If you love speeches like I love speeches you’ll love Barack Obama’s Iowa victory speech. Wonderful words expertly delivered by perhaps the most gifted political orator of our generation. This speech soars.
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If you love speeches like I love speeches you’ll love Barack Obama’s Iowa victory speech. Wonderful words expertly delivered by perhaps the most gifted political orator of our generation. This speech soars.
peter
on 04 Jan 08It’s interesting to see how different is USA compared to Europe in terms of political campaigns, marketing, propaganda… This would not work here. I’m not saying it’s better or worse, just very much different.
ariel
on 04 Jan 08It is one the best speeches I have seen and is the kind of speech that actually can inspire people who really don’t follow or care too much about politics. He is actually an even better communicator then Bill Clinton who is pretty darn good as he has exceptional oratory skills.
chazz
on 04 Jan 08Though I’m a Obama supporter, I actually thought Huckabee’s victory speech was stronger. He was extremely human and very heartfelt. Listening to Huckabee and the android Romney, it’s like they aren’t breathing the same air. Obama certainly has powerful rhetoric but to me it’s like snack food: it tastes good but it’s not so nourishing.
Nathan Clark
on 04 Jan 08I was really impressed by his speech too. It was remarkable.
Luigi Montanez
on 04 Jan 08On a design-related note, boy did BarackObama.com get pretty. It may be the most aesthetically-pleasing website I’ve ever seen (definitely tops among political sites).
Jason, I forwarded the link to this post to someone I know in the Obama campaign (the “External Online Director”, which I believe means online outreach+organizing). Hopefully he’ll get in touch.
saurabh purnaye
on 04 Jan 08really great speech!!
A proud black man
on 04 Jan 08As black and as human, I can only appreciate the fact that Martin Luther King’s dream’s startin become true. America would be complete, the United States of America would now be a model when it comes to equality and justice. Give that black guy a chance, not only because of his colour but also because of what he has to give to America. Every american (hispanic, black, white, asian etc) has right to contribute to make America a better place, to make America the leader of the world, the good Big brother who’s not gonna persecute his small brothers but show them good values. And I believe in my heart Obama can make America that place.
Stacy
on 04 Jan 08Incredible and inspiring speech. It was more than a victory speech. Makes me feel very proud! I can’t wait to work for Obama’s campaign.
Sandro Paganotti
on 04 Jan 08I agree with peter, This speech would not work in europe (I’m from Italy). Maybe where I live there is too much disillusion and everyone is tired to hear the same promises, regarding who is the speaker.
Simon
on 04 Jan 08Can’t really speak for Europe, but as a Dutchman, this speech doesn’t impress me much. So many promises, so dramatic and emotional. I’d rather have facts and less emotion really.
Simon, NL.
Steven
on 04 Jan 08Obama’s win last night was historic. But let me say that I don’t think that was all that great of a speech. One, has hasn’t won the nomination yet and it struck me as the type of speech one would give in the general election. Two, it stuck me that it sounded a lot like George W. Bush in 2000. Lots of empty platitudes, and he might as well have said “uniter not a divider.”
Kenny Meyers
on 04 Jan 08I like this speech. I think it’s interesting that Europeans are weighing in about the speech and how it wouldn’t fly in Europe. I don’t know if there is or isn’t truth in that, I’ve never been. I can only explain how this speech appeals to Americans. If you look at the rhetoric of the current president, terror, war, etc. is the terminology. It’s been that way for 7 years. Some of it is based in the reality of living in America. Yes we will be attacked by terrorists, but the language is negative platitudes. So I suppose to our European friends (and really, it’s important that we are friends) I would say: in the context of being an American and the rhetoric we are used to, even positive empty platitudes are different than the negative ones. Obama is a great public speaker, and Americans haven’t had a strong public speaker in quite some time. Clinton had the charisma, but his voice doesn’t have the power or weight that Obama seems too with audiences and voice dynamics.
Ben
on 04 Jan 08funny how he think everyone is united and not divided. I would venture to say that 38% to 30% to 29% is pretty divided, just for the democratic side. And when you throw in the Republican vote the opinions get even more divided.
