Thoughts on a Presidential Address
I watched Barack Obama's Address to the Joint Session of Congress -- and to the people of the United States. I've not looked closely at what the pundits have to say. I've not checked the Dow. So, these thoughts are mine.
I know that not every one agreed with his thoughts and statements. It was, for him, an opportunity to lay out his vision and agenda. It is a lofty one, full of peril and promise. But at a time like this, what else can a President do? To sit back and let the market run its course could lead to disaster. Of course, taking a more activist course could also do damage. Only time will tell. He needed to do two things last night. He needed to acknowledge the depths of the problems and then reassure the nation that our best days are ahead of us. He had to be both prophet and cheerleader. I expect that each of us will interpret the words and the tone and the expressions differently, but I felt he did what he needed to do. In the very beginning, he came right out and set the parameters:
In the course of the speech he lifted up the challenges and then laid out his vision for the recovery plan (which all by 3 Republican Senators voted against), as well as his budget vision. He laid out a vision that is long term, rather than simply short term. There was a lot of applause (mainly from the Democratic side). When he got to foreign policy, I thought he laid out a good foundation, and he affirmed the principle that America does not and will not use torture.
He concluded his speech with this call for America to come together, knowing that we don't all agree on the solutions to the problems. But, he affirmed the principle that we all love our country, and want it to succeed.
So, I was pleased with the content, and after eight years of George Bush, enjoyed the quality of the speech itself. Oratory and eloquence are not, as some would have us believe, bad qualities. Yes, demagoguery isn't useful, but good oratorical skills can be useful, especially in times like this!
I know that not every one agreed with his thoughts and statements. It was, for him, an opportunity to lay out his vision and agenda. It is a lofty one, full of peril and promise. But at a time like this, what else can a President do? To sit back and let the market run its course could lead to disaster. Of course, taking a more activist course could also do damage. Only time will tell. He needed to do two things last night. He needed to acknowledge the depths of the problems and then reassure the nation that our best days are ahead of us. He had to be both prophet and cheerleader. I expect that each of us will interpret the words and the tone and the expressions differently, but I felt he did what he needed to do. In the very beginning, he came right out and set the parameters:
But while our economy may be weakened and our confidence shaken; though we are living through difficult and uncertain times, tonight I want every American to know this:
We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before.
In the course of the speech he lifted up the challenges and then laid out his vision for the recovery plan (which all by 3 Republican Senators voted against), as well as his budget vision. He laid out a vision that is long term, rather than simply short term. There was a lot of applause (mainly from the Democratic side). When he got to foreign policy, I thought he laid out a good foundation, and he affirmed the principle that America does not and will not use torture.
He concluded his speech with this call for America to come together, knowing that we don't all agree on the solutions to the problems. But, he affirmed the principle that we all love our country, and want it to succeed.
I know that we haven’t agreed on every issue thus far, and there are surely times in the future when we will part ways. But I also know that every American who is sitting here tonight loves this country and wants it to succeed. That must be the starting point for every debate we have in the coming months, and where we return after those debates are done. That is the foundation on which the American people expect us to build common ground.
And if we do – if we come together and lift this nation from the depths of this crisis; if we put our people back to work and restart the engine of our prosperity; if we confront without fear the challenges of our time and summon that enduring spirit of an America that does not quit, then someday years from now our children can tell their children that this was the time when we performed, in the words that are carved into this very chamber, “something worthy to be remembered.” Thank you, God Bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.
So, I was pleased with the content, and after eight years of George Bush, enjoyed the quality of the speech itself. Oratory and eloquence are not, as some would have us believe, bad qualities. Yes, demagoguery isn't useful, but good oratorical skills can be useful, especially in times like this!
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