Barack Obama's Acceptance Speech: Did He Deliver or Disappoint? by Mogama

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	Barack Obama's Acceptance Speech: Did He Deliver or Disappoint?
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	Submitted Friday, August 29, 2008
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America makes history again on this day, Thursday, August 28, 2008. Tonight Barack Obama, a man who embodies the melting-pot portrait of the United States, delivers his acceptance speech on the last day of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. He is the first black nominee of a major political party in the United States of America.

The expectation and hype that preceded Senator Obama's big speech must have made his supporters nervous for fear that the political junkie might not have been able to step to the plate and clear the bar that was set so high. Yes, he had made great speeches in the past, but everyone knew this was different, and no one seemed certain if he would deliver as hoped or hyped.

Well, as a habitual critique of Barack Obama throughout this election, I am forced to admit that not only did Mr. Obama meet those high expectations, he totally surpassed them.

Among the many words I could use to describe the historic speech, let me capture the essence of Obama's rousing speech in three key words: prescriptive, combative, and inspirational.

The speech was prescriptive. The first part of the speech had the touch and style of President Bill Clinton, taking and making simple the complex policy issues of the economy, taxes, national security, international affairs, and social programs. Obama finally was able to answer his critics on the charge of being big on rhetoric but slim on substance. Tonight there was more than enough meat on the plate. In the prescriptive part of the speech, Barack basically stated, 'This is the issue or problem; here is how I will solve it; this is how we will pay for it; and here is the difference the solution will make.' That is the style of speech making that Mr. Clinton has mastered; Obama has borrowed Clinton's style well and yet made it uniquely his.

The speech was combative. At several points during the primary, it seemed like Mrs. Hillary Clinton had the fight and killer instinct that Obama supporters wished for their guy. Tonight, Barack showed a side to himself that we have not really seen: just like Mrs. Clinton, he has what it takes to take the fight to his opponent. His supporters need no longer worry about the three upcoming presidential debates between Obama and McCain. Yes, Senator McCain holds the record as the soldier, but Senator Obama now seems and sounds ready for a real verbal combat, whether defensive or offensive. Die-hard Democrats got the red meat they've been craving for, and that should result in even more grassroots efforts aimed at getting out the vote on elections day.

The speech was inspirational. The home stretch of the speech connected the oratorical dot all the way back to none lesser than Dr. Martin Luther King himself. What a trick of history it was that Obama's speech fell on the 45 th anniversary of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech! This was the original Barack Obama, the master public speaker that stirred much of America during the early part of the primary elections. It was good to hear that Obama again. This means that Obama has finally ignored his opponents' attempt to sever him from his rhetorical strength by calling him nothing more than a man of fluffy words. It would have been a huge mistake for Obama to dumb his inspirational charisma in an effort to prove that he can talk straight like McCain. Let Senator McCain keep his mantle as "Mr. Straight Talk Express". Barack Obama does not have to apologize for being a charismatic orator.

Beyond this night, one can only hope that Obama will stick to this more complete version of his delivery, which mingles and mixes the prescriptive (Bill Clinton's simplicity) with the combative (Hillary Clinton's fighting spirit) and the inspirational (that lifts people's spirits for something bigger and higher than routine politics).

One other thing was striking about the experience, even for those who were not physically at the stadium in Denver: more than a political event, the climax of the convention seemed to have become a religious encounter, with so many people shedding tears as they sought to take in and savor the moment.

What more can I say? Never in my lifetime have I heard such a political speech. Simply put, it more than got the job done. The speech was a blast, and whether Obama is elected president of the United States or not, history has already been made, in that he and our nation have proven that America can and will elect a non-Caucasian for the highest office in the land. Obama's success proves America's progress toward a more perfect union. We are getting there, and the destination is finally at hand.

Note: Dear reader, thanks in advance for your comments!


	The author was born in Liberia, West Africa, and migrated to America in 1991. Mogama's educational background includes theology, computer technology, nonprofit organization, and business management. He is a husband, father, spiritual leader, practical Bible teacher, public speaker, life coach, writer, and blogger. He is the author of "Color Marriage", which you can purchase at colormarriage.com.

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» left by robert melaccio sr (81 days 16 hours ago.)