Obama did not unite the nation. He just got a 38% majority vote and gave very ambiguous talk that every politician gives. “a united America for change etc etc”. And then proceeded to touch on all the hot button issues that people are frustrated with Bush about.
I’m not defending Bush at all. I wouldn’t mind seeing Obama in office. But to act like he was anything innovative, creative, or groundbreaking in the speech is not really valid. It was just a good oration of rehashed ideas.
Eric
on 04 Jan 08Very well said, Kenny Meyers, agree 100%. I thought his speech was inspiring and motivating, and we haven’t had a leader in this country in a long time with that ability.
Martin J. Steer
on 04 Jan 08I’m from Sweden (that’s in Europe for the geographically challenged) and Obama’s speech certainly does it for me. Love it and would love such an inspiring politician over here.
/martin
Scott
on 04 Jan 08I agree with the Europeans, the Dutch, and Ben (except for the comment about seeing Obama in office) that this is a rehash of old (Big Government) ideas.
I like this quote from James Ostrowski “Obama’s for change…All the change in your pockets.”
Michael
on 04 Jan 08I have to agree with the comments from other Europeans about how this drama and hyperbole would be unlikely to impress over here (‘here’ being the UK for me). I also agree that this seems a bit too gushing at this stage in the competition, more of a speech for November 2008 rather than January 2008.
I see he’s been taught that awful ‘politician’s finger’ gesture (not quite pointing – because polls show that is seen as dictatorial; and not quite clenched – because polls show that is seen as threatening). Blair did it, Brown does it. I notice that Obama still seems to wag his pointed finger on occasion because I guess the ‘politician’s finger’ has not yet become natural and automatic.
Pardon me for my cynicism but politics has become such a well-oiled marketing machine. There is nothing to choose but teeth and suits.
What saddens me is that UK politics has followed the US system and people are voting for a personality, rather than a political party.
American Idol?
If you haven’t already seen it, I recommend people watch ‘The Thick Of It’ – a political comedy based in Whitehall (the UK parliament). It shows who really runs the show.
Bottom line: Better than Bush? I should hope so. The best America can do? I hope not. Prettiest website in this campaign? I think so.
Andrew
on 04 Jan 08Obama clearly demonstrates great confidence as an orator. However the speech, no matter how eloquently wrapped, remains the standard American political rhetoric delivered to a overly enthusiastic crowd (whooping cheers at a political rally tend to bemuse us Europeans).
There is no doubt that keen political observers from Europe are genuinely excited about the prospect of a return to even a semblance of intelligence in the White House. We are watching…
P.S. He still used the word ‘enormity’ out of place but that should be forgiven for daring to use ‘the tyranny of oil’.
AaronS
on 04 Jan 08I would have to agree with chazz. While I thought the Obama speech was strong and well done, Huckabee spoke just as well and seemed more heartfelt (to me personally). I don’t know how to put down in words the difference I felt between the two. It was almost as if Obama was “saying the right thing” whereas Huckabee was speaking from the heart. Again, just my personal opinion.
AaronS
on 04 Jan 08A link to the Huckabee speech for those interested: http://youtube.com/watch?v=npdkPN6Cahc
arikan
on 04 Jan 08“Hope is what led me here today, with a father from Kenya mother from Kansas and a story that can only happen in United States of America.”
Do you think such a story would be possible in Europe?
In Turkey (where i am from), a non-EU country, people from different / minor ethnicities have no chance in politics. Although the cultures and identities are diverse, this is still not possible.
JF
on 04 Jan 08Huckabee’s speech was great too, just in a different way. Obama is soaring and inspirational, Huckabee is grounded and comforting. Both were great in their own way.
The thing that I like about Huckabee’s delivery is that he makes you feel like he’s talking directly to you. His volume is conversational, his words common, his tone realistic. He sounds like a guy with something to say, not like a politician with something to sell.
His experience as a preacher has definitively honed his communication skills. This will serve him well.
eH
on 04 Jan 08I watched all the speeches carried on MSNBC last night. Of all of them Obama’s was the only one lacking a “Thank you for doing this for ME…” attitude. I appreciate this. He is the only candidate still legitimately in the race that I feel wants to be President because s/he believes they can truly bring change. It was an excellent speech.
