Boy, I am way behind this thread but I have to chip in on this visiting the dying and death business.  My mind is spinning in so many directions I will try to maintain composure and stay on track.  This makes me sick that people judge others on what they think is right for themselves. 

First:  It makes no difference whether you are male or female....that is a really dumb statement (and I normally don't accuse people of that very often).  Everyone deals with death in different ways.  It should make no difference to an "outsider" who has no clue as to Obama's responsibilities.  Not everyone can shut down the office because a loved one passes or is sick and close to death.  I don't believe it shows any disrespect whatsoever.  I am sure that Obabma's Grandmother knew where his heart was even tho his body was not.  Just because he didn't run off his responsibilities to visit her doesn't make him any less of a human.  It actually shows the opposite.  It shows that he can work thru tragedy and won't crumble under the emotion of losing a loved one.  Work thru adversity as my daddy always says. 

Both of my parents have instructed that they would be offended if we dropped everything like that to sit beside them and watch them die.  What you did, Anita,  you did for yourself and as much as you will probably deny it, it wasn't for your father, but rather your last grasp of spending time with him before the final end.  I have been getting a lot of pressure from my sister because my Mom (in AZ) is extremely sick with Cancer and could die tomorrow (round 1 was a six mo. life expectancy - survival rate of zero and thankfully she has survived it and then some).  Does it make me less of a person because I don't move out there to spend time with her before the end comes.   Isn't that what you are accusing Obama of??  Sounds the same to me and your out of line to remotely judge a person in this matter.  It truely makes me want to vomit.

Secondly, as many have mentioned, he is (was) running for the President of the United States.  I think in comparison to your business his duty to his Country was a bit more important and required his full attention.  Its not like shutting your doors for a few days.   Would you feel the same if he was already President, seated in office, and dealing with all the aspects of the job.  I don't believe he was serving a "self interest" by continuing his campaign.  He made a formal statement according to your post which in my opinion was more than enough.  Why should he have to come out in front of the word and discuss his extremely private emotional time.  Shame on you for even thinking he should have to share, which by the way he did do and you did miss it.  Does it make a difference to you that he didn't break down sobbing in front of everyone??!!  NO.  Should he have to show his emotion - who are you to say that he didn't greive in the right manner or run to her side was the wrong thing.  If he had done those things everyone would say he is not strong enough to be our President.  I think it showed great moral character to place his emotions in check and continue on in the manner he did. 

Thirdly, well, I think i have gone on long enough.  I will have to read more of the string to go on...check back a bit later down the thread as I am sure I will have more opinions.