Barack Obama's Grandmother Dies (Wizbang)

Sen. Barack Obams and his sister issued the following statement this afternoon:

It is with great sadness that we announce that our grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has died peacefully after a battle with cancer. She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility. She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances. She was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and left this world with the knowledge that her impact on all of us was meaningful and enduring. Our debt to her is beyond measure.
"Our family wants to thank all of those who sent flowers, cards, well-wishes, and prayers during this difficult time. It brought our grandmother and us great comfort. Our grandmother was a private woman, and we will respect her wish for a small private ceremony to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to any worthy organization in search of a cure for cancer."

Update:

Senator John McCain and Mrs. Cindy McCain issued the following statement on the passing of Barack Obama's grandmother:

"We offer our deepest condolences to Barack Obama and his family as they grieve the loss of their beloved grandmother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them as they remember and celebrate the life of someone who had such a profound impact in their lives."

Our thoughts and prayers are with the enitire Obama family as well.

Comments (21)

Condolences to her loved on... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by Captain America | November 3, 2008 5:31 PM | Score: -7 (17 votes cast)

Captain America:

Condolences to her loved ones. God rest her soul.

Now, will ACORN still get her to vote?

Posted on November 3, 2008 17:31

May she rest in peace.... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by LaMedusa | November 3, 2008 5:55 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)

LaMedusa:

May she rest in peace.

Posted on November 3, 2008 17:55

Wonder if she admitted to s... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by GianniD | November 3, 2008 6:05 PM | Score: -8 (14 votes cast)

GianniD:

Wonder if she admitted to someone before she passed where he was actually born?

Posted on November 3, 2008 18:05

Jeez, comments 1 and 3, cou... (Below threshold)

4. Posted by Timmer | November 3, 2008 6:30 PM | Score: 3 (5 votes cast)

Timmer:

Jeez, comments 1 and 3, could you be any more inappropriate?

Posted on November 3, 2008 18:30

Well, I would vote for m... (Below threshold)

5. Posted by sara connors | November 3, 2008 6:30 PM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)

sara connors:

Well, I would vote for mcCain

RIP... (Below threshold)

6. Posted by WildWillie | November 3, 2008 6:31 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)

WildWillie:

RIP

Posted on November 3, 2008 18:31

That's very sad news. She ... (Below threshold)

7. Posted by Tim | November 3, 2008 6:40 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)

Tim:

That's very sad news. She just missed out on seeing if her grandson made it to the top. She has a front row seat now.

Posted on November 3, 2008 18:40

Very sad. Condolences to h... (Below threshold)

8. Posted by Tom Blogical | November 3, 2008 7:15 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

Tom Blogical

Very sad. Condolences to her family.

Posted on November 3, 2008 19:15

Dead grandmother? You just... (Below threshold)

9. Posted by captaindawg | November 3, 2008 7:40 PM | Score: -10 (12 votes cast)

captaindawg:

Dead grandmother? You just pruduce a corpse and I'll se if I can... dig up you daughter.

Anyone? Anyone?

Posted on November 3, 2008 19:40

Obviously there are some po... (Below threshold)

10. Posted by Donna B. | November 3, 2008 8:53 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)

Donna B.:

Obviously there are some posters here who have never had anyone close to them die. Yet. Unless they have sociopathic or psychopathic tendencies, they may live to regret their words.

Politics is never more important than life. I feel sorry for Barack that he is not in a position to mourn as he may need to.

Posted on November 3, 2008 20:53

As an Obama supporter I tha... (Below threshold)

11. Posted by Cockroach | November 3, 2008 10:16 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)

Cockroach:

As an Obama supporter I thank most of you for showing proper respect. This time I am not being sarcastic. Most of you are being genuinely respectful.

Posted on November 3, 2008 22:16

My condolences to Barack Ob... (Below threshold)

12. Posted by Patrick | November 3, 2008 11:32 PM | Score: 0 (4 votes cast)

Patrick:

My condolences to Barack Obama and his family for their loss. I doubt you will see anywhere the degree of hatred that was heaped upon Tony Snow's family by the vermin at the liberal blogs like the Daily Kos. That was so far beyond anything remotely acceptable and I hope they rot in hell for what they said about a fine American like Tony.

Posted on November 3, 2008 23:32

Jeez, comments 1 and 3, ... (Below threshold)

13. Posted by James Cloninger | November 4, 2008 12:06 AM | Score: -2 (2 votes cast)

James Cloninger:

They could, but this isn't the Daily Kos.

Posted on November 4, 2008 00:06

May she rest in peace and m... (Below threshold)

14. Posted by ODA315 | November 4, 2008 1:28 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

ODA315:

May she rest in peace and may God give the Obamas peace and solice in their time of pain.

Posted on November 4, 2008 01:28

let us offer a silent thank... (Below threshold)

15. Posted by peabody3000 | November 4, 2008 1:52 AM | Score: -3 (5 votes cast)

peabody3000:

let us offer a silent thanks to the person perhaps the most responsible for the obama presidency:

thanks, george w bu$h.....

Posted on November 4, 2008 01:52

Raises an interesting point... (Below threshold)

16. Posted by sanssoucy | November 4, 2008 5:17 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

sanssoucy:

Raises an interesting point, though; if someone uses early voting, do they need to still be alive on election day for it to count?

Posted on November 4, 2008 05:17

My heart goes out to anyone... (Below threshold)

17. Posted by Oyster | November 4, 2008 7:37 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Oyster:

My heart goes out to anyone who loses someone they love. May they find peace in their good memories.

Posted on November 4, 2008 07:37

Raises an interest... (Below threshold)

18. Posted by Cockroach | November 4, 2008 7:41 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)

Thats a very good question. Yes it does count.

Hawaii Chief Elections Officer Kevin Cronin told ABC News this evening that the absentee ballot cast by Dunham before she passed away will count. Cronin said Dunham's absentee ballot was received on October 27 and found to meet the requirements of a valid absentee ballot and will therefore be counted with the rest of the state's ballots tomorrow.

Posted on November 4, 2008 07:41

I hope the family is holdin... (Below threshold)

19. Posted by DJ Drummond | November 4, 2008 12:51 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)

DJ Drummond:

I hope the family is holding up well. The loss of a loved one is always hard enough, but to have it at a time of intense public scrutiny is much harder.

Posted on November 4, 2008 12:51

I do feel sorry for Barack,... (Below threshold)

20. Posted by Cliff | November 4, 2008 1:47 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)

Cliff:

I do feel sorry for Barack, if he does win, it'll be a very strange victory. I know how I felt after my Grandmother died.

That said, and I really don't mean to be inappropriate, but from a political standpoint, just how lucky is this guy? I mean, talk about a walking advertisement for sympathy votes. His grandmother could have died 3 months ago or two days from now and it wouldn't do anything for him. But now, it'll probably get him a few sympathy votes.

That said, whatever. I feel bad for him and hope he is able to find some time to grieve and put things in perspective should he be elected. His Grandmother did sound like a really great woman, and I'm sure she'd be proud that her grandson had gone so far.

Posted on November 4, 2008 13:47

Our prayers and love go t... (Below threshold)

21. Posted by mf | November 4, 2008 2:13 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

mf:

Our prayers and love go to her and her loved ones.

Posted on November 4, 2008 14:13