As for the Europeans arguments. They are so right, it’s not like any European politician to ever deliver dramatic speeches. The British Parliament is completely void of all oratory drama. Give me a break.
Matt Sampson
on 04 Jan 08Jason – thanks for posting that. It’s nice to come into work and have GOOD NEWS in my RSS in box for once :)
Now I can start my day feeling motivated and inspired.
RH
on 04 Jan 08I heard the speech last night and I was not impressed at all. It sounded more like, I won the general election type of speech.
A lot of the same political rhetoric that all politicians espouse to get people in their corner. All you have to do is promise change and touch on issues that people blame Bush for. But what people have to understand that in order to have change in this country, we would truly have to change the way the political process works. What I’m talking about is eliminating the lobbyists, the political action committees, and influence of corporations on politics. That needs to happen first, in order to achieve things like universal healthcare, etc.
One thing you never hear the candidates talk about is the details of how their going to make the changes.
My two cents R
ML
on 04 Jan 08I’m pretty damn cynical about politicians. A year ago a friend gave me a copy of Obama’s book “Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance.” After a dozen pages on the plane, I was hooked. Read it straight through.
The book’s not about politics, it’s about being an outsider searching for answers about race, identity, and humanity. I was shocked by how literary and poetic it was. If you want to know where Obama’s coming from, I highly recommend it.
Eddie
on 04 Jan 08Inspiring and tremendous speech. I’m from Burma and this made me realize what US politics is. Flowered with wonderful orators and powerful promises.
-W
Chad Crowell
on 04 Jan 08All wonderful points of view here, and isn’t that what a democracy is about. I am a big Obama supporter. I’ll never forget seeing him for the first time on TV at the Democratic National Convention 4 years ago. I’ve never felt so inspired as I did after that speech.
This speech projects his speaking skills, personality and story just as well, but it certainly has that “campaign” tone to it. Keep in mind he is the underdog, and needs to make speeches that bring new voters to his cause- so he needs to include that boilerplate message that Americans are used to hearing- I think it helps some people feel that familiar feeling that they need. But he clearly injects himself into this and his personality shines through. Its a great speech and I think as time goes on you’ll see more and more of his personality and less of the “expected” oration, as people get used to his style.
In contrast, while I have no official problem with Hillary- I can’t stand listening to her speak. You can tell she came from the Bill Clinton school of public speaking- but his swagger and charm allowed him to pull it off, her stiffness doesn’t do it.
Go Obama!
Obama supporter
on 04 Jan 08Did Obama get hired by Apple? That’s the only way to explain this level of 37 Signals fawning.
I’ll be proud to vote for him, but come on, all US politicians give the same speech in two flavors. The Republican one emphasizes “security” (i.e., pro-war, anti-immigrant) and the Democrat one is the opposite. In all other aspects, the speech is the same – unity, lower taxes, cheaper health care, the middle class is awesome. He’s good at delivering the speech, but it’s nothing new.
Matt Brown
on 04 Jan 08It’s all about the delivery, man… ; )
Sergio Bayona
on 04 Jan 08I think there’s a place and time for inspirational speeches and a victory speech certainly is. However there is little focus on the specific problems affecting America internally and how American foreign policy affects the world.
For example, impending catastrophes like global warming and the related issue of oil dependency, the influence of corporations in government (war profiteers, pharmaceutical corps, etc), US monetary policy, health care. These are very serious issues that need to be discussed in a level headed manner and without the splintered bias the U.S. media attempts to push them.
jrock
on 04 Jan 08vote for ron paul.
David Andersen
on 04 Jan 08I find it vacuous and totally ungrounded in reality.
D
on 04 Jan 08Incisive Read on last night’s results: David Brooks Op Ed column: “The Two Earthquakes” – today’s NY Times – pg. A23
carlivar
on 04 Jan 08I think it’s funny that the Europeans are complaining there are no facts, just wishful promises. Maybe Obama should promise everyone a pony too!
The sad reality is that Americans aren’t interested in facts. Politics has become American Idol on a larger scale with bigger consequences.
