Posted by Frank James at 11:25 AM CST
Some quick thoughts on Sen. Barack Obama's presidential announcement speech.
Obama's big challenge today was to have people watching the speech be able to answer with a yes the questions: does he look presidential and can I buy what he's selling?
Helped by the huge, excited crowd estimated at 15,000 to 17,000 by the Springfield police; the backdrop of the Old State Capitol, and the American flag bunting, Obama, in his black overcoat and blue tie, certainly had all the trappings of a bona fide presidential contender.
But my guess is that the jury is still out after today for a lot of Americans.
Like John Kennedy at a similar stage of the 1960 presidential race, Obama looked very young today. Of course, Kennedy still won, but he had a lot of help from Richard Nixon who perspired during a presidential debate and the Chicago political machine.
And since we've never had an African-American president, it will take a lot of imagination for many Americans to picture Obama in the Oval Office. Again, I doubt that today's magnificent staging changed that much.
As for the speech itself, Obama never makes the argument that he would be the best candidate for the White House because (fill in the blank.)
Instead, he offers himself as the vessel for the hopes of an electorate too often disappointed by the status quo.
"This campaign must be the occasion, the vehicle, of your hopes, and your dreams," he said.
Obviously, Obama can't offer a long national-security resume like Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) So he has to go with what he's got which is to be a candidate on whom people can project the desires of their hearts.
Will this be enough for enough Democrats to give Obama their party's nomination and for more Americans to give him the presidency? Who knows? Americans like hope and optimism. It worked for President Bill Clinton after all.
But he had long experience as a governor, again something Obama doesn't have.
As could be expected because of the choice of Old State Capitol with its Lincoln associations, the speech was peppered with references and allusions to Abraham Lincoln and borrowed some of the great president's language.
The biographical part of the speech, where Obama talks about what he learned in Springfield as a state senator, was reminiscent of Lincoln's Farewell Address he gave before leaving for the Washington after being elected the 16th president.
But there were elements of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech too, with the repetition of certain lines for effect. Experts of rhetoric have a description for it which I can't recall now.
Anyway, Obama, speaking of Lincoln said: "He tells us that there is power in words. He tells us that there is power in conviction."
Later he says: "I want to win that next battle-for justice and opportunity. I want to win that next battle-for better schools and better jobs and health care for all. I want us to take up the unfinished business of perfecting our union and building a better America."
The speech was competently delivered. But it seemed like Obama rushed through parts of it, stepping on applause lines and crunching words.
Maybe because it was about 16 degrees he didn't want to keep the crowd, many of whom had waited for hours, out in the cold any longer than he had to.
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Comments
Hope and optimism have been in short supply of late. I'm buying!!!
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | February 10, 2007 12:22 PM
Hopefully Sen. Obama can help keep this very critical race interesting all the way through to the end.
Posted by: Phillip Crist | February 10, 2007 1:34 PM
No, because he is a Socialist.
Posted by: Adam | February 10, 2007 1:41 PM
What a great day for Illinois and America!
After 6+ yrs of lying from the President LoneRanger Whitehouse and starting a trumped up war in Iraq for personal financial gain for their Republican croonies and themselves it will be nice to have a guy like Obama in the Whitehouse who will work for ALL of the American people,not just the 1% of ultra rich people that W. and Deadeye care about.
Posted by: John E. | February 10, 2007 2:10 PM
People are desperate and they will buy just about anything... like I bought Clinton's spiel... beware, people, you could be dissapointed in the end.
Posted by: Leo T | February 10, 2007 2:45 PM
What I heard today he just might. He has a message. The Message of Hope which we have had very little in the last six years
Posted by: Dale Peters | February 10, 2007 2:52 PM
What a momentus occasion. This is going to be fun. Yeah he didn't sell on why he'd make a good choice. The only thing he has is potential and charisma that is all. Time will tell what else he has.
Posted by: Levois | February 10, 2007 3:04 PM
So, as a democrat, you've got either an African American or a women. Oh the flavors to choose from!!!
Obama however is already planning to miss his first forum as canidate-let's hope he'll be showing up at the office;http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/2/9/75047.shtml?s=bl&promo_code=2D3S-1
And Hillary seems to be covering her tracks with good intentions and lessons learned;http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2007/2/9/214007.shtml?s=bl&promo_code=2D3S-1
Know it.
