Rhetoric: From Inspiration to Work
A Farewell to Words: "Obama's inaugural address showed that he's moved beyond simply inspiring us. His oratory is now about naming and giving order to the work to be done: roads, the electric grid, ending torture, restoring America's place in the world." -- Mark Schmitt, The American Prospect
I`ve noticed this too. Obama`s words are becoming more practical. That`s good. His inspirational speeches don`t move me a hair. I just roll my eyes. So, his shift in focus to action is a welcome move. At least he`s not trying to scare us like W and spin us like Bubba. By shifting his speech patterns to action he`s demonstrating that implementation is important. That`s why he was ultimately able to out maneuver Clinton. I actually don`t think Obama`s speeches won the presidency, as many have suggested. I think it was his team`s implementation that made the biggest difference, and that`s what makes Obama most interesting. And his line recently about the question of government actually working, as opposed to being too big or too small, was an excellent way to dispose of the old left vs right arguments about the size of the place. We`ll see. For as much as the private sector has been screwing up, the government has been doing its fair share of wrecking things as well. It will be fascinating to see if a team bent on implementation can fix things instead of just talking about how great they are. That`s basic project management, by the way.
One thing I don`t agree with, though, is the title of The Prospect`s article above -- A Farewell to Words. Let`s not go too far. The United States Government is a remarkably effective propaganda machine, and that`s well documented. Obama will use that extensive global operation to his advantage, so it`s our responsibility to pressure him and his guys to act in our interest, no someone else`s.
I`ve noticed this too. Obama`s words are becoming more practical. That`s good. His inspirational speeches don`t move me a hair. I just roll my eyes. So, his shift in focus to action is a welcome move. At least he`s not trying to scare us like W and spin us like Bubba. By shifting his speech patterns to action he`s demonstrating that implementation is important. That`s why he was ultimately able to out maneuver Clinton. I actually don`t think Obama`s speeches won the presidency, as many have suggested. I think it was his team`s implementation that made the biggest difference, and that`s what makes Obama most interesting. And his line recently about the question of government actually working, as opposed to being too big or too small, was an excellent way to dispose of the old left vs right arguments about the size of the place. We`ll see. For as much as the private sector has been screwing up, the government has been doing its fair share of wrecking things as well. It will be fascinating to see if a team bent on implementation can fix things instead of just talking about how great they are. That`s basic project management, by the way.
One thing I don`t agree with, though, is the title of The Prospect`s article above -- A Farewell to Words. Let`s not go too far. The United States Government is a remarkably effective propaganda machine, and that`s well documented. Obama will use that extensive global operation to his advantage, so it`s our responsibility to pressure him and his guys to act in our interest, no someone else`s.
Surely it's good news that Obama is consulting McNeally about an open source strategy in government? See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7841486.stm
Posted by Kevin Hutchinson on January 25, 2009 at 08:18 PM JST #
>That`s why he was ultimately able to out maneuver Clinton.
I thought it was because of the biased news coverage.
BTW, when we finish pulling our troops out of Iraq is it going to be safe then to declare victory or do we just continue on with the current mentality?
alan
Posted by Alan Pae on January 26, 2009 at 06:47 AM JST #
kevin ... yep. that`s cool. hopefully obama will embrace open technologies for govt.
Posted by Jim Grisanzio on January 26, 2009 at 07:02 PM JST #
alan ... i do think the media wanted obama over clinton but things were very close for a long time. i don`t think clinton had the better organization, though, and she could`t compete with obama`s and his team`s community building strategies. re Iraq. I have no clue.
Posted by Jim Grisanzio on January 26, 2009 at 07:04 PM JST #
>and she could`t compete with obama`s and his team`s community building strategies.
Agreed. Obama did make the best use of the Internet. After McCain's "I'm going back to D.C. to fix the economy and may not make the debate" speech it was a foregone conclusion that Obama was going to win.
alan
Posted by Alan Pae on January 27, 2009 at 05:31 AM JST #
I have been impressed with Obama's speeches, but I have been more impressed with the way he weighs into an issue. He doesn't pick sides and battle it out. He seems to look at problems from the stand point that they need solutions, rather than boxing himself in with preconceived idealogies, he seems well aware of the stategies needed to carve out a solution. I haven't seen that kind of intelligence in government for a long time.
Obama's dialog comes across to me as working to a solution, rather than staking out a postion.
Posted by Marty Duffy on January 31, 2009 at 01:06 AM JST #
Alan ... yes, McCain looked foolish with that move. One wonders why he attempted it.
Marty ... I agree that he`s not staking out positions early in debates and he seems much more pragmatic. But it will be interesting to see if that can last in Washington, which is partisan to the point of extremism (on both sides).
Posted by Jim Grisanzio on February 02, 2009 at 09:22 PM JST #