Really not much has changed since JFK beat Nixon from that TV debate way-back-when.
O for Obama
on 04 Jan 08“They said we couldn’t do it.. they said… they said.. blah blah…” The beginning sounded every interview given from some stupid athlete after they win some game they “weren’t suppose to” ... rant over.. other than that… not bad.
JF
on 04 Jan 08Another really interesting thing about Barack’s speech was the setting.
The other candidates were on a stage at the end of a room surrounded by their family, major supporters, and usual entourage. Behind them was a wall. That’s the status quo setting in political speeches after a caucus or primary.
Barack, on the other hand, was basically in the round. He was the only person on stage. The focus was squarely on him and his message. No wife, no kids, no former politicians or public figures. They were there, but they were off stage. Behind him your TV screen was filled with enthusiastic “regular” supporters. You saw regular people responding to his speech, not the usual suspects.
This is an entirely different approach to post-vote speechmaking.
WarriorNeedsFood
on 04 Jan 08Recognizing and appreciating that Jason’s original and subsequent posts were regarding style, please do promise me that this is as close as we’ll venture to politics.
Just a request. OK, maybe I’m begging. Yes, I do believe that I’m begging.
Jimmy
on 04 Jan 08Look for Obama to be our next prez as 37signals thinks he’s cool!
Tory
on 04 Jan 08The guy running Obama’s online campaign is one of the co-founders of Facebook, Chris Hughes. There was an article in the Wall Street Journal on him a while back.
http://thedartmouth.com/2007/11/15/news/obama/
I’m a conservative, and a fan of Obama. But check out Huckabee’s performance on the Tonight Show. It was fantastic:
Part 1 – http://youtube.com/watch?v=VgEW8jKoRgc Part 2 – http://youtube.com/watch?v=aQXifWDz1HM
Luigi Montanez
on 04 Jan 08I find it interesting that the non-Americans in this thread criticize Obama for making so many “promises”. I don’t think any Americans interpret the points he makes as true promises. When he talks about ending the war in Iraq or getting healthcare for all, that’s part of his campaign platform, but it’s understood that it ends there. We don’t take it as faith that he’s “promising” those things to us, but rather he’ll work towards them if elected.
lest
on 04 Jan 08“A strong military is, more than anything, necessary to sustain peace. ” – Obama’s vision for foreign policy
Jeff
on 04 Jan 08JF said:
“Another really interesting thing about Barack’s speech was the setting.
The other candidates were on a stage at the end of a room surrounded by their family, major supporters, and usual entourage. Behind them was a wall. That’s the status quo setting in political speeches after a caucus or primary. Barack, on the other hand, was basically in the round. He was the only person on stage. The focus was squarely on him and his message. No wife, no kids, no former politicians or public figures. They were there, but they were off stage. Behind him your TV screen was filled with enthusiastic “regular” supporters. You saw regular people responding to his speech, not the usual suspects.
This is an entirely different approach to post-vote speechmaking.”
That’s a very interesting observation. It sort of reminds me of George W. Bush’s accpetance speech at the Republican National Convention in 2004. It’s clear from Obama’s speeches, his website, the campaign strategy and platform that there are some excellent people running this campaign and that Obama is a great candidate
Ian
on 04 Jan 081. I am a Brit and 2. I confess to having been on the street in Florida for Barack Obama this week on voter registration – so I am biased
I disagree with the comments about this speech not flying in the UK context. Yes it would have had different emphasis and different issues/priorities, bit I believe it would have had huge resonance over here in that the Senator has grabbed the change platform – and is I believe sincere
The same disillusionment with “old” politics exists in the UK as I heard talked about in the parking lot of “Best Buy” last week in Florida – and the speech so clearly addresses that issue.
If I could vote in the US I would be doing as many seem to have done in Iowa – re-registering as a Democrat to vote for a man who can restore the values and ideals that made both our countries pre-eminent – and reducing the dependence on force and bully-boy tactics
carlivar
on 04 Jan 08Wait, I’m confused… don’t you mean register as a Republican to vote for Ron Paul? That’s what fits your criteria.