Shelby the Intern
Posted by: Shelby the Intern | February 10, 2007 3:55 PM
Leo T., I'm going to turn a right-wing soundbyte back around to you. Please take it as it's meant -- a genuine question. I don't ask in sarcasm or confrontationally, but to get your opinion, because although I take it that you're coming from the "opposite side of the aisle," I've generally found your thoughts well laid-out and relevant.
What was it that Clinton did that actually affected YOU?
Posted by: John | February 10, 2007 4:21 PM
People are desperate and they will buy just about anything... like I bought Clinton's spiel... beware, people, you could be dissapointed in the end.
Posted by: Leo T | Feb 10, 2007 2:45:46 PM
I hate to ask this Leo...but did you buy Bushs'
spiel.....and were you dissapointed?
Posted by: bill r. | February 10, 2007 5:16 PM
What exactly IS he selling? Amway? You couldn't tell from that speech. Then again, America might just be ready to buy empty platitudes after the last six years.
Posted by: Jeff | February 10, 2007 5:35 PM
Obama "wants to win" every "battle" EXCEPT the battle against the Terrorists. Which is the only real battle we Americans face.
Posted by: bruce | February 10, 2007 5:47 PM
Jeff,
We already know what McSurge McCain and the Republic Party is selling and no one is buying it anymore.
OBAMA IN 08 !!!
Stay tuned Jeff....it's going to be great.
Posted by: John E. | February 10, 2007 5:51 PM
Shelby, posting links to the right wing shlock site NewsMax isn't going to win you any debating points. You might just as well quote that gasbag Rush Limbaugh. But you knew that already, didn't you.
Barack Obama has some good points, and some bad, just like anyone who willingly enters the presidential meat grinder. Nobody's going to saddle up a white horse and ride in to save our sorry behinds. We're going to have to work together to clean up BushCo's mess. That's Obama's message and I'm betting he's going to make things very, very interesting.
Posted by: Figbash | February 10, 2007 5:59 PM
We've already had much too much of Shrub, the current occupant @ 1600. Lies about the war in Iraq. Right decision to go into Afghanistan. Gutting of domestic programs benefitting the people of this country. Earning the USA the hatred of the world. Tax cuts for the rich. Unbelievaqble deficits. Obama has just as much right to run asw Shrub did back in 2000. Let's see--his experience: 2 failed businesses & 2 years as gov of Texas--that's it!
Posted by: RM | February 10, 2007 7:47 PM
"The speech was competently delivered,but it seemed like Obama rushed through parts of it?"
Sure he did,anyone could tell he was having a high level nicotine fit.
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | February 11, 2007 12:53 AM
I bought what Obama was saying ... when he repeatedly said he'd fulfill his full six-year term in the Senate and not run for president. Fool me once, shame on you. Are you listening voters?
Posted by: Jeff | February 11, 2007 1:09 PM
Higher calling,higher calling,bigger,better and more important things William Jeff.
Unlike other candidates,Obama hasn't been "sleeping" on the job and he see's that we need a change in direction as a WHOLE Country not just the NeoCon fatasyland that your hero still lives in.
Posted by: John E. | February 11, 2007 4:28 PM
[quote]
I bought what Obama was saying ... when he repeatedly said he'd fulfill his full six-year term in the Senate and not run for president. Fool me once, shame on you. Are you listening voters?
Posted by: Jeff | Feb 11, 2007 1:09:46 PM
[/quote]
Jeff:
Remember when Bush was running for President back in 2000, and numerous times said that he wouldn't use the military for "nation building?" You sure were fooled then, weren't you?
Posted by: BC | February 11, 2007 7:23 PM
Guliani in '08. He is the only real "moderate" of all the candidates. If he gets the GOP nomination he will be very tough to beat.
Posted by: Bill | February 12, 2007 10:55 AM
I really like Gulianis bravery after 911, for me he showed his undying support for those people who lost their love ones and he also did his best and did his job as a Mayor of New York City and I salute him for that. His dedication is proven and recorded all over the world after 911 so why not give my next president a chance I think he proved us that he has no fear despite on the U.S attack. So I hope i gave you all my part and pls share what you think about my opinion. Obama is just a sweet talker with not much experience on politcs. So people of USa think b4 you all vote.... Thank you...
Marky of Florida
Posted by: Marky | February 20, 2007 9:54 PM
It's not really that hard to sell free money, even if it's in the form of loans.
But who has to pay for it?
Get real!
Posted by: Pat | February 13, 2008 7:25 PM