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The Spectacle Blog
Some commenters have suggested that I shouldn’t have conceded Barack Obama is a good speaker in my column today on the main site. I agree his recent speeches have been pretty pedestrian and even the speeches that are considered his best are to some extent a matter of taste. And of course there is the teleprompter business.
But there is one thing about his speechmaking that I don’t think is so subjecive: Barack Obama is president of the United States because of two speeches — his speech announcing that he opposed the Iraq war before it started and his keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Even if you hate both speeches, that’s got to count for something. Well, except when it comes to governing.
View all comments (7) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by W. James Antle, III
http://spectator.org/blog/2010/06/18/obama-the-good-talker
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Nate| 6.18.10 @ 8:24PM
I'm surprised -- pleasantly surprised -- that Obama has toned down the soaring rhetoric. He gave some fine speeches on the campaign: not just the two Antle mentions above. His speech accepting the nomination was masterful.
As president, his speeches have been actually a little dull and understated. I think that's smart on his part and shows he's no demagogue. Say what you will about Obama. I think he has a good character. I definitely see there are things about him to criticize -- from the right and from the left -- but I don't see him as the scheming villain caricature right wing radio portrays.
I know, I know. I'm a communist, etc.
Oldefarte| 6.19.10 @ 1:20PM
No, it does not have to 'count for something'. The problem with politics is the superficiality of same. People want to be WOWED by a political candidate, instead of examining their professional qualifications for the job of President. Kennedy was a good speaker, but a lousy President. Same with Obama. Voters need to stop wanting to become INSPIRED by candidates, and instead begin interviewing same similar to a job applicant. A President has the toughest and most demanding job in the world, and to elect an unqualified person is simply placing the United States in a very precarious position !!!!!!!!!!!!
Boston12GS| 6.20.10 @ 8:45AM
Great speeches don't make someone a "demagogue". Great speeches with a total absence of positive action (from the perspective of the electorate) and laden with narcissism are what create the perception of a "demagogue".
Reagan gave great speeches. Churchill gave great speeches. And they both backed up those speeches with concrete actions. Neither was a demagogue (indeed, Churchill was "fired" immediately after WWII).
But it seems apparent that the mythos that Obama is a great speaker has finally collapsed. Two solid speeches in a lifetime don't a great speaker make, especially when followed by scores of tepid teleprompter snorers and an endless list of non-teleprompter supported inanities.
Oldefarte| 6.20.10 @ 10:28AM
'Great speeches' are a dime-a-dozen and can be heard within every speech class at every university,etc. A WINDBAG does not an ADMINISTRATOR make. If someone wants/needs 'inspiration', then go to a church. Waht this country needs desperately are administrators!!!!!!!!!!