Obama is a product of the Chicago Democratic Machine (there’s a reason Chicago folks love him, including Oprah). That to me is far from a refreshing change.
Killian
on 04 Jan 08Obama has the intelligence and depth of character to not only give great speeches, but define his positions on issues . If you want to learn more about Obama’s stand on the issues then go to his website! How do you expect someone to give a victory speech and then drone on about every single policy issue he has?
Quick contrast: on Jan 1st- Barack Obama speaking to a crowd of supporters, he calls about 10 volunteers on stage to thank them and a girl who looked about 24 almost had a hysteric fit to be on stage with him- literally crying and her friend had to comfort her so she wouldn’t flip out.
Dissolve to Hillary’s rally where everyone looked bored to death and exhausted while Hillary does the same old tired shtick.
Obama is not just a good speake; as evidenced in the debates he is a good thinker too.
Go and donate some cash to Barack and vote in your primaries, he could use more financial backing to push through the next month of primaries.
carlivar
on 04 Jan 08OK so I’m looking at the Obama issues page per the suggestion.
In other words American taxpayers will support the auto unions. People are in favor of this?
Uh… how? No specifics.
OK, partially paid for… what about the rest of it? Let me guess: taxpayers; i.e. people that acted responsibly will foot the bill for the people that sign things they don’t understand.
Disturbing: no mention of inflation anywhere in his “economy” section. Does Obama understand that inflation is a tax especially on the poor?
To be fair, this I love. I really really doubt he’ll actually do this. But I sure hope he does. It seems incompatible with all the other taxpayer-funded federal programs (the solution for everything is a federal program apparently), but I hope I’m wrong.
Also I do like his Iraq & Iran positions… same as Ron Paul essentially.
What?! No mention of the Patriot Act in the Homeland Security section? I can’t find any mention of the Patriot Act yet actually.
I guess it boils down to:
Obama wants out of Iraq and a federal program to solve everything. Ron Paul wants out of Iraq (and everywhere else) and the free market to solve everything.
If you truly think the federal government is the best and most efficient way to solve problems, I guess Obama’s the guy for you. I didn’t think that’s what America is about. Time’s have certainly changed.
Oh Internets!
on 04 Jan 08That’s interesting you resonated with the ‘the tyranny of oil’.
That one line in particular struck me as poorly chosen. It just didn’t seem to sit right.
I think because tyranny and terror are so similar, and most of our oil comes from Saudi Arabia or the Middle East, to me that phase carried the undertone (unintended or not) that “All the Arab people who sell us oil are terrorizing us”
This isn’t the case at all. They legitimately sell us oil that we consume with a fervor of our own accord. If anything, we’re the bullies for all the meddling we’ve done over the years to secure and exploit other nations resources. We are waaaay too dependent on foreign oil but that’s not the fault of any foreigner.
I was really caught up in the speech and the feeling that, finally, here is someone that is could be a real human leader. The first black president, a beacon of equality, shedding the stereotypes that plague us. Sadly it doesn’t take much in the current climate to further solidify the image in the public eye that Muslim = Terrorist. To further that, jarred me slightly. It seemed like something the writers would be more delicate with.
I’m can’t offer much of a better alternative though. My first reaction was “*cringe, should have used ‘the shackles of oil’ “ or something similar, but immediately realized that was just as bad, if not worse, for different reasons. Dependance or reliance just don’t pack the same punch, and addiction is too ugly.
Thoughts?
Nick
on 04 Jan 08First of all, I’d like to disclose that I think Obama is truly something different and much needed in American politics. But this could be a thesis that I’m not going to get into…
I wanted to weigh in on the American/European arguments going on above. Any person with an sensitive ear will undoubtedly recognize the slightly overdone charisma, the big promises, the hyperbole in this speech… but perhaps our European friends are being just a little too cynical, because American politics is what it is. Great and not so great candidates of the past who did not orate with such “character” have consistently been derided and eventually lost ( e.g. Al Gore, Michael Dukakis).
