Obama's speech

[cellio]

Barack Obama's speech today really spoke to me. He has articulated many of the problems we face as a country, without sinking into us-versus-them mode. Lots of politicians have claimed to be uniters, but this one seems to actually have that clue. Go, read.

Aside from major deal-killers, more than specific issues, I judge candidates for executive offices on their visions, their passions, and their characters. I had already registered as a Democrat to vote against one candidate in next month's primary; it's refreshing to find myself wanting to vote for somebody. (I don't know how I'll vote in November, but I don't have to decide that any time soon.)

Comments

[byronhaverford.livejournal.com]

1) Thank you for linking that. I am very glad I read it in its entirety.

2) NPR sucks. I can't believe the 5-second clips that they chose to extract from that speech. And then they spend 20 minutes talking meaninglessly about just how racist his grandmother is. Pathetic. (I don't claim NPR is worse than other media, but I have no exposure to other media.)

3) Hillary is right: Obama's greatest strength lies in his speaking skills. But she says it like it's a bad thing. I would argue that the presidents we remember as the greatest in our history are remembered because of their speaking skills, as much as their policies. And considering the gridlock that characterizes modern politics, perhaps speeches /are/ the major job of the president. One could argue that rhetorical skill is the most important facet of a presidential candidate.

[briony530.livejournal.com]

I hear and understand the concerns of some who say he lacks experience, and worry that he is just talking ideals, not concrete plans. I've thought about that myself. But the ideals have to come first anyway, don't they? And congress can walk all over plans, but not ideals.

Meanwhile my new governor has already admitted to having extramarital affairs. Why wait for the scandal, when you can open a whole can o' worms for yourself???

[ariannawyn.livejournal.com]

I think it's even better on the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWe7wTVbLUU

[dvarin.livejournal.com]

He's probably banking on the "Sigh, whatever, at least he's not as big of a hypocrite as the last guy was" response. I can't imagine that Spitzer would be a particularly hard act to follow...

[cellio]

I stopped listening to NPR years ago, at a time when they made Fox look "fair and balanced" by comparison. (Don't know if that's still a problem. Don't much care.) So your report does not surprise me, unfortunately. :-(

I think the president's job is to be a visionary, a diplomat (inter- and intra-nationally), and a statesman. (I have different expectations for legislators (and yet different ones for judges); that's why we have three branches.) So yeah, speech-craft matters as part of that.

[gregbo.livejournal.com]

I haven't decided who I will vote for yet either, but I was inspired by Obama's speech.