Obama’s Speech
Jeff VanderMeer • March 18th, 2008 @ 10:28 pm • Videos
I’m a long-time Clinton supporter, but after this speech, I think there are ways that Obama can talk about issues that Clinton cannot. People say Obama is style over substance. But the fact of the matter is even if this were true…the way you say something is sometimes as important as what you say. The tone you set, how you address people–these things matter. We’ve seen how important that is after almost eight years of the most disgusting, horrible, stupid, practically insane president in the history of these United States.
Obama gives us a clean break from that soul-sucking world of sneering, condescending, know-nothing rhetoric that is the province of small minds and smaller imaginations.
March 18, 2008 at 10:53 pm
That’s funny, I guess it’s a matter of perception. What I heard and saw was a polished delivery of a manufactured speech that was created to sway my emotions. I would have preferred a session of questions which gave Obama the opportunity of spontaneous, honest answers insted of something pre-fabricated. I felt that he was trying to manipulate me too much. That little touch with Ashley, the setting of this speech and usage of The constitution in his speech made me uneasy. It felt manufactured, not honest. I didn’t buy this speech.
March 18, 2008 at 11:12 pm
In response to Sean, I would agree that Obama’s delivery was a little stiff (not manufactured). But I think that was occasioned by the importance and solemnity of the circumstances and the message. Reading the speech, however, is a revelation, and it may be the single most eloquent and challenging exposition on race that I’ve ever heard from a politician seeking elected office. Lincoln could hardly have done better.
For all the talk of a “manufactured” speech, it’s also worth noting that Obama himself is said to have written the speech. Name me one other politician who could have pulled that off himself/herself without having to call a David Frum, Paul Begala or Peggy Noonan for help.
March 18, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Daniel Webster
March 18, 2008 at 11:24 pm
I’m such a huge obama supporter it pains me to think any one else could win this contest.
March 18, 2008 at 11:32 pm
I was 100% Obama and then I heard about his pastor. I don’t know… I heard Clinton doesn’t have a chance. Is that true?
March 19, 2008 at 12:08 am
I’ve been a fan of Obama’s since his keynote speech at the 2004 Convention. I haven’t yet listened to the recent speech, only read it online this afternoon. But what I read was impressive in how it was constructed, from someone whose very background lends a bit more substance to what might have been (dare I say it?) “mere words” otherwise. While I’d much rather have a Presidency that more resembles that of the 90s than the bumblefucks of today, there’s part of me that’s so weary of the horse and pony show that seems to follow the Clintons over the years. If Obama’s eloquence can sway other politicians like he has many younger Americans, then maybe we can dare hope for true progressive changes in the coming years, rather than rehashes from the 1970s and 1980s.
March 19, 2008 at 12:23 am
Andrew: It would take a statistically unlikely series of victories (67% across the board, I think?) for Clinton to win enough pledged delegates to win. (She is currently projected to win PA by 56% or so.) Florida and Michigan could have made a difference, but they appear to not be re-voting. The unpledged superdelegates could choose either one, but conventional wisdom is that they won’t overturn a real lead in pledged delegates. Also, since March 4th, Clinton hasn’t picked up any supers, and Obama has picked up 30-odd. So, yes, I personally believe that the contest is essentially over, unless some major upset happens in the next month.
I don’t think Dr. Wright will be that sufficient upset. By all accounts I’ve seen, the offensive quotes were cherry-picked from a lifetime of bombastic but generally uplifting sermons, and it’s only a matter of time before a clearer picture of the man and his church and the good work he’s done emerges. And Obama’s speech seems to have dumped a small pond on the media’s firestorm of criticism.
Full disclosure: I’m an Obama supporter, and his speech floored me. He said, “You want to bring race into this? OK, we can do that…but we’re going to do it like grownups.” I felt I was watching the first speech of our next President. But I will support the Democratic nominee, whoever it is…and I said that back when I was praying for Gore to run. Classy posts like Jeff’s reassure me that we’ll come together before November.
March 19, 2008 at 4:18 am
Re: what someone said above… I find it funny that people even care about what his pastor said some many years ago.
March 19, 2008 at 7:41 am
I voted for Edwards, but after he dropped out I decided to support Obama.
This is one of my main reasons: He voted for the ban on cluster bombs, while Clinton voted against it.
I realise that there are more aspects to this thing than just that one issue, but that one really stood out to me.
And yes, his speech yesterday was very good.
March 19, 2008 at 7:43 am
Andrew, yes it is pretty much true that Clinton does not have a chance. Obama has 149 delegates more than her (including Supers). His lead in pledged delegates is larger. It does not mean that there is no chance of Clinton winning, but mathematically it is virtually impossible.
March 19, 2008 at 9:14 am
Sadly, I’m not sure Clinton would stand much of chance if she did manage to make it past the primary. Maybe my location in the bible belt throws off my sense of national identity, but it seems to me that Clinton would win in all the places that skew more Democrat anyway, but McCain would clean up everywhere else. Obama would probably get the same to an extent, only he would get most of the places Clinton would carry, PLUS a few isolated areas that would otherwise go McCain over Clinton. I’d be excited to see a viable Dem candidate in traditionally red areas, and I think Obama stands a chance at that, while Clinton doesn’t. I’m probably a little idealistic though. How I can still be after the last 8 years is a mystery to me.
March 19, 2008 at 9:46 am
Jeff: Nice to see you giving props to this speech. IMHO, I don’t think a U.S. politician has ever spoken so honestly or wisely about race.
March 19, 2008 at 9:49 am
I’d willingly vote for either Clinton or Obama, although I’m now of the opinion the Democrats have to resolve things soon rather than have a drawn out fight at the convention. And that if Obama is denied the nomination at the convention this will make cynical the many, many young people drawn into politics this election season by Obama. Also, my apologies–Florida is once again f—ing up things election-wise…
JV
March 19, 2008 at 9:56 am
I’m an outsider of course, so I haven’t been following the campaign nor do I have an opinion on either candidate, but I’ve just read the transcript and I have to say, that was one hell of a speech. What struck me was a comment towards the end when he’s reciting Ashley’s Baia’s story and says (to paraphrase) ’she could have looked for someone to blame, but found allies to fight injustice instead.’ It struck me because we have similar racial issues in Australia that see people pointing the finger too often, despite our PM’s recent Sorry Speech to Indigenous Australians.
March 19, 2008 at 5:49 pm
In totally unrelated news, Obama is a pimp.