I have the sinking feeling that Obama's legendary speeches will end after he's sworn in

[EraOfResponsibility]

Remember his victory speech on Nov. 4th? It didn't have the same oomph as his campaign speeches. I get the feeling his inauguration speech will be the same. I want a big, soaring, spirit-lifting speech on Inauguration Day, but somehow, I don't think Obama is going to give us that.

I think it's because the times we're facing are so hard, and about to get harder.

What say you, DU? Am I reaching here?

[janx]

1. Yes.

;-)

[TTUBatfan2008]

2. I'm not sure...

You could be right. He was definitely more reserved in his victory speech than he ever was on the campaign trail. The country is facing hard times and it's possible that he feels it's best to take a more grounded approach in his oratory. Either way, he is great to listen to simply because he can put together a coherent thought, which is a HUGE improvement over the current President. Barack also has one of those great voices that just sound good to the ears. So whether it's a soaring oratory or a more professorial approach, he is always good to listen to for me.

[nini]

3. He'll be Bush III

He's a lying POS - everyone who voted for him is a gullible asshole
















:sarcasm:

[Shakespeare]

9. JFC, you had me there for a minute.

:rofl:


:hi:

[nini]

36. ME???

not me... :evilgrin:

:hi:

[EraOfResponsibility]

10. LOL

it's just that, MILLIONS of people are descending upon this city from all the world to see this man and hear him speak. So, he had better BRING it, you know? Well ok, I didn't mean that. LOL They're really coming to see him become president, the speech will (or should) be icing on the cake.

[nini]

35. He'll bring it..

I have no doubt at all. His speech will bring inspiration, hope and relief to citizens around the world.

I think the night of the election was met with a mix of humility, exhaustion and a sense of the enormity of what lies ahead for him.

[Thrill]

4. His speech will not be a gloomy speech. It will be spirit lifting. IMO

Actually Peggy Noonan said thats why he gave the gloomy speech the other day. To get that out of the way.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

5. I agree with you, and with him

I would not like any president to give speeches like candidates make. A candidate seeks power, a president has power.

I don't like a lot of emotion coming from power, even with the best intent.

[endarkenment]

6. intelligent, articulate, reflective, empathetic, charismatic

and facing huge challenges. Yes, you are reaching. For the first time in eight years or more I am actually looking forward to listening to a politician speak.

[Arkana]

7. You're reaching.

I think maybe his victory speech was bland because he was fucking bushed, had been out all day running his ass ragged doing last minute campaigning, and was just relieved and very happy he'd won.

[NYC_SKP]

8. I think part of it is the conditions under which he's orating, the purpose,

but also the ears of the beholders.

It's not surprising that the qualities of his speeches should change as he goes from contender to winner to POTUS.

But I'm confident that there will be times when the occasion calls for just the same kind of inspiring speeches as in the past.

I look forward to these!

[EraOfResponsibility]

11. But see, my logic is saying that in these hard times, we'll NEED big speeches

to help encourage Americans as a people to hang in there, see what I mean? I know that's not all Presidents do is make speeches, but when they do (like the State of the Union Address) it should be big.

[NYC_SKP]

13. Could be that they're coming.

Once elected, but before being seated, I think he needs to lay low and plan a LOT.

This is out of respect of the fact that he's not yet president, not out of choice or disinterest.

Can you imagine the media fest and right wing outrage if he was out there every other day? It would not be productive.

Let's see what happens after Bush is completely out.

But I don't expect him to give great public speeches with anything near the frequency that he did while campaigning.

There's too much work to do, too little time and not enough pay off.

Also, their effect would wear out over time, better that he issue them sparingly so that they maintain their impressiveness, IMO.

Less is More, and these past weeks have understandably been "quiet times:.

[EraOfResponsibility]

19. All good points n/t

[NYC_SKP]

21. Cheer up, your DVD was mailed today!

Lot's of great stuff on it! :toast:

[EraOfResponsibility]

24. Ohhh yeah I forgot about that lol thanks

[Uzybone]

12. I still expect a great Inauguration speech

and solid, realistic SOTU speeches. As long as he does his job well I won't miss the speeches during his presidency.