Furthermore, one must remember that no matter how familiar one is with a country, you will not always pick up on all the intricacies of speech and the way messages are gotten across if the country is now your own. I am a first-generation European-American and I have been to Europe over 25 times. I’ve witnessed many elections (on TV) in European countries. The speeches of European politicians sound just as ridiculous to an attentive American (and admittedly there are too few) as ours do to Europeans. To say that these speeches “wouldn’t work” in Europe may be true but don’t be so ridiculous as to imply that this is because Europeans are too smart for this sort of thing. The election speeches of Greece, Italy, and France are an abomination of misinformation, hype, playing to people’s preconceptions, etc… just as much as many American speech.
No one will argue that American elections are too long and too drowned in big money. But at least we have the opportunity to hear an Obama, a Clinton, a Giuliani and choose our party’s nominee. The transition of from Blair to Brown in the UK was almost imperceptible. If you’re liberal in the UK, you sign on to Labour and vote for who they pick.
And of course, both Europeans and Americans criticizing Obama’s speeches should reflect on the 8 years of continuous hate, fear-mongering, stupidity, and incompetence, (not to mention the 4-year-kid’s oration) of our current president.
Seth
on 05 Jan 08Can’t you keep politics out of this blog?
I realize it’s your blog and you can post what you want but there must be other (more graceful?) ways to express your politics than connecting with any candidate’s campaign through svn….
f5
on 05 Jan 08Troll cap for Seth coming in 5…4…3…2…
RF
on 05 Jan 08Obama is one of the best orators we’ve got, y’all. Political speeches usually end up pretty light on substance here, partly because in the U.S. we seem to allow (or encourage) punishing candidates for anything like a change in position, and negative campaigns are built on quotes out of context to misrepresent a candidate’s attitudes. The news also says relatively little about candidates’ policies and who they are, and a lot about their latest attacks on each other and polls. All of that tends to reward specificity very little and punish misstatements a lot.
The “platitudes” in the speech aren’t because Obama lacks brains. He was President of the Harvard Law Review, which isn’t a position you get by being a dummy (or by affirmative action); long before he became a big-time politician with a staff of helpers, he wrote Dreams From My Father. He did some good things in the Senate like propose helping American automakers with their health care costs if they invest in hybrid technology—and it’s hard to do much at all in the Senate in one’s first term (so much depends on seniority).
Finally, if you wonder whether he’s a good orator, do some comparisons (as other commenters suggested)—look up Hillary, Romney, or Giuliani’s speeches, and also consider how he compares to George W. “Childrens do learn” Bush.
stan
on 05 Jan 08It is refreshing to see that a Harvard graduate knows how to use good rhetorical technique. Mr. Obama’s speech is a masterpiece of rhetoric. As a speech teacher, I intend to use Mr. Obama’s speech as a model for my students. It is also refreshing to see the two best communicators win in a primary. Our country needs a good communicator in the highest office of the land. I am supporting Mr. Obama because I believe he has what it takes to set things right in our country.
David Andersen
on 05 Jan 08Political discussion is dismal; one is constantly reminded of how many people lack rigor in their thought and aren’t embarrassed to express it.
Hoschi
on 05 Jan 08Europe would have thrown Obama out based purely on color.
Obamason
on 05 Jan 08I m proud of that guy.I vouch he will do a great job! “There is no white america, no black america, no latino america, no asia america…THERE IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!
SH
on 05 Jan 08It’s interesting how very few people caught on that this post is explicitly about the speech, not about politics…
Stu
on 05 Jan 08This was a magnificent speech. Written to inspire, it could have fallen flat were it not for the fact that it came from the depth of Senator Obama himself and so could be delivered with passion and sincerity. This man is not only a great orator in the tradition of Abraham Lincoln; he is also a man who understands tha heart of America at this moment in its history.
felix
on 05 Jan 08We (americans) were just talking here in Berlin today about how German politicians are expected to be boring nerds because that’s what the job is all about: nice simple boring stuff about running the economy and state so that the citizens can live their lives.
In the US its like a bunch of cartoon characters acting courageous and pitting good against evil, playing to big stories, grand scales, emotions and all that. In Europe it would be like : isn’t that a bit pretentious ? Just make sure the trash is taken out, the energy concerns are transitioning quickly enough and can we control the price of bread and beer.
