RECENT COMMENTS Among your 4 things people talk about in talking about Obama, you don't mention why I talk about Obama...his policies and vision, as well as his inspirational oratory. I don't get why people keep saying we're only for Obama because of his speaking ability. I don't know if you meant your column to come off sounding condescending to Obama supporters, but for me, it did. And that's probably because of all the other places I'm reading/seeing that we Obama supporters are just being wowed by his rhetoric. No, I'm a voter who takes the job seriously, and anyone can disagree with my choice. Just understand that my choice is based on more than the ability to give a great speech (though I do think that great speeches can help in providing leadership).
... McCain (one of the Keating 5!!!)... oops...sorry!
I'll be voting for Obama not because he's the best this country can do but because he's a far better choice than any other candidate out there at the moment. He looks good mostly because the rest of them look so bad. The Bush Administration has been a disaster for this country; don't forget the entirerly forgetable speeches Bush has given while being directly responsible for the deaths of thousands, the erosion of our constitutional freedoms, the enrichment of himself and his cronies, and the near(?) collapse of our economy. McCain (one of the Keating !!!) promises change while acting in ways that show he is more of the same. Vote Obama.
You forgot to include the great speeches he gave when fighting against giving medical attention to babies that survived the abortion process.
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Letterman's regular pillorying of President Bush in the segment "Great Moments in Presidential Speeches" evoked in the American cultural memory a longing for a great orator, someone whose words could capture the significance of a moment, add meaning to it and rally people around a vision for the way forward. Phrases such as "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country," even Reagan moments such as "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall!" reminded us that great moments call for great presidential speeches, and that it's been at least twenty years (and I would argue that it's been at least forty years) since a president has provided that for us.
Until now. Obama is talked about for a few key things: his ethnicity, his experience, his associations, his oration. Talk of his ethnicity is always equivocal; it shouldn't matter in America. Talk of his experience has been handily countered with talk of the need for change. Talk of his associations is tricky for any of Obama's critics, since they likely have more and less savory associations by virtue of being in the business longer. That leaves his speaking skills, which leaves everyone in awe. I think he leaves everyone in awe in part because he's so dang good at it, but in part because we've been reminded for eight years by David Letterman that once upon a time presidential speeches--really, speeches of any kind whatsoever--could be worth memorizing, studying, discussing, living into.