Yes, we can.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

The man is amazing. He did not deny anything, did not cover up anything. He told the truth, and he did it so well, it's undeniable, unarguable.

[Gemini Cricket]

Here's the speech on YouTube. 1.6 mil views. Wow!

[Gemini Cricket]

Wow, this is a looong speech. He has proved that he can speak as long as past politicians did.


I think it is an amazing speech. I think this may have nailed the presidency for him. I hope he is elected president.

[innerSpaceman]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

The man is amazing. He did not deny anything, did not cover up anything. He told the truth, and he did it so well, it's undeniable, unarguable.

Well, I'd go as far as admirable, not quite as deep as amazing.

Actually, the speech made me sad. He talks about all the things that need to be done, all the change that has to be made. But I see nothing different that's going to initiate that change.

Certainly his talking about it goes a little ways. But talk is cheap. Even good talk.

It doesn't make any of that stuff happen.



Still, I'm more impressed with Obama than I was a week ago.

[Alex]

Here's a sign of change, and I think Jon Stewart nailed it yesterday:

"...and so today on March 18, 2008, a Tuesday, a politician talked to Americans about race as if they were adults."

Who knows what actual talk rather than pretend outrage will accomplish.

On the other hand, it has been interesting because I've been very busy and haven't seen the speech. Only everybody's reaction to it and some clips on radio news and it has been a Rorschach test kind of thing. Most people are just finding in it what they were already looking for.

[blueerica]

Originally Posted by Alex

Most people are just finding in it what they were already looking for.

Bingo.

Thus my whole "bleh" feeling on this particular election... or perhaps it's a culmination of all the elections I've seen?

[Ghoulish Delight]

I just feel like we've spent the last 8 years with a glaring example of how important the ability to communicate is to the job of President. It's surely not the only important skill, but to me it's high on the list. And in Barack Obama, we would get not just someone who is better than the last guy at it (as if that's difficult), but someone who has the potential to be one of the greatest ever. And not just from an ability standpoint, but from a substantive standpoint. I agree with Alex/John Stewart that what was so unbelievably refreshing was not just that the speech was well written and well spoken, but the content was honest and straightforward, it wasn't tired platitudes or rhetoric.

I felt the same way a year ago when Obama was under fire for some comments about Iran. His response laid it all out there without skirting the issue. That was what initially drew me to him and this speech reafirms it.

That alone is enough change for me to be excited about the prospect of President Obama. Having someone running this country who is willing to openly discuss things rather than talk around things, and to do so skillfully and without constant coaching would mark a pretty radical shift in American politics.

[innerSpaceman]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I just feel like we've spent the last 8 years with a glaring example of how important the ability to communicate is to the job of President.

I agree it's important. But forget the 8 years of Bush, where any one of Lisa's cats could communicate better. What about the 8 years of Clinton? He was a fantastic communicator. But he never governed in the vein of the things he communicated. Like I said, talk is cheap. Perhaps I'm more cynical than those who've seen less presidencies under their belt. Obama's talk is no less refreshing to me than Clinton's was, especially when he first campaigned for president.

Sorry, not buying it any more. Hmmm, would I like to give Obama the chance to make good? Sure. And it looks as it he's going to get that chance. And I'm glad. Don't mistake me for unhappy that he will likely be the next president. But I'm not all gaga because he talks the good talk. That's simply not enough for me.

But, yeah, it's good.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by Alex

Here's a sign of change, and I think Jon Stewart nailed it yesterday:

"...and so today on March 18, 2008, a Tuesday, a politician talked to Americans about race as if they were adults."

Bingo.

For the last eight years we've been talked to like we're little children. "Let Uncle Georgie hold your hand and tell you what we're going to do to the big, bad bullies. Don't worry your pretty little head about what's going on in that far away land. We'll take care of it our way. Have no concern about the skyrocketing gas prices, the housing market crash, the job loss or the economy. Uncle Georgie will take care of you. These civil liberties are over-rated. We're going to protect you by taking them away. And remember, it's rude to question the actions of your elders. So sit there quietly while we destroy this country."

[Gn2Dlnd]

Originally Posted by Alex

I've been very busy and haven't seen the speech.

Here's an mp3 for your ipodding convenience.