[FrenchieCat]

14. I think that President Barack Obama will go down as one of the greatest orator

our country has ever known. He will be giving the appropriate speeches as he sees fit, don't you worry about that. He will set the bar, and then surpass it.

I will, however, warn those who are setting higher expectations on Obama than have ever been set on anyone else before him; relax and enjoy, or else you'll miss the greatness as you hear it because you will have failed to manage your own expectations.

[EraOfResponsibility]

15. You're right, Frenchie. It's just that I admire him so much and I want

him to do well, but you're right I need to just chill and enjoy being in the moments.

[AtomicKitten]

16. Yes, you're reaching. n/t

[GentryDixon]

17. No way will he disappoint us.

He knows his mission is to reach "all the people". I am confident he will rise to the occasion.

[stuntcat]

18. He'll have to run again in four years!

He won't have to win any votes for a few months though so hopefully he'll just get to work. But he will have to run again, and I think he's in it to win it even though being president right now will SUCK.

[Fire1]

20. His victory speech was my favorite. But, I'm not looking for

great speeches so much as I am positive results.

[treestar]

22. Your "feeling" is no predictor whatsoever

[EconomicLiberal]

23. "Legendary speeches"?

I think you give Obama far too much credit.

Hopefully we see less speeches and more action.

[Clio the Leo]

25. He has already hinted....

.... that the speech's theme, or one of them, will be his favorite "we're greater than the sum of our parts." As others have said, given the moment and the moment we are facing, I think there will be flourishes a'plenty.

The only speech that I felt didn't have the hoo haa that we all love was the DNC speech where he purposefully cut back on the rhetoric because that was in the midst of the "he's all fluff and no content" BS.

Our main problem is that nothing will top that 2004 speech and all we'll ever do is compare.

But the kid can give a talk .... that much is true.

[BeyondGeography]

27. "Our main problem is that nothing will top that 2004 speech ..."

Except the March 18 speech on race, which was given under the most trying circumstances of any political speech he has ever delivered.

For me, that showed me the well is deep and he's just getting started. Lord knows, he is inheriting a disaster and circumstances will give him plenty of opportunities to give great speeches.

[Clio the Leo]

37. That WAS a very important speech....

... but it was very lacking in rhetorical flourishes. Now, dont get me wrong, there are times for grave speeches and there are times for getting the crowd pumped and we're lucky to have a man that can do both.

But I have to conceed, I feel totally left in the dark over that Philly speech. I saw it ... and I've seen it several times since then. But everyone tells these stories of how moving the speech was .... again, it was a good and important speech. But it's WAY down on my list of favorites.

[TexasObserver]

26. I have a feeling that somewhere there's a bridge missing you.

[Shiver]

28. The Nov. 4th speech lacked oomph?

Were we watching the same speech, or did my having been awake for 37 hours working with the campaign, then drinking half a bottle of champagne in celebration alter my perceptions of it?

[firedupdem]

29. Because times are so hard, and are about to get so much harder..

I think he'll probably be even more inspirational with his speeches. It will keep people from jumping out of windows.

[jules1962]

30. I find his speeches inspiring with honesty.

We can do this. It won't be easy. It will be so nice to watch a State of the Union address and not roll my eyes and holler "bullshit" at everything that is said.

[firedupdem]

31. I'm with you. I can't wait to hear someone with intelligence speaking! n/t

[AllentownJake]

32. Legendary speeches are made by the subject

It depends on what happens.

Lets hope he has to make very few legendary speeches.

Roosevelt didn't say nothing to fear but fear itself because times were great.

Four Score and Seven years ago was because of a civil war, We will fight them on the beaches etc was during the Blitz, and Ich Bin Ein Berliner was because of the cold war.

Great speeches come at shitty times

[depakid]

33. Somehow I don't think so...

and I sure wouldn't want to be the sacrificial lamb who gives the Republican response to the weekly radio address.

[CreekDog]

34. Obama understands production and showmanship

the inaugural speech will not disappoint.

he knows when to give the soaring speeches and knows when to rein it in.

1/20/09 is not the day to rein it in.

[Avalux]

38. Why? He has been consistent up to this point; I don't expect it will change.

See - Obama is the real deal; Bush was a giant lie.