Garwasa, where was that meat? A lot of history, talking about this nation, black religion and trials and his race but where was the meat as you described? Where was the how of what he was going to do to bring this change all about,as he throws around, for "We the Peple, "for the common good"? Sorry, I heard nothing out of the ordinary that he hasn't spoken to before and no real substance on addressing the issues. Yes you are excited as a Black man and should be but he didn't say much more then we alreaady knew, all of us and it hasn't changed yet. How can it when the same driver is driving the cab?

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» left by James P Krehbiel ^(1,482)
James P Krehbiel (80 days 6 hours ago.)

Garswa,

Excellent overview of Obama's speech. There was plenty of meat in terms of policy and ways of specifically paying for programs. He also showed plenty of meat in distinguishing his platform from that of the Republican party. This contest is a no-brainer unless you want four more years of McCain/Bush economics and foreign policy. Doesn't seem like a difficult choice to me!

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» left by robert melaccio sr. (79 days 21 hours ago.)

Jim, where was the meat of where he specifically stated his program? Like I said, a lot of history and talk but meat and potatoes? I'll agree he talked in general terms, health care, jobs, etc, but so does the pother guy . Just how was he going to accomplish that? Can you write to that? It would be interesting other then raise taxes for the wealthy, ok, lower taxes for the middle class, by the way who he himself defines as making $95,000 a year. Give everyone health care, how? ok, isn't the other guy saying almost that except for the taxes for the rich not being raised. What a shocker. ? in fact hasn't that been said for decades now? So, Jim I don;t see it and I would really like to understand how others see it that way? Is it because he said it. Ok If I get elected I will give everyone a new hybrid car paid for the oil companies.
Best wishes, Robert
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» left by James P Krehbiel ^(1,482)
James P Krehbiel (79 days 13 hours ago.)

Robert,

I can accept and appreciate your being disillusioned by politics in Washington. I too, share your feelings. Obviously, I have reservations about any one candidate delivering on all of their promises. Does that mean we don't look at the issues and then trust our gut? The Obama campaign is much more inclusive in terms of bringing people into the fold. Look at Sarah Palin, for example. She is the token women without national experience brought in to appeal to the conservative base. Its insulting to the highly experienced women politicians in the Republican party. That being said, in my opinion there is a stark contrast between Obama and McCain on issues affecting our country. In weaving an acceptance speech, it is impossible for any candidate to express every detail regarding their platform, but I think that Obama did a pretty good job of addressing those needs. Here’s what I gleaned from it:

Obama would immediately schedule troop withdrawals from Iraq to be completed in about 16 months based upon specific conditions on the ground. This would save the country millions of dollars a day in a war that was unnecessary and costly both in the loss of lives and money.
He favors ramping up our troop levels in Afghanistan so that we focus on the center of terrorism on the Afghan/Pakistan border. This is where Bin Laden and his cronies are still hanging out!
He calls for mandatory Healthcare coverage for children and aims for universal coverage by requiring employers to share cost of insuring workers and by offering coverage similar to that in plan for federal employees. He would raise taxes on the wealthiest families to pay for the program.
Would raise payroll tax on the wealthiest by applying it to a portion of income over $250,000 to pay for social security.
A complete overhaul of George Bush’s No Child Left Behind to better measure student progress, make room for non-core subjects and be less punitive toward failing schools. Better teacher pay, pre-kindergarten programs and a tax credit to pay up to $4,000 of college costs for students who perform 100 hours of community service per year. He would pay for his plan by ending corporate tax deduction for CEO pay and delaying NASA’s moon and Mars missions.
A ten year, $150 billion program to produce climate friendly energy supplies that he’s pay for with a carbon auction requiring businesses to bid competitively aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.
Opposes constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.
Would consider limited offshore drilling realizing that it is a stopgap measure.
Supports Roe v. Wade.

There are many more issues too numerous to elaborate on. Now you may think that there are no distinctions between these campaigns. However, as a middle class citizen, I am tired of being HAD by corporate America. Making $95,000 a year is a whole lot different than making millions and owning a godzillion homes. I believe that people need to look at the practical differences and not be fooled by the ideology. Thanks for challenging me. I hope this helps. Have a nice Labor Day weekend!

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