David
on 05 Jan 08I can’t believe anyone would fall for this triumph of style over content. Yes, he’s a great orator—but did he really say anything? (Does he ever?) It’s like y’all never read Zeldman in those early 2000s when the internets were talking about content, content, content.
This thing about Europeans vs. US is really about the level of political discourse—in the U.S. it’s so unbelievably low, Huckabee can pass as a candidate, and voters are convinced that when someone says “change” or “hope” they have said something concrete and inspiring.
Alex Cabrera
on 06 Jan 08I was too impressed with the Obama speech. It is incredible how he, like Kennedy before him (and make no mistake, he is the rebirth of JFK for the democrats), can talk so eloquently about nothing. It’s the political equivalent to a Seinfeld episode.
As for the website, yes it’s beautiful; but, seriously, a splash page with hard to read “continue to website” text? Splash pages are so late 90s. Why not just throw in a bunch of 45-degree arrows and some 8px Silkscreen text at the bottom with random quotes from philosophers?
In all honesty, the most effective web site has to be the Ron Paul campaign’s site. Turning political donation into a live interactive event takes both a huge amount of gall and a really interesting perspective on interaction design. Genius.
Luigi Montanez
on 06 Jan 08@Alex: Political campaigns put up splash pages with a form to enter email address/zip code as a way to horde as many email addresses as possible when they know they’re getting hit with plenty of new visitors. To their web team’s credit, they put a cookie on your browser after you visit for the first time and you never see that splash again. I was referring to the normal homepage for the aesthetic beauty.
Joe
on 06 Jan 08Thanks for posting this. It made me finally research all of the candidates for the first time.
Obama is definitely a great orator and extremely likable. Definitely the Apple of the candidates.
Which means that Ron Paul is probably Linux. He isn’t trying to impress or inspire you - he just wants to put control in your hands. He’s open source, too - if you can read the Constitution, you know what he stands for.
I’ll avoid suggesting a Windows candidate. ;)
atl gadget grrrl
on 06 Jan 08I am listening to the speech while I read the comments. Interesting. In some place, he sounds a bit like a rock star.
I am standing back, watching how technology is going to change this election. I am thrilled that so many young people – like us! – are out and voting, and I hope it continues. I think the impacts will be dramatic, and will make heads spin in all from the candidates all the way down to the talking head media. All I can say is that it’s about time.
I tripped across Glassbooth.org earlier this week and thought it was pretty cool. It shows how what is personally important to you aligns with various candidates. Check it out… (disclaimer: I have nothing to do with them)
jc
on 06 Jan 08Obamas speech was appealing, motivating and inspirational. It’s intent sincere and its delivery strong, but now it’s time for Obama to elaborate on those great ideals with specifity!!! If credible and perceived achievable then this will separate him from the pack.
As for Hillary, she is not out of the race, but will fall behind if her fear of Obama leads her to pull out the traditional Clinton “attacktics.” Hillary must quit trying to scare people into selecting her as the nominee and start selling herself and her vision for America. Preferably in a non-sound bite format.
We may not all agree on how “great” the victory speech was or what not, but we can agree that it will be an interesting election.
Jacinta
on 06 Jan 08Obama’s speech to me was captivating and this is what get people’s attention.It’s probably the most touching speech ever besides Martin Luther King Jr’s speech.Remember , Americans have a very short memory span ,and will equally take a sharp “switch over” whenever they find another person better than Obama. They make me laugh.
Callum
on 06 Jan 08I can’t speak for Europe as a whole, but I’m in the UK, and this speech would be regarded with scorn over here. But it’s not just Obama’s words—it’s also the behaviour of the crowd. They cheer like fans at a rock concert. That’s not to say that British political speeches aren’t full of rhetorical nonsense; they are. Especially in prelections to a politician’s own supporters. But I think British people like to have at least a pretence of it being a serious, political address rather than a blatantly emotive PR stunt.
I don’t mean to suggest that we’re more refined or discerning over here; I think most of our political speeches are PR stunts too (and most of the public seem to fall for them). But it’s interesting that they’re so very different.
