I have been thinking about this as I have observed the emergence of Barack Obama as a presidential candidate. His oratorical skills are remarkable and he has used those to good effect, making this political season not only interesting but also important. People are drawn to him even if they do not share his political philosophy.
I think one reason for that is that Obama seems to understand the importance of words. His delivery has something of the feel of the black preacher, but there is more. There is a depth behind the words that goes beyond the rhythm and cadence by which they are spoken. One senses that the response to his oratory signals that there may be the potential here for the formation of a national movement for change, or at least a historic realignment of American politics.
It is both inspiring and frightening. Words like this can be used for good or ill. History is the witness to both.
Ronald Reagan was a master of words. Whatever one thought of his policies no one could deny his ability to light up a room and to unify people around a core of ideas. And who will ever forget the speech he gave on January 28, 1986, when the space shuttle Challenger exploded in midair. He used 648 words to comfort the families of the seven astronauts who died, and to lift the spirits of a country in mourning. His speech, written by Peggy Noonan, ended thusly:
The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved good-bye and "slipped the surly bonds of earth" to "touch the face of God."I cried.
There are phrases that continue to resonate over the years. Patrick Henry's "give me liberty or give me death." FDR's "nothing to fear" wartime challenge. JFK's "ask not" inaugural. Martin Luther King's "mountaintop." Words change lives, frame ideas, and embolden people.
This election year we will once again experience an avalanche of words, most of them justifiably forgettable. But perhaps a few will have the power to linger, to inspire, and to change us all. We must listen attentively so that we can embrace the words that speak justice and truth, and reject those that demean and delude.
Thanks for your words both now, in the past, and those yet to be.
ReplyDeleteIt is an interesting election, and hopefully no matter the outcome these words he expresses will lead to some good and change for the better. I look forward to your further insights and reflections, and those who comment and respond to them. (on this topic and others as well)
Peace be with you
As I drove in the snow and sleet to make my way to my caucus in Kansas Tuesday night, I could feel excitement in the air. There were traffic jams on a night that otherwise would have been quiet, people standing in muddy ditches in nasty conditions to cast their vote for Obama. People were turned around, shuffled, and made to wait because officials were absolutely unprepared for it. The last caucus I attended in a dingy gymnasium had maybe 50 people. This one had 1200. Something exciting is going on.
ReplyDeleteThanks for both of the comments. I have been watching the election returns this Saturday evening. Obama won Kansas, so those long lines have tuned into delegates.
ReplyDeleteOn the issue of words, I thought Senator Clinton's dinner speech tonight in Virginia was outstanding. The best I've heard her give. Obama also did well, but I thought she was eloquent and visionary.
It's good to have two outstanding candidates that offer a true choice.
As to the Republicans, in McCain they seem to have embraced the most reasonable option available from the field they have had. Huckabee has been refreshing and entertaining, but his policies, particularly on church and state, will surely deter any serious consideration of him as president.
As for Mitt Romney, his departure from the field is welcomed by me. I found him more and more reprehensible as time went on.
No one asked me though. :-)
This will be a very interesting election..that's for sure. Personally, I think the junior senator from Illinois is too inexperienced to lead in such a terrible time in history.
ReplyDeleteHillary has the experience and the heart for the job. I have read several books about her and even her classmates thought she might someday be President.
Having said that...I don't think she can win now. She's lost 11 in a row and would have to win the rest overwhelmingly to be the nominee.
The ideal unbeatable ticket would be an Obama/Clinton ticket but I think Obama will choose the Kansas Governor Kathleen Sabellis as his running mate. Hillary is too strong a woman to be his running mate. She would be constantly advising him.
I will vote for any Democrat that gets the nomination just to keep another Bush-like Republican from winning. McCain would keep us in Iraq/Afghanistan for 100 years.
This comes from a lifelong Republican.
Our family has been devastated by this war and hundreds..even thousands...of other families have been affected even more.
This is another of those conflicts that has asked a sacrifice of only those who are fighting it. Most Americans are not directly affected by it at all. Sure they feel badly when they see the pictures of the soldiers who have been killed but they are not really personally sacrificing anything.
The economy is in a shambles. The debt for our grandchildren is horrendous. We are deeply in debt to all our allies and now even Red China. We are the only first world country without a national health plan and millions are without insurance because they cannot afford health care or the insurance.
Obama will fine people who have not bought health insurance. Those who do not buy health insurance are those who actually cannot afford to buy it. Fining them is not the answer. Most of those I saw in my office who needed help with their utility bills are young parents who both work for minimum wage and have two to three children. They pay $85. a week per child for day care and are just trying to keep body and soul together. All they need to worry about is to incur additional expense for health insurance when they cannot make ends meet now.