Do me a favor
Yeah, yeah. I know you’re far too cynical for politics. But just watch it, ok? Unless you already did. In which case, you have my permission to spend the next three quarters of an hour napping or drinking tea.
For extra credit, you may also watch this one and think about what happens when folks just don’t feel like voting.
It’s all about the second half of the Obama speech. The first half is pretty standard fare but if a person survives that he gets on such a good roll that this ends up being one of the best speeches I’ve ever heard.
I really like Obama, but he’s promising things on which he cannot possibly deliver. An end to foreign oil dependence in ten years? Come on. He might as well promise “a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage”.
Oil from the Middle East. Not all foreign oil.
Ah ha. My mistake.
Well, I watched it live and I *still* watched it again. One of the best speeches I’ve ever heard.
Previously I’ve not been that interested in the US presidential elections, as things were a lot better in the global economy.
But the US economy does effect the rest of the world and despite Bill leaving it in a great state, Bush has somehow completely reversed the situation and we now really do need a change, and I don’t see that coming from McCain.
Aside from that, I don’t like the general republican standpoint of taking care of the rich and hoping it trickles down to the rest of society, as Obama pointed out. I really do think the nation will obviously be far far better off (including the rich) if everyone is taken care of as a whole.
But yes, Obama does seem like an incredible man with the most potential of any presidential candidate for a long time. If he doesn’t win, I will be very very worried for the US and the world as a whole.
I live in Australia and I think we’re more interested in the US elections than our own because of exactly what Aidan said and because there is nothing like this. I didn’t see one thing on TV except propaganda and slander ads when Australia had it’s federal election last year. You’d think in a country where it’s compulsory to vote, people would give more of a damn about what they’re voting for.
Then again we don’t have any candidates as charismatic as Obama. Our options were a monkey that’s been the Prime Minister for 12 years or a younger, taller, blond version of the same guy but leader of the opposition.
Seems everyone is getting excited because he speaks well. After 8 years of Bush, the contrast in oration is stark.
Big government programs have to be paid for, and once instituted, never go away.
I trust the government not at all when it comes to running things efficiently. I want them involved *as little as possible* with my life. Vote for whoever you want, but I’m not voting for an expansion of socialism.
I’m dealing with an election campaign up here in Canada, where we’ve had a Prime Minister (Stephen Harper) that’s as dense as George Bush and as much of a cunning political bastard as Jean Chretien. I REALLY wish we had someone as inspiring as Barack Obama here. Yes, I realize that he isn’t a miracle worker,but he’s given people something they haven’t had in a long time; HOPE. When people have the belief that their actions can help make a difference, then it will begin to break down our culture of cynicism and those we elect to office will be more accountable to the people who put them there because we will DEMAND it.
At least Obama has mentioned in recent days actual and soecific “things” he thinks should be done…It is unfortunate that he, if elected to the Presidency, would have to contend with getting his “reforms” through the “old guard” of the currently entrenched Washington Machine…THAT is where he fails to inspire me…Not with specific ideas (he has them, McCain has NONE) but with no ability to inspire old dogs who refuse to even look at new tricks…I think most of his message is tired “change” rhetoric, dressed up for the Nintendo Generation…I lament the loss of Clinton, who was enough of an insider to actually get stuff done, and I am perplexed at the idea that in a vast and populated country of supposedly educated and mature people, we still allow our basic survival-means to be “BUSINESS…” That is crazy.
Baron, I understand what you’re saying, but it seems very sad to me if it’s true. The bottom line for me is that Bush has ruined the reputation of the United States and Obama offers the opportunity to repair that damage whereas McCain will only serve to worsen it.
Another thing that has always killed me in politics is people who say they’re republican, democrat, liberal, conservative, etc, and never change, no matter what options or information is laid in front of them. We’re humans, we should listen to the information and issues that are put in front if us and make up our own opinions. Simply being blindly loyal to one party is fantastically ignorant.
Aidan, Indeed…But, please look to commercialism, marketing, and specifically: BRANDING. My grandpa ALWAYS drove a Chevrolet, even when other, BETTER vehicles were available at a similar price point…Political affiliation is NO different…Folks are what they are because something about the BRAND appeals to them…For most Republicans, I suspect it is the (false) ideal of freedom from Government interference.
Baron – Agreed – that does happen, but it’s also terrible that it does.
In this election, I really hope a lot of the people who don’t normally vote - mainly the younger Americans – do vote this time around and I hope they vote for Obama. I don’t know whether you guys know this through your news system, but the rest of the world is firmly behind Barack Obama and are praying (should they be religiously inclined) that he is the next president.
I don’t want to see yet another riot at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue because a large majority of the country feel the election was a fix, as happened with both times Bush was elected.
Aiden: sorry for the delay…The young have voted in the last 2 elections…Unfortunately, they voted for Nader or Buchanan, following their consciences, but throwing away votes…Perhaps this time around, they will spend their political “capital” more usefully…
Hi again Baron.
I feel a bit bad about hijacking Emma’s blog post… But I’ll respond anyway. The same has happened here in the UK in the past where the young have voted for parties which have no chance of winning in order to ’send a message’.
I can’t help feeling that the same thing will happen in this election that happened in 2000: Obama will win the popular vote, but McCain will win the electoral vote and I think this because Obama has such an up-hill battle against the staunch republicans in middle America, who seem to have no interest in listening to issues and making decisions based on what both candidates present, but are simply republicans for life.
I’ve yet to see McCain say anything remotely interesting about his views, policies or issues in any of his speeches and I think it’ll be another 4 years of sharp economic decline for the US, as well as a continued decline in US popularity around the world if McCain is let into office.
Oh and this is funny: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GEtZlR3zp4c
Although to be fair, I’m sure all politicians, including Barack, say things they regret.
Sorry - I’m not trying to promote McCain hate - this is all just my personal opinion of the guy.