Matt W
on 07 Jan 08I think that the European folks may be misinterpreting the cheering. You guys can’t understand how demoralizing the past 8 years (and more, to be frank) have been. On top of that, there is so much latent discrimination (against blacks, minorities, gays, nerds, young people, whatever) in America, so much cynicism— such a drag. The cheering is about the possibility of defeating that. Of feeling like “Man, I’m American and proud.” I have not thought that in my adult life.
It’s the greatest speech since the one at the end of Revenge of The Nerds. ;)
Matt W
on 07 Jan 08America is fighting for its soul. I think most European countries are in much less of a state of flux. If we end up with anyone else it’s going to be the same sh.. stuff.
Scott
on 07 Jan 08Before we anoint Obama let’s take a close look at this article.
Renee
on 07 Jan 08Listen to an inspirational speech from Obama at Obama’s Victory Speech
A concerned American
on 08 Jan 08I’m an American, I live in Pennsylvania and I agree with European folks…this speech is just too much. He won a freaking primary people…not the presidency! He is trying to be to enduring, to inspiring…to…superheorish. I mean he is going to swoop in and cure everything, make everybody better…come on. I get the feeling he is trying to whip people into a “feel good” frenzy to vote for him. One comment summed it up perfectly. “It taste good but not very nourishing…”
Politico
on 08 Jan 08A speech to thank campaign workers and supporters is not a policy speech. So for those waiting for a policy speech, you were looking in the wrong place. It was a very powerful speech not because it was any different from other routine speeches given by U.S. politicians, but because of the style and elegance with which it was delivered.
His is a preachy poetic style. There were many literary devices used in the speech; it isn’t prose but poetry delivered as a speech.
Give the same speech to Hillary and you would stop listening after two minutes. The reason most ordinary people get turned off by political speeches is because they keep quoting data, economic figures, and other statistics that the lay person who is not a policy geek, does not really care about. Anyone can make up figures that the average person does not have the time to verify. The Jane/Joe Q. Public simply wants you to connect with her/him on an emotional level to have the sense that you have empathy. That is the point most commentators are missing. This has always been true in American politics. The great American speeches have always had an appeal to American exceptionalism – we can achieve anything because we are Americans.
The essential point of the speech can be summarized as “Our country is great. I know things are not going well. If you join with me, we can make our country better, even though there are cynics who feel we are doomed to gladiatorial politics forever.”
How this would be done is usually laid out in a policy speech, not a victory speech. Any victory speech that lays out all the policy details is a turn off and usually seems like reading a shopping list.
American politicians do not deliver speeches to impress Europeans. The fact that Europeans liked or disliked a speech delivered by our politicians does not factor in the writing or delivery of the speech.
One final point. Obama’s delivery is not new. Listen to King’s “I have a dream” or Kennedy’s inaugural address. The style of delivery of those speeches will tell you a lot about where Obama’s style is coming from.
Chris
on 10 Jan 08Gee, I wonder who the 37s camp is voting for.
I think Barack’s speech was done very well. I’m not so sure that I’m lining up for the kool-aid yet, though. Promising so much makes me uneasy. When he is talking, I never forget that this is a politician trying to convince me that he is the better than everyone else for POTUS.
With Huckabee, I feel like his speech is coming from someone who already has the job. Very relaxed, comforting even. I’m not voting for him, but if I knew nothing about any of the candidates, I’d vote for Huckabee based on his ability to communicate with us commonfolk.
Also, anyone who said that Obama or any of these candidates is a better communicator than Bill Clinton is out of their mind. Absolute crazy talk!
steppmaster
on 11 Jan 08i rather for a man or woman to show me than tell me. who can possible stomach details all the time every day all night long. one must motivate others in more than details, such as hope, promises, dreams ect.., a man, politician, or whatever cannot deliver details at a day of speaking there is too far more info to intake. most americans rely on trust, patients, honesty, and most of all courage and comittment. we should not waste valuable time trying to make them pass a lie detector test during their speech or watching for every word being spoken. (hint) next time you speak to someone evaluate your details!!! and remind yourself of the facts later. bless be to Obama!!! good luck smj
This discussion is closed.