Updated and bumped: I guess I was not the only one disappointed by the speech. Look here.
Disappointing
I listened to the entire speech. I kept hoping for lines like;
Didn't happen. In fact, I can only remember one quote. "Thank you".... many many times.
Sen Obama presents himself as the post-racial candidate who has adopted his black roots at the expense of his white ones. No? Read his book-Audacity of Hope or Dreams of my Father (or have him read it for you)
Here were his opportunities
Here are my post-facto recommendations.
Start with Dr. King
Recognize the struggle
Acknowledge that we have moved into the era of Post-Racial Politics
Deliver a great tag line
Promote policies that appeal to the country as a whole - avoid Democratic boilerplate
Accept the nomination - bask in the applause
Wind down and thank the people who helped you get this far - in context of mobilizing them for the general election
Introduce your team
Didn't happen. I am disappointed.
Disappointing
I listened to the entire speech. I kept hoping for lines like;
...we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall
Didn't happen. In fact, I can only remember one quote. "Thank you".... many many times.
Sen Obama presents himself as the post-racial candidate who has adopted his black roots at the expense of his white ones. No? Read his book-Audacity of Hope or Dreams of my Father (or have him read it for you)
Here were his opportunities
- He has to demonstrate his post racial credentials
- He has to reach beyond his base - they nominated him, this speech is not to thank them, but to start his campaign.
- He has an opportunity to electrify the country (38 million will be watching)
Here are my post-facto recommendations.
Start with Dr. King
Recognize the struggle
Acknowledge that we have moved into the era of Post-Racial Politics
Deliver a great tag line
Promote policies that appeal to the country as a whole - avoid Democratic boilerplate
Accept the nomination - bask in the applause
Wind down and thank the people who helped you get this far - in context of mobilizing them for the general election
Introduce your team
Didn't happen. I am disappointed.
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