br>Obama: He’s one of the coolest dads around, promising on national television that his girls Sasha and Malia could have a puppy.

Opponents of American War Efforts - King: In 1967, King gave a controversial speech entitled “Beyond Vietnam,” in which he harshly criticized the U.S. involvement in the war. His position was unpopular, but he remained critical of the war.&lt;br&gt; &lt;/br&gt;Obama: As an Illinois State Senator, Obama made a speech condemning the Iraq War before it even began.

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Opponents of American War Efforts - King: In 1967, King gave a controversial speech entitled “Beyond Vietnam,” in which he harshly criticized the U.S. involvement in the war. His position was unpopular, but he remained critical of the war.<br> </br>Obama: As an Illinois State Senator, Obama made a speech condemning the Iraq War before it even began.