presidential rally
I've been a big Obama fan since... I guess three or four years ago? Long before he was in any kind of serious consideration for the presidential nomination, when I started hearing about a young and charismatic Illinois senator who worked across party lines to get things done. I looked into it, and I liked what I found. I didn't really think he'd have a shot at being the Democratic candidate.
So, last Tuesday, I went to an Obama rally. (The primaries are tomorrow!) He's an incredible public speaker, as everyone knows. It's really easy to get caught up in his rhetoric and his presence and just go with the feel of the audience. When I realized I was doing it -- maybe 15 minutes into a 45 minute speech? -- I made an effort to pay closer attention to just what he was saying.
And y'know what? I liked it and agreed with it, almost completely. (Not surprisingly, but it's good to know I'm not just following the charisma, yeah?)
I say "almost" because there were a couple of things he said that rang false. Not false, exactly, but things that sounded far-fetched. I only remember the substance of one of them. He said something about revitalizing and bringing money back to economically depressed rural areas by subsidizing wind farms for sustainable energy, and thereby providing jobs for unemployed kids from the inner city. And it sounded reasonable until he hit that last bit.
It's funny: I know how I feel and sound when I'm saying something believable that I don't quite believe, like I'm trying to convince myself that something is true by saying it. And something about his manner when he said it felt the same way.
At the same time, if I can listen to a political figure -- any political figure -- in the middle of a campaign and only pick out one to two questionable lines out of a 45 minute speech, that's not just pretty good, that's remarkable. I definitely don't think Clinton could manage a feat like that. (W, in comparison, can't utter three words without two of them being utter falsehoods, and makes my brain cry whenever I'm subjected to his speeches.)
At any rate, it was really interesting, and I'm hoping more than anything that he can pull out this election. It's the first time I've WANTED anyone in the White House.
So, last Tuesday, I went to an Obama rally. (The primaries are tomorrow!) He's an incredible public speaker, as everyone knows. It's really easy to get caught up in his rhetoric and his presence and just go with the feel of the audience. When I realized I was doing it -- maybe 15 minutes into a 45 minute speech? -- I made an effort to pay closer attention to just what he was saying.
And y'know what? I liked it and agreed with it, almost completely. (Not surprisingly, but it's good to know I'm not just following the charisma, yeah?)
I say "almost" because there were a couple of things he said that rang false. Not false, exactly, but things that sounded far-fetched. I only remember the substance of one of them. He said something about revitalizing and bringing money back to economically depressed rural areas by subsidizing wind farms for sustainable energy, and thereby providing jobs for unemployed kids from the inner city. And it sounded reasonable until he hit that last bit.
It's funny: I know how I feel and sound when I'm saying something believable that I don't quite believe, like I'm trying to convince myself that something is true by saying it. And something about his manner when he said it felt the same way.
At the same time, if I can listen to a political figure -- any political figure -- in the middle of a campaign and only pick out one to two questionable lines out of a 45 minute speech, that's not just pretty good, that's remarkable. I definitely don't think Clinton could manage a feat like that. (W, in comparison, can't utter three words without two of them being utter falsehoods, and makes my brain cry whenever I'm subjected to his speeches.)
At any rate, it was really interesting, and I'm hoping more than anything that he can pull out this election. It's the first time I've WANTED anyone in the White House.